Help Notes

The art of acting serves several purposes, but perhaps the most relevant is in providing an audience the opportunity to study an issue, theme or question in a focused, limited time-frame, with the skills of an author and actors employed to illuminate a particular area of interest. Acting also allows audience members to share the experience with others. An actor can offer the joy of pure entertainment or offer escapism from reality. Comedy may be employed to... The art of acting serves several purposes, but perhaps the most relevant is in providing an audience the opportunity to study an issue, theme or question in a focused, limited time-frame, with the skills of an author and actors employed to illuminate a particular area of interest. Acting also allows audience members to share the experience with others. An actor can offer the joy of pure entertainment or offer escapism from reality. Comedy may be employed to lift the spirits of an audience (while comedy can also serve to illuminat...

The two poems “Death, Be Not Proud” and “Batter My Heart, three-person'd God” are part of a series of nineteen poems called the Holy Sonnets, published in 1663, two years after John Donne’s death. Donne is remembered among other Metaphysical poets of the time, such as George Herbert, who were often concerned with religious themes. Donne’s poetry was influenced by his own religious identity. In the period that he wrote these poems, he was in... The two poems “Death, Be Not Proud” and “Batter My Heart, three-person'd God” are part of a series of nineteen poems called the Holy Sonnets, published in 1663, two years after John Donne’s death. Donne is remembered among other Metaphysical poets of the time, such as George Herbert, who were often concerned with religious themes. Donne’s poetry was influenced by his own religious identity. In the period that he wrote these poems, he was in a state of religious transformation, converting from Catholicism to Anglicanism and considering joi...

It is important to remember that even though he was nationally prominent, William Lloyd Garrison was at no point a mainstream figure. He was on the radical fringe of the abolitionist movement, one which brooked no compromise whatsoever over the issue of slavery. Garrison even sometimes advocated the dissolution of the Union to rid the body politic of the stain of slavery. This being said, Garrison rose to prominence by the publication of The Liberator,... It is important to remember that even though he was nationally prominent, William Lloyd Garrison was at no point a mainstream figure. He was on the radical fringe of the abolitionist movement, one which brooked no compromise whatsoever over the issue of slavery. Garrison even sometimes advocated the dissolution of the Union to rid the body politic of the stain of slavery. This being said, Garrison rose to prominence by the publication of The Liberator, his newspaper which remained in publication from 1831 through the Civil War. This p...

Longfellow and Alcott were both New England writers; Longfellow was born in Maine and Alcott lived in Concord, Massachusetts. Their lives overlapped somewhat; Longfellow was 26 years older than Alcott but they died about six years apart. They were both important 19th century American authors. Along with their biographical similarities, they share similarities in their writing.  Alcott's best known book is Little Women, which remains a classic in children's literature. It is the fictionalized, idealized story of Alcott and her three sisters as they grew up. Alcott's actual childhood had been difficult, since her father had a hard time keeping a teaching job due to his radical ideas of education. In fact, Alcott wrote Little Women as a way to help the family's finances.  As a romanticized portrayal of childhood, Little Women shares characteristics with Longfellow's poetry, particularly his poetry about children. Here is the opening of Longfellow's The Children...

For me,  Bud, Not Buddy helps me better understand the Great Depression because Bud is a kid.  Most of times that I have read about the Great Depression, it has been in a textbook.  The textbook gives a bunch of cold facts and fills the pages with pictures of adults.  I suppose a part of me never considered the time period impacting children and families.  Currently, I am a father of three children under the... For me,  Bud, Not Buddy helps me better understand the Great Depression because Bud is a kid.  Most of times that I have read about the Great Depression, it has been in a textbook.  The textbook gives a bunch of cold facts and fills the pages with pictures of adults.  I suppose a part of me never considered the time period impacting children and families.  Currently, I am a father of three children under the age of eight.  Reading about the poverty surrounding Bud really made me consider the impact that the time period had on families and their children.  It really felt unfair ...

