Notes: August 2013

Saturday 31 August 2013

What was missing from the Mother Paula's Pancake House files in the book Hoot? Why was this important to the plot?

In the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, one of the main conflicts is that Mullet Fingers (whose real name is Napoleon Leep) is trying to stop construction on a Mother Paula's restaurant. He is trying to protect the burrowing owls that live on the property. His methods for stopping construction include vandalism. When Officer Delinko is called to investigate, he becomes a victim of the vandalism when Mullet Fingers spray paints the windows of his...

Roy becomes intensely curious about Mullet Fingers, the boy he sees running barefoot in chapter one. His curiosity attracts the attention of Beatrice the Bear (Beatrice Leep) who is Mullet Fingers' step-sister. She demands to know why Roy is interested in Mullet Fingers. She decides she can trust Roy with the truth. Her step-brother is a runaway.

When Roy finds out about the owls on the construction site, he wants to help Mullet Fingers stop construction. However, he doesn't agree with Mullet Fingers' methods of vandalism. Mullet Fingers pulls up the survey stakes, places alligators in the portable toilets, and collects snakes to scare away the guard dogs on the property in an effort to stop construction. Roy wants to find a legal way to help the owls.

With the help of his father, Roy learns that all construction sites are required to keep copies of environmental impact reports on the site. This report is missing from the Mother Paula's site. Both Curly and his supervisor Chuck Muckle deny the existence of the report. Roy finds a copy of the report at the courthouse. This document is what enables Officer Delinko to arrest Chuck Muckle. Roy explains the situation at the groundbreaking ceremony and wins the support of the townspeople and mayor. Construction of the restaurant on that site is stopped.

Choose one major event from To Kill a Mockingbird and rewrite it from the perspective of a different character (2-3 pages) One from part 1 of the...

I can't write the essay for you, but I can help you get started with picking an event and a character. I think you could do a lot with Dill. He visits every summer, and he seems like the kind of character that would write something hilarious. Because you mentioned that one event must be picked, it then needs to be something that Dill is a part of. I would choose the part when Dill and Jem decide to try and take a peep inside of the Radley house. It's a tension filled sequence, and would likely be filled with great narrative descriptions from Dill. The event is at night and deals with Jem and Dill sneaking up to the window of the creepy neighbor. I'm sure you have a neighbor like that. Everybody does. Tap into those memories from your childhood and write the story as Dill would tell it.

A different major event is the burning down of Miss Maudie's house. I would write the sequence from Boo's perspective, since he used this chance to put a blanket around Scout's shoulders. It would be great to hear what Boo might have been thinking about.

Why did Shakespeare begin Romeo and Juliet the way he did?

When many people think of Romeo and Juliet, they envision a love story. Thus, it is often surprising to realize that the play starts with a sword fight. The sword fight, fought between members of the Montague and Capulet families and their servants, serves several purposes. First, it introduces the audience to the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. It also gives early introductions to the personalities of Benvolio and Tybalt, two main characters.

...

Those who know about Shakespearean history, however, will note another reason why a sword fight would be the appropriate start to the play. During Shakespeare's time, play attendees known as "groundlings" watched the plays along with dignitaries. These groundlings occupied the cheap seats, which happened to be located right in front of the stage. Shakespeare had to engage the groundlings (who could potentially be drunk and belligerent) right from the beginning, in order to gain their support and to keep them from throwing things at the actors. A sword fight would have been the perfect way to engage the groundlings right from the start.

Why was Victor from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein guilty?

Answering the "why" portion of this question all depends on what it is you are arguing he is guilty of. The argument could be made that he is guilty of several things. Here are three and the reasons why.

1) He is guilty of recklessly creating the monster because he is so focused on whether or not he can do it, he doesn't really consider whether or not he should do it and all of...

1) He is guilty of recklessly creating the monster because he is so focused on whether or not he can do it, he doesn't really consider whether or not he should do it and all of the possible negative consequences it might have. He only thinks of all of the wonderful things that he is sure will come of his experiment.

"A new species would bless me as its creator and source" (Ch. IV).

2) He is guilty of abandoning the creature and leaving it to its own devices because he is so scared of it and horrified by his own creation. It is not until the moment that it comes to life that Victor finally realizes the horror that could come of his experiment, and instead of staying to deal with the consequences, he runs away.

"Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room..." (Ch. V).

3) He is guilty of knowing that the monster killed William, and allowing Justine to be executed for the murder. He does this because he is so afraid of anyone knowing that he created the monster and that the monster has actually murdered someone. He is determined to handle this on his own and in the meantime, the creature is out of control. Although Victor has the ability to save Justine, he does not, so he is really responsible for her death.

"Thus I might proclaim myself a madman, but not revoke the sentence passed upon my wretched victim. She perished on the scaffold as a murderess" (Ch. VII)!

Friday 30 August 2013

How is Ophelia emotional in Shakespeare's Hamlet?

Please keep in mind that the emotional intensity of Ophelia can depend greatly on the actor initiating the performance. There are some clues in the text, however, that indicate Ophelia is an emotional character.

Ophelia’s responses when she returns Hamlet’s “remembrances” are quite significant. When Hamlet replies that he never gave her any love tokens, Ophelia’s emotional response is, “you know right well you did.” Also, in that same scene, when Hamlet speaks of loving Ophelia in the past, she admits, “you made me believe so.” Both of these are emotional responses to Hamlet’s verbal abuse in this scene as is the following exclamation: “Heavenly powers, restore him!”

It is also important not to neglect the scene where the mentally disturbed Ophelia appears giving out plants and herbs to her loved ones. Here she says things to different characters that indicate emotion such as, “wear your rue with a difference.” Perhaps her most emotional response here is in regards to violets because they “withered all when my father died.” Unfortunately, this is the last we hear from Ophelia. The next time we see her is in the casket at her burial. It is at this point that Gertrude talks about how Ophelia drowned in the river at the height of her mental instability. Gertrude, herself, admits that Ophelia is emotional when she says the famous line, “Sweets to the sweet.”

I am curious about what writers influenced Joseph Mitchell. I am writing a report about Mitchell and would like to connect his style of writing to...

Joseph Mitchell (July 27, 1908 – May 24, 1996) began his career as a journalist working for such newspapers as the New York Herald Tribune. This meant that much of his style was influenced by the newsroom, causing his writing to be vivid and concise, and tending to cluster important points towards the beginning of a story.

In 1938, Mitchell gained a permanent position at The New Yorker, a magazine that had a strong house...

In 1938, Mitchell gained a permanent position at The New Yorker, a magazine that had a strong house style, in part the creation of its storied editor, Harold Ross. Mitchell would have been influenced by other New Yorker writers such as E. B. White, who shared a characteristic style of strongly descriptive long form non-fiction.

In his journalistic assignments, Mitchell covered Harlem, and thus would have known and been influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. He also admired James Joyce's Ulysses for its portrayal of the panoply of urban life.

For your project, I suspect the most interesting context in which to write about him is as part of the tradition surrounding the New Yorker.

What is meant when Scrooge is described as, "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him"?

Simply put, Ebenezer Scrooge is a cold man. He has a cold heart. He doesn't appear to care about anyone or anything other than his money. As a result, we are told,

"No warmth could warm, no wintry chill could chill him."

This is a use of metaphor. He is so cold, he cannot be warmed. We see him interact with people at the beginning of the story, before the ghosts, where he could have shown empathy, care, and warmth. He does not. We also see where he could be warmed, like with the men who ask him to donate to charity. This is an opportunity for him to be warmed by the struggles of others during the holidays. He is not.

When it says "no wintry chill could chill him," we understand that he is so cold that the winter weather could not possibly make him any colder. He almost seems inhuman.

How does Macbeth (the character) develop as a result of the witches' actions and/or dialogue?

At the onset of the play, we learn that Macbeth is a brave and skilled soldier, much admired by all and sundry. He seems to have given his all for king and country and is considered loyal. King Duncan is so much pleased with his efforts in ensuring victory, that he generously rewards him with the title, thane of Cawdor.

