How does Bilbo rescue the dwarves?

There are actually two distinct episodes where Bilbo saves
the dwarves, if you put aside his "saving" of the whole tale at the end when he takes
the Arkenstone to stop war. I will talk about Chapter 8 and how Bilbo rescues the
Dwarves from the pesky spiders.

When Bilbo finds the
Dwarves after waking up (helped by his enchanted ring that makes him invisible) he
realises that they have been paralysed and wrapped up in spiderwebs by the Spiders.
Bilbo realises that the death of his comrades is imminent and thus has to act. Using his
skill at throwing stones, he throws one at the spider just about to kill Bombur, and
kills the spider. Although Bilbo is invisible, the spiders have a good idea of where the
stone comes from and thus try to capture Bilbo, who easily eludes them and thus
conceives his plan:

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The idea came to him to lead the furious spiders
further and further away from the dwarves, if he could; to make them curious, excited
and angry all at once. When about fifty had gone off to the place where he had stood
before, he threw some more stones at these, and at others that had stopped behind; then
dancing among the trees he began to sing a song to infurtate them and bring them all
after him, and also to let the dwarves hear his
voice.

Bilbo deliberately
taunts the spiders by singing rude songs at them mocking them. His plan works very well
and he doubles back to the Dwarves, killing the guard spider and freeing them and they
fight their way free until the Spiders give up the chase and leave them
alone.

What is important to note thematically is that this
episode represents a further development of Bilbo Baggins. He, independently and without
the advice of anyone else, shows his true heroic nature by single handedly saving the
Dwarves. Also note the importance of the naming of his sword as Sting. This clearly
shows he is beginning to see himself as a hero and recognise his true worth, as he is
acknowledging that he is worthy of a "named" sword with its own history like Gandalf and
Thorin are.

What, according to Scout, causes Jem and her to begin "to part company"?

Simply put, Jem is growing into a teenager.  After a while, it's not cool to hang out with your little sister.  Also he is also seeing that the world is not the safe place that he thought it was.  Scout doesn't have the life experience and cannot understand all the events that happen around her.  Jem is beginning to.

What is thoughtcrime in 1984?

Thoughtcrime is thinking of anything that the Thought Police and the Party deem is illegal. Illegal is anything that creates individuality--not the best thing for the Party as a whole. They want Party members to remain isolated so that no one can band together and rebel like the Proles.

For example, Winston continually looks around during the Two Minute Hate and peruses the crowd for others who might give away for even the briefest of seconds that he/she might also be against Big Brother like he is. This is where he thinks O'Brien is against the whole Party thing, and also where he repeatedly finds himself staring at Julia before they formally meet.

Julia's passing the note to Winston is also thoughtcrime. It proves that she has been "thinking" for a while about having a relationship outside of the Party which is forbidden. Therefore, the affair she and Winston have is absolutely illegal.

What is the summary to Chapters 13, 14, and 15 in the book The Pigman?

John and Lorraine have a party at Mr. Pignati's place
while he is at the hospital, and the party quickly gets out of hand. Everyone is drunk,
and John and some others don roller skates and dance on the dance floor they have
created by moving the furniture. Norton shows up, angry that he had not been invited,
and quickly goes upstairs to see what he can steal from Mr. Pignati. John and Norton get
into a big fight, and in the middle of this, Mr. Pignati comes home (Chapter
13).

The police come, and as Mr. Pignati declines to press
charges, John and Lorraine are taken home in a squad car. John is "hopelessly drunk"
when they arrive at Lorraine's house, and Lorraine's mother slaps her when the policeman
escorts her to the door. John's parents also react typically when he gets home,
threatening to send him to a psychiatrist, but never following through. Lorraine and
John realize that it is Mr. Pignati, and not their parents, whose forgiveness they must
earn. They call the old man the next day and offer to make amends, and agree to meet at
the zoo. At the zoo, Mr. Pignati, who is frail and weak, discovers that Bobo has died,
and he collapses from the shock. Mr. Pignati is dead (Chapter
14).

John waits with Mr. Pignati's body while Lorraine
distances herself from the situation so that she will not get into further trouble with
her mother. John reflects that, contrary to what everyone thinks, he cares deeply for
Mr. Pignati and a host of other things, and is completely bewildered at how "screwed up"
life can be. He imagines himself in his tomb, and wonders if he "would rather be dead
than to turn into the kind of grown-up people (he) knows." After an ambulance takes Mr.
Pignati's body away, John rejoins Lorraine, who is crying. Both sit for awhile, then,
in a silent, mutual realization that responsibility for their own lives lies solely with
themselves, John takes Lorraine's hand. Both understand that they had
"trespassed...and...were being punished." There is no one else to blame, and, in the
end, their lives "would be what (they) made of it - nothing more, nothing less" (Chapter
15).

What is the poem's dominant figure of speech-why does the author compare poetry to fruit to medallions to casement ledges and the flight of birds?A...

In Archibald MacLeish's poem, Ars
Poetica, (The Art of Poetry) one critic states that the reader encounters
didacticism in the guise of ars gratia artis. 
That is, the reader is instructed while the poet gratuitously provides a poem at the
same time.

The poem's dominant figure of speech is its
controlling metaphor: a poem is a timeless, infinite work of the imagination. That is,
the poem is a metaphor for poetry itself. In comparing a poem to the objects that he
does, MacLeish creates the metaphor of universality and timeless essence.  For instance,
in the first stanza, the speaker suggests with the use of the images of fruit,
medallions, stone, and the flight of birds, that a poem should not boldly announce what
it is; instead, it should suggest meanings.

In the second
stanza, the speaker uses the simile of the moon as motionless in time to imply that a
poem, like the moon, is present for whomever reads it at any given time.  It is
universal, fresh, alive, and lighted with truth for any given reader at any given
time.

And, finally, a poem has meaning for whomever reads
it.  That is, a poem may have variances in interpretation and yet be "equal to." For
example,

For
all the history of grief

An empty doorway and a maple
leaf

This metaphor expresses
grief, but some readers may interpret the empty doorway as the loss of a loved one, or
an opportunity, or someone who once stood in this doorway, such as a father, who is now
gone.

Because it is not confined to such specific ideas as
a speech, or an essay, or even a novel, MacLeish contends a poem "should not mean/but
be."  These last two lines are famous, and often quoted in anthologies of
poetry.

What are all the differences and comparisons that can be made between the movie adaptation of "A Raisin in the Sun" and the original play version?

