Why is Foscolo’s Last Letters of Jacopo Ortis relevant in relation to the theme of Italian national identity?

The epistolary novel Last Letters of Jacopo
Ortis (1802) was written in the aftermath of the Treaty of Campoformio (1797)
with which French authorities agreed to leave the independent Republic of Venice to
Austrian forces. Italian patriots like Foscolo, who also had an administrative role in
the Republic, were forced to leave the town. The novel thus reflects a sense of hope
followed by bitter despair, a feeling shared by many Italians of Foscolo's
generation. They had initially seen in Napoleon an ally to defeat the different nations
that occupied Italian soil and that prevented the formation of a unified independent
country.

Modeled after Goethe’s Werther
and Rousseau’s La Nouvelle Héloïse, Foscolo’s novel
intertwines fiction, history and autobiography to show how political contrasts can have
a deep impact on individual emotions. Because of Napoleon’s choice to leave Venice to
the Austrians, Jacopo, like Foscolo, is forced into exile in the nearby area of the
Euganei hills where he can see his beloved Venice from afar. The letters expose the
persecutions of Italian patriots not only at the hands of Austrians, but also of
Italians themselves: “even we Italians, alas, are washing our hands in Italian blood.”
Jacopo falls in love with Teresa whose marriage has however been arranged by her father
to solve his financial problems. Ortis’s letters thus projects this story of unfulfilled
love on a wider political context: the loss of political hopes reflects Jacopo’s
sentimental loss. “The sacrifice of our homeland is complete,” opens the first letter,
“[a]ll is lost.” This first line foreshadows Jacopo’s final choice of taking his own
life. Critics have widely debated the meaning of Jacopo’s suicide, reading it in turn as
a political act to affirm the value of freedom over foreign domination or as the escape
of intellectuals from reality and adverse political circumstances. In either cases, this
tragic conclusion highlights the links between the personal and the political.

How effective is the media code at limiting the media behaviour?

The purpose of the media code of practice is to filter out
unnecessary, speculative, and subjective details from the information that is to be
delivered as news to the community.

The code of practice is
effective as a philosophy because the job of the media is to report, entertain,
persuade, and inform, not to become entangled in dramatic details: That is what
theatrics and drama are for.

As for its actual
effectiveness, the fact is that as of today England's yellow press continues to squeeze
celebrities who love the excessive detail and attention paid to their daily lives just
for the sake of exposure. There are still publications who "leak" information and
publish it, not worrying about the potential repercussions that could
occur.

As of recently, I can think of one effective thing
the code of practice did and it was when 14 years ago the code basically
begged papparazzis that the pictures of Princess Diana's dead body in a crash were not
published in any magazine. And people know that they WERE taking pictures of her and her
crash, who knows if while she was still battling for her
life.

Autopsy pictures, suicide pictures, pictures of dead
children, rape victims, dismembered victims, etc are the primary target to be avoided
for publication.

What is the form or structure of the musical The Phantom of the Opera?

I can't really address this issue in terms of the music,
but I can give you some information that might help in terms of form or structure in a
literary sense.

You don't specify whether you're referring
to the play or the movie, so my answers will be based on the movie, although they may
apply to the play as well.

The movie begins and ends with a
single red rose.  This provides unity and poignancy (a certain quality of specialness). 
You could say that the structure is circular, then, it ends where it begins.  Unity is
also provided by the "music box," if that's what you'd call it, which is purchased at
the auction at the beginning, and listened to by the phantom at the
end. 

Musical repetition also creates the structure, once
again establishing unity.  Songs are repeated often, sometimes with variations in the
lyrics.

Repetition is used in other instances as
well:

• the phantom's mask is removed twice, once
  fairly early and once much later


• the phantom hangs
  someone at least three times in the play


• the idea of
  masks is prevalent the entire work


• the work moves the
  audience to the graveyard twice, including in the
  conclusion

Again, musicals are not my
specialty, but looking at Phantom from a literary point of view, I
hope some of the above helps.

I have a final on Love Medicine, and was wondering what stories to focus on. Any help?

Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine,
offers a diverse group of stories and characters. It is, perhaps, what makes her novel
so worth reading: it describes the complexity of the human condition,
interrelationships, and insights into the reservation life of Native Americans,
specifically the Chippewa.

Trying to imagine what might be
selected for a final test on this novel is difficult because it is a collection of
stories with related (literally) characters, but there is no continuous plot line, and
there is no traditional timeline. Traditionally, when reading a novel we can concentrate
on main characters and significant aspects of plot development and conflict resolution,
but it is very different for this book.

For my
recommendations, though this is in no way written in stone, I would concentrate first on
"The World's Greatest Fisherman," as it is the first story which introduces a wide
variety of characters and the inter-workings of their relationships, as well as some
sense to the culture.

Personally, I especially liked the
stories "Saint Marie," "Wild Geese," and "The Island." "Saint Marie" is a little creepy,
but a fascinating take on good vs. evil. "Wild Geese" seems a continuation of "Saint
Marie," but from Nector's viewpoint. (And some of his questions for Marie we can only
know the answers to having read the previous chapter.) "The Island" steps completely out
of a short sense of timeline to introduce Lulu, who we will "visit" throughout the
book.

I would make sure to study "The Red Convertible," as
this is a highly anthologized short story. "Love Medicine," I would think, is a must, as
the concept of "love medicine," introduced in "The Island" is discussed in more detail
here; core Chippewa beliefs are present; and, this is the chapter for which the book is
named.

While it is important to have read and reviewed the
entire book, I would doubt a college professor would concentrate on especially minor
aspects of the novel as much as he/she might on central ideas and characterizations
(different than a high school teacher). With this is mind, I would think it prudent to
make sure to also be familiar with the final two chapters as
well.

I'm not sure if your edition of the book has it
(maybe they all do), but if so, I would study the family tree at the beginning of the
novel. It may help to see how all these characters are connected, especially because
their stories follow no chronology.

Which character exhibits three different traits in Romeo and Juliet?Which character exhibits three different traits throughout the play? And, what...

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet,
although Mercutio has the name most connotative of mood swings, Romeo is the character
who is the most mercurial.  Introduced as a almost Hamlet-like character who bemoans his
fate in life, the victim of unrequited love who speaks in oxymorons, Romeo acquiesces to
his loyal friend Benvolio's attempts to distract him, by attending the feast given for
Juliet Capulet.  Once there, he becomes the quintessential romantic who is dazzled by
Juliet, who "doth teach the torches to burn."  With the bravado of love,
he recklessly, scales the walls of the Capulet orchard just to see "his love," whom he
describes in metaphor and images of light.

Impulsively,
then, after receiving Juliet's declaration of love, Romeo rushes to Friar Laurence's
cell, demanding that the priest perform the marriage of him and Juliet.  This assertive
personality is exhibited later, after Romeo leaves the marriage bed of Juliet only to
encounter the enraged Tybalt. 

At first, Romeo tries to
explain to Tybalt that he no longer harbors antipathy for him, but Tybalt does not
understand and continues his duel with Mercutio, slaying him.  Then, Romeo becomes
disgusted with himself, saying he has become weak and "womanish." Enraged, he kills
Tybalt to avenge the death of his friend Mercutio. However, when he learns that he is
banished by the Prince, Romeo flings himself on the floor before Friar Laurence who
accuses him of acting like a girl as he melodramatically exclaims that he will be in
hell if he cannot be with Juliet.

In the last two acts of
the play, Romeo loses his weakness in acts of defiance against fate as he returns to
Verona in order to be with Juliet, even in death.  Now a desperate man, Romeo slays
Paris, whom he suspects of desecrating Juliet's tomb.  Yet, there is one constant in
this impulsive, mercurial character and that is his fidelity to his love,
Juliet.

What are opportunities and dangers of nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the study of the controlling of matter
on an atomic and molecular scale. It involves developing materials or devices of the
size 100 nanometers or smaller in at least one dimension. Nanotechnology field is very
diverse, ranging from extensions of conventional physical devices to developing
completely new approaches such as of manufacturing and using materials involving
molecular self assembly.

Nanotechnology can be used to
create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications in fields such
as medicine, electronics and energy production. At the same time, nanotechnology also
raises many concerns, as is usual with any introduction of new technology. Possible
negative impact of nanotechnology include toxicity and environmental impact of nano
materials.