We soon discover that Macbeth is ambitious. In his and Banquo's encounter with the witches, he is skeptical when they greet him with his present title, thane of Glamis and his as yet unknown honour, thane of Cawdor. They further tell him that he will be 'king hereafter.' The witches disappear before he can learn more. When he is later informed by Angus that he had been awarded the title, thane of Cawdor, Macbeth remarks in an aside:

Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!
The greatest is behind.

His response clearly indicates that Macbeth has been thinking about achieving greater things. The fact that he mentions that 'the greatest is behind' is a clear pointer that he feels, at this moment, that he has overcome his greatest hurdle - the way is now open for him to achieve greater goals. Macbeth is so overwhelmed by the idea that Banquo soon notices that he is, 'rapt withal'. We now discover that Macbeth's ambition is to be king, for he says, again in an aside:

If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.

He believes that if it were his destiny to be king, he might as well achieve the title by not doing anything. However, we later discover that Macbeth actually does do something. He and his wife plot Duncan's murder and eventually assassinate him in his bed. It is patently obvious that the witches' prediction has spurred him on and he took courage from what they said, leading to his pernicious deed. The prediction is what has set him off on a path of bloody destruction, for once Macbeth is crowned king, he becomes a ruthless, paranoid tyrant, killing all those he deems a threat to his rule.

The witches take great pleasure in seeing Macbeth destroying everything around him. They have willfully deceived him and await with pleasure their next encounter, so that they may further lead him to his doom. The third witch cries out ''tis time, tis time,' referring to the fact that they should get ready for Macbeth's arrival. They prepare a cauldron specifically for this purpose.

When Macbeth turns up, they continue using equivocation and paradox in order to further delude the gullible tyrant. They call up three apparitions, each with a different message. Macbeth is warned against Macduff and he is told that no man born of woman will harm him and also that he will not be defeated until Birnam wood marches up Dunsinane hill. The foolish Macbeth does not realize that what the witches say should not be interpreted literally, but he is so overwhelmed that he does not think straight.

To further mock him, the witches bring up a show of eight kings, apparitions that all look like Banquo. The last one carries a mirror which reflects into eternity showing a line of kings who all look like Banquo. The ghost of Banquo follows this line and points to them all, indicating that they will be his descendants. The witches leave Macbeth cursing the time in which he saw these horrendous phantoms.

These messages further encourage Macbeth for he now feels invincible - nothing can stand in his way. He continues on his bloody path of destruction until he is finally confronted by Macduff. At this point he has already learnt that Birnam wood has indeed marched up Dunsinane hill, in the form of soldiers who had camouflaged their numbers by carrying boughs cut from the trees in the wood. He realizes with a shock to what extent he had actually been deceived when Macduff tells him that his birth was unnatural, for he had been, 'untimely ripped' from his mother's womb. Macbeth then curses the witches:

Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cow'd my better part of man!

Macbeth refuses to surrender and is killed by Macduff.

Thursday 29 August 2013

What poetic devices are used in the poem "The Cloud" by P.B. Shelley?

Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "The Cloud" is a cloud personified. In other words, the poem is from the point of view of a cloud. The thunder is the cloud's "laughter," and through imagery, the reader can see, not only the clouds themselves, but also the "thirsty flowers," the streams, the seas. Personification is used again in the line,

"I bear light shade for the leaves when laid

In their noonday dreams." (Shelley ll. 3-4)

The...

"I bear light shade for the leaves when laid

In their noonday dreams." (Shelley ll. 3-4)

The leaves are personified here as beings who dream. Throughout the poem, nature continues to be personified. "Great pines groan aghast" is another example as is "The sanguine Sunrise, with its meteor eyes." Here the reader gets the added imagery of the sunrise riding on the back of the cloud--as though flying with lit wings.

Snow is compared metaphorically to the cloud's pillow, and while the moon is a dancing maiden, the stars are a "swarm of golden bees." Shelley uses a simile when he writes,

"Sunbeam proof, I hang like a roof,

The mountains its columns be." (Shelley ll. 65-66)

And another simile toward the end,

"Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,

I arise and unbuild it again." (Shelley ll. 83-84)

This very famous poem also uses rhyme, but the rhyme scheme does not stay consistent throughout the entire poem.

What are some of Jem's character traits in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

Jem has many character traits throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. One of Jem's character traits is his bossy attitude toward Scout and Dill. Jem is continually giving Scout and Dill directives during their playtime, and he constantly tells his younger sister what to do. Scout reacts with physical aggression over Jem's "maddening superiority." Jem is also a "know-it-all."Jem is always telling Scout random facts, even if they are wrong. Scout mentions that...

Jem has many character traits throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. One of Jem's character traits is his bossy attitude toward Scout and Dill. Jem is continually giving Scout and Dill directives during their playtime, and he constantly tells his younger sister what to do. Scout reacts with physical aggression over Jem's "maddening superiority." Jem is also a "know-it-all." Jem is always telling Scout random facts, even if they are wrong. Scout mentions that her brother informs her of basically "everything" he learns. Jem claims to have extensive knowledge about the neighbors, sports, relationships, history, and the justice system.

Another character trait of Jem is that of a dreamer. There are several scenes throughout the novel that depict Jem looking intensely at football magazines. Jem's dream is to become an all-star football player when he grows up. Jem is also a loyal son and brother. Jem refuses to leave his father's side when the Old Sarum bunch surrounds him at the jailhouse, and defends his sister during Bob Ewell's attack. He is also obedient. Jem takes pride in the fact that his father has never beaten him, which demonstrates his obedience. Jem is caring throughout the novel and comforts Scout when she becomes upset. Jem consoles Scout after Aunt Alexandra tells her she isn't allowed to play with Walter Cunningham and attempts to cheer her up following the pageant.

What is division of labour? What are its advantages? |

When we want to accomplish something, whether it be running a household, a restaurant or a manufacturing plant, all that we need to accomplish can be broken down into a series of separate tasks. When we divide those tasks so that people are performing the same tasks all the time, that is a division of labor. There are powerful advantages to this.

Division of labor creates expertise in each area of labor. When people are doing the same thing over and over again, they get much better at it, as opposed to a situation in which people are doing a variety of tasks, hence the expression,"Jack of all trades, master at none." In a traditional marriage, the division of labor was to cede all household matters to the wife and all external matters to the husband, which meant that wives became quite competent at running households, while men, left home alone, didn't seem to be up to the task. This division of labor has been substantially eroded over the years, since both males and females are expected to be responsible for everything. Thus, there has been a trade off, equality gained but a loss in the advantages of the division of labor.

Division of labor creates great efficiency, a corollary of the expertise gained, and also, more attention paid to how tasks are set up in the first place, a means of moving a product along, for example, on an assembly line, so that as each task is completed, another can be performed by its "expert." In a restaurant, cooking tasks are often divided, such that one person prepares salads, another desserts, and another entrees. In this situation, all can be working on their respective tasks at the same time, rather than having one person having to do all three far more slowly, costing the employer more money and time. Even less efficient would be to have the cooks also waiting on the tables, since they are then not performing the tasks they can do the best and the most quickly.

As the world moves away from the rural and the agricultural to the urban and industrial or post-industrial, division of labor becomes the norm, not the exception. A farmer once did everything on the farm, from planting to milking the cows to selling produce at a roadside stand. Even farms are now "factories" run by major corporations, with clear and efficient divisions of labor on them. The farmer who did everything could no longer make a living because of the inefficiency. I would hazard a guess that there are very few endeavors in today's world that do not involve some division of labor. This is a shame, in a way, since there can be pleasure in knowing how to do a variety of tasks, and there are times when we really need to know how to do more than one kind of task, for example, when technology fails us.

When her husband brings home the invitation, what is Mathilde Loisel's reaction?

Mathilde Loisel’s reaction when her husband procures an invitation to the Minister of Education’s event in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is a bit unexpected. Mathilde longs for the finery, objects, and lifestyle of Paris society but her lot is sealed when she marries a common clerk who cannot provide such a lifestyle. He goes out of his way to obtain an invitation to the event and is surprised by his wife’s reaction. At first she becomes furious and throws the invitation back at him, telling him to give it to someone else. He is taken aback by her reactions. She goes to tears as she asks him what she is supposed to wear to such an event. She feels that she does not have the proper attire. Her husband is heartbroken by her reaction and suggests that she wear the same dress that she would wear to the theater which does not set well with her. Finally, he assuages her grief by saying that he will give her the money to buy a new dress and suggests that she wear flowers but she borrows "the necklace” from her friend that changes their lives in a disastrous way.