There are two film versions of A Raisin in the
Sun:  the 1961 version starring Sidney Poitier and the 2008 version starring
Sean Combs.  My response will reference the 2008 film.

The
2008 film follows the play very closely; however, there are a few differences.  At the
beginning of the film, Lena is shown at her last day of work.  The child whom Lena looks
after is sad that Lena will no longer be working for them.  This is not seen in the
play--the reader simply knows that Lena works as a maid for a white
family.

Another difference occurs when Walter begins
skipping work.  In the film, Walter's employer calls and Lena answers the phone stating
that Walter is not home.  She is told that Walter did not show up for work on that day. 
In the play, however, Ruth answers the phone when the employer calls and Walter is in
the bedroom lying down.  Ruth is told that Walter has been absent from work for three
days.

Finally, a major difference between the film and the
written play is the appearance of Mrs. Johnson.  In the written play, Mrs. Johnson
serves as a foil character for Lena.  She has been removed from the 2008 film
version.

Write a note on Accent and Dialect.Language and linguistics

Accent refers to the way in which people speak a language
in terms of the way they pronounce different words and phrase. People with different
regional, cultural and ethnic background generally have different way of speaking, which
affects their accent even for a common language spoken by them. For example the accent
of English spoken in Australia is quite different from that in USA or UK. As a matter of
fact accent may change from place to place within a country also. The famous play
Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, is very much about such variation
in accents that may exist between different localities within a city
also.

Accent also refers to the emphasis the same person
may place on different words and syllables while speaking. This changes the stress being
put on different words in a sentence, and also alter the general feeling associated with
what is being said. Like the same sentence may convey appreciation or a taunt depending
on how it is spoken.

Dialect refers to basic variation in
the a common language, which involves basic change in word, phrases, and their meanings,
rather than just the way these are pronounced. Dialects develop because people who speak
the language in different regions introduce innovations and errors in the language which
over a period become part of common language spoken in a community. Dialects also
develop because of evolution of language over time. Thus the language spoken in times of
Shakespeare, which is the language used in his works, is very different from the English
spoken today.

Dialects involve differences in pronunciation
as well as vocabulary. The variation between two dialects may be minor, so that a person
knowing one dialect is able to understand the other dialect fairly well. But dialect of
same language can be quite different also, making it very difficult for person with
knowledge of one dialect only to understand the other dialect.

In Act II, what news does the Nurse give to Romeo and what simile does Friar Laurence use to show his concern for the sudden wedding?

The Nurse meets with Romeo in order to set up a time when Juliet should arrive at Friar Lawrence's cell for their wedding. When she does, she reveals to Romeo that she prefers Paris to Romeo and has told Juliet such, but Juliet prefers Romeo. When Romeo and Juliet meet at Friar Lawrence's, Romeo shows bravado, saying that any unhappiness could never compare to his current joy. The Friar is concerned with this statement and says "These violent delights have violent ends,/ And in their triumph die; like fire and powder,/ Which, as they kiss, consume." He is warning Romeo that it is dangerous to be so consumed in anything because it can turn quickly. To be cliche, too much of a good thing is bad.

Ending slavery in the 1800sI'm doing a speech about slavery, I am pretending to be a person from the 1800's. I need some ideas on what to say to...

Considerations Toward Ending
Slavery:

How would you provide for slaves who were too
elderly to work?  Once freed, their former owners will no longer be obligated to care
for them.

In many areas, there were more slaves than the
work required.  How would you find employment for the excess?  Once freed, their former
owners will no longer employee any more than he needs to do his work.  If nothing is
done, many will be forced to steal for survival; for this they will end up in jail or at
the end of a rope, not to mention the harm to their
victims.

What would you do with slaves who had grown up in
slavery and did not want to be free?

Some slaves could read
and write, but more could not.  Would you put them into the job market with no
education, or would you somehow provide an education for them?  How would you do
this?

Many slaves had skills at carpentry, brick laying,
house keeping, etc., but many more had no job skills but as field hands.  How would you
provide for the excess field hands who had no skills for any other
job?

The slave was worth a lot of money, kind of like an
automobile today.  Some families own one or two autos; some families own large fleets of
trucks or constructin equipment, or busses.  If internal combustion engines were
outlawed because of their pollution, many people would be bankrupted, and many more
would be unable to make a living.  How will you keep this from happening to your
slave-owners when you free the slaves?

If all the slaves
are freed at once and go looking for jobs, a lot of people with jobs, in northern
factories for example, will suddenly find their wages are a lot lower.  This sudden
reduction in wages will be hard on them and their families.  Maybe you should release
only a part of the slaves each year.  How will you handle this
problem?

If you tell your audience about the few who are
beaten for no reason, will you tell your audience about the many who were never beaten
for no reason, or will you mislead your audience into thinking being beaten for no
reason was common?

Slaves could not change bosses if they
did not like the one they had.  Neither could most factory hands of the time, but
however that may be, this inability to seek a better position for one's self may have
been the thing about slavery that slaves themselves most disliked.  There is a joke from
the era that makes this point. 

A slave escaped from
Kentucky and went to Ohio.  In Ohio he was apprehended and taken before a magistrate. 
The magistrate asked him if he was mistreated as a slave.  "Oh, no sir.  Me and ol'
massa was best of friends."  The magistrate asked if he was over-worked.  "No sir.  Me
and ol' massa took Wednesdays and Saturdays off and went fishing, and went hunting most
near ever night."  The magistrate asked if he was under-fed.  "No sir.  Ol' massa gave
me all the pork and cornmeal I could eat and I raised plenty of vegetables and
chickens. "  The magistrate asked if he was adequately housed.  "I had a nice little
cabin sir, with roses around the door."  "Well!  I don't understand why you ran away!"
the magistrate exclaimed.  The slave replied, "Well judge, your honor, sir, that
position is still open down there if you want it."

Good
luck with your speech.

What is the central conflict in "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The central conflict in "The Masque of the Red Death" is
between the nobles of the country, especially Prince Prospero, and the "red death," a
disease very much like the "black death" or plague that actually devastated late
medieval Europe. 

Prince Prospero is wealthy and powerful
and tries to escape the plague by quarantining himself and his nobles in a vast abbey.
This was something some of the nobles did during the black death, but it is not the act
of a just or benevolent ruler; as a ruler, one should not abandon one's subjects to
death while ensuring one's own personal safety.

