What did containment mean during the Cold War?

When the Cold War began, the United States developed a policy called containment. This policy was designed to try to keep communism from spreading to places where communism didn’t exist. The policy was developed during Harry Truman’s presidency.

There were various ways that the policy of containment was used. The European Recovery Program gave economic aid to countries that were resisting the spread of communism. For example, we gave aid to Greece and Turkey to...

When the Cold War began, the United States developed a policy called containment. This policy was designed to try to keep communism from spreading to places where communism didn’t exist. The policy was developed during Harry Truman’s presidency.

There were various ways that the policy of containment was used. The European Recovery Program gave economic aid to countries that were resisting the spread of communism. For example, we gave aid to Greece and Turkey to try to keep communism out of those countries. With our economic aid, these countries didn’t become communist.

Another way we tried to stop the spread of communism was to try to stop the military actions of communist countries. For example, when North Korea, which was communist, invaded South Korea, which was noncommunist, in 1950, we went to the United Nations to deal with this invasion. When North Korea refused to leave South Korea, the United Nations created a multinational force, led by the United States, to remove North Korea from South Korea. This force was able to remove North Korea from South Korea.

The goal of containment was to keep communism from spreading.

Why is the Director angry after telling Bernard about his visit to the Savage Reservation in Brave New World?

The Director was angry because he realized that he had divulged his secret to Bernard. He tried to downplay his attachment to the lady he took for a visit to the reservation where she disappeared.

“Don’t imagine,” he said, “that I’d had any indecorous relation with the girl. Nothing emotional, nothing long-drawn. It was all perfectly healthy and normal.” He handed Bernard the permit. “I really don’t know why I bored you with this trivial...

The Director was angry because he realized that he had divulged his secret to Bernard. He tried to downplay his attachment to the lady he took for a visit to the reservation where she disappeared.

“Don’t imagine,” he said, “that I’d had any indecorous relation with the girl. Nothing emotional, nothing long-drawn. It was all perfectly healthy and normal.” He handed Bernard the permit. “I really don’t know why I bored you with this trivial anecdote.” Furious with himself for having given away a discreditable secret, he vented his rage on Bernard.

Bernard approached the Director so he could authorize his trip to the Savage Reservation. The Director did not notice the aim of the permit until he signed it. Bernard’s request to visit the reservation brought back sad memories that the Director had bottled up. The Director told Bernard about how he once took a lady to the reservation where she got lost. He had to leave her there after all attempts to trace her were unsuccessful. He was emotional as he narrated his story which implied that he was strongly attached to the lady and that the events continued to trouble him years later.

How does the narrator of "The Raven" change in the fourth stanza?

In the fourth stanza, the narrator undergoes a bit of a change in courage. In the third stanza, he says, he is filled with "fantastic terrors," likely referring to his fears about who could be knocking at his door at midnight. His heart is beating fast, and he "stood repeating" the same reassuring phase about it only being some visitor (as opposed to something scarier).

In the fourth stanza, as he rises from his chair,...

In the fourth stanza, the narrator undergoes a bit of a change in courage. In the third stanza, he says, he is filled with "fantastic terrors," likely referring to his fears about who could be knocking at his door at midnight. His heart is beating fast, and he "stood repeating" the same reassuring phase about it only being some visitor (as opposed to something scarier).

In the fourth stanza, as he rises from his chair, he calls to whoever is at the door, explaining why it has taken him so long to answer their knock. However, in the last two lines of the stanza, when he does open the door, he sees "Darkness there and nothing more" (line 24). With this particular phrase, then, the potential for supernatural happenings in this poem is established as a possibility. Prior to this, the narrator has attempted to be practical, but at this point, into the fifth stanza, he begins to wonder if it isn't the ghost of his lost love, Lenore, who has come to call. The fact that there was no one there to knock at his door puts him in the right frame of mind to receive the raven a few stanzas later and to attribute to that raven so many different supernatural possibilities.

What are the key themes in the poems "Roscoe Purkaphile" and "Mrs. Purkaphile?"

The major theme in these poems is the commitment of marriage. Roscoe Purkaphile was never keen on the idea of being married, but eventually resigned himself to it. Mrs. Purkaphile, however, took her vows very seriously: "But a promise is a promise / And marriage is marriage...". The seriousness of her dedication is highlighted by the fact that she is not known by her first name, but only by her husband's surname. She is a woman who is dedicated to tradition.

Roscoe, on the other hand, comes off as a man who is constricted by social convention. He wants to "escape" from Mrs. Purkaphile. He hopes that she will divorce him, or that she will die before him so that he can be free again. He concludes, however: "But few die, none resign." Not many young women die suddenly; and none will risk the social opprobrium that comes with divorce. So, he becomes an unfaithful liar: "Then I ran away and was gone a year on a lark...I told her that while taking a row in a boat / I had been captured near Van Buren Street / By pirates on Lake Michigan..."

Mrs. Purkaphile knows better, but chooses to believe his lie so that she can keep their marriage intact. She knows that he is having an affair: "I knew very well / What he was doing, and that he met / The milliner, Mrs. Williams, now and then..." It is not out of respect for her husband, but "for [her] own character" that she refuses to divorce. She made a promise; marriage is a vow for life. If she cannot keep this promise, then she is not true. She contrasts her own character with her husband's: "I refused to be drawn into a divorce / By the scheme of a husband who had merely grown tired / Of his marital vow and duty." She trivializes his feelings with the phrase "merely grown tired," and asserts her own moral superiority. 

Though marriage is the main, overarching theme, there are also the peripheral themes of infidelity, morality, existential boredom (Roscoe wants to be with other women because people often grow bored living with the same person), and the place of God in marriage. Much of what Mrs. Purkaphile believes about marriage is probably rooted in religious faith. Ironically, Roscoe comes to agree with her side of things: "I then concluded our marriage / Was a divine dispensation / And could not be dissolved, / Except by death. / I was right." Due to his wife's earnestness, only death allowed them to part.

The binding energy of magnesium is 198.25 MeV, find its atomic mass.

An atom of magnesium has 12 neutrons, 12 protons and 12 electrons. The mass of an electron is `9.10938356*10^-31` kg, the mass of a proton is `1.6726231*10^-27` kg and the mass of a neutron is `1.6749286*10^-27` kg.

The mass of an atom is less than the total mass of the constituent particles. This decrease in mass is equivalent to the binding energy of the atom. The equation `E = m*c^2` gives the mass energy relation...

An atom of magnesium has 12 neutrons, 12 protons and 12 electrons. The mass of an electron is `9.10938356*10^-31` kg, the mass of a proton is `1.6726231*10^-27` kg and the mass of a neutron is `1.6749286*10^-27` kg.

The mass of an atom is less than the total mass of the constituent particles. This decrease in mass is equivalent to the binding energy of the atom. The equation `E = m*c^2` gives the mass energy relation where E is the energy, m is the mass and c is the velocity of light. The binding energy of magnesium is 198.25 MeV.

One MeV is equal to `1.6022*10^-13` J. 198.25 MeV is equal to `3.176315*10^-11` J. 

This is equivalent to a mass `3.176315*10^-11/(299792458)^2` = `3.534127063*10^-28` kg. The total mass of 12 electrons, protons and neutrons is `12*(9.10938356*10^-31+1.6726231*10^-27+1.6749286*10^-27)` = `4.018155166*10^-26` kg. Subtracting the mass equivalent of the binding energy gives `4.018155166*10^-26-3.534127063*10^-28` = `3.982813895*10^-26` kg.

What are some examples of symbolism in Chapters 12-14 of Lyddie?

One symbolic image is money.  Through this point in the novel, Lyddie has been extremely focused on money.  If anything, her obsession with money is increasing during these chapters.  Lyddie has become a great worker, and she refuses to complain about the speed up or working conditions.  She refuses to sign the petition, because she doesn't want anything interfering with her ability to earn money.  In chapter 12, Lyddie receives a request from her mother...

One symbolic image is money.  Through this point in the novel, Lyddie has been extremely focused on money.  If anything, her obsession with money is increasing during these chapters.  Lyddie has become a great worker, and she refuses to complain about the speed up or working conditions.  She refuses to sign the petition, because she doesn't want anything interfering with her ability to earn money.  In chapter 12, Lyddie receives a request from her mother to send more money.  In chapter 14, Lyddie reluctantly encloses a single dollar in her return letter to her mother.  The act is symbolic of Lyddie's negative character development.  Early in the novel she gave all of her money to Ezekial, a man she barely knew, because it was the right thing to do.  Now, Lyddie can barely spare a dollar for her own mother.  

The other symbolic image in these chapters is the image of slavery.  In chapter 6, Lyddie saw parallels between her life at the tavern and Ezekial's life as a slave.  Lyddie feels that she has gotten away from being a slave because she is being paid so well in Lowell, but the girls that Lyddie works with feel differently.  Betsy is the most vocal about their treatment, and she even sings a song lyric that is about factory girls being slaves.  Lyddie will eventually see that Betsy is right about how the factory owners see and treat the factory girls.  

How does price organize production?

We can say that price organizes production in a market economy because prices tell business what to produce and how to produce it.

In a market economy, prices send signals to firms and to individuals. When the price of a given product is high, that signals people to make more of the product.  It lets them know that they can make high profits if they produce that good or service and so they do so. ...

We can say that price organizes production in a market economy because prices tell business what to produce and how to produce it.

In a market economy, prices send signals to firms and to individuals. When the price of a given product is high, that signals people to make more of the product.  It lets them know that they can make high profits if they produce that good or service and so they do so.  Conversely, if prices are low, it signals people to stop making that product.  The low prices tell producers that consumers do not want that particular product.