The notion of trade with humans is introduced in Chapter Six. In actuality, most of what the pigs told the other animals about the necessity to trade with humans was based on realistic facts. The farm was indeed running short on many essentials which could not be produced on the farm, as seen in the following extract: Nevertheless, as the summer wore on, various unforeseen shortages began to make themselves felt. There was need of paraffin oil, nails, string, dog biscuits, and iron for the horses' shoes, none of which could be produced on the farm. Later there would also be need for seeds and artificial manures, besides various tools and, finally, the machinery for the windmill. How these were to be procured, no one was able to imagine. It was for this purpose that Napoleon announced one Sunday morning that they would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms. This would not be done for commercial gain, but to ensure the availability of whatever essentials the farm required. He s...

Jem is ashamed of Atticus because he does not possess the youth and strength that the other fathers of boys Jem's age have. As an aging lawyer, Atticus is not able to "keep up" physically and athletically like the other fathers. Jem is particularly bothered by the fact that Atticus won't let him tackle him during their football games and that he will only play "keep away" with the ball. Atticus redeems himself in Jem's eyes when he proves his marksmanship skills by shooting Tim Johnson, the rabid dog who wanders down a road in Maycomb. Both Jem and Scout are shocked at how talented their father is, particularly since they never associated him with anything as violent or as physically demanding as shooting a gun.  

General Zaroff is the hunter and Rainsford is the prey in Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game." As a result, each one describes and/or experiences fear differently. The two men do not have a discussion about fear, but they do discuss hunting. General Zaroff doesn't seem to fear anything. For example, Rainsford asks him if a Cape buffalo had charged him before he killed it and Zaroff calmly says that it "Hurled me against a tree... Fractured my skull. But I got the brute." Rainsford is a bit shocked at Zaroff's nonchalance. Zaroff has hunted nearly every wild animal on earth and says that the thrill of the hunt eventually left and he became bored. It would seem that fear either doesn't exist in Zaroff's vocabulary, or the word " thrill " is the closest Zaroff comes to actually feeling it. The topic of fear is not really felt by Rainsford until Zaroff hunts him. During the hunt, Rainsford reminds himself over and over again, "I must k...

One example of Holden feeling like a social outcast is at the beginning of  The Catcher in the Rye.  Holden is standing on a hill alone watching the school's Friday night game. He says that he's there because he forgot the fencing team's foils on the train that day while he was looking for their exit on a map. He claims that the team ostracized him the whole way back to the school because they missed their tournament. Consequently, he doesn't feel like joining them or the rest of the student body down at the game. What seems like an innocent accident could also be considered a lack of organization or self-discipline on Holden's part.  Another example of Holden's lack of self-discipline is when he is on a date with Sally Hayes in Chapter 17. The couple has a great time enjoying each other's company until Holden starts thinking negative thoughts about Sally and a boy she talks to for a minute. He doesn't lose control until the end of the date when he asks ...

The historical setting of The Crucible  is 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. As a Puritan community, God and religion were the center of people's lives, as well as the center of the government in Salem. The Puritans had a strict sense of what it meant to be a Christian and to behave in a godly way, setting up an automatic man vs. society conflict , as not every member of the community necessarily agreed with the... The historical setting of The Crucible  is 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. As a Puritan community, God and religion were the center of people's lives, as well as the center of the government in Salem. The Puritans had a strict sense of what it meant to be a Christian and to behave in a godly way, setting up an automatic man vs. society conflict , as not every member of the community necessarily agreed with the prescribed behavioral expectations (consider John Proctor's stubborn personality, and even Elizabeth Proctor's choice to lie to protect her husband).  Additi...

William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth is a study in the character development of an anti-hero. When the play starts, Macbeth is a real hero—having just helped King Duncan's forces win a key battle that led to the defeat of the rebel enemy. Macbeth is rewarded with a new title: Thane of Cawdor. Thanks to the witches' prophecy, though, Macbeth, and then Lady Macbeth, begin to burn for King Duncan's throne. They eventually achieve it with a... William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth is a study in the character development of an anti-hero. When the play starts, Macbeth is a real hero—having just helped King Duncan's forces win a key battle that led to the defeat of the rebel enemy. Macbeth is rewarded with a new title: Thane of Cawdor. Thanks to the witches' prophecy, though, Macbeth, and then Lady Macbeth, begin to burn for King Duncan's throne. They eventually achieve it with a sneaky, bloody murder. Although the murder creates the desired result—Macbeth q...