Wednesday 28 August 2013

How did the Union and Confederacy compare in terms of leadership?

In terms of civilian leadership, most historians rank Abraham Lincoln among the greatest Presidents who ever lived. They cite his rhetoric, his political savvy, and his flexibility in the face of enormous challenges. Jefferson Davis, on the other hand, is often described as aloof, inflexible, and sometimes indecisive. Of course, Davis as a leader was dealing with even more challenges than Lincoln was in trying to hold together a collection of states that had supposedly...

As far as military leadership, the conventional wisdom is that the South had better generals, and that the North won the war essentially through weight of numbers. It is true that the South had many generals still admired by students of military tactics. Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in particular are still viewed as daring and innovative tacticians, who repeatedly achieved stunning victories against larger and better-equipped armies. But the North had its share of quality generals as well, and though the quality of officers was definitely an advantage for the South at the outbreak of the war, generals such as William Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant emerged as at least the equals of their Southern counterparts. These men were notable for their grasp of the nature of modern war, and are hailed as tactical and strategic visionaries by many military historians.

Do you believe that the women had the worst experience during the Civil War? Why or Why not?

Both men and women experienced hardship and suffering during the Civil War. Many men served in both the Union and Confederate armies. While serving in the military, the men experienced the horrors of war. Bloody battles and devastating diseases were commonplace.

Most women stayed at home while their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons went off to battle. At home, women faced their own hardships. They experienced loneliness as they missed their family members who were away or who had died in battle. Women's workloads increased because so many men were off fighting. Food was scarce in many parts of the South. Sometimes their backyards became battlefields. Sherman burned cities and towns throughout the South, and many women and children had to flee. There were also major battles in the North, such as Gettysburg.

Some women served as volunteer nurses. They had to work long hours and assist in medical care and surgeries with limited supplies. A small amount of women even served as spies.

Women faced different kinds of hardships than men in many ways. Based on the evidence, do you think women had a worse experience? Were their hardships more difficult to endure?

Please give a summary of the chapter titled "Reindeer Games."

"Reindeer Games" is Chapter 20 in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. The gist of the chapter is about Junior trying out for the basketball team at Reardan. When he was at Wellpinit, Junior played for the basketball team, so at Reardan he tries to get on the team. Coach is pretty intimidating, and he makes the boys run marathon laps to weed out people. Many boys drop out. Then Coach makes the boys play full-court one-on-one again in an effort to weed out some of the weaker boys. Junior is put up against Roger, a large boy, and Roger dunks the basketball over Junior's head. Coach asks Junior if he wants a break, and although he does, Junior agrees to take on Roger again. Coach respects Junior's sense of resolve, and Junior makes the team. Later in the chapter, Reardan plays Wellpinit in a game, and Rowdy makes a hard charge at Junior. The Indians in the crowd are angry that Junior is a so-called traitor, and someone throws a quarter at him, causing a serious injury. Junior ends up getting stitches and having to sit out the rest of the game.

In "The Bet," what did the lawyer think about the bet after fifteen years?

After just under fifteen years of solitary confinement, the lawyer in Anton Chekhov's "The Bet" is set to be released and collect two million from the banker the next day. The banker has experienced a lot of financial difficulties since agreeing to this bet with the lawyer, and is very concerned that he will have no money left when they lawyer is free and claims the two million the banker agreed to pay him. This causes the banker to contemplate killing the lawyer. When he goes to the lawyer's window to see how the lawyer is doing, the banker sees that the lawyer, who is only forty, looks "half dead." The lawyer is asleep at his table, so the banker enters his room and looks at the piece of paper that is in front of him. In it, he finds the lawyer plans to end his confinement a few hours before the agreed-upon time and does not want the banker's money. His reasoning is as follows:

And I despise your books, I despise wisdom and the blessings of this world. It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage. You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

You have lost your reason and taken the wrong path. You have taken lies for truth, and hideousness for beauty. You would marvel if, owing to strange events of some sorts, frogs and lizards suddenly grew on apple and orange trees instead of fruit, or if roses began to smell like a sweating horse; so I marvel at you who exchange heaven for earth. I don't want to understand you.

The lawyer rejects the banker's money because he wants to prove how much he despises the earthly priorities of people like the banker. He leaves the banker's property only hours before the bet would end, and the banker weeps, feels contempt for himself, and then locks away the lawyer's letter "to avoid unnecessary talk."

Tuesday 27 August 2013

What is the main message of The Cay by Theodore Taylor?

Theodore Taylor imparts several messages in his novel The Cay, but I think the most important one is that of anti-racism. Phillip, the young boy in the book, has been raised to believe that black people are inferior to him. His mother does not like for him to go down to the docks where many Black men work, and she tells him,

"They are not the same as you, Phillip. They are different and...

"They are not the same as you, Phillip. They are different and they live differently. That's the way it must be." (Taylor 36)

When the ship Phillip and his mother are aboard is torpedoed, Phillip ends up on a raft with Timothy, a black man who worked on the ship. Almost immediately Phillip decides he does not like Timothy, and he acts like a spoiled brat, demanding water and acting as though he is better than Timothy. Eventually, though, Phillip realizes that Timothy really does have his best interest at heart. Timothy even protects Phillip with his own body when a huge storm hits the cay where they end up stranded.

By the time Timothy dies in the book, Phillip loves him like he does his own father. The message is that the color of one's skin does not define who that person is. Most children at some time in their lives are told by an adult that everyone is the same on the inside and that the color of one's skin does not matter. This book brings that message home.

Why do we remove oil from water? What technologies are used to remove oil from water?

Oil is lighter than water, that is, it has less density than water and thus, it floats over the water surface. If we have an oil spill in a river or ocean, oil floating over the water surface will stop the exchange of gases between water and the atmosphere. This gaseous exchange maintains the dissolved oxygen levels at the values comfortable for zooplanktons (aquatic animals) and phytoplanktons (aquatic plants). When this exchange is stopped by an oil layer, the dissolved oxygen levels in water will fall over time, since oxygen consumption rate will stay the same, reaeration from atmosphere will stop. This ultimately results in death of zooplanktons and phytoplanktons. Thus, we need to remove oil from top of water surface.

There are several methods of removing oil from water surface. Filter booms can be used to remove and recover floating oil from small streams. Oil can also be skimmed off the surface, especially from the areas where it is relatively stationary. Sorbent pads can also recover the oil. Another method is the use of detergents or dispersants, which may affect the marine life.

Hope this helps.

Monday 26 August 2013

Describe the nurse in Romeo and Juliet in one word.

Loving. Whatever else Juliet's nurse may be, she certainly loves her charge a great deal, and her greatest desire is Juliet's happiness.

The fact that she can recall precisely when Juliet stopped nursing, when she could stand on her own, and so forth, shows that she's been more present in Juliet's life than Juliet's own mother has been. The nurse wants Juliet to be happy, more than anything else, and she acts as go-between when the young couple are arranging their plans to marry and also after Romeo has slain Tybalt, incurring the punishment of exile from Verona. The nurse even goes to find a ladder that she can prop up against the house so that Romeo can climb up to his bride's bedroom on the night of their wedding. After Romeo is exiled, and Juliet's parents insist that she marry Paris, the nurse eventually agrees with them, but only because she thinks that Juliet will be "happy in this second match, / For it excels [her] first, or, if it did not, / [Her] first is dead [...]" (3.5.235-237). What happiness can Juliet have with Romeo as her husband, hated by her family, and exiled from Verona forever? It's not what Juliet wants to hear, certainly, but it is the truth, told lovingly by a friend who only wants what is best for her.

The volume of a box is modeled by the function V(x) = x3 + 2x2 − 29x − 30. Identify the values of x for which the volume is 0 and...