In a market economy, prices also send signals about how to make products.  For example, if prices are low, it might be a signal to try to find cheaper ways to produce your good or service.  The price tells you that you have to change your methods so that you can become more efficient.  If the prices remain high, there is not that kind of pressure on you to find better production methods.

In these ways, prices organize production.  They send signals about what consumers want so that firms know that they should produce more of those goods.  They send signals telling firms that they need to change the ways in which the produce things so as to become more efficient.  Thus, prices tell producers what to make and how to make it, which is one way of defining “organizing production.”

Does the poem "My last Duchess" appear to be about power or conflict or both?

"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning is narrated in the first person by the Duke of Ferrara. Although he attempts to convey a positive impression, as with many of Browning's dramatic monologues, the Duke gradual reveals his true nature over the course of the poem, which is possessive and controlling. 

The Duke is often described as a "collector", a person who glorifies himself by collecting objects and sees his own self-worth as reflected in and perhaps...

"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning is narrated in the first person by the Duke of Ferrara. Although he attempts to convey a positive impression, as with many of Browning's dramatic monologues, the Duke gradual reveals his true nature over the course of the poem, which is possessive and controlling. 

The Duke is often described as a "collector", a person who glorifies himself by collecting objects and sees his own self-worth as reflected in and perhaps even determined by the qualities of the things he possesses. He seems to have regarded the Duchess purely as a possession; the painted version of the Duchess is almost more satisfying to him than the actual person was.

Many of the Duke's statements about the Duchess reflect his desire to control her as he would control a piece of artwork. That he resents the Duchess having an independent will is seen in the lines:

...  and if she let

Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set

Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—

E’en then would be some stooping;

What are the themes that Philip K. Dick uses in his stories?

Philip K. Dick, a popular science fiction writer, explored two related themes: first, what is real and what is not, and second, how do we live authentically? He was also concerned, as many mid-twentieth century writers were, with authoritarianism and intrusions of government and large corporations into ordinary, private lives. This informed his exploration of the intersection between the idios kosmos, an individual's private world, and the koinos kosmos, society's common or shared...

Philip K. Dick, a popular science fiction writer, explored two related themes: first, what is real and what is not, and second, how do we live authentically? He was also concerned, as many mid-twentieth century writers were, with authoritarianism and intrusions of government and large corporations into ordinary, private lives. This informed his exploration of the intersection between the idios kosmos, an individual's private world, and the koinos kosmos, society's common or shared world. In an essay in Criticism and Analysis, science fiction writer Ursula le Guin likened him to Charles Dickens in the importance both placed on individual acts of human kindness, honesty and patience in what could seem a soulless world.  

In his short story "Second Variety," which was the basis for the movie Blade Movie,  Dick investigates reality versus illusion themes as androids become so humanlike it is impossible to distinguish them from humans, bringing to the fore the question of what is  authentically human and what is not. Dick said this story, of all his writing, most fully explored this theme. Likewise in  Time out of Joint, a man who earns his living solving puzzles seems to lead an ordinary life in a typical 1950s suburb until he finds out that this "reality" is, in fact, a carefully crafted illusion. Finally, going back to "Roog," Dick's first published short story, the theme of what is real versus illusory is explored through the point of view of a dog, who has a different take on garbagemen than a human would. 

How can you protect the unstable oils stored at home or contained in foods?

Unstable oils, like soybean, canola, and sunflower seed oils are highly susceptible to spoiling through oxidation. Oxidation is a series of chemical reactions which causes the molecules of fats and oils to break down and sometimes form new, unwanted substances. If an oil or fat has been oxidized, it may smell rancid or musty or change in color, texture, and taste.

You can help to protect foods high in unstable oils or the concentrated oils...

Unstable oils, like soybean, canola, and sunflower seed oils are highly susceptible to spoiling through oxidation. Oxidation is a series of chemical reactions which causes the molecules of fats and oils to break down and sometimes form new, unwanted substances. If an oil or fat has been oxidized, it may smell rancid or musty or change in color, texture, and taste.

You can help to protect foods high in unstable oils or the concentrated oils themselves by doing a few things. First, I recommend storing unstable oils in the fridge. Heat plays a big part in the molecular exchange of oxidation. Storing your oils or fatty foods in the fridge will also help to minimize exposure to UV rays, which may encourage the spoiling process. Second, make sure that all containers are tightly sealed to keep out moisture and air out. Both water and air contain oxygen which causes spoiling of oils.

Be sure to keep oils or fatty foods (like nuts, seeds, crisps) away from damp, warm areas or places which go through a lot of temperature change. For example, storing your bottle of cooking oil right above the stove is probably not a good idea. Steam from cooked foods and the heat which radiates from the stove-top can cause oils to go rancid very quickly.

If you want to use an alternative to unstable oils in cooking, consider using coconut oil. With any cooking oils, try to follow the same precautions against heat, moisture, and air as I've described above.

What do the lyrics of Bob Dylan's song "Blowin' in the Wind" mean?

Like many of Bob Dylan's songs (but not so much his topical folk songs of the early 1960s) "Blowin' in the Wind" feature lyrics that are fairly cryptic. At the same time, they are highly suggestive, evoking many of the social issues confronting the United States and the world in the early Sixties. Dylan has been typically evasive in discussing the meaning of the lyrics, mostly reiterating what he said in a 1962 interview:

There ain't much I can say about this song, except the answer is blowin' in the wind. It ain't no book or movie or TV show or discussion group, man. It's in the wind.

That said, let us look at some of the themes Dylan touches on in the song. In the first verse, he is clearly commenting on war. He asks: "How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?" "Sleeps in the sand" is quite cryptic, and perhaps a bit of poetic license, but clearly the white dove is symbolic of peace. In the next lines he drives the point home by asking: "[H]ow many times must the cannonballs fly before they are forever banned?" In summary, the verse seems to be asking how long it will take until we, as a society, reject war as a means of settling our differences. 

In the second verse, Dylan begins by asking how long a mountain will exist before it is washed into the sea. This imagery suggests something monolithic gradually swept away by the tides of change. This seems to be confirmed by his fairly straightforward evocation of the civil rights struggle in the next lines. Asking how many roads a man must walk down before we call him a man, he then makes the point explicit:

Yes, ’n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ’n’ how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?

Here Dylan seems to be wondering how long it will take to wash away the edifice of racism--for whites to acknowledge the fundamental humanity of African-Americans by affording them equal treatment. Bear in mind that Dylan wrote this song at the height of the civil rights struggle, in 1962. 

In the final verse, he seems to tie together war and poverty, wondering how long we will tolerate injustice in general. "How many ears," he asks, "must one man have before he can hear people cry?" We cannot, he seems to be saying, continue to ignore suffering around us. 

So this song is ultimately about our willingness to confront and overcome the most urgent challenges facing humanity. How long will we continue to accept injustice in the world? "The answer is blowing in the wind." In other words, neither Dylan nor his listeners have the answers, but many of his generation found the questions worth asking in the 1960s.

Who is the antagonist in "Everyday Use"?

Dee (Wangero) is the character who most fits the notion of the antagonist. Dee doesn't hate her mother and Maggie. On the contrary, she has some good intentions. She wants them to have better lives. The problem is that, for Dee, that means a more modern life. Mrs. Johnson and Maggie are comfortable with the way that they live, so they are resistant to Dee's suggestions. Dee is condescending towards them.

The argument over the...

Dee (Wangero) is the character who most fits the notion of the antagonist. Dee doesn't hate her mother and Maggie. On the contrary, she has some good intentions. She wants them to have better lives. The problem is that, for Dee, that means a more modern life. Mrs. Johnson and Maggie are comfortable with the way that they live, so they are resistant to Dee's suggestions. Dee is condescending towards them.

The argument over the quilts really exposes the differences between Dee and Maggie. Dee has always been interested in fashion and style. While there is nothing wrong with that in general, we do see that Dee's obsession with style is largely superficial. Her new interest in African culture is also largely superficial. That's why it is hard to suggest that she is simply another protagonist who's chosen a different worldview. Dee's worldview, via this newly claimed African heritage, is still superficial. When she wants to take the quilts, she wants to display them. Maggie, on the other hand, would use them as they were intended.

Connecting with her African heritage is admirable, but not if its purpose is a superficial display. When Dee abandons her American familial heritage, this is a symbolic break. Walker uses the metaphor of the quilts to show how families are connected. Quilts might be made from various scraps of clothing, including ancestors' clothing. These scraps are then connected, and this symbolizes the connection of current family with previous generations. Dee doesn't appreciate her family history and this is shown through how she views the quilts. She wants to display them. She doesn't want to use them as blankets, and thus avoids practically and intimately connecting with her family and ancestors.

How could I summarize Sir Francis Bacon's essay "Of Praise"?

This short essay by Francis Bacon focuses on the follies of excessive praise, and the often nefarious motivations behind giving it, in addition to the harmful consequences of freely accepting it.  Bacon explores this theme by categorizing different types of praise, and analyzing the implications of the sources of praise.  “Praise is the reflection of virtue,” Bacon opens, “but it is as the glass or body, which giveth the reflection.”  Praise, therefore, is the vehicle...