Lyddie's mother does not like the Stevens family because they are Quakers, but they are good neighbors. The Stevens family is neighborly to the Worthens, even though Lyddie’s mother wants to avoid the Stevenses because they are Quakers.  They let Lyddie breed her cow to their bull.  When Lyddie comes back to sell the calf, Mr. Stevens is upset that he did not realize that the children were there alone.  He would have helped them... Lyddie's mother does not like the Stevens family because they are Quakers, but they are good neighbors. The Stevens family is neighborly to the Worthens, even though Lyddie’s mother wants to avoid the Stevenses because they are Quakers.  They let Lyddie breed her cow to their bull.  When Lyddie comes back to sell the calf, Mr. Stevens is upset that he did not realize that the children were there alone.  He would have helped them if he knew.  Charlie, in fact, wanted Lyddie to ask for help, even if their mother would not approve.  She left the two of ...

A person who jumps to mind as sharing similarities with Jay Gatsby would be Donald Trump. Both are bigger-than-life figures about whom gossip swirls. Both like the grand gesture, the big house, the color gold. Both try to impress people with their wealth. Both have had colorful pasts (though Trump is not associated with criminal enterprises) and both see women as beautiful trophies they can acquire. While Trump was born to wealth and Gatsby was... A person who jumps to mind as sharing similarities with Jay Gatsby would be Donald Trump. Both are bigger-than-life figures about whom gossip swirls. Both like the grand gesture, the big house, the color gold. Both try to impress people with their wealth. Both have had colorful pasts (though Trump is not associated with criminal enterprises) and both see women as beautiful trophies they can acquire. While Trump was born to wealth and Gatsby was not, Trump's jump into presidential politics can be seen as daring to aspire to a world to whic...

Regarding the character of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, strictly speaking, her birth year and location are never revealed in the play. We can assume that she was born in Scotland, and she is believed by some to be based, in small part, on the real-life wife of King Macbeth of Scotland who lived in the eleventh century BCE. This woman's name was Gruoch ingen Boite, and the exact years during which she lived are not known,... Regarding the character of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, strictly speaking, her birth year and location are never revealed in the play. We can assume that she was born in Scotland, and she is believed by some to be based, in small part, on the real-life wife of King Macbeth of Scotland who lived in the eleventh century BCE. This woman's name was Gruoch ingen Boite, and the exact years during which she lived are not known, but Macbeth reigned from 1040 to 1057. However, Shakespeare would have been familiar with a history of England called Hollinshed'...

The electric resistance of a material is a property that represents the opposition to the passage of the electric current. From the microscopic point of view the resistance depends on the atomic structure of the material. From the macroscopic point of view, the resistance depends on the linear dimensions of the material. The value of the resistance of a wire can be calculated using the following expression: R = ρL/s Where: ρ, is the specific... The electric resistance of a material is a property that represents the opposition to the passage of the electric current. From the microscopic point of view the resistance depends on the atomic structure of the material. From the macroscopic point of view, the resistance depends on the linear dimensions of the material. The value of the resistance of a wire can be calculated using the following expression: R = ρL/s Where: ρ, is the specific resistance which is related to the material; also has a temperature dependence. L, is the length of the w...

In the case of Chimel V. California (1969), police suspected that Chimel had robbed a rare coin store. They went to his house with an arrest warrant, and his wife let them in. They arrested him when he came home and asked him for consent to search, which he did not grant them. While inside, they searched the premises and found the coins. The police argued that they had the right to search the home... In the case of Chimel V. California (1969), police suspected that Chimel had robbed a rare coin store. They went to his house with an arrest warrant, and his wife let them in. They arrested him when he came home and asked him for consent to search, which he did not grant them. While inside, they searched the premises and found the coins. The police argued that they had the right to search the home because they were already inside and had a lawful arrest warrant for Chimel. Chimel argued that while the arrest was lawful, the search was not. He appealed on the basis that they did not have a ...