We are given the model for the volume of a box as we`V(x)=x^3+2x^2-29x-30 ` and we are asked to factor the function:

If the function factors in the rationals, we can write the function as V(x)=(x-p)(x-q)(x-r), where p,q, and r are the real zeros of the function.

If we have access to a graphing utility, we can graph the function and use the zeros to factor; here is the graph:

The zeros appear to be...

We are given the model for the volume of a box as we`V(x)=x^3+2x^2-29x-30 `
and we are asked to factor the function:

If the function factors in the rationals, we can write the function as
V(x)=(x-p)(x-q)(x-r), where p,q, and r are the real zeros of the function.

If we have access to a graphing utility, we can graph the function and use the zeros to factor; here is the graph:

The zeros appear to be at x=-6, x=-1, and x=5. If this is true, the function factors as:

V(x)=(x+6)(x+1)(x-5)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The zeros are at x=-6,-1, and 5. The factored form is:

V(x)=(x+6)(x+1)(x-5)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we did not have access to a grapher, by the rational root theorem we know that the only possible rational roots are `pm1,pm2,pm3,pm5,pm6,pm10,pm15,pm30 `

It would not take long to find the roots.

What is the main theme conveyed through the actions of the characters?

Interesting question! There are numerous themes conveyed throughout the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Some of the most prevalent themes focus on the consequences of education and knowledge, which are evaluated through the lives of the creature and Victor.

Regarding the creature's education and knowledge, Shelley portrays the pursuit of knowledge as flawed and perhaps what even turned the creature into a monster. For example, when the creature was first created, he did not know about his “lower status.” He merely wanted contact with others. As a result of his learning about others' opinions of him, such as the French cottagers, the creature started viewing himself as monstrous. As the creature himself states:

“I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflected upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh, that I had for ever remained in my native wood, nor known nor felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat!”

Victor, the creator, also experiences this regret and double-sided sword of education. For example, it was education that caused Victor to make the creature. When Victor left for school, he soon became exposed to the “god-like science,” which led to the making of the creature. Also, he neglected his family and friends to spend countless hours alone making the creature. As a result, he lost focus of all other values and over-prioritized the importance of knowledge.

Thus, throughout the book, Shelley evaluates the impact of knowledge through the characters’ lives. Although education can be beneficial, Shelley illustrates that it can also lead to destruction and grief if over-prioritized.

What are three significant experiences and/or observations that contribute to Melinda's ability to stand up to Andy Evans at the end of the novel...

The process of overcoming her trauma enough to speak out against her attacker is something that takes Melinda a long time - nearly an entire year. Both internal and external experiences give her the strength to stand up to Andy in the novel's climax.

One event that propels Melinda into acknowledging Andy's attack on her and speaking up about it is the danger Rachel/Rachelle is in when Andy begins flirting with her and invites her to prom. Even though they are no longer friends and Rachel/Rachelle has been dismissive and cruel to Melinda since the party, Melinda still cannot bear the thought of Andy raping Rachel/Rachelle like he did to her. Of course, when she does tell Rachel/Rachelle the truth, her former best friend calls her a liar and a freak (pg 184). However, it isn't until this threat on Rachel/Rachelle that Melinda actual calls the attack a rape, in her imaginary talk show interview. Talk show host Sally Jessy says to Melinda:

"I want this boy held responsible. He is to blame for this attack. You do know it was an attack, don't you? It was not your fault" (pg 164).

Having famous talk show hosts comfort her and convince her she is not to blame is a coping mechanism for Melinda. It allows her to acknowledge the rape and forgive herself for it happening. This forgiveness is necessary for her to stand up for herself later on.

Another event in the novel that gives Melinda the confidence she needs to stand up to Andy is her friendship with Ivy. Out of all of Melinda's former friends, the Plain Janes, Ivy is the only one who has been somewhat friendly with Melinda since the infamous party. Perhaps due to their shared love of art, Ivy and Melinda become closer throughout the year, commenting on each other's work and giving each other tips. Their bond begins to deepen with the graffiti in the bathroom. While worrying about Rachel/Rachelle and her budding relationship with Andy, Melinda writes graffiti in a bathroom stall, reading: "GUYS TO STAY AWAY FROM - Andy Evans." Ivy is with her and grins, having already declared that Andy is "big trouble" and Rachel/Rachelle is dumb for being with him. Later, immediately after Rachel/Rachelle declared Melinda a liar for revealing that Andy raped her, Ivy comes to find her. Ivy shows her the response to her bathroom graffiti, where numerous girls have added on to what she wrote:

"He's a creep.
He's a bastard.
Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He should be locked up.
He thinks he's all that.
Call the cops" (pg 185).

When she reads it, Melinda declares, "I feel like I can fly" (186) – the boost of Ivy's support paired with the knowledge that she isn't alone in being victimized by Andy helps Melinda feel less isolated – another necessary component of standing up to Andy.

A final experience that helps Melinda stand up to Andy at the end of the story is an observation she makes about herself. Throughout the final quarter of the novel, Melinda has been thinking a lot about seeds and growth, and cutting away the bad to let the new grow through – for example, on pages 166-168 Melinda surprises her father by clearing out all of the leaves and debris from the front yard and asking for flower seeds to plant there. She applies this idea of clearing out the old and planting the new to her own life in a symbolic sense when she rides her bike to the Rodger's house, to the hill where she was raped. Revisiting it, she sees it's harmless: "You could bring a kindergarten class here for a picnic" (pg 188). She also thinks about her own growth:

"I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can I find my way? Is there some chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears? [...] A small, clean part of me waits to warm and burst through the surface. Some quiet Melindagirl I haven't seen in months. This is the seed I will care for" (188-9).

This self-realization helps Melinda regain her sense of self-worth and the idea that she deserves and can have a full, rich life again helps bring her back to the girl she was before the rape. In fact, she is even stronger than she was before, because now, when Andy tries to rape her again at the end of the novel, she is able to fully fight him off.

Sunday 25 August 2013

What is the author's purpose for the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

The three main reasons authors write are usually to persuade, to inform, and/or to entertain. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird contains all three of these reasons. Whether Lee planned her novel out accordingly is a different question, but the fact that one book can achieve so much from a little girl's perspective creates a unique masterpiece. The issues discussed about this little southern Alabama town reaches deep into readers' souls and persuades them to be better neighbors, informs them about the consequences of prejudice, and entertains them with the perspective of life from a spunky child.

One of the first reasons for Lee's story to be told is to persuade people to be better citizens and neighbors in their communities. A community is made up of different people who come from many different backgrounds. In order for every one to be able to live a fulfilling life, each one needs to let the other live freely without prejudice. One of the best quotes from Atticus drives this thought home:

"First of all, . . .if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it'" (30).

If everyone could be persuaded to do this "simple trick" there would be a lot less judgment passed upon other people in this world, for which everyone would be better off.

Next, To Kill a Mockingbird informs readers of the bigotry and discrimination deeply rooted in the South. Those who have only studied about the Civil War, the Klu Klux Klan, and Martin Luther King, Jr. may only have a slight understanding of what happened during those critical years in places like Alabama. But by reading Lee's novel, one can learn from a native's perspective how the South slowly evolved from one generation to the next--and how they dealt with racism and their caste system. For example, Aunt Alexandra finds it best to tell Scout that everyone has a genetic streak that can't be broke by anything new or modern:

"Aunt Alexandra, in underlining the moral of young Sam Merriweather's suicide, said it was caused by a morbid streak in the family. Let a sixteen-year-old girl gigle in the choir and Aunty would say, 'It just goes to show you, all Penfield women are flighty.' Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak: a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak" (129).

Aunt Alexandra's attitude clearly contradicts Atticus's, and luckily, Scout figures that out. Scout learns not to look down on other people who are different than her; and, in fact, Lee teaches this to the reader in a fun and entertaining way through Scout's eyes. Consequently, Scout finally learns to respect others no matter who they are. She learns the following:

"'. . . Atticus, when they finally saw him, why h e hadn't done any of those things. . . Atticus, he was real nice.'

His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.

'Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them" (281).

In the novel The Outsiders, what page does it say the boys left their door unlocked for the other greasers?