This short essay by Francis Bacon focuses on the follies of excessive praise, and the often nefarious motivations behind giving it, in addition to the harmful consequences of freely accepting it.  Bacon explores this theme by categorizing different types of praise, and analyzing the implications of the sources of praise.  “Praise is the reflection of virtue,” Bacon opens, “but it is as the glass or body, which giveth the reflection.”  Praise, therefore, is the vehicle through which we may see how our actions stack up, rather than an honest description in itself.  In other words, any praise received should not be taken at face value; the nature of the praise should first be examined.  Bacon states that praise from “the common people…is commonly false and naught,” because commoners are impressed by even the most trivial virtues.  Whether or not this is objectively true, the fact remains that one must always understand the status of the praise-giver before taking the praise to heart.  For example, if you were striving for excellence in oil painting and showed your most recent project to your mother, who is wholly unversed in painting technique or color blending or the subject you have represented, any praise from her would be worth less than praise coming from experts in your field.  Such a point is Bacon trying to make here – those who are less experienced with noble virtues will be quick to praise even the most banal virtue presented to them.

In this way fame will elevate those who eat up this meaningless praise, but those who regard it for what it is, and continue to work to earn applause from those with a discerning eye – theirs are the works with lasting power.  “There be so many false point of praise,” Bacon writes to this effect, “that a man may justly hold it a suspect.”  The common flatterer is easy to identify, and his words should be dismissed.  One should also be wary of lickspittles and sycophants, who will utter compliments to rub a person’s ego and get in one’s good graces.  Bacon notes, however, that often it comes from a place of honest respect – this is the type that should be reserved for kings and other rulers or “great men,” thus reinforcing those virtues by which these great people may represent the people.  Praise can also be used hurtfully, in order to stir up jealousy or animosity toward a person by pompously lauding them at every turn.  Bacon stresses that this is inappropriate.

Ultimately, Bacon concludes, moderate praise can be constructive and reap productive consequences, should it be directed toward a person’s station rather than toward a person’s behavior or personality:  

Too much magnifying of man or matter, doth irritate contradiction, and procure envy and scorn. To praise a man’s self, cannot be decent, except it be in rare cases; but to praise a man’s office or profession, he may do it with good grace, and with a kind of magnanimity.

Bacon ends with a quote from St. Paul: “when he boasts of himself, he doth oft interlace, I speak like a fool; but speaking of his calling, he saith, magnificabo apostolatum meum.”  Praise can be poison when given personally, but given to one’s works it can sustain and effect growth and improvement.

In The Indian in the Cupboard, what is Boone's nickname?

In Lynne Reid Banks's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, Boone is the cowboy who first gets to know Omri in Chapter 9. All we know about Boone so far is that he cries easily and likes to ignore Omri.

Little Bear has been chasing Boone and shooting arrows at him, one of which pins Boone's fine cowboy hat to the baseboard (a piece of wood attached to the wall right down by the...

In Lynne Reid Banks's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, Boone is the cowboy who first gets to know Omri in Chapter 9. All we know about Boone so far is that he cries easily and likes to ignore Omri.

Little Bear has been chasing Boone and shooting arrows at him, one of which pins Boone's fine cowboy hat to the baseboard (a piece of wood attached to the wall right down by the floor). This is very upsetting to Boone.

When Omri intercedes between Little Bear and Boone to stop the violence, here's what we learn about Boone:

"The cowboy seemed embarrassed and hung his head. 'M'name's Boone. But the fellas all call me Boohoo. That's on account of Ah cry so easy. It's m'soft heart. Show me some 'n sad, or scare me just a little, and the tears jest come to mah eyes. Ah cain't help it.'"

What Boone means is that his nickname is "Boohoo" because he cries very often. ("Boohoo" sounds a little like "Boone" and is another way of saying "wah, wah, wah," or imitating the sound of someone crying big, babyish tears.) Of course, it's not a very nice nickname!

And because we learn what Boone's nickname is right as we're meeting the character and getting to know him, his nickname could be a hint about what he needs to work on before the end of the story. Will his experiences help him become tougher, less likely to cry? It gives us something to think about as we keep reading.

In "Rose-Johnny," what's the smell in the apartment Rose-Johnny and Mr. Wall share?

In "Rose-Johnny," the short story by Barbara Kingsolver, Mr. Wall allows the narrator Georgeann to go inside the apartment to see Rose-Johnny. Here's how the narrator describes the smell inside that apartment:

"The rooms were cold and felt infused with sickness and an odor I incorrectly believed to be medicine. Because my father didn’t drink, I had never before encountered the smell of whiskey."

We can tell that Georgeann is giving us the story...

In "Rose-Johnny," the short story by Barbara Kingsolver, Mr. Wall allows the narrator Georgeann to go inside the apartment to see Rose-Johnny. Here's how the narrator describes the smell inside that apartment:

"The rooms were cold and felt infused with sickness and an odor I incorrectly believed to be medicine. Because my father didn’t drink, I had never before encountered the smell of whiskey."

We can tell that Georgeann is giving us the story long after it happened, because at the time it happens, she's only eleven years old and can't correctly recognize the smell of whiskey, a strong alcoholic drink. She mistakes it for the smell of medicine. But now that she's older and is reflecting on the past, she knows what whiskey smells like and can give us the correct information.

This question is worth thinking about: not just so you can show your understanding of that paragraph, but also because you can use the answer to go a little deeper into the story. We already know that Georgeann was curious about Rose-Johnny simply because she was forbidden from talking to her! If Georgeann keeps reflecting on her past and filling the gaps in her childlike understanding of the world, and seeking out any information and experiences that she's been sheltered from, then the theme of the story must have something to do with exploring the unknown.

How does Katniss Everdeen change over time?

As the story begins, Katniss Everdeen, as portrayed by her first person narrative voice, is confident yet humble, brave yet somewhat foolhardy, honest and impulsive. She is aware that she may be chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, and she prepares for this by practicing her archery skills when she hunts for food. When her younger sister Primrose is chosen, Katniss and her mother are shocked because Prim is so young, and also worried,...

As the story begins, Katniss Everdeen, as portrayed by her first person narrative voice, is confident yet humble, brave yet somewhat foolhardy, honest and impulsive. She is aware that she may be chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, and she prepares for this by practicing her archery skills when she hunts for food. When her younger sister Primrose is chosen, Katniss and her mother are shocked because Prim is so young, and also worried, because Prim does not have the physical prowess or assertive character necessary to prevail in the Games. Katniss impulsively volunteers to take her sister's place. This act of bravery and self-sacrifice is perhaps the first step that puts Katniss on the road to becoming a hero of the people.

But we learn that the Hunger Games, far from being a game of chance and skill, are heavily manipulated by the government. Katniss eventually begins to understand this manipulation, and her behavior and personality adapt to help her meet the challenges she faces. She becomes less impulsive, as she understands that every move she makes and every word she speaks are under surveillance. This also forces her to become more calculating, and she learns she has to sometimes resort to lies and subterfuge. By manipulating those who are observing her, she finds ways to gain the support of the citizens and to play along with the government plot to groom her to be a hero and martyr.

Did Christianity spread through trade?

There is historical and archaeological evidence that suggests trade was influential in the spread of Christianity. Early on, the official means for spreading the "good news" was through missionaries. Men like Paul of Tarsus went out into the world to preach publicly and inspire Jewish and non-Abrahamic peoples to convert. Initially, Christianity was a sect of Judaism, but Paul was significant in permanently separating the two faiths. Many early missionaries thought people should convert to Judaism and then to Christianity as a sect of Judaism, but Paul thought (and taught) this double conversion was unnecessary.

After Paul's journeys throughout the Mediterranean, the next biggest conversion to Christianity was when Emperor Constatine issued the Edict of Milan, which decriminalized Christianity. Constantine is upheld as the first Christian Roman Emperor, and he made it safe for people to practice Christianity in the Roman Empire without fear of death or punishment. 

Between Paul's time in the 1st century CE and Constantine's Edict of Milan in in 313 CE, Christianity was booming in the Roman Empire but had to be practiced almost entirely in secret. Trade played some part in the spread of Christianity, as the entire Roman Empire was connected by trade routes. The only people really likely to be traveling were involved in trade or were intentional missionaries. By the 9th century, Christianity spread as far north as Scandinavia. In Anders Winroth's The Age of the Vikings, he describes graves found in Scandinavia where people were buried with crosses that originated as far away as Turkey or Greece. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, trade routes connected Europe and exposed people to Christianity.

During the second millennium CE, trade expanded globally, with ships regularly sailing from Europe to Africa to Asia and even to the New World. Though the primary purpose of far-distance international trade and New World exploration was to acquire valuable goods, there was a significant secondary effect of evangelization. Especially in relations with East Asia, evangelization was on par with trade in terms of importance. With Europeans claiming territory in the New World, they could declare the land as belonging to a Christian nation and officially make anyone who lived there a Christian. By the time the Americas were colonized, Europeans came to see it as a duty to convert the native peoples to Christianity.

Christianity really flourished in the context of a world that was connected by trade, so much so that conversion has almost replaced trade interests in more recent centuries.

In Shakespeare's play Hamlet, what does Ophelia mean when she says that "We know what we are, but know not what we may be"?

When Ophelia utters this line, she is in the midst of a mental breakdown.  She has experienced so much heartbreak and such unpredictable tragedies that she is no longer capable of functioning successfully.  First, she seeks to obey her father, Polonius, by breaking off her relationship with Hamlet, the man she very much loves.  Then, Hamlet begins to act mad and treats her in such a degrading and often confusing and contradictory way that both...

When Ophelia utters this line, she is in the midst of a mental breakdown.  She has experienced so much heartbreak and such unpredictable tragedies that she is no longer capable of functioning successfully.  First, she seeks to obey her father, Polonius, by breaking off her relationship with Hamlet, the man she very much loves.  Then, Hamlet begins to act mad and treats her in such a degrading and often confusing and contradictory way that both hurts and humiliates her.  Worse yet, Hamlet then murders her father, and even hides the body for some time as a part of his supposed madness. 