There are several scenes throughout the novel that depict Bryon reading and commenting about literature. In Chapter 2, Mike asks Bryon if he has some time to hear the story about why he got beat up. Bryon mentions that he enjoys hearing about things that have happened to other people which is why he likes to read. Bryon enjoys a good story because it allows him the opportunity to explore other people's experiences. Bryon also... There are several scenes throughout the novel that depict Bryon reading and commenting about literature. In Chapter 2, Mike asks Bryon if he has some time to hear the story about why he got beat up. Bryon mentions that he enjoys hearing about things that have happened to other people which is why he likes to read. Bryon enjoys a good story because it allows him the opportunity to explore other people's experiences. Bryon also has many good memories attached to reading which is another reason he values it. In Chapter 4, Mark asks Bryon if he'll rea...

Circe warns Odysseus that their journey will only be able to continue if they go to the halls of Hades, where he must consult with the spirit of Teiresias of Thebes. In Book X, after fleeing Lamos, the land of the giant Laistrygonians, Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of Circe. After making a random selection, Odysseus sends some of his men, who are both reluctant and frightened, to search around. Under the... Circe warns Odysseus that their journey will only be able to continue if they go to the halls of Hades, where he must consult with the spirit of Teiresias of Thebes. In Book X, after fleeing Lamos, the land of the giant Laistrygonians, Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of Circe. After making a random selection, Odysseus sends some of his men, who are both reluctant and frightened, to search around. Under the command of Eurylochus, they investigate the island. The men soon hear Circe at her loom, singing. Polites tells the others that somebody inside is either a g...

Ionic compounds are formed by ions: cations and anions. A cation is formed when an atom loses an electron/s and an anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electron/s. An example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride, which is formed between a sodium cation (Na+) and chloride anion (Cl-). Compounds formed through an exchange of electrons (between ions) have stronger bonds as compared to covalent compounds. The ionic compounds are held... Ionic compounds are formed by ions: cations and anions. A cation is formed when an atom loses an electron/s and an anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electron/s. An example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride, which is formed between a sodium cation (Na+) and chloride anion (Cl-). Compounds formed through an exchange of electrons (between ions) have stronger bonds as compared to covalent compounds. The ionic compounds are held together by electrostatic forces which are very strong. In the case of covalent compounds, atoms are he...

Presumably, she feels disappointed and embarrassed by her husband's behavior.  As the party was breaking up, Lady Macbeth chastises her husband, saying, "You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting / With most admired disorder" (3.4.132-133).  She's been humiliated by what she perceives as her husband's cowardly behavior in regards to the presence of Banquo's ghost (of which she and the rest of their guests are insensible).   Lady Macbeth believes that Macbeth thinks... Presumably, she feels disappointed and embarrassed by her husband's behavior.  As the party was breaking up, Lady Macbeth chastises her husband, saying, "You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting / With most admired disorder" (3.4.132-133).  She's been humiliated by what she perceives as her husband's cowardly behavior in regards to the presence of Banquo's ghost (of which she and the rest of their guests are insensible).   Lady Macbeth believes tha...

The blank faces of the children in the repeated dream are ambiguous in their meaning to some degree. One way to explain the blankness is to connect it to the conclusion that the magistrate comes to in the end of the narrative. After going to great lengths to separate himself from the society of the empire (by resisting Colonel Joll’s initiatives, by embarking on a mission to return the nameless barbarian girl to her people, and finally by spending time as a prisoner of the empire), the magistrate realizes that his attempts have been fruitless. He is intimately and intractably connected to the society (the culture and the history) of the empire. He relies on this society for the whole of his identity. “I wanted to live outside history. I wanted to live outside the history that Empire imposes on its subjects, even its lost subjects. I never wished it for the barbarians that they should have the history of the Empire laid upon them.” At this point, the magistrate has already come to accep...

 Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. In other words, acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / (final time - initial time) Thus, for car B,  in first two hours: v = 40 km/h, u = 0 km/h and t = 2 h thus, a = (40 - 0)/2 = 20 km/h^2 in next two hours: v = u = 40 km/h, thus, acceleration = 0 km/h^2 and in last 2 hours: v...  Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. In other words, acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / (final time - initial time) Thus, for car B,  in first two hours: v = 40 km/h, u = 0 km/h and t = 2 h thus, a = (40 - 0)/2 = 20 km/h^2 in next two hours: v = u = 40 km/h, thus, acceleration = 0 km/h^2 and in last 2 hours: v = 0, u = 40 km/h and t = 2 h thus, acceleration = (0 - 40)/2 = -20 km/h^2. Similarly, for car A, in first two hours: acceleration = (30 - 0)/2 = 15 km/h^2 for next 2 hours, acceleration = (60 - 30)/2 = 15 km/h^2 and in the last 2 hours, acceleration = (0 - 30)/2 = -15 km/h^2 (ii) Total distance traveled by Car (...

In Act 1, scene 3, Macbeth and Banquo initially encounter the Weird Sisters.  They speak, at first, to Macbeth alone. FIRST WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!SECOND WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!THIRD WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, that shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.51-53) The first statement is not prophetic because Macbeth already is the Thane of Glamis.  The second statement is technically not... In Act 1, scene 3, Macbeth and Banquo initially encounter the Weird Sisters.  They speak, at first, to Macbeth alone. FIRST WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! SECOND WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! THIRD WITCH: All hail, Macbeth!  Hail to thee, that shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.51-53) The first statement is not prophetic because Macbeth already is the Thane of Glamis.  The second statement is technically not a prophecy either because Duncan has already named Macbeth the Thane of Caw...

The first example of figurative language is a simile. Defines a simile as “a figure of speech in which two things, essentially different but thought to be alike in one or more respects, are compared using “like,” “as,” “as if,” or “such” for the purpose of explanation, allusion, or ornament.” A simile occurs when Katniss goes up to the fence that is supposed to be electrified to go hunting. She is not supposed to go outside the fence, but this is a law she often breaks. The fence is quiet. But since we’re lucky to get two or three hours of electricity in the evenings, it’s usually safe to touch. Even so, I always take a moment to listen carefully for the hum that means the fence is live. Right now, it’s silent as a stone  (Chapter 1). This simile compares the electric fence to a stone. Stones do not make any noise. Since there is no electricity to the fence, the fence makes no noise. It is safe for Katniss to cross. The second example is a metaphor. Defines a metaphor as “a figure of s...

John Aycliffe had great power over the peasants because he was the steward of Stromford. In feudal England, a steward held a very important position; basically, in the absence of his lord, the steward was the de facto lord of the estate. He had the power to decide the fate of the villagers under his rule. With Lord Furnival rumored to be dying, John Aycliffe's power was further reinforced by the Furnival family's need to... John Aycliffe had great power over the peasants because he was the steward of Stromford. In feudal England, a steward held a very important position; basically, in the absence of his lord, the steward was the de facto lord of the estate. He had the power to decide the fate of the villagers under his rule. With Lord Furnival rumored to be dying, John Aycliffe's power was further reinforced by the Furnival family's need to announce a trusted successor before other claimants came forward. With this in mind, John Aycliffe immediately declared Crispin a w...

An insulator is a material that does not conduct heat or electricity. In comparison, conductors are the materials that conduct electricity and/or heat. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Glass, on the other hand, is an insulator and so is rubber. To conduct electricity, a material must possess free electrons. For example, metals have free electrons and these "delocalized" electrons conduct the electricity. That is why metals are generally good conductors. In... An insulator is a material that does not conduct heat or electricity. In comparison, conductors are the materials that conduct electricity and/or heat. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Glass, on the other hand, is an insulator and so is rubber. To conduct electricity, a material must possess free electrons. For example, metals have free electrons and these "delocalized" electrons conduct the electricity. That is why metals are generally good conductors. In comparison, a...