In Chapter 7, on page 105 of the SPEAK Penguin Group edition, or on page 93 of the Laurel-Leaf Books Edition, is the scene where Ponyboy explains why Darry leaves the doors unlocked. Pony says that they leave their door unlocked just in case any of their friends gets kicked out of their house and needs a place to stay and cool off. Steve usually spends the night on the Pony's couch because he is always getting into fights with his father and getting kicked out of his house. He also comments that Dally has spent the night, as well as Tim Shepard. Tim Shepard, who is not in their greaser gang but associated with them, even spent the night there before. Two-Bit's mother tried to warn them about burglars, but Darry said he would risk that chance if it meant keeping one of his friends from getting into trouble or hurt.

What aspects of "My Financial Career" could I critically appreciate, other than the humor?

You could critically appreciate Stephen Leacock's effective use of simple English, including his natural dialogue. "My Financial Career," like most of Leacock's other humorous essays, is so easy to read that he sounds like an intelligent friend talking to the reader as a friend and confidant. Leacock made an extremely strong impression on Robert Benchley, one of the very best American humorists, who said somewhere that he had written everything Leacock ever wrote. Not read, Benchley said, but written. In other words, Benchley took the same subjects and expressed his feelings in his own also extremely simple, reader-friendly language. Leacock's writing seems so simple that it is easy to overlook the artistry that went into it. Notice the extremely short paragraphs and single lines of dialogue. This is the kind of writing that used to be called "light summer reading," the kind of writing that students like to read during summer vacation while lounging around the swimming pool.

You could also critically appreciate Leacock's characterization and his description of the setting. When we read "My Financial Career" we feel we are inside that big bank with its thick walls and somber, silent and sterile interior. We can see those tellers hiding inside their cages, and we can visualize the bank manager, who has to act very poised, self-confident, dependable, and "in charge," but is very easily frightened because his business is a prime target for dangerous criminals. Willie Sutton, the famous bank robber, once said that he robbed banks because that was where the money was.

You might also compare Leacock with the great Mark Twain. Both men used wild exaggeration to achieve humorous effects. Leacock was undoubtedly influenced by Mark Twain, who published many short humor pieces during his career.

In the short story "The Flowers" how do we know that the dead man is actually a black man ?

Interestingly, in Alice Walker's short story "The Flowers", there is no literal indication of the dead man's race. However, using historical and authorial context, the reader can draw the conclusion that he is black.

Historical Context: Myop, the protagonist, lives in a "sharecropper cabin", which places this story between the 1860s and 1940s, during which time sharecropping was a common practice in the American South. Given this information, the reader can also intuit other common cultural practices of this stated time period. Following slavery, the South underwent a rampant persecution of black men, including commonplace lynchings. The presence of a noose, overalls (common clothing for black men in the South, who were relegated to social positions of servitude), and this stated historical context, the reader can deduce that the victim of the lynching was most likely black.

Authorial Context: Alice Walker is an African American woman, most of whose characters are black. Therefore, the reader could make the connection to her other works and surmise that he could likely be black.

Saturday 24 August 2013

What are a few examples of person versus self conflicts in A Christmas Carol?

Over the years, Scrooge's soul has become corrupted by a love of money. But once upon a time, as the Ghost of Christmas Past shows us, that wasn't always the case. Young Ebeneezer used to be a kind, loving, normal kind of a person. Unlike the miser of later years, he even used to enjoy Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas past shows us a surprisingly human side to Scrooge, one completely at odds with the...

So Scrooge has a genuine chance at redemption. He is not a wholly bad person and has shown that he has the capacity to love, and in turn be loved by others. The question, though, is whether or not he can dig deep and find it within himself to rediscover his former self. This is the conflict he must overcome. If Scrooge had been thoroughly wicked, then such a conflict would not have arisen, making his character and the story much less complex and interesting.

To a large extent, Scrooge has internalized an external conflict common during the Victorian era. On the one hand, 19th century England experienced an enormous economic and social upheaval in which rampant free market capitalism was allowed to develop virtually unchecked, posing a serious threat to prevailing moral values. We see this illustrated most starkly in Oliver Twist, in the appalling treatment of women and children in the workplace.

At the same time, however, Victorian England was a deeply religious society in which most people lived their lives according to the precepts of Christian morality. In Scrooge's internal conflict, Dickens is challenging his readers to confront the ambiguity of their own social attitudes. Jacob Marley never managed to do this, being forced as a consequence to wander in chains throughout all eternity. Thankfully, Scrooge does finally resolve his own tortuous inner conflict. In doing so, he provides an example to both a contemporary Victorian audience, and to successive generations of readers.

What reasons did the 13 colonies have to separate from Great Britain?

There were many reasons why the colonies wanted to separate from Great Britain. One reason revolved around the limiting of access to the new western lands gained from France as a result of the French and Indian War. The British were concerned the Native Americans would attack the colonists. Thus, they passed the Proclamation of 1763 that prevented the colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. They also wanted the colonists to provide housing for soldiers to enforce this law. These laws weren’t popular with the colonists.

As the colonies became more expensive to operate, the British passed laws to require the colonists to pay for some of these costs of running the colonies. The Stamp Act and Townshend Acts were two tax laws that were designed to raise revenue from the colonists to help pay for the operation of the colonies. The colonists felt their rights were being violated because they had no representatives in Parliament who could vote for these tax laws. Thus, the colonists began to boycott British products.

The situation deteriorated in the 1770s. Five colonists were killed with the Boston Massacre. For the first time, some colonists were killed protesting British actions and policies. Some people believed this would eventually lead to a growing demand for independence. After the Boston Tea Party, the British punished the colonists, especially those in Massachusetts, by passing the Intolerable Acts. The colonists refused to obey this law and began to form their own militias. When fighting occurred in April 1775 at Lexington and Concord, many people on both sides were killed and injured. Many colonists were convinced independence wasn’t far away.

The colonists met to discuss independence. The asked the King to remove these unpopular laws in exchange for peace with the Olive Branch Petition. The King rejected this idea. Eventually, the Declaration of Independence was written and adopted. The Revolutionary War would now begin.

Friday 23 August 2013

What are four major themes in Act III of William Shakespeare's Macbeth?

Four major themes to consider in Act III of William Shakespeare's Macbeth are Loyalty, the Consequences of Murder, Treachery, and the Supernatural. The first scene in the act shows the murderers devoutly discussing and proving their loyalty to Macbeth as they are also plotting Banquo's death. Macbeth says:

I'll call upon you straight. Abide within.It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight,If it find heaven, must find it out tonight (III.i.154-159).

The second scene...

I'll call upon you straight. Abide within.
It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight (III.i.154-159).

The second scene opens with Lady Macbeth realizing the consequences of killing people. She discovers that all of her problems aren't erased after murdering those who seemed to be obstacles to her royal goals. She contemplates her current status by saying the following:

’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy (III.ii.6-12).

Thus, Lady Macbeth cannot find peace after "securing" her husband's throne because other concerns have now emerged because of the previous decision to kill Duncan. Then treachery is revealed, of course, when Banquo is killed and he says, "O, treachery!" (III.iii.26) and proceeds to tell his son to escape the murderous trap they had fallen into. All actions discussed before this point underscore the treachery laid before him.

Finally, the Supernatural plays its consequential and vengeful part to craze and remind Macbeth of his murderous and treacherous guilt. Though a king might be able to avoid standing trial in his own kingdom, the supernatural in this case won't let him rest and condemns him to fiery madness.

Describe the relationship between Jerry and his mother at the beginning of the story "Through the Tunnel."

The relationship between Jerry and his mother at the beginning of the story is pretty typical of children at Jerry's age (eleven) and their parents. His mother is conflicted about how much freedom she ought to allow him: she doesn't want to smother him but neither is she ready to give him complete independence. When he expresses a wish to go to the "wild bay" alone, rather than with her to their usual "safe beach,"...

Of course he's old enough to be safe without me. Have I been keeping him too close? He mustn't feel he ought to be with me. I must be careful [....]. She was determined to be neither possessive nor lacking in devotion.

Like most parents, she's torn about offering him the freedom he needs in order to become an adult. She wants to protect him and keep him safe, and this becomes impossible if he achieves independence from her.