Thus, she has lost her father as well as her lover (who she only throws over in obedience to her father).  She is bereft and alone.  At this point, having experienced some kind of mental break as a result of all this tragedy, she says, "we know what we are, but know not what we may be," indicating that we can only know ourselves as we are now, in the present moment, and we can have absolutely no idea who we will be if and when tragedy strikes.  We can never know what will come or how we will be or feel or do.

Why was Brutus conflicted in Julius Caesar?

Brutus is conflicted about killing Caesar because he hasn’t done anything yet, but he probably will.

Brutus is approached by Cassius, another senator, who asks him how he feels about Julius Caesar.  Cassius wants to make sure that Brutus feels the same way that he and his group do.  They feel that Julius Caesar is overreaching in his role as dictator of Rome and has to be stopped.  They think that he is arrogant and...

Brutus is conflicted about killing Caesar because he hasn’t done anything yet, but he probably will.

Brutus is approached by Cassius, another senator, who asks him how he feels about Julius Caesar.  Cassius wants to make sure that Brutus feels the same way that he and his group do.  They feel that Julius Caesar is overreaching in his role as dictator of Rome and has to be stopped.  They think that he is arrogant and aggressive, and they want to see if Brutus does too.

BRUTUS

What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.

CASSIUS

Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.

BRUTUS

I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. (Act 1, Scene 2) 

Brutus tells Cassius that he would not approve if the people made Caesar their king.  He doesn’t think that Rome should have a king any more than Cassius does.  He also believes that Caesar has started down a dangerous road in his war with Pompey.  Thus, Brutus joins the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar. 

The night before the assassination, Brutus has a conversation with himself in a soliloquy in which he ponders the reasons why Caesar has to die.

It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder (Act 2, Scene 1) 

Brutus says that he has no personal reason to dislike Caesar, but for the general reasons that he is ambitious and he might be dangerous if he is crowned king.  Brutus says that Caesar has never done anything wrong yet, and never done anything against him.  He just fears what he will do in the future. 

The reason the other conspirators wanted Brutus to join them in the first place was because of his reputation.  Brutus has an old honorable name, and he tries to live up to it.  He feels like he is betraying Caesar by being involved in this conspiracy, but as he tells the people in his speech after Caesar’s death, as much as he loves Caesar, he loves Rome more.  He feels that he has to kill Caesar for the good of Rome.

Why is it important to teach Social Studies in today's world?

It is more important than ever to teach Social Studies. In a world where so much information is available, it is essential to know how to analyze sources to detect bias and inaccuracies. Teaching Social Studies is one way to accomplish this.

There are many people who lack knowledge of History, Economics, Geography, and/or Civics. By studying Civics, students will better understand how their political system works. They will learn why it is important to...

It is more important than ever to teach Social Studies. In a world where so much information is available, it is essential to know how to analyze sources to detect bias and inaccuracies. Teaching Social Studies is one way to accomplish this.

There are many people who lack knowledge of History, Economics, Geography, and/or Civics. By studying Civics, students will better understand how their political system works. They will learn why it is important to fulfill their responsibilities as a citizen of this country. By studying Economics, students will have a better understanding of how the economy works. With economic knowledge, they will be able to make better financial decisions. Students will be able to learn from the past as they make decisions for today and the future through the study of History. By studying Geography, students will learn how the land and its resources affect them. The more knowledge a student has, the less likely he or she is to be swayed by the inaccurate and biased information spread by some individuals and groups.

The more knowledge a person has about the different Social Studies subjects, the more informed they are on current issues. This will help them make informed and hopefully wise decisions that will positively affect them and those affected by their decisions.

`(4x - 1)^3 - 2(4x - 1)^4` Use the Binomial Theorem to expand and simplify the expression.

You need first to factorize `(4x-1)^3` , such that:

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(1 - 2(4x-1))`

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(1 - 8x + 2) `

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(3-8x)` 

You need to use the binomial formula, such that:

`(x+y)^n = sum_(k=0)^n ((n),(k)) x^(n-k) y^k`

You need to replace 4x for x, 1 for y and 3 for n, such that:

`(4x-1)^3 = 3C0 (4x)^3 +3C1 (4x)^2*(-1)^1+3C2 (4x)*(-1)^2 + 3C3 (-1)^3`

By definition, nC0 = nCn = 1, hence `3C0 = 3C3 =...

You need first to factorize `(4x-1)^3` , such that:

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(1 - 2(4x-1))`

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(1 - 8x + 2) `

`(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (4x-1)^3(3-8x)` 

You need to use the binomial formula, such that:

`(x+y)^n = sum_(k=0)^n ((n),(k)) x^(n-k) y^k`

You need to replace 4x for x, 1 for y and 3 for n, such that:

`(4x-1)^3 = 3C0 (4x)^3 +3C1 (4x)^2*(-1)^1+3C2 (4x)*(-1)^2 + 3C3 (-1)^3`

By definition, nC0 = nCn = 1, hence `3C0 = 3C3 = 1.`

By definition nC1 = nC(n-1) = n, hence `3C1= 3C2 = 3.`

`(4x-1)^3 = 64x^3 - 48x^2 + 12x - 1`

Replacing the binomial expansion `64x^3 - 48x^2 + 12x - 1` for `(4x-1)^3`  yields:

`(4x-1)^3(3-8x) = (64x^3 - 48x^2 + 12x - 1)(3-8x)`

`(4x-1)^3(3-8x) = (192x^3 - 512x^4 - 144x^2 + 384x^3 + 36x - 96x^2 - 3 + 8x)`

Grouping the like terms yields:

`(4x-1)^3(3-8x) = (- 512x^4 + 576x^3 - 240x^2  + 44x - 3)`

Hence, expanding and simplifying the expression yields `(4x-1)^3 - 2(4x-1)^4 = (- 512x^4 + 576x^3 - 240x^2  + 44x - 3).`

How would I craft a thesis statement about how Fitzgerald uses clothes to tell readers about characters and/or themes?

Throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses clothes to demonstrate characters’ socioeconomic status. This is especially true in relation to the titular character of the novel, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby’s clothes are needlessly ostentatious in an effort to attract Daisy’s attention, but his vibrant suits merely confirm his status as a member of the nouveau riche, or the “new rich.” Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s clothes are more subdued and subtle in comparison...

Throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses clothes to demonstrate characters’ socioeconomic status. This is especially true in relation to the titular character of the novel, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby’s clothes are needlessly ostentatious in an effort to attract Daisy’s attention, but his vibrant suits merely confirm his status as a member of the nouveau riche, or the “new rich.” Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s clothes are more subdued and subtle in comparison with Gatsby’s gaudy outfits that denote that even though he has a substantial sum of money, there is still a gap between Gatsby’s status as new money and Tom and Daisy’s comfortable designation as old money. Tom points out Gatsby’s ostentatious style during a tense lunch:

“'I said I'd been making a small investigation of his past.'

'And you found he was an Oxford man,' said Jordan helpfully.

'An Oxford man!' He was incredulous. 'Like hell he is he wears a pink suit.... Oxford, New Mexico... or something like that'” (109).

In this passage, Tom acknowledges that he considers Gatsby beneath him, and explicitly mentions his pink suit. If you were to construct a thesis statement concerning Fitzgerald’s treatment of clothes, I would suggest examining Gatsby’s garish clothing and comparing it to Tom and Daisy. I think that Fitzgerald's use of Gatsby's pink suit could be a very useful component to your analysis. 

What is a insightful research question about the 19th or 20th century?

An insightful research question is one that demonstrates a certain amount of familiarity with or knowledge about a particular subject. These questions show the reader or audience that you've carefully considered and given critical thought to the various sides of your subject and arrived at a research question that will produce valuable and or beneficial results.

When developing a research question about the 19th or 20th century, there are a number of very important things to keep in mind. First, the period in question covers two hundred years, which is an enormous period of time. Moreover, for many cultures the 19th and early 20th century was an era of tremendous social, economic, and political transformation. This should give you a lot of options to choose from, but you want to be be careful not to get too overwhelmed or make generalizations.

Second, you'll need to narrow your focus to a particular thing, person, or region of the world. For instance, the experiences of Chinese citizens in the 19th century was very different from the experiences of Americans. With that in mind, your first objective is to decide who or what you want to research and for what period of time. In general, you'll probably want to limit your scope to a particular region and era. For example, the United States underwent unprecedented changes in the mid-to-late decades of the 19th century. In light of that, you might try to connect the American events, inventions, or movements of the late 19th century to something you find interesting. If you're interested in the African-American civil rights movement, for example, you could focus your research on the 19th century abolition movement and how it intersected with other social movements like feminism and Native American activism.

If this were your area of interest, your research question might be something like "how did the participation of white Americans in the abolition movement influence non-black participation in the modern struggle for civil rights?" This question demonstrates a familiarity with the long history of social activism in the United States and recognizes that success and failure has depended on the participation of other races, ethnicities, and so on.

To summarize, there are literally hundreds of things you could focus on from the period of time in question. The objective is to form a research question that reflects critical thinking and an awareness of the nuances of your subject. Once you narrow your scope in terms of geography, time period, and subject, try to make connections to modern issues or events.

How do you suppose the threat of being hanged if they scare the ladies will affect the artisans' interpretation of the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby?

The rude mechanicals’ fear that they will be hanged for making Pyramus and Thisby too realistic results in a hilariously artificial performance. One of the actors swears that he fears the lion. Bottom is horrified at the idea of a lion in the presence of the aristocrats, and women, no less: “Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves: to bring in—God shield us!—a lion among ladies, is a most dreadful thing.”

Bottom admits that hanging...