Bryon respects Charlie for a multitude of reasons. Bryon knows that Charlie is a tough individual who has a reputation of being a good fighter and knows better than to get on Charlie's bad side . Bryon also views Charlie as a friend. He respects the fact that Charlie grew up in a rough neighborhood like he did and that he read just as much. Even the police respected Charlie and he had the ability... Bryon respects Charlie for a multitude of reasons. Bryon knows that Charlie is a tough individual who has a reputation of being a good fighter and knows better than to get on Charlie's bad side . Bryon also views Charlie as a friend. He respects the fact that Charlie grew up in a rough neighborhood like he did and that he read just as much. Even the police respected Charlie and he had the ability to add "quicker than a machine." When Charlie allows Bryon to borrow his car , Bryon is extremely excited, but can't find the words to thank him. Later on in the novel, Bryo...

Romeo and Mercutio seem to be more different than they are similar, but they do have a few similarities. Both men enjoy wordplay and witty repartee, can be rather immature when they are together, and show bad judgment at some point in the play. The discussion between Romeo and Mercutio in Act I, Scene 4, is so clever; they discuss the nature of love using puns. Mercutio also tries to convince Romeo that he should... Romeo and Mercutio seem to be more different than they are similar, but they do have a few similarities. Both men enjoy wordplay and witty repartee, can be rather immature when they are together, and show bad judgment at some point in the play. The discussion between Romeo and Mercutio in Act I, Scene 4, is so clever; they discuss the nature of love using puns. Mercutio also tries to convince Romeo that he should attend the Capulets' party that night, even though Romeo is depressed about Rosaline. Mercutio has a tendency to wax philosophic more than Romeo does, however,...

In the lines immediately preceding the final one, the speaker says, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by," It is this -- the idea that the narrator took the road that fewer people had taken -- that makes all the difference in his life (lines 18-19).  However, this is a lie that he is planning to tell because there is no road "less traveled" in the poem;... In the lines immediately preceding the final one, the speaker says, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by," It is this -- the idea that the narrator took the road that fewer people had taken -- that makes all the difference in his life (lines 18-19).  However, this is a lie that he is planning to tell because there is no road "less traveled" in the poem; the narrator has already said so.  He'd described the second road as "just as fair" as the first (6).  Further, he'd said that "the passing there / Had ...

In Chapter Four of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men , George has gone into town on Saturday night along with some of the other ranch hands, leaving Lennie behind. While in the barn playing with his puppy he sees the light from Crooks's room. Crooks is the black stable buck who tends the horses and mules on the ranch. Because he is black, Crooks is segregated from the other men and has his own room.... In Chapter Four of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men , George has gone into town on Saturday night along with some of the other ranch hands, leaving Lennie behind. While in the barn playing with his puppy he sees the light from Crooks's room. Crooks is the black stable buck who tends the horses and mules on the ranch. Because he is black, Crooks is segregated from the other men and has his own room. In the beginning of the chapter, Steinbeck describes the room, noting several of the objects, including books, medicine bottles and the implements of Crooks's work. When Lennie appear...

According to Newton's first law of motion, an object will continue in its state of motion until and unless an external force is applied to it. This means that an object at rest will remain at rest, while an object in motion will stay in motion until and unless an external force is applied to it. Similarly, a rocket that is on the ground is at rest (zero speed). To change its velocity in an... According to Newton's first law of motion, an object will continue in its state of motion until and unless an external force is applied to it. This means that an object at rest will remain at rest, while an object in motion will stay in motion until and unless an external force is applied to it. Similarly, a rocket that is on the ground is at rest (zero speed). To change its velocity in an upward direction, that is to push it towards the sky, we need to provide it with some force. Earth's gravity constant pulls on everything on Earth and this causes objects to fall down when we let go ...