Despite the
precautions to quarantine himself and his nobles so that they cannot be affected by the
plague, Prospero is followed into the abbey by the plague. Poe
states: 

And
now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the
night. And one by one dropped the revellers . .
.

This conflict and its
phrasing is based on a biblical passage:

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The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
them, ... But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief. (1 Thessalonians
5:2)

This parallel suggests
that death will always win the conflict, and that no matter how safe we are externally,
we are by nature mortal. However, Christians believe that death for the saved is the
beginning of eternal life, and thus within a medieval Christian context (the setting of
the story), by his own selfishness in trying to avoid physical death, Prospero not only
failed to avoid the plague but also sacrificed his chance at
Heaven.

Who is the antagonist in this story and why is he called the antagonist?

I don't know if it could necessarily qualify as an antagonist because it is not actually a character; however, the weather is definitely the enemy.  In terms of conflict in the story, it is absolutely man against nature. If you make a time line of the events in the story, it is almost as if the man is destined to die. In fact, I also believe that in some ways the man himself is both the protagonist and the antagonist, as he is his own worst enemy because his arrogance causes him to make stupid errors in judgement that ultimately cost him his life. I don't know if this helps you, but these are my thoughts and ideas on the topics.  Brenda

In "Winter Dreams," what makes Dexter "newer and stronger" than the "careless" wealthy people he meets?

Dexter is "newer and stronger" in that he is the son of an
immigrant mother and a member of the working class by birth. He is not a child of
privilege; his family is not one that has built and inherited wealth for several
American generations. Dexter worked from the time he was a boy because he needed the
money, and he worked hard to attend a fine Eastern university, instead of settling for
the less expensive state university. Going to a prestigious school was not a birthright
for Dexter as it had been for the sons of the wealthy. After college, Dexter continues
to work hard, building a business from very little except his own ingenuity. As a
result, he becomes a quite wealthy young man. He is strong in that he knows how to work
and plan for what he wants in life.

Dexter is superior in
numerous ways to the idle rich he had grown up admiring; ironically, however, he wants
his children to be children of social privilege. Dexter wants them to enjoy
what he perceives to be the beauty, glamour, and romance of upper-class
wealth.

What does Ponyboy mean when he says the Socs were "reeling pickled" on page 54?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "reeling" as an adjective that means "having a feeling of being whirled about and in danger of falling down." For example, "the blood donor experienced a reeling sensation after standing up too quickly." Synonyms include aswoon, giddy, light-headed, swimmy, vertiginous, whirling, and woozy. Some related words are faint, weak, addled, befuddled, confused, dazed, and groggy.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "pickled" as a slang term that means "being under the influence of alcohol." For example, "I must have been rather pickled when I agreed to your stupid scheme." Synonyms include besotted, blasted, blitzed, blotto, bombed, boozy, canned, cockeyed, crocked, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered, high, impaired, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced, lit, lit up, loaded, looped, oiled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted, tipped, sloshed, smashed, sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed, stewed, stiff, stinking, stoned, tanked, tiddly, tipsy, wasted, wet, and wiped out. These are mostly slang words. Some related words are maudlin, beery, befuddled, bleary-eyed, crapulous, dopey, rocky, strung out, stupefied, debauched, dissipated, dissolute, alcoholic, bibulous, and dipsomaniacal. 

When put together, they create an imagery of people who have drunk a great amount of alcohol, so much so that they smell strongly of it and are also stumbling over and moving around in a manner that indicates inebriation. When Ponyboy makes the observation that the Socs were "reeling pickled," he means that they were very clearly drunk and exhibiting evidence of drunkenness. 

S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is a book that is full of slang terms from America in 1965, where the story takes place. The colloquialisms of Ponyboy Curtis's first-person narration lends to the very specific tone and style of the book. The main conflict and theme of the story revolves around two groups of teenagers who are divided by socioeconomic class. The use of slang, such as "reeling pickled" emphasizes the youth culture of the novel, as well as the two different "cultures" inherent in upper and lower economic classes. The strong language gives the narration a kind of story truth, meaning that the narrative seems much more realistic and in-the-moment because of the language. 

At the end of the novel, it is revealed that the entire narration is from Ponyboy's English class assignment. He is writing about the recent tragic events in his life, and how he feels about them and how he has come to terms with them. The slang and casual language of the entire book makes more sense in that context. It is easy for the reader to believe that this is Ponyboy's essay for school, because the language is so realistic and expected from someone like him. 

Notably, the depiction of underage drinking and the use of slang (both very realistic) have caused The Outsiders to be banned in some schools in America. 

What indications are there that there is sibling rivalry in this community? The answer is in chapter 3 but I am having trouble finding it.

Jonah's feelings of resentment toward his annoying little sister is indicative of sibling rivalry.

Lily is her Daddy's little girl; Father affectionately calls her "Lily-billy", gently soothes the waters after Mother scolds her, and speaks tenderly to her, softly explaining Gabriel's feeding needs.  Although Jonas doesn't outwardly compete his father's attention, growing up and realizing that he is different has him feeling insecure, and Lily's careless, childish prattle is really getting on his nerves.  Jonas is resentful when Lily thoughtlessly points out that his eyes are different, and he scornfully imagines that Lily will be a Speaker when she grows up because she is never quiet.  His annoyance with his sister leads him to picture her being publicly embarassed by the current Speaker because of her untidy hair ribbons, but that only reminds him of a time when he was a victim of such attention himself.

At the beginning what is Ralph's attitude towards Jack?

Initially, Ralph is very taken to Jack as both boys were the eldest of two choir groups. They both have mutual respect for each other - Ralph was intrigued by Jack's confidence and natural leadership skills. He even joined Jack in teasing the younger boys, probably with the intention of being "accepted" by Jack.

The author depicts Jack as the natural leader of the group but Ralph, due to certain qualities, was picked by the boys on the island. Perhaps this caused a little animosity between the boys.

Only when Jack begin taking the "older boys" on their hunts, did the two clans separate, leaving Ralph to tend to the younger boys, as well as Piggy, whose intellect complemented Ralph's leadership skills. Here we can see that the author still found shortcomings in Ralph and required to keep Piggy as a close ally to him.

Maybe the storyline would have been different if Jack had been picked as the leader of the group to begin with - as implied by Ralph's initial admiration for Jack.

How does the paperweight represent the past?

The paperweight represents both the past and present for Winston and Julia. 

It is the past because nothing like it exists anymore.  It was produced in a time when things were not as they are with the Party.  It was a freer time, a more beautiful time.  It is an "antique".