The rude mechanicals’ fear that they will be hanged for making Pyramus and Thisby too realistic results in a hilariously artificial performance. One of the actors swears that he fears the lion. Bottom is horrified at the idea of a lion in the presence of the aristocrats, and women, no less: “Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves: to bring in—God shield us!—a lion among ladies, is a most dreadful thing.”

Bottom admits that hanging would be a just punishment for this behavior, but he says that, as the lion, “I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove; I will roar you an 'twere any nightingale.” Somehow, he plans to create a lion that is both compelling and entirely un-frightening.

The lion remains a great concern for the artisans, so Bottom and Snout insist that a prologue clarify that this is an actor and not a lion. In fact, the actor should announce his name. The lion, played by Snug rather than Bottom, dutifully delivers his prologue, assuring the “fearful” women that he is no lion. An amused Theseus comments that he is “A very gentle beast, of a good conscience.”

These actors succeed in putting on a play that is neither realistic nor remotely frightening. The only verisimilitude in the portrayal of the lion might be the actor’s sharp nails, if Snug followed Bottom’s advice to shape them into lion’s claws.

What does the color gold symbolize in Macbeth? How is it significant?

Different colors symbolize different things in Macbeth. For example, the color red represents blood of the murdered characters and guilt which arises from the committed murders.

As far as the color of gold is concerned, it represents praise, power, preciousness and royalty. I will list three quotes from Macbeth where we can observe the usage of the adjective "golden."

• 
  I have boughtGolden opinions from all sorts of people,Which would be worn now...

Different colors symbolize different things in Macbeth. For example, the color red represents blood of the murdered characters and guilt which arises from the committed murders.

As far as the color of gold is concerned, it represents praise, power, preciousness and royalty. I will list three quotes from Macbeth where we can observe the usage of the adjective "golden."

• 
  

  
  I have bought
  Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
  Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
  Not cast aside so soon.
  

  
  

Here, Macbeth talks about the praise and admiration he has received from all the important and powerful people, including the king himself, who promoted Macbeth to become thane of Cawdor.

• 
  

  
  That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
  And chastise with the valour of my tongue
  All that impedes thee from the golden round,
  Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
  To have thee crown'd withal.
  

  
  

Here, Lady Macbeth talks about the primary goal for Macbeth -- that he must seize the "golden round." The word "round" means "crown," so the color of gold represents royalty and supremacy.

• 
  

  
  Here lay Duncan,
  His silver skin laced with his golden blood...

  
  

Here, Macbeth describes Duncan's blood as "golden," which means that Duncan's blood is royal, therefore, it is extremely precious because he is the king of Scotland.

Compare and contrast Whitman's "Old Salt Kossabone" and Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar," paying attention to themes and stylistic features.

This is a great pairing. Whitman and Tennyson are really different kinds of poets, and, even though their theme here is similar, the poems are quite different.

Theme: Both poems are about death, and both poems use nautical language as a way of describing the process of dying.

Metaphor:Whitman suggests that the death of the old man is like the ship struggling against headwinds that he watches; once it catches the wind, it is...

This is a great pairing. Whitman and Tennyson are really different kinds of poets, and, even though their theme here is similar, the poems are quite different.

Theme: Both poems are about death, and both poems use nautical language as a way of describing the process of dying.

Metaphor: Whitman suggests that the death of the old man is like the ship struggling against headwinds that he watches; once it catches the wind, it is out of sight, in the same way that the old man, finished with the struggle of life, dies. Tennyson has a similar motif in his poem; the second stanza compares the pull of death to a strong tide that is "too full for sound or foam."

Religion: Tennyson makes an explicit allusion to the afterlife in his poem: he hopes "to see my Pilot face to face" after death; Whitman on the other hand has no such allusion to God; the old man simply says: "She's free—she's on her destination"—and dies.

Speaker: An important difference in the poems is the speaker: in Whitman, the poet is an observer, telling the story of the old man's death; in the Tennyson, the poet is speaking about himself and how he hopes his own death will be.

Tone: The Whitman is more informal in tone of course; the subect matter of his poem (an old man looking out the window at ships on the sea) is not particularly exhalted, and the frame for the poem ("I'll tell you how he died") is conversational, or perhaps even akin to a folk tale. Tennyson, on the other hand, uses an extended metaphor (the "crossing the bar" idea) to evoke the journey of life, out of the deep, into the light, and then, at the end of day, back to the deep of death. Whereas Whitman is relating an incident from real life, complete with details (the married grandchild, the great armchair), Tennyson is describing a feeling.

Form: Tennyson uses rhymed stanzas, with a rhyme scheme of abab; Whitman, of course, is writing free verse, but his poem has a symmetrical opening and closing—it begins, "Far back, related on my mother's side, / Old Salt Kossabone, I'll tell you how he died" and ends with "he sat there dead, Dutch Kossabone, Old Salt, related on my mother's side, far back." This symmetry is unusual for Whitman, and reinforces the "folk tale" quality of his poem.

What kind of beast is presented in William Blake's "The Tyger"? How it is related to the main theme of the poem?

The tyger is a "fearful" beast. In the first stanza, the speaker asks what "immortal hand or eye" (God) could have created him. In the fourth stanza, the speaker uses the metaphor of God as a blacksmith creating the tyger (tiger). Being born of fire and steel, the tiger is, in Blake's descriptions, something strong and fierce. In the following stanza, the speakers asks if the tiger's creator was happy about his creation: 

Did he...

The tyger is a "fearful" beast. In the first stanza, the speaker asks what "immortal hand or eye" (God) could have created him. In the fourth stanza, the speaker uses the metaphor of God as a blacksmith creating the tyger (tiger). Being born of fire and steel, the tiger is, in Blake's descriptions, something strong and fierce. In the following stanza, the speakers asks if the tiger's creator was happy about his creation: 

Did he smile his work to see? 

Did he who made the lamb make thee? 

The speaker asks if God ("he"), who made the lamb, also made the tiger. The lamb represents peace and love. The lamb is often symbolically synonymous with Christ in Christian theology. So, the speaker is asking if God could create something so loving (the lamb) and yet also create something so dangerous and ferocious. There are no answers to the speaker's questions. This leaves the poem open to different interpretations. Perhaps God did make both peaceful and dangerous things in the world to create a balance and an analogue with the good/evil dichotomy. Perhaps the tiger (or other dangerous and evil things the tiger represents) was created by a fallen angel, a demiurge, or a devil. The speaker can only ponder. 

Consider a gross simplification. The speaker asks who created the tiger and why. This echoes similar questions such as: If God is loving, why did he create suffering? Blake goes much deeper in terms of theological and philosophical questions. But the general idea concerns how and why the world contains love and hate, good and evil, peace and destruction. 

What do you know about South Korea and what is your opinion about it?

While I cannot answer this question from your perspective, I can tell you some things I have learned about South Korea and my personal feelings about this nation.

The name "Korea" comes from the name of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo, or Goryeo. Korea was once occupied by Japan (beginning in 1910), but this territory was given up after the Second World War. At this time, the country was split into North and South Korea....

While I cannot answer this question from your perspective, I can tell you some things I have learned about South Korea and my personal feelings about this nation.

The name "Korea" comes from the name of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo, or Goryeo. Korea was once occupied by Japan (beginning in 1910), but this territory was given up after the Second World War. At this time, the country was split into North and South Korea. Today, North and South Korea share many cultural similarities, but perhaps just as many differences, too! South Korea is far more modern and liberal than its northern counterpart, and has a rich culture which is enjoyed by people all over the globe.

South Korea's capitol city is Seoul, which is famous for busy nightlife, trendy fashions, and pop music. The pop song "Gangnam Style" refers to a wealthy district of Seoul called Gangnam.

South Korea has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, which many South Koreans attribute to their love of exercise and spending time outdoors combined with eating a healthy diet, full of whole grains and vegetables. One part of the Korean diet you might have heard of before is kimchi--a fermented and spicy cabbage dish, rich in probiotics and fiber!

The government of South Korea is democratic, and they have both a President and Prime Minister. South Korean culture values gender equality and has one of the best gender-parity rates for wages, but in some parts of the country girls and women are less likely to finish education or be employed as compared to men. 

Personally, I am quite interested in South Korean culture. I love to go eat meals at Korean restaurants and enjoy spicy stews like kimchi jigae. Someday I hope to visit Korea and experience the busy, modern cities as well as the tranquil countryside and tropical Jeju Island. I enjoy discussing culture with my South Korean penpal.

Why did Holling's sister leave for California in The Wednesday Wars?

The reason for why Holling's sister left for California might change depending on which character that you ask.  If you were to ask Holling or Mr. Hoodhood, they would tell you that Heather left for California to "find herself."  Holling uses that phrase three times in the novel to explain her actions.  That's the most direct information that the reader is given about her motivations for leaving, because Heather never explains exactly why she left....

The reason for why Holling's sister left for California might change depending on which character that you ask.  If you were to ask Holling or Mr. Hoodhood, they would tell you that Heather left for California to "find herself."  Holling uses that phrase three times in the novel to explain her actions.  That's the most direct information that the reader is given about her motivations for leaving, because Heather never explains exactly why she left.  I have a few ideas about what Heather might have said though.  

I believe that one reason Heather left for California was because she was in love.  Or at least she was in love with the idea of being in love.  She left with the boy that she had been seeing quite frequently earlier in the novel.  He is never given a name.  All that the reader knows is that he drives a yellow VW Bug.  

I think another reason was that Heather wanted more freedom.  She calls herself a "flower child," which is a part of the entire hippie culture. A large part of hippie culture was freedom focused.  Heather felt constrained in her household, because Mr. Hoodhood is a tyrant of a parent only interested in the success of his business.  He wouldn't even let Heather apply for college.  I believe Heather's main motivation for running away was to simply get away from her father.  