Moreover, Jerry feels conflicted about his mother, too. On the one hand, he really wants his freedom, but he also feels obligated to her, perhaps because of her status as a widow. He knows that she is alone without him, and so he first declines her offer of freedom, "smiling at her out of that unfailing impulse of contrition -- a sort of chivalry." He knows he will feel guilty if he leaves her on her own. He is later "lonely" without her, when he is in his "wild bay," looking at her on her regular beach. Even by the end of the story, he still very much desires her attention and approval (despite the sense we get from his desire for the older boys' approval at the rock that her attention and approval will soon no longer be enough for him).

Thursday 22 August 2013

In the story "The Pearl" what songs did Kino hear in the first chapter?

In Steinbeck's short story "The Pearl", Kino hears several songs in the first chapter. The most prominent song at the beginning is the Song of the Family. When we think of songs, we may think of traditional music and singing, but that is not the type of song that Kino is hearing. The Song of the Family includes all of the noises incorporated with his family preparing for their day. He hears his wife Juana making breakfast, and this is the rhythm of the song. Juana sings quietly, and this is also part of the Song of the Family. When a scorpion appears in the cradle with his son, Kino hears the Song of Evil. This song is reserved for times of anger and fear and when enemies are present. The scorpion represents the evil in this case. The final song of the chapter is the Song of the Enemy, which Kino hears has he stomps on the scorpion after it stung his son.

What were some positive and negative effects of the French Revolution?

The French Revolution is often referred to as a watershed event because it had a profound effect on France, as well as other European countries.

Because of the financial excesses of King Louis XV, great-grandson of Louis XIV, France declined. Louis XV lost nearly all of the colonies in America to England, and he lost India. After he realized that he had been a weak leader and had contributed to the loss of royal authority, King Louis XV declared, "Apres-moi, le deluge." ("After me, there comes the flood.") Upon his death, his grandson became Louis XVI. He, too, was a weak king who did not know how to resolve the fiscal problems of his country. As a result, taxes were increased. However, the Third Estate, composed of everyone but the nobility and the clergy, were the only group taxed because the First and Second Estate refused to be taxed. On July 14, 1789, realizing their numbers, members of the Third Estate revolted against their oppressors and stormed the Bastille, which was a symbol of the absolutism and the arbitrary power of the monarchy.

The Declaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen (Declaration of the rights of men and citizens) was drawn up. It declared that all men were free and equal under the law. All citizens were entitled to liberty and the free expression of thought, and all citizens had freedom of speech. The monarchy was done away with, so now the real power lay in the National Assembly. This Assembly limited the power of the Church and transformed the administrative system of France by dividing it into departments.

As France moved toward becoming a democratic society, other countries worried that this new revolutionary spirit would spread. Consequently, the neighboring countries of Austria and Prussia issued the Declaration of Pillnitz, which demanded that the French return Louis XVI to the throne. The new leaders of France interpreted the declaration as hostile and declared war on Austria and Prussia. When this war did not go well for the French, the people became discontent with the rule of the Girondins, a moderate faction. The Jacobins, led by Maximilien Robespierre, took control. At first, it seemed that the newly created Committee of Public Safety would stabilize the economy. However, Robespierre became paranoid. Fearing counterrevolutionary influences, Robespierre began what has been called the Reign of Terror, in which he had more than 15,000 people executed.

Robespierre was himself executed in 1794 after the removal of foreign invaders and the stabilization of the economy. Soon, a more modern government was formed. In 1795, the Directory, a system of five members, was established. This system lasted until near the end of 1799; at this point Napoleon Bonaparte organized a coup d'etat and declared himself First Counsel, taking all the executive and legislative powers of the Directory.

Napoleon brought order to France as he established a centralized government. He codified the French laws under the Napoleonic Code, a code which still forms the foundation of civil law today. He reestablished relations with the Pope after France was rejected by the Church following the revolution. He brought about reforms in banking. He established an organized educational system in which students in each grade learned standardized concepts throughout the country. Militarily, Napoleon led many successful campaigns. During one, the Rosetta Stone was discovered. (It was this artifact which provided the key to cracking the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics.)

Unfortunately, like many rulers, Napoleon became consumed by power and sought to form a vast empire. While he was successful at conquering many countries, he failed in his invasion of Russia and its brutal winter. In 1814, following several other losses, Napoleon abdicated the throne and was exiled to the island of Elba. However, Napoleon escaped and returned to France, where he was welcomed by many. He began his One Hundred Days campaign, but he was defeated at Waterloo.

During the groundbreaking ceremony in Hoot, where did the owl land?

In Carl Hiaasen's novel Hoot, chapter twenty describes the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Mother Paula's pancake house that is about to be built in Coconut Cove, Florida. The townspeople and the press gather in this chapter as Chuck Muckle and Coconut Cove dignitaries take gold-painted shovels to break ground on the new restaurant.

Roy tries to prove that owls are living on the property by showing pictures Mullet Fingers took. The pictures are of...

Roy tries to prove that owls are living on the property by showing pictures Mullet Fingers took. The pictures are of poor quality, however, and Chuck Muckle claims the picture is a lump of mud, not an owl.

Mullet Fingers, also known as Napoleon Leep, has buried himself in an owl's burrow to try to stop construction. Beatrice's soccer friends and other students from Trace Middle School join hands in protest of the construction, which would destroy the owls' habitat. Chuck Muckle loses his temper and attacks the rubber snakes Mullet Fingers brought to scare him away. He also attacks a reporter. He is losing control of the publicity of this event, and it causes him to make bad choices. His only goal is to discredit Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet Fingers so the restaurant can be built without challenges. The students have all joined together in defense of the owls.

On the last page of the chapter, Roy shows Beatrice an owl flying overhead.

Overhead, a small, dusky-colored bird was flying in marvelous darting corkscrews. Roy and Beatrice watched in delight as it banked lower and lower, finishing with a radical dive toward the burrow at the center of the circle. Everybody whirled to see where the bird had landed. All of the sudden, the singing stopped. There was Mullet Fingers, trying not to giggle, the daredevil owl perched calmly on the crown of his head.

This quote shows where the owl landed at the end of this chapter. The owl landing on Mullet Fingers's head proved the existence of the owls, which put a series of events in motion that eventually permanently stops construction.

`xy = 1, x = 0, y = 1, y = 3` Use the method of cylindrical shells to find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by...

The shell has the radius y, the cricumference is `2pi*y` and the height is `1/y` , hence, the volume can be evaluated, using the method of cylindrical shells, such that:

`V = 2pi*int_1^3 y*(1/y) dy`

Reducing like terms yields:

`V = 2pi*int_1^3 dy`

`V = 2pi*y|_1^3`

`V = 2pi*(3-1)`

`V = 4pi`

Hence, evaluating the volume, using the method of cylindrical shells, yields `V = 4pi.`

The shell has the radius y, the cricumference is `2pi*y` and the height is `1/y` , hence, the volume can be evaluated, using the method of cylindrical shells, such that:

`V = 2pi*int_1^3 y*(1/y) dy`

Reducing like terms yields:

`V = 2pi*int_1^3 dy`

`V = 2pi*y|_1^3`

`V = 2pi*(3-1)`

`V = 4pi`

Hence, evaluating the volume, using the method of cylindrical shells, yields `V = 4pi.`

In "A Worn Path," why is it significant that the grandson cannot speak?

The grandson does not appear in the story. The fact that he has no voice illustrates his helplessness. "Having no voice" has a lot of implications and interpretations, some of which may be quite fitting or irrelevant to this story. For example, politically speaking, having no voice implies that one has no political power as a voter, democratic citizen, and so on. It could even imply that one with no political voice is oppressed in some way and/or is treated as a lower class citizen. Given the racial elements in this story, one could argue that the grandson's lack of a voice is symbolic on a racial and/or political level. His generation and subsequent generations will not have "voices" as long as they are treated like second class citizens. (Note that the people in the town treat Phoenix condescendingly, like a charity case.)