Winston is drawn to it for these reasons.  He is obsessed with the past as it is something close to what he would like to have now--a life like that of the Proles, free to do what you want when you want.  To love freely and sing out loud and show emotion when you feel it.

It also represents the present for the couple.  Like the paperweight, their love is fragile and beautiful.  It is also forbidden.  Party members are not to show emotions or have relationships outside of their duties.  The coral center is the love they feel for one another, and like their affair, the clear glass that surrounds it represents the fact that Winston and Julia's affair was never hidden.  They were always loving inside a fish bowl...it was only a matter of time before they were caught and punished.

When the thought police finally raid their apartment and capture them, the paperweight is thrown carelessly aside and it smashes into a thousand little bits.  This is symbolic of both the past and their present, and it foreshadows their future.  They will also be smashed into bits and will live a fragmented life in the future--one devoid of each other.

What is Jack's/Earnest's view on marriage in The Importance of Being Earnest?I know Algernon believes it is demoralizing and dull, Gwendolen and...

Jack is quite romantic and does believe in love and
commitment. He shows his ability for commitment by taking care of Cecily in the country
and becoming her guardian. He also seems to have a settled head with finances (as Jack,
not as Earnest) and truly seems to be bedazzled by Gwendolyn. He was extremely upset at
Gwen's obsession with the name Earnest, and he even said "I have to get Christened at
once!"

He even went through the troubles of having to
answer Lady Bracknell, and through the humiliation of being called a "parcel" by her. In
all, Jack does have an inclination to make it in a marriage. But you never know, since
he also has a "bunburyist" side just like Algy.

What do George and Leannie need to get stake for?no

George and Lennie need to build a stake (this means that they want to save money) so that they can buy their own plot of land and have their very own ranch that they can work together. Right now they are traveling together working for other people on their ranches. Lennie is so excited about making their stake because George has promised that one feature of their very own ranch will be a place where Lennie can breed rabbits. He loves soft cuddly things. This is also a good way for George to control Lennie because he reminds him that he has to behave in order to get his rabbits. If Lennie continues to do bad things George tells him he won't get to have his rabbits. This also foreshadows the last scene in the story when Lennie realizes what George has to do to him. 

Although we don't get full details about what happened prior to our meeting the characters, we do know that Lennie killed some rabbits before by squeezing them too hard because he doesn't know his own strength.  

What is the rising action and climax of "The Man to Send Rainclouds"?

Though Silko's story is very short, a lot happens and is implied.  The two young Native American men, Leon and Ken, find the old man, Teofolio, dead under a tree.  The rising action is the appearance of the Roman Catholic priest, who will challenge both implicitly and complicitly, the ancient death rituals.  The climax occurs when the priest agrees to sanction the death by sprinkling Teofolio's body with holy water, even though his tribe has prepared him for burial in the traditional ways...painting his face, facing him the proper direction, etc.

This blending of the new and the old gives Ken, Leon, and the tribe comfort that one of their own has been admitted into heaven by whatever means necessary. 

Why did the ship's master decide not to get married?

The answer to this question can be found in Letter 2 --
the second letter written by Robert Walton to his sister,
Margaret.

In this letter, he talks to her about the master
of the ship.  He says that the man is a very nice man but that he is lonely.  He says
that the man could have married a "Russian lady."  The master had asked the woman's
father and gotten his consent, but he found out the woman loved another that her father
would not allow her to marry.

To me, this letter is about
loneliness.  It talks of Walton's own loneliness and about that of the master as
well.

Explain in detail,‘Quantitative’ data analysis? My posted question is related with Research Methodology

Quantitative data analysis or research is an empirical
investigation that is very systematic and structured in nature. This kind of research
also uses a lot of mathematical investigation hence the term quantitative. There are a
lot of numbers involved when gathering quantitative data. The objective of this kind of
research is to gather and develop theories and form a hypothesis as to the predicted
outcome. These hypotheses are also not always proven but this is the point of
research.

Data is gathered in numerous ways such as
surveys, questionnaires, and interviews. Sample sizes are also usually large in this
kind of research.

In chapter 7, what has increased Tom's hatred of Gatsby?

I guess I'm a little confused by the question.  Chapter seven is the bulk of Tom's hatred for Gatsby.  This is where he learns of Gatsby and Daisy's prior relationship and has to verbally spar with Gatsby to show who loves Daisy more.  I'm not sure that any real "hatred" existed for Gatsby until this chapter; he was suspicious of the past, but I'm sure he hated Gatsby yet.  Certainly things went downhill for everybody after the hotel fight though.

Maybe you're viewing the ending of chapter seven as a separate incident from the rest.  In which case, the belief that Gatsby killed Myrtle would lead to his increased anger..

In Night, describe the Kapos. How do the prisoners in Elie's block survive the New Year's selection?chapters 4-5

The Kapos were the men in charge of the blocks of men. Elie and his father were put on a work detail with some musicians and their first job was easy compared to what others had to do. They sat on the floor of a warehouse and sorted electrical parts all day long. One of their Kapos at the time was named Idek and he was cruel. He beat Elie unconscious once because Elie saw him having sex. He beat Elie's father near death because he said his father couldn't march in time with everyone else, but the real reason was because Elie refused to surrender his gold crown to Idek, which he eventually did anyway and got nothing for it. The New Year's selection was survived by running " as if the devil were at your heels". An SS told the prisoners to prepare by getting color into their ashen faces to appear healthy and to run. Elie did almost to the point of passing out. His father had a close call and was no immediately eliminated, but he did manage to survive this final selection before the two left the camp a short time later.

How does Bernard turn the tables to humiliate the D.H.C. in Brave New World?

Bernard wants to have some leverage against the Director. When Bernard discovers the Savage, he realizes that by bringing him back to society he will be able to get revenge against the Director, who has been threatening him with exile to Iceland. The Director’s reputation will be ruined when it is revealed he is a father.

Bernard also realizes that he will become the recipient of a lot of attention because everyone will want to see the Savage.

What does Scout wish was different about Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Before Scout discovers some of Atticus' talents previously
unknown to her, she expresses some disappointments about her father. Since "he was
nearly fifty," he was older than most of her friends' fathers, and his advanced age and
late start at parenting "reflected upon his abilities and manliness." Scout wished
Atticus had a more exciting job, such as a farmer, mechanic or dump-truck driver. His
glasses and poor inherited eyesight were a sore point. Additionally, "He never went
hunting, he did not play poker or fish or drink or smoke." When Atticus caught Scout
aiming her air rifle at Miss Maudie's rear end, he warned her to never point it at
anybody again. At that point, Scout "wished my father was a devil from hell," echoing
Miss Maudie's joking retort to Atticus' remark about Scout's "genrous
target."