Athena, disguised as Mentor, tells Telemachus, "Odysseus’ cunning has hardly given out in you" (2.312), but what are examples of Telemachus's...

During this same speech, Athena instructs Telemachus to go home "and mix with the suitors there. / But get [his] rations ready [...]." In other words, he is to return home and mingle with the suitors, never betraying the plan he and Athena have devised for him to escape Ithaca in secret and go in search of news of his lost father. He is to make preparations for a journey and keep those preparations clandestine:...

During this same speech, Athena instructs Telemachus to go home "and mix with the suitors there. / But get [his] rations ready [...]." In other words, he is to return home and mingle with the suitors, never betraying the plan he and Athena have devised for him to escape Ithaca in secret and go in search of news of his lost father. He is to make preparations for a journey and keep those preparations clandestine: such dissembling is certainly evidence of his cunning.

Then, when Telemachus does return home, Antinous (the suitors' unofficial leader) tries to draw him in and compel him to eat and drink with them, promising the prince that they will provide him with a ship and crew to go in search of news of his father. However, Telemachus will not be drawn in, and he says only that he will go, but "only as a passenger, nothing more," and he "nonchalantly drew his hand from Antinous's hand" while the other suitors taunt and jeer at him. Telemachus will not allow them to get to him, though, and he maintains his calm in the face of their insults so that he can protect his plan; this shows his cunning as well. He understands that deceiving them is paramount, and he has a will strong enough not to give in to his pride when they abuse him.

Describe the historical and social context of "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

According to scholar Jonathan Sachs, "in the later eighteenth and early nineteenth century ... [there was] an increasing fascination with Greece and Greek culture." Keats shared in that fascination. We know, for instance, that he viewed the Elgin marbles, brought to England from Greece in 1805, and we know that two articles by the artist Benjamin Haydon on classical Greek art influenced Keats' writing of "Ode on a Grecian Urn." The first Haydon article was...

According to scholar Jonathan Sachs, "in the later eighteenth and early nineteenth century ... [there was] an increasing fascination with Greece and Greek culture." Keats shared in that fascination. We know, for instance, that he viewed the Elgin marbles, brought to England from Greece in 1805, and we know that two articles by the artist Benjamin Haydon on classical Greek art influenced Keats' writing of "Ode on a Grecian Urn." The first Haydon article was about Greek worship and sacrifice, which figure prominently in Keats' poem. We have evidence too that Keats saw and made copies of classical Grecian urns. 

During this period, archeology was beginning to flourish and antiquities from once great cultures flooded into England: the year "Ode to a Grecian Urn" was written also saw the publication of Shelley's "Ozymandias," inspired by the shipment of the Egyptian statue of Ramses II to England. As these poems attest, both poets shared the contemporary interest in "antique" cultures.

In a more specific historical context, "Ode on a Grecian Urn" was one of a group of five odes that Keats wrote, probably in May 1819. "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is considered a Romantic poem, although its subject, an urn from ancient Greece, is more likely to be associated with the neo-Classical poetry of the Enlightenment. Nevertheless, "Ode on a Grecian Urn" displays Romantic traits, including bursts of ecstatic emotion: the poet addresses the vase as  "Happy!" multiple times, and Keats focuses not on classical heroes, gods or famous statesmen, but on ordinary people heading to a festival. 

What have Teiresias and Circe told Odysseus about Helios's cattle?

When Odysseus travels to the Underworld to seek the council of the prophet, Teiresias, the deceased seer warns him about the island of Thrinacia, a land sacred to the sun god, Helios.  Helios's sacred cattle lived there, tended by three goddesses.  He says that if Odysseus and his men can leave the cattle alone, they might make it home safely, though there will be hardship.  However, if Odysseus or his men harm the cattle, he...

When Odysseus travels to the Underworld to seek the council of the prophet, Teiresias, the deceased seer warns him about the island of Thrinacia, a land sacred to the sun god, Helios.  Helios's sacred cattle lived there, tended by three goddesses.  He says that if Odysseus and his men can leave the cattle alone, they might make it home safely, though there will be hardship.  However, if Odysseus or his men harm the cattle, he will lose his ship and his crew, and if Odysseus escapes with his life, he will only make it home after a long while and with help from strangers.  

After Odysseus returns to Circe's home, she tells him essentially the same thing: if they leave the cattle alone, there's a chance they'll make it home, but it will be difficult.  If they harm the cattle, everyone will die including, perhaps, Odysseus, and if he does make it home, it will take a long time and he will require help from strangers.

Analyze the theme of power in Julius Caesar.

The whole play is essentially a major power struggle. It begins soon after Caesar’s defeat of Pompey, one third of the triumvirate that ruled Rome. A number of tribunes worry at Caesar’s growing popularity and power. Cassius seems jealous, mocking Caesar’s physical weaknesses and conspiring with Brutus to get rid of him.

In spite of his friendship with Caesar, Brutus succumbs to Cassius’s manipulations. Though Cassius seems driven by greed and a desire for power...

The whole play is essentially a major power struggle. It begins soon after Caesar’s defeat of Pompey, one third of the triumvirate that ruled Rome. A number of tribunes worry at Caesar’s growing popularity and power. Cassius seems jealous, mocking Caesar’s physical weaknesses and conspiring with Brutus to get rid of him.

In spite of his friendship with Caesar, Brutus succumbs to Cassius’s manipulations. Though Cassius seems driven by greed and a desire for power (Brutus later accuses Cassius of having “an itching palm; / To sell and mart your offices for gold”), Brutus seems genuinely concerned about the Republic of Rome.

Brutus believes that power corrupts: “He would be crown'd: / How that might change his nature, there's the question.” He thinks the balance of power in Rome is so essential to its well-being, he decides to help assassinate Caesar for the greater good.

Caesar may very well desire absolute power. Antony offers Caesar the crown three times, which he refuses. However, Casca describes him as being “very loath to lay his fingers off it.” In the senate, he declares how uniquely consistent he is:

Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he…

Brutus’s good intentions are marred by his ignorance about power plays. His idealism overwhelms his wisdom. The other conspirators or not as principled as he is, and Antony, whom he allows to live, quickly turns the crowd against Brutus in a manipulative speech at Caesar’s funeral. Antony and Cassius know how to play the game, but Brutus does not.

In the end, Brutus and Cassius kill themselves. Even years after their suicides, the never ending game continues to be played by Antony and Octavius Caesar, as is portrayed in another Shakespeare play Antony and Cleopatra.

Who is the "we" in "We Wear the Mask"? It seems that it is referring to slaves, but what part of the text actually confirms to whom Dunbar is...

The last stanza seems to suggest that the speakers are slaves; however, the lines can also be applicable African-Americans of Dunbar's time, during the Jim Crow era.

It is true that slaves were forced to mask their feelings whenever in the presence of whites, and Dunbar learned much of slavery from his parents, who were former slaves. But, during the time of the Jim Crow Laws, which were written at the end of Reconstruction in...

The last stanza seems to suggest that the speakers are slaves; however, the lines can also be applicable African-Americans of Dunbar's time, during the Jim Crow era.

It is true that slaves were forced to mask their feelings whenever in the presence of whites, and Dunbar learned much of slavery from his parents, who were former slaves. But, during the time of the Jim Crow Laws, which were written at the end of Reconstruction in 1877, African-Americans were still forced to "wear the mask." They were prohibited from using the same facilities as whites, having different entrances and many of their own places for sitting or for business dealings, etc. In other words, they lived in a separate world within America. Yet they were expected to always be polite to whites, and to appear as though content with their status in society. Therefore, African-Americans had to present a facade of contentment to white society, not unlike the "mask" that many a slave had to wear lest he/she be punished. This condition is described in the metaphoric line, "This debt we pay to human guile." 

However, this compliance to a forced appearance of contentment in order to avoid humiliation, this wearing of the "mask," Dunbar urges, can also allow the African-Americans to dissemble their feelings and, thus, turn the condition to their advantage:

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
    We wear the mask.

This verse, then, adds a note of defiance to the humiliation of social dissembling which the African-Americans have endured through the years of slavery and the years of Jim Crow.

What are some specific ways Pip grows up in Great Expectations?

Pip grows up because he learns what true love and loyalty are, and the real meaning of a gentleman.

Pip is manipulated early on in the story by Magwitch and Miss Havisham.  He is a vulnerable boy, a victim of ongoing abuse by his sister and the last survivor of his family.  He is putty in the hands of his benefactors.  They use him for their own ends.

Miss Havisham has the biggest effect on Pip’s life.  He is just a plaything for her, a toy that she can dangle in front of Estella to teach the girl the art of breaking boys’ hearts.  Estella does a masterful job.  Pip meets her as a child, and still falls irreparably in love.  Miss Havisham prevents him from having a normal life. 

Estella warns Pip not to pine for her.

 `Moths, and all sorts of ugly creatures,' replied Estella, with a glance towards him, `hover about a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?'

  `No ' I returned; `but cannot the Estella help it?'

  `Well!' said she, laughing, after a moment, `perhaps. Yes. Anything you like.' (Ch. 38)

From the experience with Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip learns that love has to be reciprocated.  You can’t force it on someone.  If a person does not return your affections, there is nothing you can do.  It is a hard lesson, and he doesn’t learn it until he has lost everything.