He literally has no voice because he had swallowed lye when he was younger. This damaged his throat. He depends upon his grandmother to get his medicine to sooth the pain and open his throat. His lack of a voice illustrates how helpless he is. The image of this helpless boy, with no voice, also fits the symbolism of the story. According to Phoenix, he waits for her, "holding his mouth open like a little bird." Phoenix's name is symbolic of the mythological phoenix (Greek myth), a bird reborn again and again of its own ashes. She continues to make the journey again and again, despite her old age. It is symbolically consistent that she is like the mythological phoenix (a bird) and the grandson is also like a "bird."

How did the Tucks know that the spring water made them immortal in Tuck Everlasting?

The Tucks became aware that the spring water made them immortal when they did not die of life-threatening injuries.

When the Tuck family first drank from the forest spring, they had no idea what effect it would have. However, they soon noticed some strange things. They entire family drank from the spring, and so did their horse. Their cat did not drink from the spring, however, and this became the key to identifying the source...

The Tucks became aware that the spring water made them immortal when they did not die of life-threatening injuries.

The family shares with Winnie some of the mortal encounters they had. First, Jesse fell out of a tree and didn’t get hurt when he should have. Then, something really strange happened with the horse.

"Not long after," Miles went on, "some hunters come by one day at sunset. The horse was out grazing by some trees and they shot him. Mistook him for a deer, they said. Can you fancy that? But the thing is, they didn't kill him. The bullet went right on through him, and didn't hardly even leave a mark." (Ch. 7)

Other unusual incidents include Pa getting a snakebite, Jesse eating poisonous mushrooms, and Ma cutting herself with a knife. They were supposed to die, but they didn’t because they drank from the spring. More importantly, no one was aging either. Miles’s family stayed the age they were, and he didn’t.

"I was more'n forty by then," said Miles sadly. "I was married. I had two children. But, from the look of me, I was still twenty-two. My wife, she finally made up her mind I'd sold my soul to the Devil. She left me. She went away and she took the children with her." (Ch. 7

This is a trend that would follow the family. They could not stay in one place without attracting attention, because people would wonder why they weren’t aging. As a result, the family became nomadic and lived on the outskirts of towns.

All of this information underscores the reasons why Jesse could not let Winnie drink from the spring. While being immortal sounds good, it is actually quite a lonely life. The Tucks drank without knowing what would happen. Jesse wanted to make sure that the same thing did not happen to young Winnie.

Wednesday 21 August 2013

What's ironic in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?

Critic G. R. Thomson is widely quoted for having called "Usher" a "masterpiece of dramatic irony." Dramatic irony means that the audience is more aware of what will happen in a story than some of the characters themselves. For example, in Macbeth, we as the audience know that Macbeth will murder Duncan because we witness the scene where he agrees to do so, but Duncan himself arrives at the castle trusting Macbeth and blithely unaware of his fate. In "Usher," the irony is not as clear-cut as in Shakespeare, bleeding as it does into foreshadowing, but it still exists.

Roderick lives in a state of terror, in dread of the future, to such an extreme degree that he is physically and mentally debilitated. His nerves are endlessly on edge. It's not hard for the reader to understand that a person living in such an unstable condition is, ironically, almost certain to bring on himself through his stress the very state of abandoning "life and reason" that has led to his terror. Ironically, if Roderick had feared less, he might have had less to fear.

The narrator clearly describes Roderick's state:

To an anomalous species of terror I found him a bounden slave. “I shall perish,” said he, “I must perish in this deplorable folly. Thus, thus, and not otherwise, shall I be lost. I dread the events of the future, not in themselves, but in their results. I shudder at the thought of any, even the most trivial, incident, which may operate upon this intolerable agitation of soul. I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect—in terror. In this unnerved, in this pitiable, condition I feel that the period will sooner or later arrive when I must abandon life and reason together, in some struggle with the grim phantasm, Fear.”

Of course, at the end Roderick does come to a bad end, dying from witnessing his sister's bloody escape from the vault. As the narrator states, his sister:

with a low moaning cry, fell heavily inward upon the person of her brother, and in her violent and now final death-agonies, bore him to the floor a corpse, and a victim to the terrors he had anticipated.

The poetry of Walt Whitman is bold, adventurous, generous, and optimistic. It is free-form, lacking formal rhyme schemes and traditional patterns....

The relative youth of America and its status as a nation of immigrants relates well to the qualities mentioned. The challenges faced by immigrants to this country certainly embody boldness, adventurousness and optimism. Although the land was inhabited by Native Americans and there were a number of explorers who traveled here, we tend to mark the founding of the nation from the time the Pilgrims arrived from England, seeking a place where they could practice their religion freely. The determination and logistic arrangements required to make the journey, not to mention the difficulties faced upon arrival (harsh climate, building settlements, making a living, illness, hunger, etc.), underscore the need for boldness, adventurousness and optimism that characterized these early settlers. Generosity was also important, as there were lean times during which neighbors had to depend upon one another to share what resources they had, such as tools, food or livestock.

One poem of Whitman's that seems aimed at the average American is the aptly-titled "I Hear America Singing," which celebrates the diversity of occupations found in the United States in the 19th century. It begins, "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear," and then describes specific occupations and activities. The act of singing is metaphorical and multi-layered: it d the sounds accompanying the different types of work described, as well as the cacophony of languages spoken by diverse cultures.

The song also suggests a strong sense of pride and the expression of identity: the identity of being Americans, all united by a desire for a life made valuable by work and achievement. The sense of pride in making things is seen as something to celebrate.

The poem's lines also observe the rhythms of the workday, for example: "The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work," or "the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown," and so on. These images describe the unity and commonality of the average American during this time in history, and the values of hard work and pride in workmanship common to all. To use the time of day to structure the poem emphasizes the idea that most Americans were engaged in the same kind of daily rhythms of work in the workplace or the home, all united in the common goals of improving their lives and homes and providing for their families.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

`A = 76^@, a = 18, b = 20` Use the law of sines to solve (if possible) the triangle. If two solutions exist, find both. Round your answer to...

Given: `A=76^@, a=18, b=20`

The Law of Sines: `a/sin(A)=b/sin(B)=c/sin(C)`

`18/sin(76)=20/sin(B)=c/sin(C)`

`18/sin(76)=20/sin(B)`

`sin(B)=[20sin(76)]/18`

`sin(B)=1.0781`

`B=arcsin(1.0781)`

Angle B does not exist. A triangle cannot be formed using the given information.

Given: `A=76^@, a=18, b=20`

The Law of Sines: `a/sin(A)=b/sin(B)=c/sin(C)`

`18/sin(76)=20/sin(B)=c/sin(C)`

`18/sin(76)=20/sin(B)`

`sin(B)=[20sin(76)]/18`

`sin(B)=1.0781`

`B=arcsin(1.0781)`

Angle B does not exist. A triangle cannot be formed using the given information.

What was government like under the Articles of Confederation?

Under the Articles of Confederation, state governments held most of the power. The preamble to the Articles described the government they formed as a "firm league of friendship," and this is more or less what it was. The national government consisted only of a Congress composed of delegates from each state. Each state's delegation only had one vote, meaning that the smallest states held the same amount of political power as states with bigger populations. Congress lacked the power to tax, the power to regulate interstate commerce, and the power to require states to send troops for the national defense. This caused a number of problems, most critically the inability to pay the nation's growing debt from the Revolutionary War. Without the ability to pay the debt, the nation found it difficult to secure trade and loan agreements with the nations of Europe. Additionally, some states imposed tariffs on goods from other states, and many creditors refused to accept currency from other states as payment for debt. Internal disorder in many states threatened to become nationwide (a problem made clear by Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts). In short, many political leaders across the new nation believed that the nation would descend into chaos without a stronger national government. The result was the Constitution written at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787.

From A Separate Peace by John Knowles, please describe the relationship between Phineas and Gene.