Can someone help me make a survival manual for an island (imaginary)?what tools can i make and how to use them? what food can i eat and where can...

One of the first things that you will need to do is to
find a source of drinking water. This should be one of your first priorities. The
farther inland you go the more likely you are to find fresh
water.

As far as food goes, almost anything can be eaten
including insects. I am assuming you will be on a deserted island so sea animals are a
good option. There should be lots of fruits available as well. Coconuts are an excellent
option if they are available.

You will also need to find or
build a shelter. You could use a cave as a shelter or use products from
trees.

And of course you will need tools. Tools can be made
out of materials from the trees. You can also use rocks, sea shells and coconut
shells.

Rules will need to be established. There should be
a group leader and decisions should be based on a majority vote.

Act 3. Why do you think Proctor confesses lechery?And What is the profused purpose of the court? Why doesn

Proctor confesses lechery because he is trying to prove that Abigail is not as saintly as she appears. If he can prove she is sinful, then he can free his wife from prison and possible death.

The courts purpose in this drama is to locate witches based on the girls testimonies. The girls are the witnesses that the court chooses to listen to. If one of them cries out against someone, then they are automatically accused. Also, the girls pretend to be bothered by the spirits of the accused in court and this is used as evidence in the place of other eye witnesses.

In chapter 25 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why was Tom "a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed"?

Tom Robinson was considered dead as soon as Mayella screamed simply because he was black and she was white. During that time period in the South, no one would have believed a black person over a white person regardless of the situation. Blacks were considered guilty if accused by a white before even getting a chance to prove their innocence. Atticus was an excellent lawyer and he proved Tom's innocence to everyone in the courtroom, but 'in the secret courts of men's hearts' everyone had already convicted Tom without a trial.

I need the detailed summary of the story the case for the defence

The Case for the Defence is a short story penned down by
Graham Greene. In this story, a man named Adams murders an old lady; the murder case is
named as the 'Peckham Murder Case'; there are five witnesses to that brutal murder.
Gradually, the murder case is introduced in the court where one Adams brother stands in
the box while another Adams, identical in looks takes his seat at the back. The sitting
Adams is with his wife. The witnesses are called to share their memories of the murder
night and one after the other they do. The last witness, Mrs. Salmon, also the prime
person in the story identifies the man standing before her as the murderer; but soon as
she is pointed to look at the Adams at the back, she is confused. There is a dilemma
hanging in the air as to who is the real murderer. The Adams standing in the box thereby
is acquitted as lack of evidence takes over. But later on, justice overpowers the plot
of the Adams. While going out of the court, one of the Adams brothers is hit by a
speeding bus, his skull being exactly hammered just as the way Mrs.Parker's had
been.And, the other brother cries over his dead brother's body. The real murderer is
still unknown to the reader. So , all we can deduce from this story is the concept of
divine justice - may be under the influence of some plan or idea, a criminal could
escape; but since the devil gets his due, so did he.

Read more:  href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_case_for_the_defense_summary#ixzz1hlKzaZPq">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_case_for_the_defense_summary#ixzz1hlKzaZPq

What were the important ideas presented in each section of Thoreau's Walden?

Economy.  A criticism against the materialistic nature of society.  Thoreau argues that ownership is a disadvantage to humans because it separates them from their true nature.  He explains that he will go and live in the woods to find simplicity and truth.

Where I lived.  The idea here is that to fully live a person must isolate himself in nature.  Purity and unity are the ideas.

Reading.  Emphasizes classical texts as a source of wisdom.

Sounds. Nature and unity.  Reading should be accompanied by the sounds of nature.

Solitude:  Nature and unity.  It is not possible to be lonely with nature, but humans alienate each other.

Visitors: To prove he wasn't a total hermit, he describes the people who visited.

Bean Field: Simplicity.  He describes growing his own food.

The Village: Freedom.  He is arrested for failure to pay taxes, done in protest to slavery.

The Ponds: Nature. Describes the surrounding.

Baker Farm: Simplicity.  The hard life of a nearby farmer trying to succeed.

Higher Laws: Spirituality.  He focuses on the human soul.

Brute Neighbors: Animal nature vs. spiritual nature.

House Warming: Preparing for Winter

Former Inhabitants: Solitude is challenging

Winter Animals: Nature. 

Pond in Winter: Unity.  Ice from the pond is harvested to spread elsewhere.

Spring: Nature revitalized.

Conclusion: Spirituality.

What is a good thesis statement for "Miss Brill"?

A good thesis statement for any story is always a thesis that you feel strongly about and can find enough evidence to defend. It's possible that you don't care at all about the story. In that case, just come up with a thesis that is easily supported by the text.

You can go two ways with thesis statements.  

One way is the "point and counterpoint" thesis. This is my personal favorite, because it gives a lot to write about. Plus it has the advantage of allowing you to discuss and discredit arguments against your thesis. This kind of thesis is easily started with the word "although." I can't write out a thesis word for word for you about this story, but I can give an example of this thesis style: "Although Chocolat presents the viewer with many Christian characters, the only character who truly acts like a professing Christian is the outspoken atheist." For "Miss Brill," this kind of thesis would work well with the themes of appearance and reality. Miss Brill believes that she appears to be completely with it, when in reality she is just as much of an oddity as the people she critiques.  

The second way to go about forming a thesis statement is the "statement followed by reasons" thesis. This thesis style is much more straightforward. You say something bold, and then you tell your reader up to three reasons why that statement is correct. For example: "Chocolat represents strong anti-Christian biasing because it portrays Christians as hypocritical, ignorant, and stuck up." For "Miss Brill" and this kind of thesis, I would focus on the theme of loneliness and why Miss Brill is a very lonely character.

What is an explanation of Sonnet 58?

This sonnet belongs to a larger group of sonnets that are written to a young, aristocratic man. The speaker is madly in love with the young man and laments his indifference to their relationship. The speaker has become a slave to the love she feels for him and prays that the god who made her a slave to her lover will also give her the strength not to try and control him, asking him to account for how he spends his time. Because the speaker is his servant, she can do nothing but accept his decisions. The speaker prays for patience in waiting for the young man to make time for her and the strength not to accuse the young man of hurting her. The speaker then resigns herself to the fact that the young man is free to go and do as he pleases because he has the power in the relationship not only to make the decisions but also to forgive himself for any wrongdoings he may committ. She then tells the young man that waiting for him is hell, but she has no choice but to accept what the young man does and the decisions that he makes. The speaker is religioiusly devoted to him, and in her eyes, he can do no wrong. The speaker is powerless to walk away from the relationship or to change the young man in any way, so she's left waiting for him to give her some time whenever he feels like it.

In “Because I Could not Stop for Death,” what attributes does Dickinson grant to death? Why is immortality going along for the ride?

In the poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death" by Emily
Dickinson, the poet suggests several character traits for Death. Although she suggests
that he is polite, civil, courteous and 'kind' there is also a darker tone where he is
more threatening and intimidating. She suggests that just because she ,like many of us,
will never feel ready for death, having much more to achieve before giving up life,
death will still come. he is persevering and assertive even if that is in a quiet way.
Even though he allows her to see happy images and histories for the last time, he does
not stop the carriage which has become like a cortege, but has it drive on relentlessly
towards her end. Polite or no, Death ignores her feelings.

What events or scenes in Act 2 contribute to the suspense? Why?

There are tons of examples of suspense in this act.

1.  Caesar had to be manipulated by the conspirators to go to the Capitol against Calpurnia's wishes. 

2.  The soothsayer, who has had an idea something would go wrong, is on his way to the Capitol to warn Caesar.

3.  The augerer read the fortunes through a heartless animal, another sign Caesar ignored.

4.  The teacher, Artemidorus, has learned some very specific details about the assassination attempt including all of the conspirators involved.  (Remember that - teachers know everything!)  He is on his way to the Capitol to also try and prevent the killing.

5.  Portia is uneasy about what Brutus is involved in but still wishes to support him.  Because of this, she sends Lucilius to the senate also to let Brutus know she is merry, that she is ok with whatever it is he is doing.

As a reader (or an audience member), we are aware that all of these plot lines are about to meet at the Capitol, but we don't know yet which will prevail.  Of course, in the end it's Caesar's own arrogance that pushes aside the soothsayer and Artemidorus and eventually leads to his death.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to being the kind of leader Machiavelli describes?

Most of the advantages of ruling by the methods Machiavelli recommends in The Prince would be understood as advantages from the point of view of the person in power (or wanting power) rather than from the point of view of those ruled, for the intention in this treatise is to separate rules of ethics from the exigencies of ruling. In other  words, The Prince emphasizes gaining and maintaining power rather than ruling correctly for the betterment of the people. Therefore, one “advantage” of being the sort of leader recommended by the book is that such a leader is likely to  maintain his power for a long time, and that might bring stability to a country. This sort of ruler is always prepared for the possibility that someone will contest his power or that something will go wrong in his kingdom, and will act accordingly to maintain power.  However, Machiavelli advises telling rulers what they want to hear rather than what is correct, for this will ensure their personal power. Such lies told by a ruler will also keep the people happy, and in being happy will be more likely to support him in time of travail such as war. The Prince advises divisiveness rather than unity, and since our democracy is built on the ideal of unity (although majority rules), this intended goal of divisiveness to solidify the power contradicts the principles our culture holds dear

What is the supernatural machinery in "The Rape of the Lock"?"The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope

Since Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" is a mock epic, the
poet includes supernatural machinery in this poem, but parodies it by having the
beautiful women return to the elements from which they came as anything but the elevated
creatures such as the gods and angels that true epics
employ.

The violent tempered women, or termagants, return
as salamanders, or spirit of the fire; the women of pleasing dispositions return as
nymphs, or water spirits; prudish women become gnomes, or earth spirits;  coquettes, or
light-hearted women comes as sylphs, or spirits of the
air.

It is in their occupations that Pope employs his
satire, too.  The sylphs, for example, protect the chaste maidens from falling victim to
the "treacherous friends" of the male sex. While the gnomes fill the minds of young
maidens with foolish ideas, teaching them to ogle the men and pretend to blush, the
sylphs safely guide the maidens through all the dangers.

Which characters die in To Kill a Mockingbird?

The main characters who die are Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Bob Ewell.  Tom's death is the symbolic killing of a mockingbird. Tom is innocent, but is convicted due to the prejudice of people.  It is on his way to jail, that, out of desperation, Tom breaks free and tries to run, then is shot.  Mrs. Dubose's death symbolizes the strength of will and persistence it takes to fight even when one knows he will lose anyway - just like Atticus knew he'd lose his case and Tom would get convicted by the jury in Maycomb.  Bob Ewell's death is further proof of the type of desperate, despicable person that he is.  He was killed trying to harm Scout and Jem.  This is where Boo saves the children's lives by killing Ewell which, again, helps to emphasize the idea that mockingirds (Boo, in this case) do no harm, they only "sing their hearts out for us".

Why do many critics find fault with "Of Mice and Men"?

On the whole the book has had rave reviews from critics, especially for use in curriculum, but there are some literary, sexual, social, and political critiques that could be made out of favor with the book. For starters on the literary front, the book itself is very repetitive and it's already short. There is a lot of redundancy in regards to Lenny and George talking about the farm they hope to have someday.

Some critics have also argued that Steinbeck could have done more with Crooks as a character because racial exclusion was such a big problem in the country at the time and with the exception of perhaps the scene in his separate bunkhouse with Lenny and Candy in Chapter 4. 

In "A Rose for Emily" what is the relationship between the individual, Miss Emily, and the community?

Miss Emily is regarded by her community as a fascinating,
old celebrity.  She is part of the now extinct "old blood" of the South, of those
wealthy families that used to be revered and respected because of the generations of
wealth and status that they held. But with the demise of slavery, and the rise of the
middle class in America, such reverence for those old families slowly dwindled away, and
Miss Emily was the only thing that was left.  She was regared by them as an ancient
relic, like something in a museum, to be looked upon and wondered at.  During her
younger years, the townspeople followed her about much like a discredited celebrity,
hungry for gossip and opportunities to spread rumors and share in her life.  It reminds
me of old celebrity have-beens that the paparazzi still follow around simply to report
the sordid details of their crumbling lives.  The townspeople had the same sense of
judgment too; when our favorite celebrity cheats on their spouse, we are upset, we feel
angry, and think they should have behaved better.  The townspeople feel this way about
Emily as she starts hanging around Homer Barron; they are curious and judgmental, and
even intervene a bit, as far as they can.  And, as the townspeople are the ones
narrating this story (it is told, uniquely, from their perspective), we get a good feel
for their attitudes and fascination.

Miss Emily doesn't
really regard the townspeople at all.  They are not worth her consideration, and when
they do occasionally step in to try to disrupt her world, she chases them off,
maintaining her isolated and skewed perspective of the world that she lives in, where
she remains royalty, and the peons of the earthe are below
her.

I hope that those thoughts helped; good
luck!

Why has Zaroff begun hunting human “game”

Zaroff begins hunting human "game" because hunting animal game has become boring to him. He feels it is no longer hold any sort of challenge for him. He feels that he can outsmart any animal- even the most cunning, which is why he has switched to human game. Humans can think and reason which makes them more interesting to hunt. Since Zaroff is civilized, rich, cultured, well traveled, and the like he feels that he is completely justified in his game- after-all it is fair, or so he thinks, because he gives his game a fighting chance.

What are the main characteristics of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in "Pride and Prejudice"?Help with anything about Lady Catherine.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is haughty, egotistical, and domineering.  Because of her wealth and social standing she believes she can command anyone around her.  People such as Mr. Collins contribute to this personality by acting as sycophants who bow to her every command.  Her nephew Darcy initially does whatever his aunt requests out of respect for her, but by the end of the text, he makes the choice to go against her wishes and marry Elizabeth.  

One of Austen's recurring themes was the role of money in society.  She uses Lady Catherine de Bourgh as a symbol of the  uppercrust of society who wield their money with social power.  It would have been extremely unusual for Elizabeth to have been allowed to marry Darcy because of her low social and financial standing. 

What character in Lord of the Flies did you like or dislike the most?

My favorite character in The Lord of the Flies is Ralph because he is the character who shows the most growth as a result of his experiences on the island.  He starts out as the unquestioned leader on the island because of his charisma.  He is a civilizing element.  Although at first he cannot understand the savagery that begins to come out in the other boys, when he takes part on the periphery of the dancing frenzy that results in the death of Simon, he can see the dark side in his own nature.  Unlike Piggy, who tries to deny its existence, Ralph seems to come to the decision that it is important to overcome the savage within himself even if it means his own death.  His tears upon being rescued are not only tears of relief and tears of sorrow at Simon and Piggy's senseless deaths. I think they are also tears of sorrow at his own lost innocence.  He realizes that even though they are rescued, he will never be the same boy who was stranded.

My least favorite character was Roger.  He fell into savagery the most quickly and sadistically enjoyed teasing the younger boys.  I don't think he would have been at all likeable even in a civilized situation. 

Discuss the themes of jealousy and love in Othello. Who is the tragic character?

It has been questioned whether Othello deserves the title
of a tragic character as he is not recognised as of noble birth by the society in which
he exists. Othello is a well-respected and successful military figure in Venice, but he
is not a member of the royal family.

 Herein may lie some
of the jealousy; from Othello to the position of those around him, who were born into
their ranks rather than making themselves 'noble' as he has. This contrasts with the
jealousy of 'Iago', tortured in the belief that Othello has denied him his rightful
promotion to lieutenant, and may have slept with his wife, Emilia. Othello’s jealousy
towards Cassio and the believed affair with Desdemona may be rooted in Othello’s
insecurity in a society where he is still regarded as an outsider by
some.

Love comes in such a wide range of forms in
Shakespeare’s plays – courtly, familial, sexual, platonic, filial, to name but a few.
You would need to identify the characters you wish this theme to apply to in order to
develop a refined answer.

Who were significant figures of the Civil Rights Movement between 1940 and 1970?

There were many figures of the Civil Rights Movement
between 1940 and 1970.  In 1948 "Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is
hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of
treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race,
color, religion, or national origin."

Thurgood Marshall an
attorney, battled and won the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Kansas.  The ruling in the case led the way for widespread desegregation in public
schools.

In 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to
a white person.  "In response to her arrest the Montgomery black community launches a
bus boycott, which will last for more than a year, until the buses are desegregated Dec.
21, 1956."

Martin Luther King, Charles K Steele, and Fred
L. Shuttlesworth begin the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC  became a
driving force in the Civil Rights Movement.

What is the significance of the Meryton Hall Ball in Pride and Prejudice?

Meryton Ball is also important for here we find that Elizabeth develops her prejudice against Darcy, at least in part, because she eavesdrops on his conversation. She overhears him say there are no women at the ball pretty enough for him to dance with.Elizabeth is deeply insulted, but rather than admit to this personal affront, she instead understands him as too proud.  Since this is a novel all about propitious behavior, strict rules of conduct would have required her to walk away from that conversation, but instead she stays to listen in because she is curious. We see Charlotte do something similar when she walks over to the window in a later chapter to overhear a conversation about Lizzy's cousin, the silly Mr. Collins, and it is then she decides she will make a go at trying to marry him, now that Lizzy doesn't want him. Just as "seeing" is an important motif in the novel, so is "hearing," and the latter helps to set the theme of prejudice in motion at the Meryton Ball.

What is the tragedy of young goodman brown? and which scenes is it in?

I think the tragedy could also be the very ending of the work where the narrator states:

"Had Goodman Brown fallen asleep in the forest and only dreamed a wild dream of a witch-meeting?

Be it so if you will; but, alas! it was a dream of evil omen for young Goodman Brown....when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grandchildren, a goodly procession, besides neighbors not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom."

The tragedy is that Young Goodman Brown let all of this control him and it ruined his life.  His faith was placed in man, and when man failed him (as man always will because we are human) he despaired for the rest of his life. 

Why does Jonas's mother shake her head about the release of the twin and Father's responsibility for it? What wisdom does hunger provide?These...

I think Jonas's mother shakes her head because she is a sympathetic person and believes it will be hard for Jonas's father if he has to decide which twin to release.  Even though Father says matter-of-factly, "it shouldn't be hard, though...usually it's just a matter of birthweight" (Chapter 14), we know from an earlier conversation in Chapter 1, when Father is telling the family about his concern for Gabriel and his fear that the Committe will release him, that it makes him especially sad to have to release a baby. 

In answer to your second question, when the Committee seeks the Giver's counsel as to whether they should allow birth mothers to have more children, he advises them to consider that famine and even war sometimes result when populations grow too large.  He has the wisdom to understand the devastating effects of drastic population increase because he has experienced hunger (Chapter 14).

What are the techniques that Shakespeare uses in Act1 Scene 1 (of Hamlet) that makes the scene so important?