Pip gave up everything in his quest for Estella. He turned his back on Joe.  He felt that his home was something to be ashamed of, and he wanted to leave and never look back.  After he lost everything, he realized that the way he had treated Joe was wrong.  Family and loyalty are more valuable than money.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Magwitch is not a completely benevolent soul.  He chose Pip to receive his fortune because he wanted to prove that gentlemen could be made, not born.  It was his own little class warfare.  He felt betrayed by society, because people believed Compeyson and not him. Compeyson had the looks of a gentleman, he did not.

When Pip finds out the truth about Magwitch, he is horrified.  Pip is vain and naïve.  He took the money without asking questions, and he lived his life based on the assumption that it was Miss Havisham who was elevating him.  When he found out that his money came from Magwitch, he felt like an imposter and a fraud.  He was now in the company of a criminal.

All this time I had never been able to consider my own situation, nor could I do so yet. I had not the power to attend to it. I was greatly dejected and distressed, but in an incoherent wholesale sort of way. (Ch. 40)

However, Pip came to appreciate and care about Magwitch.  He worked hard to hide him and protect him, and risked his life and liberty to get him out of the country.  When Magwitch died, Pip was right by his side.  He made sure that Magwitch went to his grave content.

From this experience, Pip learns the true meaning of being a gentleman.  It is not just about having money.  A gentleman is a gentleman in actions and intentions too.  Pip becomes a true gentleman after he loses his money.  He stops caring what other people think, and begins to live an honorable life.

What two characters will struggle against each other in "A Retrieved Reformation's" conflict?

Jimmy Valentine is a young career criminal who specializes in safecracking. Ben Price is his nemesis. Price apparently works for a private detective agency which specializes in protecting banks in the days before they were under the protection of the federal government. When the story opens, Jimmy is serving time in prison for a bank job. We learn after his release and return to his rented room that he was arrested by Ben Price after putting up a struggle. 

There on the floor was still Ben Price's collar-button that had been torn from that eminent detective's shirt-band when they had overpowered Jimmy to arrest him.

As soon as Jimmy recovers his suitcase full of specialized safecracking tools, he commits four bank jobs in the Indiana area in swift succession. This brings him to the attention of his nemesis Ben Price, who is so good at his job that he can recognize Jimmy's handiwork just from the evidence left behind.

Ben Price investigated the scenes of the robberies, and was heard to remark: “That's Dandy Jim Valentine's autograph. He's resumed business. Look at that combination knob—jerked out as easy as pulling up a radish in wet weather. He's got the only clamps that can do it. And look how clean those tumblers were punched out! Jimmy never has to drill but one hole. Yes, I guess I want Mr. Valentine. He'll do his bit next time without any short-time or clemency foolishness.”

Jimmy believes he is getting too well known, too "hot," in the area where he has been committing his bank burglaries, so he moves to Arkansas and adopts the name of Ralph Spencer. He sets up a shoe business in the town of Elmore, but only intends to use his store as a "front" while he continues cracking safes in this virgin territory. Everything changes when he falls in love with Annabel Adams at first sight. He is doing well with his shoe business and decides to reform in order to be worthy of a respectable girl like Annabel. 

But the formidable sleuth Ben Price traces Jimmy to Elmore, Arkansas and is ready to arrest him for the four bank jobs he pulled in Indiana. The conflict throughout the story is between Ben Price and Jimmy Valentine. It is resolved in one of O. Henry's surprise endings when Price decides to let Jimmy retain his new identity as Ralph Spencer and go ahead with his reformation. Jimmy is a changed man, but Ben Price changes too. He is a witness to Jimmy's noble act of exposing his true identity by opening his suitcase full of safecracking tools and saving the little girl who has gotten accidentally trapped in Annabel's father's bank vault. When Jimmy feels he has lost Annabel and everything connected with his reformation, he is ready to surrender to Price and be sent to prison for a long term. But Price surprises Jimmy, as well as the reader.

“Hello, Ben!” said Jimmy, still with his strange smile. “Got around at last, have you? Well, let's go. I don't know that it makes much difference, now.”

And then Ben Price acted rather strangely.

“Guess you're mistaken, Mr. Spencer,” he said. “Don't believe I recognize you. Your buggy's waiting for you, ain't it?”

What is a general summary of The Devil's Arithmetic?

The Devil’s Arithmetic is a young adult novel about the Holocaust.  At the beginning of the story, a Jewish girl name Hannah is celebrating the Seder meal at Passover with her family.  She seems to complain about many of the Jewish customs.  When she is asked to open the door for Elijah to come in (a common tradition during Passover), Hannah is transported into the time of the Holocaust.  She becomes a character called “Chaya,”...

The Devil’s Arithmetic is a young adult novel about the Holocaust.  At the beginning of the story, a Jewish girl name Hannah is celebrating the Seder meal at Passover with her family.  She seems to complain about many of the Jewish customs.  When she is asked to open the door for Elijah to come in (a common tradition during Passover), Hannah is transported into the time of the Holocaust.  She becomes a character called “Chaya,” and witnesses many of the horrors associated with the Nazi concentration camps.  She is forced onto a train, herded into the camp, has her head shaved, is tattooed with a number, made to do hard work against her will, and watches as many people die in the gas chambers.  In this context, Hannah becomes friends with a girl named Rivka.  When Rivka is sent to the gas chamber, Hannah tells Rivka to run.  Hannah then takes Rivka’s place and walks back into the gas chamber to die.  It is at this point that Hannah is transported back to the present time with a new respect for her Jewish heritage.

How does Gatsby's facade start to fade when he comes over for tea?

Gatsby's facade starts to crack when he comes over to Nick's for tea because he is so unspeakably nervous about seeing Daisy again. He has sent someone to mow Nick's lawn and deliver inappropriately large amounts of flowers.  He is so anxious to be impressive. He clearly tries to adopt what ends up being "a strained counterfeit of perfect ease," and he almost knocks Nick's clock onto the floor with his head before he barely...

Gatsby's facade starts to crack when he comes over to Nick's for tea because he is so unspeakably nervous about seeing Daisy again. He has sent someone to mow Nick's lawn and deliver inappropriately large amounts of flowers.  He is so anxious to be impressive. He clearly tries to adopt what ends up being "a strained counterfeit of perfect ease," and he almost knocks Nick's clock onto the floor with his head before he barely catches it with shaking fingers.

Further, Gatsby is trying so hard to be cool, but he knows precisely how many years it's been, to the month, since he last saw Daisy—a very uncool thing to blurt out in front of the woman he loves. When Nick tries to leave to give them a bit of privacy, Gatsby barks rudely at him, "Where are you going?" and he follows Nick out, leaving Daisy alone. Then, he is so embarrassed that all he can do is complain about what a bad mistake arranging this meeting was. His too cool, "old sport" routine fails him here.

In The Giver, what does it mean to be politically correct?

The citizens have to be very careful how they use language and never be impolite.

To be politically correct means that you do not offend someone.  In Jonas’s society, political correctness is an idea taken to the extreme.  No one is ever supposed to offend anyone, ever.  They try so hard to make sure that no one is ever uncomfortable that they have many strict rules governing people’s behavior.

The community values Sameness, and calling...

The citizens have to be very careful how they use language and never be impolite.

To be politically correct means that you do not offend someone.  In Jonas’s society, political correctness is an idea taken to the extreme.  No one is ever supposed to offend anyone, ever.  They try so hard to make sure that no one is ever uncomfortable that they have many strict rules governing people’s behavior.

The community values Sameness, and calling attention to differences is not allowed because it might make someone uncomfortable.  An example of this is when Lily comments on the fact that Jonas’s light colored eyes are different from most everyone else in the community.  Jonas expects her to be scolded for being rude.

No one mentioned such things; it was not a rule, but was considered rude to call attention to things that were unsettling or different about individuals. Lily, he decided, would have to learn that soon, or she would be called in for chastisement because of her insensitive chatter. (Ch. 3) 

In fact, in Jonas’s community anything that might be considered rude is outlawed.  You do not call attention to other people.  You do not call attention to yourself.  You don’t single anyone out, and if you do break any of these rules, you apologize immediately. 

Precision of language is the cornerstone of Sameness.  Children are taught from a young age that they need to be very precise and never say something that they do not mean.  For example, Jonas is scolded for saying that he is “starving.”  

To say "starving" was to speak a lie. An unintentioned lie, of course. But the reason for precision of language was to ensure that unintentional lies were never uttered. Did he understand that? they asked him. And he had. (Ch. 9) 

The goal is to make sure that everyone exists in a state of simple-mindedness.  There are no emotions.  As soon as someone has a feeling, it is quickly dismissed.  This is the purpose of the telling of feelings at night and the telling of dreams in the morning.  No one should ever be made uncomfortable.  That is how you keep your population in line.

Any uncomfortable information is kept from the people.  They have no sense of history.  Each person has his or own memory, but knows nothing about the past.  The community's history is maintained through intergenerational memories held by the Receiver of Memory.  That way, no one has to face anything disturbing.  The past simply doesn't exist.

How does the Victorian era tie into the setting of Hard Times?

Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times is inextricable from the Victorian era in part because the text is set in and written during the Victorian age, and also because it addresses many of the issues that were inherent with the time. Indeed, Dickens’ story is undoubtedly a product of its time. Dickens examines several prevalent aspects of Victorian society at the time through various characters. For instance, he explores the problems with Utilitarian philosophy through the...

Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times is inextricable from the Victorian era in part because the text is set in and written during the Victorian age, and also because it addresses many of the issues that were inherent with the time. Indeed, Dickens’ story is undoubtedly a product of its time. Dickens examines several prevalent aspects of Victorian society at the time through various characters. For instance, he explores the problems with Utilitarian philosophy through the exaggerated personality of Thomas Gradgrind, a man obsessed with facts and statistics, and how his philosophy negatively affects his children.