Presently there are about one thousand publicly
available nanotechnology products. Most of these products use passive nano materials
such as titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics and some food products; carbon
allotropes used to produce gecko tape; silver in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants
and household appliances; zinc oxide in sunscreens and cosmetics, surface coatings,
paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide as a fuel catalyst. As yet
there are no applications that involve physical devices made by actual arrangement and
manipulation of nano scale components.

However nano
technology may be used for purposes which could pose threats to people and life. For
example, development of untraceable weapons of mass destruction, networked
cameras.

The effect of industrial-scale manufacturing and
use of nano materials could also have many negative effects on human health and the
environment. For example silver nano particles used in socks to reduce foot odor when
released released in the wash may destroy beneficial bacteria that help breaking down
organic matter in waste treatment plants or farms. Researches have found that nano
particles breathed in by rats settle in their brain and lungs, causing significant
health problems Another study indicates that nano particles induce skin aging in
hairless mice.

Looking at these facts, I believe,
nanotechnology is a field with many useful promises for future, and should be developed
further and used. However like all new inventions, it also poses many dangers. We must
adopt adequate caution and care in developing and using this
technology.

In Chapter 9 of Animal Farm, how was the president of the New Republic elected?

In the spring of that year Animal Farm was declared a Republic and so it was put forth that they needed to "elect" a president for it. All the animals voted for their new president, but the circumstances weren't exactly reminiscent of a democratically run government. There was only one candidate however- Napoleon so he won by an obvious unanimous landslide. 

Explain at least two allusions from the poem "The Raven."

Let's begin with a definition of an "allusion."  An allusion is a a reference in a literary work that references something else without saying so directly.  Often (but not always), allusions are cultural or political references. (It can sometimes be difficult to "get" these types of allusions when they are no longer culturally relevant.)  

However, allusions in Western literature will often be to mythology, the Bible, and other well-known works of literature. This is the case in Poe's classic poem "The Raven."

The first allusion in the poem is a nod to mythology. In line 41, the speaker notices the raven, "Perched upon a bust of Pallas."  "Pallas" is "Pallas Athena," the Greek goddess of wisdom.  The fact that the raven chooses to sit there, upon her head, rather than anywhere else in the room, might be interpreted in a couple of ways. First, it might be taken ironically.  The bird only seems to know one word.  The speaker may be attributing, in his idolatry of Lenore, more wisdom to her than she deserves.  Or it might be positive, in that both Lenore and Pallas are wise. Both are certainly worshiped. 

Another mythological allusion occurs in line 47, in which the speaker demands of the raven to "Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"  Pluto is the Greek god the Underworld.  The underworld, (also known as Hades or Hell) is perpetually dark. The darkness here works as a metaphor for the speaker's state of mind which is filled with thoughts of death. 

The word "shore" may also be an allusion to the River Styx, which existed between the Earth and the Underworld. The river was piloted by Charon, the ferryman who carried recently-deceased souls from the earthly shore to that of the Underworld. This too makes sense, given the speaker's internal torment. 

Line 80 contains a biblical illusion. The air in the speaker's bedroom becomes oppressive and he senses that it was emanating from a "perfumed from an unseen censer / Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor." In the Hebrew Bible, these creatures are six-footed and winged. They continuously fly around God's throne, saying only one word in repetition: "Holy, holy, holy!"  In this way, they have something in common with the winged raven, whose single word is "nevermore." Like Pallas Athena, however, the allusion might be negative and not positive. Although the seraphim are holy and perfumed, the sense is that they are oppressive, not comforting. 

Another biblical illusion is found in line 89. The speaker cries out, saying, "is there no balm in Gilead?" This is from Jeremiah 8:22: "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?"  The "balm of Gilead" is a real thing. Mentioned several times in the Bible, it is made from the gum of a bush that grows plentifully in Gilead (an area East of the Jordan River.) It is rather an all-purpose healing compound, used to treat a variety of ailments, from cuts, to bruises, to burns.  In addition to its medicinal uses, the "balm" is also meant to be understood spiritually, something to soothe one's emotional wounds.  Clearly, the speaker here is seeking the spiritual comfort such a balm would bring. 

How has Shelley portrayed the West Wind as a symbol of Life and Death?

Shelley composed  the "Ode to the West Wind" while in
Florence, Italy in the year 1819. It was published in the year 1820. The gist of the
poem is that Shelley considers himself as a poet prophet campaigning for reform and
revolution using the "wild west wind" to destroy everything that is old and defunct and
plant new and progressive, liberal and democratic ideals in its stead. The poem
describes a storm arising in the autumn season in the Mediterranean Sea and being driven
towards the land by 'the west
wind.'

In Canto
1, Shelley addresses the west wind directly as
the "breath of autumn's being" and the
sight of it driving away all the fallen leaves is  compared to a magician or an
enchanter driving  away all the evil spirits. At the same time it carries with it the
fallen seeds to deposit them in a different place where they will blossom in the spring
season after being safely preserved during the cold winter season. The west wind is thus
both 'destroyer' and 'preserver':

readability="8">

Wild Spirit, which art
moving everywhere;

Destroyer and preserver;
hear, oh, hear!

In Canto
2 Shelley vividly describes the meteorological process of the
gathering storm in the distant horizon of the Mediterranean
Sea.

In the first stanza Shelley compares the storm clouds
which are being formed at the horizon ("tangled boughs of Heaven and Ocean") and being
driven inland by the west wind to decaying leaves shed by the trees during
autumn.

In the next two stanzas, the storm clouds are
compared to  "angels" which carry the rain inland. They announce their arrival by fiery
flashes of dazzling lightning which reach up into the sky from the ocean at the horizon.
The flashes of lightning are compared to the bright hair of the maenad (the maenad is a
frenzied  spirit which attends on the Greek God
Dionysus.

In Canto 3
Shelley  describes the action of the west wind on the
Mediterranean Sea and on the Atlantic Ocean. The west wind announces to the
Mediterranean Sea that summer is over and autumn has arrived. The clear view on a bright
summer day of the under water palaces and towers in Baiae's Bay off the coast of Naples
near the island made up of volcanic rock is disturbed by the west wind which blows
across it. Similarly the west wind creates deep valleys as it blows across the level
Atlantic Ocean and reminds  the underwater vegetation deep below  that it is autumn and
that they too must disintegrate like the vegetation on the earth
above.

Canto
4 is an
earnest plea by Shelley to the west wind to infuse him with its raw power and liberate
him from the bout of depression which has temporarily overwhelmed him - most probably
caused by the death of his son William in 1819. Shelley tells the west wind that when he
was a boy he was also as "uncontrollable" as the west wind is now, and he would have
easily matched the west wind in its speed. But now, he is depressed and weighed down by
the cares and anxieties of life and prays to the west wind to liberate him. He pleads
with the west wind that just like how it lifts up the leaves on the earth and the clouds
on the sky and the waves on the sea it should free him also from the "thorns of life" on
which he has fallen.

In Canto
5, Shelley the poet directly and explicitly asks the west wind
to make him an instrument and tool of political and moral change: "make me thy lyre" and
"drive my dead thoughts over the universe":

readability="5">

Drive my dead thoughts
over the universe

Like withered leaves to
quicken a new birth!

The
poem ends optimistically with Shelley echoing the popular
saying "if Winter comes can Spring be far
behind?"

What does this passage from Romeo and Juliet mean? The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love and the continuance of their parents’ rage

This is from the opening Prologue of Act I, wherein the Chorus actually tells the audience right from the start what the play is about and how it will end. To really understand those lines, though, I would suggest reading them in context with the two lines that follow them:

"The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage..."

The Chorus tells us that we're going to hear a story about two "star-crossed lovers," Romeo and Juliet, who are doomed to die as a result of the feud between their two families, and that only "their children's end" (their deaths) could get the Capulets and the Montagues to stop fighting.

Check the link below for more information.  Good luck!

Explain "Every man" in dr.faustus?

Everyman - the term points to such a character in which
all humans can see a projection of their own characters. Everyman represents all
humankind. Similarly, Marlowe's Faustus is represented as such a character who stands
for universal multiplicity of human gray features.

Faustus
is a combination of black and white. Like Sophocles's Oedipus or Shakespeare's Macbeth
and Lear, he is blinded by greed, ambition and pride. Still, he is a profound scholar
who rescues his country from the attack of plague. He is efficient in almost all the
fields of worldly knowledge. He is the teacher at a German university. Yet, all his
wonderful qualities are overshadowed by his evil deeds. Crossing the limit makes him a
loser after all. Like Icarus, his wings melt and all his good features go in vain. He,
in spite of that, has an "amiable soul" inside the
wrong-doer. He chooses the wrong path, deals with the devils, but many a times, we have
seen him willing to repent and return, though he could not at
all.