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the opening
scene of the play provides the traditional exposition necessary in an Elizabethan drama,
but also serves, interestingly, as, of all things, a transition:  a transition from what
has occurred in the past, to what will occur in the near
future. 

Exposition always does this to a certain extent,
but Shakespeare manages to pack a great deal of information into his
exposition. 

The scene seems to begin in medias res (Latin
for in the middle of things), not in the usual sense of beginning
the story as near to the end of the entire story as possible, but in the sense that it
begins close to what really matters in the opening of the drama:  Hamlet meeting with
the Ghost and being told that his father was murdered, and, therefore, did not die of
natural causes and needs to be revenged.  That, of course, is what the opening scene
leads up to, although it does not occur until the fourth scene of the
play.

Since Elizabethan drama uses no lighting or sets, the
audience must quickly be informed of details we take for granted today.  Bernardo's
opening line,

"Who's
there?" 

for instance,
depending on how it's performed, may establish that it is nighttime--if Bernardo has to
ask because he can't see who it is, even though he's standing near the person, then it
must be dark out.  A few lines later the audience is informed that it is twelve, which
would then mean midnight--the traditional witching hour, when spirits and ghosts roam
the earth.  And it is "bitter cold" says Francisco.  And when Bernardo asks if Francisco
has had a "quiet guard," the audience is informed, with certainty, that these are guards
on watch.

Once the setting is established, then the real
business is revealed.  This scene presents the middle of three appearances by the
Ghost.  The first appearance was witnessed only by the guards.  They have brought a
well-respected man, considered a scholar, and a friend of Hamlet's, with them to verify
what they see.  That Horatio is a friend of Hamlet is vital, because the Ghost appears
to be Hamlet's father, the dead King Hamlet.  Thus, Horatio is present to lend
legitimacy to what the guards have previously seen, and also, in the future (if the
Ghost appears again this night), to provide a connection to someone who has the
authority and power to really do something concerning the Ghost's appearances.  (Again,
this opening scene points backward to what has already occurred, and forward, to what
will occur.)

And that is what happens.  Notice the Ghost
does not speak in either of these first two appearances--the visitations are
incomplete.  Neither the characters nor the audience knows why the Ghost is appearing. 
Suspense and anticipation are created, and what is introduced in scene one, must be
concluded later, in scene four.

Incidentally, Francisco's
reply that nothing of note has happened during his watch, that there was "Not a mouse
stirring," will prove ironic later in the play.  When Hamlet arranges for the "play
within the play" to be performed so that he can determine for sure whether or not
Claudius is guilty, and Claudius asks him what the title of the play is, Hamlet tells
him "The Mousetrap."  Mice will not prove to be so quiet
later.   

What makes Pondicherry an appropriate choice for Pi's upbringing?

When you speak about Pondicherry in this novel, you are speaking of the first incidence of setting of place.  Therefore it's important to discuss the city in that regard.

My first (and strong) inclination is to say the VAST European influence in the city of Pondicherry in India.  This is absolutely imperative in shaping Pi's thinking throughout the story.  It is obvious that Pi was exposed to other religions other than his own family's.  Of course, this is because Pondicherry was predominantly ruled by the French for hundreds of years already.  (Even the idea of having a "zoo" for exotic animals is a fairly European idea.)  Why is this important?  Consider this quotation:

Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see God in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians, in their devotion to God, are hat wearing Muslims.

This idea, this blending of religions is the focal point of the book (and the focus of my favorite quotation, and one I will never forget).  Don't forget when the older Pi turns to the reporter and asks him which story he likes better.  The reporter answers that he liked the one with the animals the best.  We should stand in awe at Pi's response:

And so it is with God.

That is to imply that ANY response the reporter would have said, ANY response the reporter would have clung to, ANY response the reporter would believe, ... is the right one.  And all of this from Pi growing up in Pondicherry!

Secondly, yes, I must agree that it is also important that Pondicherry be a coastal city.  With little or no knowledge of the ocean or boats, Pi (despite his smarts) could not have much hope of survival. In this way, then, the setting of Pondicherry makes Pi's eventual story more realistic, for sure.

What makes Ralph a bad leader in Lord of the Flies? Give three examples (something he did or said) from Chapters 1

Ralph treats Piggy badly right from their first encounter
in Lord of the Flies. He pays Piggly little mind, trying "to be
offhand and not too obviously uninterested." When Piggy asks his name, Ralph responds
but fails to ask Piggy his name. When Piggy tells him he is afflicted with asthma, Ralph
derogatorily responds, "Ass-mar."

Piggy later tells Ralph
his hated nickname, and pleads with Ralph not to tell the other boys. Ralph mocks the
fat boy, and later, reveals to the other boys Piggy's name. "Better Piggy than Fatty,"
Ralph tells him. By doing so, he deliberately breaks a confidence with the boy who will
become his closest ally.

When the small boys complain of
the "beasties" that inhabit the island, Ralph just "laughed, and the other boys laughed
with him." Later, he "looked at the little boy in mixed amusement and exasperation."
Ralph's inconsideration of the smaller boys show both a lack of leadership and concern
for those who have chosen him their leader.

What is the setting in "The Gift of the Magi"?

O. Henry generally used one of five settings which were the American South, New York, the West, prison, or Central America. For The Gift of the Magi, he chose to set this story in New York.

He paid particular attention to the setting of Jim and Delia's immediate surroundings. Their poverty -stricken apartment that was furnished sparely and with tattered and worn furnishings, as well as the barren and lonely yard. The description of their isolated and poor setting adds to the mood that O. Henry wanted to create.

In Chapter 16, why does Scout cry after returning home from the jail?To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

In Scout's words, "The full meaning of the night's events
hit me and I began crying."  As she lies in her bed and reflects upon the events of the
evening, most disturbing events, Scout realizes the danger in which her Father was
placed, only now comprehending the look in Atticus's eyes.  She does not understand the
attitude of the townspeople who feel that a white man should only represent a Negro in
the most perfunctory manner.  When they learn that Attiucus intends to do his best and
bring out the truth, the men march to the jail to threaten Atticus, with "the smell of
whiskey and stale pigpen" upon them.  Those strangers into the midst of whom Scout has
jumped, she reflects, were not the men she has seen
previously.

Scout's weeps for her loss of innocence, the
threats on her father, whom she loves dearly, and for the evil in the hearts of men, men
that she has thought she recognized.  Hers was a most traumatic
experience.