Another potent societal issue Dickens addresses with Hard Times is the oppressive nature of the unchecked industrialism and its effects on the community and workers. Dickens is direct in his attacks, and foregrounds the struggle of workers in a post-Industrial Revolution England:

“Surely, none of us in our sober senese and acquainted with figures, are to be told at this time of day, that one of the foremost elements in the existence of the Coketown working people had been for scores of years, deliberately set at nought? That there was any Fancy in them demanding to be brought into healthy existence instead of struggling on in convulsions?” (22-23).

Thus, the Victorian era figures heavily into Hard Times because it is a product of the Victorian era. Dickens sets his story in the Victorian era, and tackles issues that were burgeoning during the time.  

I pulled my textual evidence from the Norton Critical Edition, 3rd ed.

In Chapter 19 of Bud, Not Buddy, what gift does the band give to Bud, and what does it symbolize?

In Chapter 19, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression walk into Grand Calloway Station and tell Bud that they have something for him. Steady Eddie slides a busted up cardboard suitcase in front of Bud, and Bud struggles to open it. Inside the suitcase is a used, baby-size alto saxophone that resembles Steady Eddie's.The Dusky Devastators had put their money together and bought Bud his own alto saxophone.Steady Eddie tells Bud that it...

In Chapter 19, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression walk into Grand Calloway Station and tell Bud that they have something for him. Steady Eddie slides a busted up cardboard suitcase in front of Bud, and Bud struggles to open it. Inside the suitcase is a used, baby-size alto saxophone that resembles Steady Eddie's. The Dusky Devastators had put their money together and bought Bud his own alto saxophone. Steady Eddie tells Bud that it still has a good tone despite the dent at the bottom. Eddie also mentions that he had it repadded, refelted, and resprung. Bud is extremely excited and is anxious to start learning how to play his new horn. Steady Eddie even offers to give Bud lessons and tells him that they will get started around seven o'clock. The gift symbolizes Bud's new friendship and his new life traveling with the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. The baby-size saxophone is a bit rough looking because it has been through a lot, but with some tender care and adjuments, the sax will sound beautiful. Bud is similar to his instrument because, like the saxophone, Bud has also been through tough times and needs some compassion. Bud cherishes his gift and looks forward to becoming a member of Herman Calloway's band.

How do the inca first react to the arrival of the Spanish

The Inca had a large population and were themselves expansionist, and were in the process of conquering and integrating much of the rest of Central America when the Spanish arrived. They made some effort to be civilized, and would try to negotiate peace rather than engaging in total war---but still, they were imperialists. The Inca were initially relatively welcoming to the Spanish explorers, trying to open diplomatic relations with them. They didn't realize that their...

The Inca had a large population and were themselves expansionist, and were in the process of conquering and integrating much of the rest of Central America when the Spanish arrived. They made some effort to be civilized, and would try to negotiate peace rather than engaging in total war---but still, they were imperialists.

The Inca were initially relatively welcoming to the Spanish explorers, trying to open diplomatic relations with them. They didn't realize that their recent plagues were due to new diseases from Europe, nor that the Spanish had no particular desire for diplomacy or compromise.

But the plague (most likely smallpox) threw the Inca into disarray, and exploiting this advantage along with their technological superiority the Spanish swiftly conquered the Incan capital Cusco. The fact that so few were able to so decisively conquer so many is still a little baffling to historians.

There were subsequent revolts against the Spanish and a series of civil wars; but the Spanish ultimately prevailed. Eventually the Spanish-controlled governments in the region became independent states such as Chile and Argentina.

If Tate would tell the story of the attack as it actually happened, why would it be like shooting a mockingbird?

In the novel, Miss Maudie and Atticus explain that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do not harm anyone and simply "sing their hearts out for us." In other words, mockingbirds are innocent; they don't interfere with other people unless they are being helpful ("singing"). Tom Robinson is a mockingbird. He doesn't harm Mayella; he had only tried to help her. Thus, it was a sin to charge, convict, and shoot...

In the novel, Miss Maudie and Atticus explain that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do not harm anyone and simply "sing their hearts out for us." In other words, mockingbirds are innocent; they don't interfere with other people unless they are being helpful ("singing"). Tom Robinson is a mockingbird. He doesn't harm Mayella; he had only tried to help her. Thus, it was a sin to charge, convict, and shoot him. 

If Tate reports the facts of Bob Ewell's death, then Boo Radley would have to defend his actions in court. Boo stabbed Bob while defending Scout and Jem.

Boo is a mockingbird. It was in defense of the children that Boo killed Bob Ewell. Tate knows that a public trial would be too much for Boo to handle: 

To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an‘ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about to have it on my head. If it was any other man, it’d be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch. 

Just as it was a sin to kill Tom, it would be a sin to put Boo through such an ordeal. Boo is too shy and introverted to handle that kind of exposure. It is not so much that Tate worries about whether Boo would be found innocent based upon the justification of protecting the children. It's just that Tate sees no point in putting Boo through the trial. So, he concludes that the official story will be that Bob fell on his own knife. Harming the one man (Boo) who was the hero in this situation would be like shooting a mockingbird. 

Please discuss a recent example of a domestic or foreign policy which has been covered in the media. In particular, remember to mention which...

In this context, a policy refers to a law, rule, or regulation that applies to the people of the United States or the nation's relationships with other countries. Given that the United States is currently in its presidential primary season, there are many domestic and foreign policies being discussed and proposed.

A good example of a contemporary albeit controversial domestic policy is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that was signed into law in 2010. The...

In this context, a policy refers to a law, rule, or regulation that applies to the people of the United States or the nation's relationships with other countries. Given that the United States is currently in its presidential primary season, there are many domestic and foreign policies being discussed and proposed.

A good example of a contemporary albeit controversial domestic policy is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that was signed into law in 2010. The act requires that every person have health insurance and that subsidies would be provided for those that couldn't afford the total cost.

This has been a hotly debated policy in the Congress and the Senate, so there are many different actors. Primarily, the issue has been an important part of Obama's presidency and he has lobbied hard to ensure that it passed. Others include the Senate Finance Committee, which includes Senators Chuck Grassley, Olympia Snowe, and Max Baucus.

The ACA has been heavily criticized by many Republicans, including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and many others who have tried on several occasions to block or repeal the act. In most cases, opponents have been unsuccessful and the ACA remains intact.

In recent years, there are few bills that have been as contentiously debated as the ACA. Many conservatives feel as though it is governmental overreach, which has contributed to a greater divide between the Democrats and Republicans. Although it was passed into law about six years ago, it remains a popular topic of discussion in the current presidential debates, with many on the Republican side saying they will repeal the act and some Democrats wanting to expand it. The ongoing debates over the ACA demonstrate the current dysfunction between the political parties and it seems to be a significant barrier to bipartisan efforts.

What other specific examples of prejudice, except racism, insulting religion, and unrealistic views about Christians and Jews, are represented in...

Prejudice can be defined as a judgement or opinion that one has to a person, thing or situation which is not based on actual experience or rational thought. The term is usually used to define a preconceived value or appreciation that one attaches to other people with whom one has dealings with, whether for a brief moment or a lengthy period of time. As mentioned in the question, racism is an example of prejudice. 

In the play, prejudice also rears its ugly head in the association between Shylock and his servant, Launcelot. It is obvious that Shylock ill-treats Launcelot and does not give him his due. This is because Shylock sees him as below his status and thus deems him inferior. It is impossible for him to perceive Launcelot as an equal in human terms and he, therefore, maintains a supercilious approach towards him. Shylock's abuse clearly upsets Launcelot and he decides to leave his service and work for Bassanio, who, he believes, will treat him better.   

Launcelot distinctly states his dissatisfaction with Shylock's treatment of him when he speaks to his father, Gobbo in scene 2 of Act 2 (lines 111 to 117):

...My master's a very Jew: give
him a present! give him a halter: I am famished in
his service; you may tell every finger I have with
my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come: give me
your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed,
gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him, I
will run as far as God has any ground...

Launcelot wants to get as far away from Shylock as possible and states that if he should not be appointed by Bassanio, would run as far as he possibly can to be rid of Shylock. 

In her conversations with Nerissa, Portia also displays a somewhat prejudicial attitude towards her suitors. She makes a number of derogatory remarks about them without really knowing much about their background or who they really are. She is quite judgmental in her approach.

This may be borne from her displeasure of not being able to have the freedom to choose a partner and is an expression of her irritation with the limitations set by her father's will, or it may be a reflection of a natural inclination to judge by what she sees. She does not have much choice in the matter anyway, and may be forgiven her sentiments in the circumstances.

Her preconceived notions are best illustrated when she says, in Act 1, scene 2, (lines 41 - 43), the following about the prince of Morocco whom she has not seen yet:

...if he have the condition
of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had
rather he should shrive me than wive me...

Her statement suggests a racist prejudice, for the suggestion is that if the prince were black, she would prefer him hearing her confession (as a priest would) than be his wife. 

She does, however, display a favourable prejudice towards Bassanio, whom she also does not really know, as she states in Act 1, scene 2:

PORTIA
Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think, he was so called.

NERISSA
True, madam: he, of all the men that ever my foolish
eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

PORTIA
I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of
thy praise.

One can also deem Antonio's attitude towards Shylock's moneylending practice as a form of economic prejudice. Criticising the Jew for lending out money at interest, implies that Antonio wishes to limit Shylock's source of income. Moneylending is his business and denying him the right to lend out money for profit without truly understanding the practice, is harmful to the Jew. Shylock mentions Antonio's disdain in this regard in scene 3 of Act 1 (lines 49 - 52):

...he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest.