What dominant impression does Cather create about Harvey Merrick's sister, mother, and father? What details support this impression?

Cather is able to sketch these people with just a few paragraphs. The picture that emerges is of a mother who dominates through an excess of emotion, a daughter who is withdrawn and embittered, and a husband who has had all his vitality drawn out of him by his wife and living long years in west Kansas. Even though Merrick was their son, there is little real affection there for him.

Here is Cather’s description of the mother:

There was a kind of power about her face—a kind of brutal handsomeness, even; but it was scarred and furrowed by violence, and so colored and coarsened by fiercer passions that grief seemed never to have laid a gentle finger there. The long nose was distended and knobbed at the end, and there were deep lines on either side of it; her heavy, black brows almost met across her forehead, her teeth were large and square, and set far apart—teeth that could tear. She filled the room; the men were obliterated, seemed tossed about like twigs in an angry water[.]

The mother’s personality does dominate everyone around her, especially her husband, but for all her force of character she seems impotent in the face of the men who truly control the town, who have gathered to “watch over” the coffin but really spend their time venting petty jealousies about Merrick’s success as an artist. She does nothing to defend her son, or to show that she feels any real connection to him.

The daughter is even more of a cypher, someone whose will seems to be wholly bound up in that of her mother’s. Cather says of her:

The daughter—the tall, raw-boned woman in crêpe, with a mourning comb in her hair which curiously lengthened her long face—sat stiffly upon the sofa, her hands, conspicuous for their large knuckles, folded in her lap, her mouth and eyes drawn down, solemnly awaiting the opening of the coffin.

The daughter’s silence is telling. She seems incapable of action beyond attending to her mother.

The father is also completely dominated by the mother. Enfeebled by age, when his wife summons him to look at their son’s coffin, he slowly emerges, but all his thoughts are about his wife:

"There, there, Annie, dear, don't take on," he quavered timidly, putting out a shaking hand and awkwardly patting her elbow. She turned with a cry, and sank upon his shoulder with such violence that he tottered a little. He did not even glance toward the coffin, but continued to look at her with a dull, frightened, appealing expression, as a spaniel looks at the whip. His sunken cheeks slowly reddened and burned with miserable shame.

The shame he feels is partly due to this public demonstration of his subservience to his wife, but also to a betrayal of whatever love he might have born his talented son. It is only after his wife leaves that he can begin to say what he feels:

He brushed the hair back gently from his son's forehead. "He was a good boy, Jim; always a good boy. He was ez gentle ez a child and the kindest of 'em all—only we didn't none of us ever onderstand him." The tears trickled slowly down his beard and dropped upon the sculptor's coat.

In fact, no one from the town, with the possible exception of the lawyer Jim, can understand the sensibility of Merrick, someone who, “whatever he touched, he revealed its holiest secret; liberated it from enchantment and restored it to its pristine loveliness, like the Arabian prince who fought the enchantress, spell for spell.” The problem the story poses is how it is possible for such a talent to have been nurtured in such a family, and such a place.

Scrooge regrets many things after his visit with the Ghost of Christmas Past. Name two regrets.

After seeing the scene of himself as a lonely, forgotten boy at school on many Christmases, Scrooge regrets how he acted the night before. A small boy had sung a Christmas carol at his door, but Scrooge had given him nothing. He regrets that it is too late to show his appreciation to the boy for his singing.

Next, the ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge a touching scene when Fan, his sister, comes to...

After seeing the scene of himself as a lonely, forgotten boy at school on many Christmases, Scrooge regrets how he acted the night before. A small boy had sung a Christmas carol at his door, but Scrooge had given him nothing. He regrets that it is too late to show his appreciation to the boy for his singing.

Next, the ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge a touching scene when Fan, his sister, comes to fetch him home. The ghost comments that Fan had always been delicate in constitution; she died a woman and had only one child. This child is Scrooge's nephew Fred, whom Scrooge continually alienates. In fact, Fred invites Scrooge to Christmas dinner every year, but the latter always declines the invitation. After seeing Fan in the vision, Scrooge regrets his treatment of Fred in the present.

Scrooge is then allowed to view a past Christmas party at Mr. Fezziwig's, his former employer of long ago. The scene is so merry that Scrooge's spirits are lifted. He remembers the joy Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig shared with everyone during their annual Christmas parties. After seeing the happy scene, Scrooge regrets how he treats his clerk Bob Cratchit in the present. He wishes he could say a kind word to Bob. Scrooge realizes that he has been an obnoxious and unkind employer, and he regrets it.

The next scene also causes Scrooge much regret. He sees the vision of Belle (his former fiance) breaking off their engagement. She tells him that his love of gain has changed him and that she doesn't think they will ever be happy together. Belle ends the conversation by wishing Scrooge happiness in the life he has chosen. However, we know that Scrooge has not been happy. The text hints that Scrooge regrets losing Belle.

The last scene that the ghost shows Scrooge pains him so much that he begs to be taken back to the present. In this scene, Belle and her husband are conversing. Belle's husband mentions that Scrooge's business partner is dying. He also mentions seeing Mr. Scrooge in his office that afternoon, where Scrooge was alone in all the world. This scene is unbearable to Scrooge because it shows him how his focus on material gain has robbed him of happiness.

What specific instructions does Miss Maudie give Scout?

In Chapter 5 Miss Maudie instructs Scout to not refer to their neighbor as "Boo," but to call him by his first name, Arthur.

Scout and Jem have the free run of Miss Maudie's front yard as long as they do not step on her azaleas. Often Miss Maudie gives the children cake and talks with them, as well. One summer evening as Scout sits with her sweet neighbor watching the resplendent sunset, Scout asks...

In Chapter 5 Miss Maudie instructs Scout to not refer to their neighbor as "Boo," but to call him by his first name, Arthur.

Scout and Jem have the free run of Miss Maudie's front yard as long as they do not step on her azaleas. Often Miss Maudie gives the children cake and talks with them, as well. One summer evening as Scout sits with her sweet neighbor watching the resplendent sunset, Scout asks her, "Miss Maudie,...do you think Boo Radley's still alive?" Quickly, Miss Maudie corrects Scout, "His name's Arthur and he's alive." Further, Miss Maudie contends that Arthur simply stays in his house, "that's all." She adds, "Wouldn't you stay in the house if you didn't want to come out?"

This episode reveals the true charitableness of Miss Maudie, whose character mirrors that of Atticus Finch. For, she practices "climbing into the skin" of others and trying to understand how they personally feel. Her sympathies extend to all, and she is repulsed by the sanctimonious hypocrisy of the "footwashing Baptists" such as Mr. Radley, to whom she alludes in telling Scout about Arthur.

How did rapid industrialization encourage the U.S. to create an empire?

Rapid industrialization encouraged the acquisition of an empire in a number of ways. First, it created a demand for new markets for manufactured goods. The United States suffered a series of serious economic depressions in the post-Civil War era, and many contemporary observers feared that overproduction, caused by more efficient manufacturing techniques and machinery, would cause another one. Industries needed outlets for their products, and foreign markets, especially China, were very inviting. So American business...

Rapid industrialization encouraged the acquisition of an empire in a number of ways. First, it created a demand for new markets for manufactured goods. The United States suffered a series of serious economic depressions in the post-Civil War era, and many contemporary observers feared that overproduction, caused by more efficient manufacturing techniques and machinery, would cause another one. Industries needed outlets for their products, and foreign markets, especially China, were very inviting. So American business leaders lobbied for the help of the US government in securing trade privileges in China. They did exactly this with the "Open Door Notes" at the turn of the twentieth century. In fact, the acquisition of islands in the Pacific, including the Philippines, was done in part to secure access to Asian markets. Markets were by far the main motive, but industrialization also created a demand for cheap raw materials such as rubber which could be acquired through imperialism. Also, industrialization was part of a larger process through which corporations grew and sought to expand their influence. As American businessmen acquired and set up factories, farms, and other assets overseas, or more often in Latin America, they demanded the protection of the US government. Revolutions and other social upheavals in Latin American countries often occasioned American military intervention, a form of imperialism that was driven by the urge to protect American business and industry.

What are some characteristics of Helen Keller, as seen in The Story of My Life?