Marlowe's Faustus is neither a demon, nor an angel; he
is totally a human being, an 'everyman' in this sense. As humans possess both good and
bad attributes, Faustus, also, takes a grayish position.

What is the difference between a reptile and an amphibian?

There are many structural and reproductive differences
between reptiles and amphibians though both are vertebrates. Some sorts of reptiles are
alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. And some amphibians are salamanders, toads,
frogs etc.

One difference is between the structures of
their skin. Reptiles are covered with scales, shields, or plates and their toes have
claws. Amphibians, on the other hand, have wet, glandular skins, and their toes lack
claws.

Another difference is between the eggs. Eggs of
reptiles have a thick, solid covering that protects the developing embryo from moisture
loss, even on dry land. In contrast, the eggs of amphibians lack a hard outer covering.
For this, they must be laid in water or damp places. The eggs of a reptile have hard
leathery shells which protect the young inside, and are often laid in buried, insulated
nests. Amphibians lay soft eggs without an external covering, and the eggs are usually
attached to the stems of aquatic plants.

Though, some
reptile species can swim, they do not take to water as readily as amphibians do, and can
be found in a wider range of locations. Reptiles also have more diverse body types,
ranging from limbless snakes to giant dinosaurs, and they are primarily land
animals.

When reptile eggs are hatched, the young look like
miniature adults. As the young grow up, they will mature into scaly animals with fully
developed lungs and dry href="http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-dry-frizzy-hair.htm"/> skins. When
an amphibian hatches, it initially emerges in the form or a tadpole, an aquatic larva
which breathes through gills. Tadpoles cannot survive out of water, but, as they grow
and mature, they get bigger, grow limbs, and lose their tails. Finally, they develop
lungs and turn into mature amphibians, which will spend much of its life in and around
the water.

Why doesn't Jonas tell his friends about his training in The Giver?

The Chief Elder has told Jonas that although his position is a great honor, his training will be alone and apart.  And, when Jonas receives the instructions for his assignment, they contain 9 important directions.  Number 4 clearly states, "Do not discuss your training with any other member of the community, including parents and Elders" (Chapter 9).  Jonas also realizes that, even if he were allowed to tell, his friends, who do not have his gift, would never understand what he was talking about. What he is learning is too far out of their own experience.

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," what is the implication of Mr. Gilmer calling Tom a boy and why is Dill the one who gets upset by this?

Dill is upset when Mr. Gilmer calls Tom "boy" because Dill realizes this is a disrespectful term.  Tom has admitted that he helped Mayella because he felt sorry for her.  In the deep south in the 1930's, whites did not feel that blacks could feel sorry for a white person.  Whites felt that any white had an immediate advantage over any black person simply be being white.  For Tom to admit he felt sorry for Mayella implied that he felt himself to be in a better position than her.  Mr. Gilmer, in order to reduce Tom to a lower level and to put Tom in what Mr. Gilmer and most of the all-white jury would consider "his place", Gilmer uses the word "boy".  This word takes away Tom's identity as a grown man; as an adult.  "Boy" was frequently used by ignorant whites when referring to black men for this reason.

Dill is the one who gets upset because he realizes that the term is disprespectful.  He knows that Tom was simply trying to do a good deed for someone and that Tom should be thanked, not punished, for his actions.

What is a line in Acts 1-3 of Romeo and Juliet that uses personification?

Personification is when an animal or object is given human characteristics. So when any non-human thing does something that a human would do, it is being personified. A simple example is "the wind whispered." Whispering is something that a human does, not the wind. The wind has been personified here.

Examples of personification from Act 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet:

"Ay me! sad hours seem long."  (Being sad is a human characteristic, but it is being attributed to hours here; hours are personified.)

"These happy masks that kiss fair ladies’ brows." (Same thing here, masks are personified.)

"And more inconstant than the wind, who wooes Even now the frozen bosom of the north, And, being anger’d, puffs away from thence." (Humans woo, are angered and puff; wind is personified here.)

What is one symbol in the story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty and what does it symbolize?

Welty's "A Worn Path" is about indifferent social and
political forces acting on an individual, and the path that
individual takes represents her life and experience and
existence. 

Notice that no one is really out to get her or
put her down and make the journey difficult for her, but nobody really tries to help her
either.  This is emblematic of her existence. 

The path is
difficult for her, even though no one, and especially nature, tries
to make it difficult.  She must go under fences, up hills, and over water.  She is "in
over her head," as the cliche goes.

And why must she take
this path?  Because a little boy made an innocent mistake--he swallowed lye.  If you
don't know what lye is, thiink crystal Drano--that's what it's made of.  The lye burnt
his throat and he will die without the medication the old woman travels to town to
get. 

The path is the central symbol of the story--thus the
name.  It's what the woman must suffer to keep the boy alive.

Is Billy Pilgrim really a time traveling? How do you know this?

The question is somewhat misleading because part of the
explanation for jumping back and forth in time was the fact that, particularly from the
perspective of the Tralfamadorians that there is no such thing as time, what has
happened and what will happen is part of an all-encompassing present, such that he might
jump around, but he is not actually travelling from one time to another, just being
aware at different points in the continuing motion of
it.

One could argue that he is not, since his actual
presence and then disappearance at any particular time would certainly cause
disruptions, and there never appear to be incidents where he suddenly shows up without
having been present before.  So at least in my interpretation, he is not necessarily
traveling, just having his awareness moved to different points in his life as it is
continuously happening, a la the Tralfamadorian perspective.

What “code” develops in the camp? What were punishments for breaking it?

The "code" that develops in the camps is outlined in Chapter 22.  The migrants who have made Weedpatch their home have decided that justice and care will only be accomplished by their own kind.  The punishment is explusion from the community, one of the many instances of the "Grapes of Wrath" to which the title refers.

As the Joads creak towards the entrance, the watchman tells them what they can expect and how the camp is governed:

"Well, the camp costs a dollar a week but you can work it out, carrying garbage, keeping the camp clean, stuff like that."  (This is important for the dignity of the people, who shun charity and want to feel like they are earning their keep and are valued members of a community.)

When Tom asks what happens when a member breaks the rules, the watchman continues:  "Well, you can vote 'em out jus' as quick as you can vote 'em in.  They've done a fine job.  Tell you what they did-- you know the Holy Roller preachers all the time follow the people around, preachin' and takin' up collections?  Well they wanted to preach in this cam....So it was up to the Central Commitee.  They went into the meeting and here's how they fixed it. They say, 'Any preacher can preach in this camp.  Nobody can take up a collection in this camp.'   And it's been kinda sad for the old folks, 'cause their hasn't been a preacher since."  (This is democracy in action, and the people make and keep their laws.)

How does shakespeare create mood in the Tempest?

Shakespeare creates the mood in The Tempest through three general techniques.

First, through the externalization of emotions and themes. The easiest example of this is the storm at the beginning that gives the play its name. It is a literal storm, but it is also a great emotional and political upset.

Second, through, well, special effects. Through magic, music, etc.

 

Third, through language. Look at the wonderful speeches by Prospero, Miranda, Caliban, etc. These use both images and metaphors to set the mood.

What is the significance of the title, The Kite Runner?

Flying a kite--or kite running--is as much of a national sport in Afghanistan as playing baseball or football is in the United States. The title refers to the characters Hassan, the good friend of Amir, who is the narrator of the story. It also refers to the event that changes the lives of both of these boys, the competitive kite running that Amir wins, with the help of Hassan, after which Amir shames himself by not coming to the aid of Hassan when he needs him. Besides referring to these characters and these events, the title also refers the freedom of the kite made possible by controlling it through manipulation of the spool.  The freedom, then, is only partial, but beautiful, a cooperation, in this case, between 2 boys and nature. Because this is a story of their friendship, naming the book Kite Runner, captures all of these aspects of it.

Why and what is the purpose of the mad men dance in The Changeling?

The purpose in the mad men dance is actually tightly related to one of the central themes of the play, which is that of deception. The mad men, we are told by Isabella in Act III scene 3, because of their madness, are incapable of deception, and in fact display every thought and emotion that comes into their minds, therefore rendering them "mad" in Elizabethan terms. Note how she describes them to Antonio when the mad men appear in this scene:

Yet are they but our schools of lunatics,

That act their fantasies in any shapes

Suiting their present thoughts; if sad, they cry;

If mirth be their conceit, they laugh again.