Phineas and Gene are roommates and friends at a preparatory school called Devon School in 1942--nothing more, nothing less. The book starts with Gene visiting the school 15 years after graduation during the summer semester before their senior year and he is reflecting on their friendship and life at school while World War II raged on around the world. During high school, Gene admired Finny's athleticism, charisma, and ability to get everyone involved in his games or ideas--but he also felt resentment and jealousy at times. Finny, on the other hand, seems to be a great friend who does not share any of Gene's feelings of competition or resentment. In fact, Finny is open with his feelings about his friendship with Gene on the beach one summer day as shown in the following passage:

"I hope you're having a pretty good time here. I know I kind of dragged you away at the point of a gun, but after all you can't come to the shore with just anybody and you can't come by yourself, and at this teen-age period in life, the proper person is your best pal. . . which is what you are" (48).

Gene is weirded out at the time, but he also feels guilty that he didn't tell Phineas that he considered him his best friend as well.

Later on, all of the talents and wonderful qualities Phineas has take their toll on Gene and his insecurities get the better of him. Phineas and Gene have an argument where they discuss each other's talents and successes. During the argument, they decide to go to the tree to jump into the river, but because Gene is riled up, he jounces the tree limb that they are on and Phineas falls, breaking his leg.

Gene lives with the guilt for his lapse in self-control for most of their senior year. He went to Finny's home in the fall and confessed his role in the tree that day, but Phineas didn't believe him. Phineas forgives him and shows what a true friend would do. By the end of the year, a bunch of boys hold a mock trial to convict Gene of hurting Phineas, but Finny doesn't want to hear it. When Gene apologizes for breaking his leg again, he says the following:

"I don't know how to show you, how can I show you, Finny? Tell me how to show you. It was just some ignorance inside me, some crazy thing inside me, something blind, that's all it was" (191).

Phineas is now in a position to acknowledge that his best friend actually did hurt him on purpose, but again, he forgives him. Phineas is an example of a true friend and Gene has the privilege to learn such a great lesson at such a young age.

According to Jefferson, in his First Inaugural Address, what is the sacred principle of American constitutional government?

Thomas Jefferson made his First Inaugural Address on March 4 1801 after being elected the third president of the United States. According to his speech, the sacred principle of the government was the notion of majority rule:

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which...

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."

It is important to put this idea into its historical context. Jefferson's election as president came after one of the closest elections in American history, defined by smear campaigns and propaganda, between the Republicans and the Federalists. As a Republican, Jefferson advocated a government where people's individual liberties were protected. The Federalists, on the other hand, wanted the country to be governed by a strong federal government (hence the name, Federalist). Jefferson's speech, then, was an attempt to heal this political rift and unite the country under common principles, like that of majority rule where the rights of everybody mattered, regardless of political allegiance. This principle was so influential that it continues to feature in modern democracies today.

Monday 19 August 2013

Is the conclusion of Macbeth caused by the central character or the workings of fate? This question is posed for inclusion in an essay.

Fate is generally understood to refer to developments which are beyond a person's control - it is a synonym for destiny or providence.

Was Macbeth's death and the ascension to the throne by Malcolm therefore the result of destiny? The answer would be more no than yes. One has to accede that all of the characters were born because of fate - they had no control over their births. If Macbeth had not been born, there would have been no death, no tyranny by him, etc. The same with Malcolm. If he had not been born, his brother would in all probability, have been the first born and would have ascended to the throne.

Macbeth did not become a courageous and skillful swordsman because of destiny. He trained hard and fought his way through the ranks. It might have been his destiny that his father's title (thane of Glamis) was passed on to him - an act of providence, but he still had to prove himself to gain the respect and command that he won. This is displayed by the fact that king Duncan awarded him a further title, thane of Cawdor, for his bravery and loyalty.

Macbeth's 'overriding ambition' was a matter of choice. Circumstances beyond his control did not force him to be ambitious. The fact that the witches used equivocation and paradox to mislead him and that he believed their every utterance, was also not an act of destiny. We may say that his unfortunate first encounter with them may have been destined, but the fact that he ultimately believed what they said and that he acted upon their advice, was a choice that he made. He was in control and decided to believe in their predictions, unlike Banquo, who remained skeptical and expressed concern about his friend being enraptured by what they said.

The fact that the witches' first prediction was realized, acted as a spur to drive Macbeth towards his doom. He made a conscious decision to murder Duncan and was not forced into it. He could have ignored Lady Macbeth's urging and taunting and refused to commit this most foul deed, but he relented and did it anyway, knowing full well what the outcome would be.

Macbeth's second visit to the witches was definitely out of choice. He needed further conviction and assurance that he would not be challenged. The witches warning that he should, 'beware Macduff' drove him into murdering a once loyal compatriot's entire family. It was paranoia which drove Macbeth, not destiny. The fact that he had Banquo and many others killed, was a matter of choice.

Macbeth realized that he was so 'steeped in blood' that there was no turning back and he plodded forth in his relentless and murderous spree. He was the master of his fate and when, in his final confrontation with Macduff, he shockingly realized the depth of the witches' deception, he knew how wrong he had been and cursed the evil sisters. However, he stubbornly refused to break and bow to any authority, choosing to rather fight to the death. He was vanquished by Macduff who presented his head to Malcolm, who would later be crowned master of the realm.

What is the symbolism of the Ceremony of Eleven in The Giver?

While Jonas feels that the Ceremony of Eleven is "not one of the more interesting ones"(46), it does seem to mark the end of prepubescence and the beginning of adolescence as well as an educational advancement.

Elevens are given new clothing. The females get "different undergarments" (46), and the males get "longer trousers" (46). This reflects the changes that come in adolescence for females and males. It should also be noted that this seems to be the general period when the children begin to experience Stirrings, their first hint of sexual desire. In the story, Asher is already on medication for his Stirrings, and Jonas, almost twelve, has just experienced his own first Stirrings. So, the Ceremony of Eleven does symbolize the beginnings of adolescence, even though the community has not been able to impose Sameness on the date on which this happens.

The Elevens' clothing also comes with a special pocket to hold a calculator, which is presented during the ceremony. I think this symbolizes a kind of intellectual "coming of age" for the children, too. In many schools, children are not permitted to use calculators until they have mastered the basic operations of math, and being given a calculator suggests this mastery has been achieved and it is time to move on to higher math.

Jonas' attitude toward the Ceremony of Eleven, that it was not particularly important, is largely based on his perspective as he approaches the Ceremony of Twelve, at which he and all the other children will receive their assignments for their life's work. Nevertheless, the ceremony is important, representing a physiological and educational coming of age.

Which spirit was the most frightening to Scrooge? Why?

Ebenezer Scrooge seems to be the most frightened and disturbed by the third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Future. There are a two primary reasons for this: the spirit does not answer Scrooge's increasingly frantic questions about his own future and the spirit shows Scrooge his own tombstone.

In Stave Four the Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge several upsetting scenes including Tiny Tim's death and people who are in debt to Scrooge and are...

In Stave Four the Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge several upsetting scenes including Tiny Tim's death and people who are in debt to Scrooge and are relieved upon hearing he has died. Scrooge is most disturbed, however, when he asks about his own future and the spirit takes him to a churchyard and points to a tombstone.

“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?”

Scrooge suspects it might be his tombstone, and that is why he asks the spirit this. But the spirit does not answer Scrooge and this causes him to become more and more frantic and upset. He is genuinely frightened by the spirit's lack of response. The other two spirits answered his questions. Even if he did not like the answers, there was some comfort in having a response. We see how agitated Scrooge becomes when the spirit does not reply.

“Spirit!” he cried, tight clutching at its robe, “hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope!”

The spirit returns Scrooge to his home without confirming whether Scrooge's changes will matter.

Sunday 18 August 2013

What is an important rule that Ralph creates in Lord of the Flies?

In Chapter 2, Ralph states that the boys must build a rescue fire on the mountain and keep it burning; this is the first rule because no plane or ship will know they are on the island otherwise.

After his original jubilance over being on Coral Island and free to enjoy the pleasures of the island on which the plane has crashed without restrictions of clothing, bathing, parents and rules, Ralph realizes that the island will only be paradise for a while. Therefore, they must plan on being rescued. So, having the conch that Piggy has found, Ralph blows it, beckoning all the boys. After they hold a discussion of what is on the island and what they can do, Ralph says,

Now, we come to the most important thing....We want to be rescued....sooner or later, we shall be rescued....We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island, they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire.

With this having been said, the boys look for branches to burn and work on the building of a fire.