Defining characteristics help people identify traits that are particular, for example, to children, to animals, and so on. Specific characteristics then help to identify a specific person or thing in terms of unique features which make that person or thing stand out. In the case of Helen Keller, her courage and indomitable spirit define her because she overcame hardship and apparent misfortune and rose above it to become the success she known as even today....

Defining characteristics help people identify traits that are particular, for example, to children, to animals, and so on. Specific characteristics then help to identify a specific person or thing in terms of unique features which make that person or thing stand out. In the case of Helen Keller, her courage and indomitable spirit define her because she overcame hardship and apparent misfortune and rose above it to become the success she known as even today. She left a legacy far greater than anything monetary, and she serves as an inspiration to others.

She devoted her life to helping others despite obvious barriers to success. One of the reasons why she wrote The Story of My Life at the age of only 22 is so that others could witness her achievement, not for her own glory but so as to stress the similarities to her readers' own struggles so that they might grow and succeed. She hoped her story would serve to motivate others never to give up, regardless of circumstances, time, or seemingly overwhelming odds. Her book serves as a revelation that nothing is impossible. Her name remains a symbol the world over.

It is important to mention that Helen was not afraid to show how ambitious she was. Determination is a very important characteristic of an ambitious person, but sometimes ambition becomes destructive as people become arrogant and self-serving. However, Helen's ambition was mitigated by compassion and humility. She never forgot that she was dependent on Anne Sullivan and would have been a lesser person without her. As Helen says:

The footsteps of my life are in hers. All the best of me belongs to her—there is not a talent, or an aspiration or a joy in me that has not been awakened by her loving touch.

Helen would have argued that patience was not one of her virtues; however, her achievements speak for themselves and reveal that, even if Anne was the one who displayed the most incredible amount of patience, that patience certainly rubbed off on Helen.

The biggest obstacle to a system of national health care in the United States is that A. other industrialized nations’ national health care...

There are two possible answers to this question so I suggest that you consult your textbook and/or your class notes to see which one your teacher thinks is the best answer.  I would argue that Option D is the best answer, but Option A is also possible and is, in fact, connected to Option D.

National health care provided by the government would be immensely expensive.  It might not be more expensive than what we...

There are two possible answers to this question so I suggest that you consult your textbook and/or your class notes to see which one your teacher thinks is the best answer.  I would argue that Option D is the best answer, but Option A is also possible and is, in fact, connected to Option D.

National health care provided by the government would be immensely expensive.  It might not be more expensive than what we have now, but the costs would be easier for people to see.  Such a program would inevitably raise taxes and would make people very unhappy.

This is how Option A leads into Option D.  One reason why national health care would be “too expensive” for Americans is because our political culture is one that does not accept high levels of taxation.  Other industrialized countries’ people are willing to pay higher taxes for such systems.  In addition, the idea of the government providing health care generally goes against our political culture.  We think that it is better for private businesses to provide things like health care and so most Americans reject the idea of a national system along the lines of Britain’s National Health Service.

I think, then, that Option D is a better answer than Option A, but you should check your class materials to be sure.

How is Scrooge an outsider?

In A Christmas Carol, we can find evidence of Scrooge's status as an outsider in the first stave. Dickens describes Scrooge as someone who deliberately avoids other people and who has exiled himself to the fringes of society.

To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call nuts to Scrooge.

Secondly, Scrooge has no interest in spending time with his...

In A Christmas Carol, we can find evidence of Scrooge's status as an outsider in the first stave. Dickens describes Scrooge as someone who deliberately avoids other people and who has exiled himself to the fringes of society.

To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call nuts to Scrooge.

Secondly, Scrooge has no interest in spending time with his only surviving family member, Fred. When Fred asks to spend Christmas with him, for example, Scrooge flatly denies his request. For Scrooge, Christmas is just like any other day and he will not change this opinion, even though it is at odds with the rest of society, saying,

Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.

Additionally, Scrooge does not subscribe to the idea that society has a moral and financial obligation to the poor. This contributes to his outsider status and we see this when two gentlemen call at his premises to request a charitable donation. For Scrooge, poor people are "idle" and should be placed in prisons and workhouses.