What makes the mad men so important is the way that they contrast so strongly to the central characters in this play, who all, in some way, pretend to be what they are not for their own purposes. The mad men therefore act as an implicit criticism on this duplicity, as they present complete honesty, being unable to indulge in subterfuge because of their "madness." The irony of the mad men is that in a play that is so much about lies and deception, the characters labelled "mad" are the most honest. 

Read the traditional tale of The Ugly Duckling. Try to retell the story from varying points of view.How would The Ugly Duckling be different if it...

A mother duck would not see her duckling as ugly. A
mother's love does not look at the appearance, but looks at the heart. So, if I were
writing a story from the mother's point of view, I would cast the mother as an
all-loving duck, an encouraging duck. The mother duck would continually tell the ugly
duckling that he is beautiful to her on the inside and out, that outside looks are
unimportant and that he should cultivate his heart. In that way, he will appear
beautiful to everyone in the only way that really counts. Then, I would make the little
duckling embark upon a life of helping others, no matter how much they made fun of him.
He would go out, and do good deeds for everyone, help everyone out of a jam, treat them
kindly. Then, one day, he sees his reflection in a puddle of water and realizes that he
is no longer ugly. His mother's love has transformed him, and his goodness has
transformed him, and ugliness has vanished because it was never there in the first place
- just a matter of perception.

In the traditional tale,
when the duckling grows up and sees who he really is, he realizes he is actually
beautiful. In your tale, you can make him realize who he really is INSIDE - so it is a
different twist.

What do you think?

I was asked to write an essay to compare 2 poems. I don't really know how to compare them. Please help. Compare Wordsworth’s “Tintern...

When comparing two poems, you generally are being asked to
explain the similarities and the differences between the two.  Depending on what the
assignment is, you can compare theme, narrative voice, literary devices, or (in the case
of two different authors) the writers' approaches to their
work.

Since you have two poems by Wordsworth, you should be
focusing on theme and variation.  "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is one of Wordsworth's
most famous poems, while "Tintern Abbey" is, in my personal opinion, far more beautiful
and reflective.

Both poems deal with the difference between
being AT a place, and dreaming OF being at the same place.  Wordsworth composed "Tintern
Abbey" at a visit to the abbey, as you will read in the poem's link
below. 

Without giving you the direct answers for your
assignment, your main focus should be on the aforementioned points. 
Again:

• Both poems deal with dreaming
  of/daydreaming of being at a beloved place


• Both poems
  deal with being AT the beloved place


• There is absence and
  presence at different points in each poem


• Each poem is
  consumed with the love of nature, and the longing for inner
  peace


• One poem is quite long; the other is very short,
  yet both contain the same basic message

Now,
with these points in mind, reread the two poems (as provided in the links below) and
take notes on their similarities of style, meaning, and visuals.  Take notes on their
differences, as well. 

You can easily construct a good
comparison paper with these ideas in mind, but make sure you study the poems
themselves.  Reading poetry with an eager eye and professional reading habits will do
two things: 1. You will gain insight and knowledge of the poetry and poet; 2. You'll
appreciate the craft itself, and find your life more enriched by the words of the
long-ago. 

Hope this helps you!

Do you view The Pardoner as hypocritical or honest in The Canterbury Tales?

The Pardoner in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales
is honest to his immediate listeners (the other travelers), and dishonest and
hypocritical to his usual listeners (the people he usually preaches to when he makes his
money).

He tells the travelers that he always uses the same
tale that he tells them, to fool his usual gullible listeners so they will give him
offerings.  That's how he earns his living.  He is very straightforward with his
immediate audience.  He does not hide his motives when speaking to the
travelers.

But, as he tells the travelers, when he uses the
story to preach he uses it to hammer home the point that greed is the root of all evil,
therefore they should give their money away--to him.  He pretends to be a man of God and
to offer forgiveness of sins and salvation, but he really is just greedy himself, and is
out to make money.  This makes him hypocritical. 

Of
course, this irony makes "The Pardoner's Tale," as well as other writings in
The Canterbury Tales, the high quality that they are--or at least
the irony is one of the characteristics that does so.  Without it, the story the
Pardoner tells would be just another church-related allegory. 

In Where the Red Fern Grows, what was Billy's explanation when his two hounds stopped and stared at him at the beginning of the hunt?The judge saw...

The hunt you are referring to is the runoff of the hunting
contest. Eliminations are over, and Billy's dogs have made it to the finals, along with
two other sets of dogs. The two other teams who have made it to this point are "four of
the finest hounds there are." One of the teams, a pair of handsome walker hounds, have
already won four gold cups in other contests.

When it is
Billy's time to turn his dogs loose, he unties their ropes and holds their collars for a
moment, pulling them close and whispering to them, "This is the last night. I know
you'll do your best." When he lets them go, the dogs run towards the woods, but stop
just as they reach the dark shadows, turn around, and stare straight at Billy for an
instant. The judge, noticing this, recognizes that an extraordinary communication has
occurred, and asks Billy what Old Dan and Little Ann were saying to him. Billy
responds,

readability="7">

"Nothing that anyone could understand, but I can
feel that they know this hunt is important. They know it just as well as you or I"
(Chapter 16).

Billy is so
close to his dogs that he seems to be able to communicate with them in a way that is
almost uncanny. When he tells them that the hunt has great significance, they somehow
sense what he is saying, and stop for a moment to let him know they
understand.

In several paragraphs explain to your teacher what weather you like best and why.My little sister who is in 4th grade was assigned this essay. I'm...

Your little sister has come up with some great ideas.
Since this is fourth grade essay I think all she needs to do is elaborate of the things
she chose. For example, she likes to tan. She should discuss how this makes her feel.
She must like the warm sun's rays, perhaps while she is building sand castles on the
beach. She also likes to have picnics. Many times when people have a picnic they go to a
state park and go hiking. Does she like to plant and pick flowers? She could discuss
this too.

There are also many more visual details that
describe summer besides sparkling water and blue skies. How about the green grass and
the vibrant flowers. During summer there is also the hum of motorcycles going down the
road.

I think she did a great job on her details. All she
needs to do is run with them a bit more.

What are the literary devices are included in the stories about the Fall of Troy and the House of Thebes?

There are, of course, many literary devices employed in the epic.   Here are a few to consider:

Similies:  Similies compare two similar things, often using "like" or "as". 

The Trojans, coop'd within their walls so long,
Unbar their gates, and issue in a throng,
Like swarming bees, and with delight survey
The camp deserted, where the Grecians lay:

and, in reference to the troops, who were

Driv'n like a flock of doves along the sky

Another device commonly used is that of alliteration (the repetition of initial letters or sounds) such as "Fortune favor'd" and "Haste hence".

Imagery (language that makes the reader form a mental picture and often engages many of the senses) is another frequent literary device.  In Books II and IV, the image of wounds is prominent,

From Book II:

The lukewarm blood came rushing thro' the wound,

The stumps are pierc'd with oft-repeated wounds:

My limbs, not feeling wounds, nor fearing death.

From Book IV:

Wounds with a random shaft the careless hind,

Frantic with fear, impatient of the wound,

Clogg'd in the wound the cruel weapon stands;

In addition to "wounds," also be aware of the recurrent imagery of snakes, hunting, storms, and fire. 

Why would El Cid have been considered a good vassal?

El Cid was a good vassal because he was a successful military commander and that is in essence what feudalism was, a system of military organization.  However, there are other characteristics which make El Cid a good vassal.  He is loyal to his Lord and he is courageous.  Furthermore, he is a devout and loyal Christian, which is all important to the nature of the chivalric code idealized by medieval society.  Furthermore, El Cid is generous both to his followers and to his Lord to whom he sends expensive gifts hoping to gain favor.  All of these characteristics make El Cid a good vassal by the standards of the medieval society in which he lived.

Write paragraph on the topic "An active student and a passive student"?comparison and contrast paragraph.

It is of course against our policy to do your homework for
you, so here are some aspects you may want to consider for your
paragraph.

* Comparing means aspects in which the two
students are alike.  Words commonly used in comparing include: in comparison, like,
still, likewise, in the same ways, at the same time, in the same manner,
similar.

* Contrasting means aspects in which the two
students are different.  Words commonly used in contrasting include: nonetheless,
however, but, yet, nevertheless, conversely, rather, on the contrary, in contrast, on
the other hand.

* A structure to consider using would be to
have a sentence comparing the two and then a sentence contrasting the two, which can be
repeated throughout the paragraph.

What is the significance of disguise and false communication in Twelfth Night?

As a Shakespearean comedy, the main significance and purpose of disguise and false communication in Twelfth Night is to create irony, especially dramatic and situational irony. For example, Duke Orsino hires Cesario (Viola disguised as a man) to woo Olivia for him, and Cesario ends up falling in love with the Duke who, unknowingly, gives this smitten woman personal information one would only give a close friend and confidante, further "lighting her fire". As far as false communication, Malvolio is led to believe through a cryptic letter that Olivia is in love with him. This miscommunication creates irony because Malovolio is so self-centered and vain that he automatically assumes that someone of Olivia's social standing and beauty would be in love with him when she actually has no interest in him whatsoever. In addition, a combination of disguise and false communication help to develop indirect characterization and show us that love may be foolish and transitory and may cause one to be easily misguided.

What is the plot summary in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by D.H. Lawerence?

The basic gist of the story revolves around a small
family, whose mother and father are always wanting more money. The children can sense
this, and in a misguided attempt to win his mother's love, the little boy, Paul, tries
to get money for his mother.  He actually succeeds quite well; through riding his
rocking horse, he is able to glean the names of winning horses in the horse races. The
gardener and uncle discover his talent, and help him invest money in the races.  He wins
a lot for his mother, and secretly gives it to her.  She just wastes it, however, and
doesn't love her son any more.  His rocking-horse riding becomes more intent and
feverish, and eventually sends him into illness and death.  His mother realizes, too
late, what he had been doing.

I would highly recommend
reading the story, if you haven't already.  It is an engaging read, filled with
symbolism and meaning.  I hope that helped; good luck!

Prove Winston's fatalism leading to his downfall

Winston engages in unauthorized activities, all the while knowing  that he will most likely be caught. He keeps a diary in order to record events as he experiences them, even though he is very likely to get caught by the Thought Police. Similarly, he rents the room above a junk shop to use as a love nest with Julia despite the obvious risks. Finally, Winston trusts O’Brien, not suspecting that he is a loyal member of the Inner Party who is trying to entrap him.  Winston's attitude of "whatever happens, happens" is evident in the chances he takes.

Napoleon is very interested in the education of the young.Why do you think he took the 9 puppies to educate on his own?

Napoleon is interested in educating the young because the young have no recollection of the past. The young are easy to train with the ideals that Napoleon wishes, even if they are not the ideals that the animals discussed when forming Animal Farm. He sequesters the puppies so that they cannot have any outside influences from any other farm members, therefore the puppies loyalty rests solely with Napoleon- they have known him like a puppy knows his mother. This is Napoleon's powerful tool to subdue any insubordinate members on the farm, the puppies, who grow up, become ferocious dogs who do Napoleon's bidding. 

How large corporation might influence the economic health of a developing country?using the technical words below: living standard, employment,...

The impact of a single corporation on complete economy
will depend on the size of the corporation in relation to the whole economy. The compact
will also be significantly influenced by the nature of business and operations of the
corporation. Variations in the turnover of a large corporation will thus have a direct
impact on the GDP and living standards of the people.

A
corporation with very large turnover is likely to have greater impact on the complete
economy rather than a corporation with smaller
turnover.

The nature of business of the corporation is also
very important. For example, the failure of a large bank which has deposits from a large
population of the economy can have serious direct impact on economy, as well as much
more severe indirect impact due to fear and uncertainty generated by the failure. The
panic created by large banks can start a chain reaction which can lead to steep
reduction in bank deposits. Leading to reduced availability of borrowings for
investments. This can lead to further panic affecting the levels of expenditure
also.

Also a company employing large number of people will
have greater impact on employment in the economy as compared with a technology intensive
company employing only small work force.

A the industry or
the sector within which the corporation also affect the economy by encouraging and
facilitating business of other forms. For example, an automobile company helps the
economy by promoting industries supplying components. Also a corporation, may promote
growth of other sectors in the economy. This generally includes corporations engaged i
infrastructure sectors such as power, and transportation.

In Act IV, what is Hamlet's dilemma: "What is a man, If his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed?"

Hamlet is saying that man must have a purpose beyond mere existence. He speaks on a literal and metaphorical level. There must be more to living than sleeping (which metaphorically he has been doing through his inaction and his failure to avenge his father's murder), or feeding (which is what Claudius has metaphorically done by satisfying his desire for the throne and the queen.)

Hamlet realizes now that he MUST act. Only a beast without the ability to reason would not be moved to action by the events surrounding his father's murder.

Just as the Polish and the Norse armies are willing to die over "an eggshell," he must be willing to risk his life to follow his destiny because he was meant for more than sleep, and HONOR is at stake.

What is Lee's purpose for introducing Miss Dubose?

There are several reasons.  Miss Dubose serves to illustrate the public reaction (already foreshadowed by Francis's talk over Christmas of Atticus being a disgrace to the family because of his part in defending Tom Robinson) to Atticus's involvement in the trial.  Scout did her best to remain calm, but this illustrates Jem's breaking point.

Another reason for introducing Miss Dubose is to illustrate Atticus's constant theme of crawling into someone's skin to see what the world looks like through their eyes.  After Atticus informs Jem that his reading was just to ease her withdrawals from morphine addiction (and remember Atticus would have had Jem read to her anyway, regardless of what he did to her flowers), Jem is able to see another side of the seemingly terrible and monstrous old lady. 

Her posthumous gift to Jem reveals a much different side to  Miss Dubose than Jem ever would have realized.  This is key for the children because as Atticus told Jack over Christmas, he doesn't want the children to become bitter over the trial.  One key to not being bitter is to realize that people are not always what they seem.  Miss Dubose wasn't just a mean spirited old lady.  Once one looked at things from her vantage point, one realizes that she is quite different.  Atticus even reveals that she was the bravest person her ever knew.

Discuss the gang's motivation, taking into account the age/ beauty of the house, the gang's loss of concern over leadership, the burning of the...

In answering this question, I will take into account each of your categories separately:

1:  Age/Beauty of the house

The boys are living in a war zone in which bombing raids have and still are terrifying London.  We are told that Trevor's home and some of the other boys' homes as well have been leveled by the bombs, making their lives chaotic and uncertain.  Because Old Misery's house still stands despite its age, the boys, especially Trevor, become jealous at the injustice of its survival.  Trevor, whose father was an architect, mentions “ 'It’s a beautiful house,' and still watching the ground, meeting no one’s eyes, he licked his lips first one way, then the other." He reacts to its beauty which spurs his need to destroy it.

2: Gang's Concern over Loss of Leadership

Young people are fickle.  While Blackie had been the longstanding leader of the gang, Trevor, an older boy, seems more appealing to the rest.  He had a more interesting agenda and an intricate plan.  While Blackie was temporarily hurt by his pals' lack of loyalty, the idea of being left out overcame him, and he rejoined the group.  His desire to be a part of something was more important than being in charge of it.

3:  Burning of Banknotes

The burning of Old Misery's life savings is a key indicator that the demolition was about placing a type of rationality and logic in a highly irrational and illogical environment.  The plan is to systematically destroy the house from the inside out "...like worms...in an apple...." Trevor makes it clear to Blackie that stealing the money would mean they hated Old Misery, and this job had nothing to do with emotion, just destruction.

4: Consideration for Old Misery

In keeping with Trevor's idea of keeping emotion out of it, the boys must also treat him as nicely as possible when he returns home early.  They do lure him to the loo, but once he is secured inside, they treat him kindly.  They bring him blankets and food.  Again, the destruction is as unemotional as bombs are; they do not overtly wish Old Misery harm.

What is the purpose of Dr. Rank in this play?

Dr. Rank's purpose is to show the contrast to Torvald's treatment of Nora. Both men love Nora, although Dr. Rank does not try to make this public. Nora has great affection for Dr. Rank, but does not feel the same way that he does. The difference is that Dr. Rank illustrates all the characteristics that a loving partner should exhibit.

Dr. Rank listens when Nora talks, as Torvald does not. He also treats her with respect and dignity, which is a sharp contrast to the chiding and condescending attitude that Torvald frequently uses when speaking with his wife. Dr. Rank does not act as if women are inferior, as Torvald is guilty of doing.

The truly pitiful aspect, however, is that Dr. Rank will never be able to engage in an equal and loving relationship because he is dying, and he never had any chance of a relationship with Nora.

What is the main conflict in The Magician's Nephew, and an explanation of it? Man vs ?

I would say Man vs. himself.  Digory is definitely attempting to find himself and his place in the world or in Lewis' created worlds.  This adventure is a series of events which allow Digory to rise and fall within the every day human life of decision-making.  He makes poor choices and is allowed to be redeemed and forgiven.  Digory brings evil into Aslan's beautiful new world, but he is given a chance to redeem himself.  He proves that he is worthy as he brings peace and freedom from evil to Narnia. This is Lewis' way of representing God's mercy and generosity, because in each case Aslan (the Christ figure in this book as well as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) provides a way for people who have taken the path to evil to be forgiven and to be redeemed.  In this way, they are granted the guarantee of life beyond death.

Use genetically modified babies as an example of a scientific development and indicate briefly what the moral and ethical issues raised are?

As thing stand today there are no genetically babies
produced so far. But it is very much in the realm of scientifically
possibilities.

One of the reasons that this branch of
science has not progressed a fast as it could have are the controversies regarding
ethical aspects of such making genetically modified babies. This has resulted in direct
government action restricting such activities as well as in support in form of funding
and people willing to take up projects in this area.

I
believe the biggest ethical concern associated with producing genetically modified
babies is the great degree of uncertainties regarding the unintended and unexpected
creation of living beings that may be directly harmful to the humanity. Also it is quite
possible that such development may result in great personal pain and miseries for the
people given life in this way. There appear to be no great benefits of genetically
modified babies to warrant such babies.

The next ethical
problem of genetically modified babies is the possible misuse of such technology for
breeding people of different kind of people just like we breed cattle and other living
things in captivity. This will result in dehumanising the human beings. Also there is a
value in diversity. Genetically modified babies will create a strong force or tendency
acting against diversity in human nature and
capabilities.

The standardization and regimentation that
will be possible with creation genetically modified babies can lead to rather dismal
situation of very rigid division of society in different classes, as envisage in some
science fiction like 1984.

Genetically
modified babies may also have unexpected negative repercussions on the family life and
family value.

The power to produce genetically modified
babies with specified traits is likely to reduce the human tolerance for people who do
not conform to physical traits of our liking. This kind of intolerance for fellow human
quite opposite to all ethical thinking.

In Act IV , scene iii what does Malcolm do to test Macduff to ensure Macduff's loyalty for him?Thank you!

Malcolm 'tests the waters' in order to ensure Macduff's unrestrained commitment and loyalty to saving the country from the clutches of a tyrant. For this, he makes no effort to hide his suspicions about him. He tells him, firs and foremost, that he cannot trust him at the onset as he had had several experiences with people who tried to lure him into Macbeth's traps by appearing to be loyal. He also asks him where his commitment to his family and loved ones was, as he was aware of the fact that Macduff had left his family and come to meet him in England. He then portrays himself as a man, who was so much in need of being sexually aroused that he could never be satisfied even with all the maids, wives, daughtes and old men that Scotland had to offer. He also tells him about his hunger for greed and power. He nforms him that he would create false problems bwteen his good and honest nobles, so as to take jewels from one and houses form another. All the trememdous riches of the country would not be able to satisfy him. He then talks about how he lacks all the qualities and virtues that are a prerequisite for a good king ie nobility, honesty, generosity, kindness, humbleness, tolerance, boldness and wisdom.

He does this in order to evaluate Macudff on the basis of his answer. Macduff, immediately withdraws and yells 'Scotland!' and feels pity for its ill-fate, as it was being ruled by a merciless tyrant and its rightful heir was a man who did not deserve to live.

In A Christmas Carol, what was the purpose of the first spirit's appearance?

I’m unsure whether you are referring to Marley's ghost or the Ghost of Christmas Past so I’ll give you an answer for both.  Marley’s ghost appears to Scrooge to warn Scrooge that he has been sentenced to walk among the people he avoided in life and to carry the chain that he “forged in life." He warns Scrooge to change the cruelness of his ways, and he warns him that  three spirits will visit him over the next three nights.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a walk through Christmases past from the time he was a lonely boy to his time as an apprentice with Fezziwig, a kind man, and finally to the time when he loses his love because of his love of power and money.  Scrooge begins to realize that this was the point that he began to turn into a bitter man. 

How does Victor dispose of the remains of his second creation in Frankenstein? Be specific.Who does Victor think about as he is on the ocean?

Concerning Shelley's Frankenstein,
Victor puts the remains of the female into a basket and drops it into the sea from his
boat, during the night under the cover of clouds. 

As far
as who Victor thinks about when he is on the sea, your question is a bit vague, since
he's on the sea more than once.  I'll assume your asking about when he is on the sea for
an extended time, narrating his tale to Walton.  In short, he thinks about everyone
involved, since he's narrating the story.  But, specifically, other than when he's
narrating, he is probably consumed with getting revenge upon the monster.  Thus, I
suggest he's thinking about the monster, and destroying him.

What is the symbolic meaning of "the colosseum" in the short story "Roman Fever"?

As in many of her stories, here Wharton uses space, interior and exterior, to communicate both theme and something important about her characters. The coliseum is an artifact of an earlier day, both in the larger historical and ideological sense—a time when men fought and ruled each other brutally—but also a time that the two women spent together in Rome, “when their friendship and rivalry both began.” Here, now, in visiting Rome again, they can talk to each other, unlike when, at home in America, their privileged lives across the street from each other prevented such communication. This space proves both confining in its domesticity and divisive by class that regulates behavior in such a way that real communication is not possible. It is only in Romethat Mrs. Slade feels able to reveal the truth to Mrs. Ansley. This truth is that she sent Mrs. Slade a letter that tricked her into meeting Mrs. Ansley’s fiancé at the time, hoping she would catch the “Roman fever” and die.  Just as the men competed for their lives in the coliseum years ago, so these two women competed against each other for men in the same location. Wharton weaves together themes of rivalry and friendship through this symbol.

Why do you think the narrator becomes so obsessed with the wallpaper in "The Yellow Wallpaper"?(Think About) The description of the patterns and...

"The paint
and paper look as if a boys' school had used
it. "        

"One of those sprawling flamboyant patterns
committing every artistic sin."

"There is a recurrent spot
where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes stare at you upside
down."

"Up and down and sideways they crawl, and those
absurd, unblinking eyes are everywhere There is one place where two breaths didn't
match, and the eyes go all up and down the line, one a little higher than the
other."

 The wall-paper, as I said before, is torn off in
spots,

The narrator is a
female whose husband and doctor are controlling her to the point that she is slowly
going mad.  She watches the yellow wallpaper everyday.  It is torn off in spots and
irritates her.  The wallpaper pattern is not described so much as her perception of how
she sees it as being almost a living thing.

As her stay in
the room progress over the summer, her mental health deteriorates.  She sees the
wallpaper growing like a fungus.

"The outside pattern is a
florid arabesque, reminding one of a fungus."

The woman
spends almost everyday in bed in the room.  She and her husband are in the house for
three months.

readability="7">

" Still, I don't wonder he acts so, sleeping
under this paper for three
months."

How did Rachel Carson impact America with her book, Silent Spring?

Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring
impacted America by raising awareness and recognition of environmental issues,
especially regarding pollution and the use of pesticides, and their effects on animal
and insect species and populations.

Coming in the 1950s
when the chemical DDT was widely used in agriculture, her book began the modern
environmental movement that eventually led to the banning of such pesticides and more
strict regulations on what could and could not be used, and
where.

The current "Green" movement really has its roots
and origins in what her novel did to wake people up to environmental
crises.

Compare and contrast the reasons for which each husband, Modou and Mawdo, took a second wife in So Long a Letter.

Mawdo was pressured by tradition and his mother to take a second wife. He still loved his first wife, but his mother had never accepted Aissatou and insisted her son marry someone of noble blood. His mother shames him by saying she'll never get over it if he doesn't take the wife his mother has groomed for him. Mawdo wants to continue his life with Aissatou and just visit his second wife when necessary, but Aissatou refuses to accept his polygamy.

Modou fell in love with his daughter's friend, Binetou, and sneaked about planning his marriage to her. Binetou is basically sold by her family to be Modou's second wife. Modou doesn't even have the decency to tell his wife that he's married Binetou. Instead, he sends his brother and his best friend to do his dirty work after he has already married Binetou. Modou will no longer provide for his first wife and their twelve children or to honor his vows to her.

Both men take a second wife, but one does so because of tradition and an overbearing mother. Modou does so because as a man in his society, he can do as he pleases with the women in his life.  The two men reflect very differing attitudes toward a long-standing tradition.

In Edward Albee's The Zoo Story, why did Jerry decide to end his life in such a strange way?

I just saw "Peter and Jerry," last night (having seen the original "Zoo Story" when it was first produced in New York City) many years ago.

IMO . . . by rushing into the knife held by Peter, Jerry achieved the almost-orgiastic level of intimacy he craved.  He connected, finally, although in the most bizarre, savage way.  Taking pills or hanging would have been like a tree falling in the forest.

What purpose did Huck faking his own death serve in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

As stated in other answers, Huck fakes his death in order to escape his abusive father and also to escape the whole society of St Petersburg which he finds oppressive: indeed, repressive. From the start of the book, we see him trying to adjust to the civilised ways of the Widow Douglas, who has undertaken to adopt him. However, he is nonplussed by social conventions, at having to wear good clothes, talk politely, refrain from smoking, eat and drink genteelly, and so on. Things are made even worse when Miss Watson comes to live with them; she is even more strict than the Widow Douglas. Huck's sufferings are presented comically but underneath it all he feels almost literally suffocated, and at first, when his drunken father returns for him and takes him away, he is just glad to be free from the stifling life at the Widow Douglas's. It is quite conceivable that he would have gone on living with his father as before, on the periphery of society, but when his father starts physically abusing him, it gets too much for him: 'But by and by pap got too handy with his hickory, and I couldn't stand it. I was all over welts.'

It is this maltreatment by his father, his only living relative, that makes Huck finally determine to vanish from society, to get away from people altogether, by escaping to the uninhabited Jackson's island. When he has effected this escape, people assumed he has drowned. In this way, he becomes symbolically dead to the people of St Petersburg. It is only when he is 'dead' to conventional society that he can meet up with the fugitive slave Jim, and embark on a momentous journey down the Mississippi. Freed from the dull respectability of St Petersburg, Huck goes on to have all manner of adventures with a companion who is also outwith the pale of society. 

Huck's faked death, then, has the ultimate purpose of freeing him from the restrictions of conventional society to have adventures and new, eye-opening, (if often grim) experiences during his journey down river with Jim. 

How does this story handle the linked themes of female oppression and empowerment?

In Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," Miss Emily represents
the Old South: its chevalier culture in which women were to remain pure, be coy and play
the role of belle debutantes.  Women were defined men: first by their fathers, and then
by the courtiers and husbands.

Emily is expected to marry
young, but when she doesn't she begins to lose social status.  And when her father dies,
she is lost.  She loses the man who defined her without having either a courtier or
husband.  Even when he dies, she doesn't want to give up his dead body, such is her
morbid attachment to men.

Homer Baron arrives in town, a
Yankee and openly homosexual.  She marries him out of spite, knowing she will kill him.
 She sleeps with the enemy as revenge against him and against the ladies have called her
old maid.  She had been so paranoid about having another man leave her, that she poisons
him in bed and sleeps with his dead corpse so as to never go without having a man
again.

It's the perfect marriage: no one will ever both her
again.  All the rumors and gossip stop.  The marriage freezes time: no one exits or
enters the house again (except for Tobe).

Symbolically, the
Old South sleeps with the New North in what become the new post-Civil War South.   They
are morbid and gothic bedfellows in this forever illegitimate
society.

What is the queer reading of Othello and how does it effect/portray the play?I've thought so far it means Iago is secretly in love with Othello...

Many people have questioned Iago's sexuality. More than any other character's, his comments are charged with homeoerotic suggestiveness. He has little affection for women (even for Emelia, his wife) and what affection he is capable of seems to be directed more towards men. He says things like, "I think you know I love you" when speaking to men. Is he "in love" with Othello? Hard to say. All he ever admits to is hatred (a strong emotion that sometimes follows thwarted love), but he says his hatred is because of the rumour that Othello has slept with Emelia.

It is possible that he hates Othello for loving Cassio more than him. He certainly speaks of that when he complains about Cassio's promotion, and there's also that troublesome reference to the "daily beauty" Cassio has in his life that makes Iago "ugly" in comparison.

As for how Iago's possible homosexuality affects the play, it's hard to say. Sometimes men had relations with men while retaining their relationships with women. Iago, being married, might have been such a man. Was Othello? Did Othello ever reciprocate the love? Did he transfer his affections to Cassio? (Cassio is careful not to let Othello see that he is "womaned"--although the standard reading of this is that it would make him look a less fit soldier). The play isn't often considered a love triangle, but...

Discuss the life of Abraham Lincoln and his views on slavery?How was he the "Great Emancipater?" What were his views on slavery?

Concerning Lincoln as the Great Emancipator: Lincoln
issued the Emancipation Proclamation about a year after he began making war upon the
CSA.  He did not want to upset any of the slaveholders in Ky. or Md., so he did not
declare the slaves in those states free.  He did not want to upset any of the
slaveholders in those parts of CSA which were already controlled by his armies, so he
did not declare the slaves in those areas free.  He declared free only the slaves in
areas of the CSA that his armies did not control, so actually he did not free any
slaves, but as Lincoln's armies moved further into the CSA, many of the slaves freed
themselves by putting their feet in the road and
leaving.

Lincoln did try, in his Emancipation Proclamation,
to incite the slaves in the CSA to rebel against their masters by declaring that if in
doing so, any of them committed acts that normally would be considered criminal, they
would not be prosecuted for those acts when and if his armies arrived.  The slaves,
though, were more civilized than he gave them credit for; none of them committed any
acts of violence as he had hoped they would.

Concerning
Lincoln's life: He grew up poor. He gained little of the knowledge of history and
philosophy of government that was considered a part of a good education. He did become a
lawyer and was a lawyer for big industry (railroads).

He
married Mary Todd, daughter of a Ky. planter. The first time they were to be married, he
stood her up. He did not show up for his own wedding. Somehow, she forgave him and they
were married later.

He was a very intelligent man who could
often illustrate important truths and insights about life by telling folksy tales that
everybody could understand. He also liked to tell dirty jokes. When he gave political
speeches, he phrased them so that they sounded like passages out of the King James
Bible; this influenced a lot of listeners to believe what he said just because of the
way it sounded.

Some people think he did not understand
compassion. For example, when Souix Indian residents of Wisconsin rebelled because the
state and local governments and the local white citizens were severely abusing them,
many of them were sentenced to be hung. An appeal was made to Lincoln and he said 'hang
just half of them'; not very compassionate considering the justice of their
cause.

Concerning Lincoln's views on slavery: He wanted to
free the slaves and then send them all to Africa or Central America.  He gradually
realized that this would be too expensive.  He did not think that blacks were socially
or intellectually equal to whites, but he did not think that it was right to prevent any
man from looking for a better job if he was qualified.  He did not want to free the
slaves only out of justice to them but also in order to destroy the southern aristocracy
so that northern industrialists and the Republican party would have unchallenged rule of
both the U.S. government and the southern resources (land, cotton, freed black
laborers).  He did put politics ahead of any sense of justice; he declared as another
answerer has stated, that he would free none of the slaves, if keeping them in slavery
would win him his war.

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," why is the lamb a symbol of revenge?

The leg of lamb is a symbol of revenge in Dahl's short story, "Lamb to the Slaughter".

The weapon used to commit murder is the frozen leg of lamb which the police officers later consume.  The husband has obviously decided that he is not content with his marriage and feels it is time to move on.  The wife seeks revenge upon her husband as she is seemingly committed to him and their union.   

In America, communism has been considered a frightening concept. Do you understand why Americans reject communism or why it goes again America...

I agree with the basic idea of answer 1 and disagree with
the basic idea of answer 2.  The reason I say this is that I do not agree that Americans
feared communism because the politicians made us do it.  I do not believe that
anti-communism was a way of stifling dissent within the US
either.

I think that Americans have feared communism
because it (as practiced) takes away people's freedom.

As
the first answer says, communism certainly takes away people's freedom to get ahead
economically.  Communism as practiced has also stifled human rights in a way that is far
beyond anything that has been done in the US (outside of slavery).  People do not get
executed for dissent in democracies.  Democracies do not ban or try to control religion
either.

America is based on the idea of freedom even if we
do not live up to that ideal all the time.  Communism takes away many freedoms (at least
as it has been practiced in the real world).  This is why Americans have feared
it.

Does anyone know a quote in TKAM regarding Scout and Jem being disappointed when the jury convicts Tom, and changing their idea about life?Include...

Another example of Jem's dissatisfaction with the jury's
verdict in the Tom Robinson trial comes at the beginning of Chapter
22.

    It was
Jem's turn to cry...
    "It ain't right, Atticus," said Jem.
   
"No son, it's not
right."

Having watched the
entire trial, Jem had the chance to make up his own mind based on the testimony given.
To him, it was a no-brainer: Tom was innocent. Later, he asks Atticus, "How could they
do it, how could they?" Atticus responds that it won't be the last
time--

"...
they'll do it again and when they do it--seems that only children
weep."

In Chapter 23, after
Atticus has been threatened by Bob Ewell, Jem learns that one of the Cunninghams has
been the holdout on the jury.

readability="7">

    "Golly Moses," Jem said reverently. "One
minute they're tryin' to kill him and the next they're tryin' to turn him loose... I'll
never understand those folks as long as I
live."

Olivia fall in love with Cesario rather than who ? why ?

I suppose that you would say that Olivia falls in love
with Cesario instead of falling in love with the Duke of Ilyria, Orsino.  The reason I
would say this is that the Duke was in love with Olivia.  He sent Cesario, who is really
Viola in disguise, to woo Olivia for him.  But Olivia was convinced that Cesario really
was a man and so she fell in love with "him."  She simply says it is because of
Cesario's "perfections."

Olivia ends up marrying Sebastian,
who she thinks is Cesario.  Sebastian and Cesario look alike because Sebastian is
Viola's brother.

What insights do we gain into Meursault's character judging from his interactions with Salamano and Raymond?

Meursault is interested in knowing things from people's lives, but not able to summon the energy to react to it. He is merely an observer of their actions, as if he cannot be bothered with caring what happens around him. His encounter with Salamano and his dog is one example. Salamano is abusive to his old dag and  Meursault says nothing about this behavior. Salamano is enraged whenever the dog tries to pull ahead on his leash, and Salamano responds by cursing and beating the poor old dog. Meursault merely takes this behavior in and goes on about his day.

Meursault accepts an invitation to eat with Raymond, who he suspects is a pimp, simply because he cannot be bothered to turn him down. He listens to the man lament about his suspicion of cheating on the part of the girlfriend, and even tells him that he has already beaten her for it, but still wants to do more. Meursault says he doesn't know what to do, yet does not appear outraged or shocked by his rantings.

Meursault's lackadaisical attitude to his surroundings will eventually catch up with him.

In Act 4 scene 2 what is Lady Macduff's attitude at the moment about her husband?

When Ross tells her that she must "have patience" with her husband for not coming home immediately, she angrily responds that "he had none" / His flight was madness. When or actions do not,/Our fears do make us traitors." Even when Ross further advises that her husband might have "fled" out of "wisdom," she decries "Wisdom!  To leave his wife and babes, / His mansion and his titles, in a place / From whence himself does fly? He loves us not" (2-8). Her anger towards her husband, her insistence that he should first protect his family before he proceeds with affairs of state (dealing with the tyrant Macbeth) provides a contrast to Lady Macbeth and her reaction to her own husband. While Lady Macduff is angry because her husband does not put his family first, Lady Macbeth (in act 1) cajoles her husband to put his ambition above all other matters, including his conscience. When the murders come, Lady Macduff says, "Do I put up that womanly defense, / To say I have done no harm? 976-77), which is another implicit swipe at her husband for putting her in a position to defend herself (instead of him defending her), and is also once again a contrast to Lady Macbeth who refuses any sort of "womanly defense," being, within the terms of the  play, very "manly" in her violence.

What is Margaret's character profile in the play Much Ado About Nothing?

I agree with bmadnick's answer, but would like to add my thoughts on the subject. When Margaret is discussing Hero's wedding attire, she says that Hero should wear a certain "rabato," or lace ruff, that would be better, more fashionable. Hero says no, that she will wear the one she originally chose. Margaret reminds her that her cousin, Beatrice, will also agree with Margaret on her choice, to which Hero responds that Margaret is a "fool" and so is Beatrice. This doesn't seem to upset Margaret, as she goes on to describe the gown the Duchess of Milan wore, which was apparently the height of fashion - but which, according to Margaret, simply does NOT compare to Hero's!

Margaret is very street-smart. I think she knows how to work people, is clearly up for some fun sport (both verbal and otherwise), and is far more worldly than either Hero or Beatrice (thus making her a foil for them, esp. Hero). I also believe her to be loyal to Hero.  She wasn't at the wedding for whatever reason (Shakespeare didn't put her in the wedding, so I think we need to assume she was hung over, running late, or something...maybe even miffed about the rabato!), so she couldn't declare Hero's innocence after Claudio's accusations.

Once the truth comes out, Leonato forgives her for her part in Hero's disgrace. Borachio even defends her against possible punishment. She is clearly a popular girl!

What mood is Icabod in when he leaves Katrina's house and give the evidence of that mood ?What does the author think happened to change his mood?

Icabod leaves the house ''with an air quite desolate and chopfallen.’’  Just prior to this, he has been talking to Katrina, whom he has approached with the plan of asking for her hand in marriage.  We can assume from this that Katrina has turned him down, which leaves him feeling so desolate, so dejected.

Why and how did the Mirabal sisters die?

Three of the Mirabal sisters, Minirva, Maria Teresa ("Mate"), and Patria are killed by forces loyal to Trujillo ("El Jefe").  The thugs run the sisters off the road and murder them individually.  The reason for their killings was their opposition to the regime and inciting others to try to overthrow the brutal dictator.

Only Dede, the fourth sister, remains to tell their story to the world.  Once reluctant to get involved, and for years feeling guilty about her sister's deaths, Dede eventually understands that her life still has purpose.  She is able to tell the story of her sisters' valiant efforts and prove to the world what an evil man Trujillo was to the people of the Dominican Republic. 

How is Marlow's journey up the Congo symbolic?

Marlow journeys not only into the heart of Africa where he sees what isolation and moral corruption have done to Kurtz but he also gradually recognizes what he himself is capable of becoming--a man like Kurtz. The trip up the river becomes a journey into himself, an examination of what he believes and knows is right. 

Marlow naively begins his trip from Brussels, seeking only to pilot a steamboat, but upon his arrival in Africa, he is shocked by the condition of the Africans and by the chaos that greets him. Moving further inland, he discovers that the corruption only worsens when he meets characters like the Accountant and the Brickmaker, both of whom represent hollow characters (like ivory) more concerned about appearance than compassion or accomplishment. As Marlow waits to repair his foundered boat, he  stresses the value of work. Traveling from the Central Station to reach Kurtz, Marlow recounts his admiration for the cannibals' restraint, which sharply contrasts the pilgrims' greed and eagerness to shoot their guns.

 Marlow's journey causes him to examine what he believes, and he realizes that choices are often not easy to make when he must choose to lie to the Intended despite his hatred of lying. He learns that compromise is necessary, but he won't allow himself to step over the precipice into the pit of moral decay where he found Kurtz. Now Marlow knows all men are capable of evil.

Describe the relationship between the man and the boy in The Old Man and the Sea.

I believe that the simple sentence that describes the relationship between the old man and the boy is

"The old man had taught the boy to fish and the boy loved him".

Santiago had taken the boy, Manolin, under his wing when the boy was only five years old.  They had gone out in the boat, and Santiago remembers that the boy had very nearly been killed when he brought the fish in too green and "he nearly tore the boat to pieces".  The boy clearly remembers details of that incident, but does not seem to have been afraid; he recalls Santiago "throwing (him) into the bow where the wet coiled lines were" to keep him safely out of the way.  Santiago has always included Manolin in all aspects of his craft, and the boy appreciates that.  His own father prefers to do things on his own, and sometimes makes the boy feel "inferior".  Santiago makes the boy feel capable, and Manolin thinks the old man is "the best fisherman", far better than the "many good fishermen and some great ones" of which he knows.

Manolin is obedient to his father, but it is Santiago whom he loves.  His father has forbidden the boy to fish with Santiago because he thinks the old man is no longer an effective fisherman; Manolin "must obey" because "(he) is a boy", but still, he has faith in Santiago.  Despite not being allowed to fish with him anymore, Manolin looks after Santiago, making sure he has bait and food, and lovingly anticipating his needs.  Realizing that the village water supply is a good distance from the old man's home, he brings him water and washing supplies, and plans to "get him another shirt and a jacket for the winter and some sort of shoes and another blanket".

Santiago and Manolin enjoy each others' company, and share a mutual respect.  Their relationship is based on love, and they look out for each other like a father and a son, Santiago having taught the boy his trade when he was young, and Manolin looking after Santiago now that he is old.