What is the value of time?

I would argue that there are two ways to answer this question.  One way to answer is to say that the value of time is the amount of money that you could be making at any given time.  Another way to answer is to say that time is invaluable because there is no way for us to get more of it.

We can try to measure the value of time in monetary terms.  When we do this, we have to think about the value of time in terms of its opportunity cost.  Let us say I have a job where I make $25 per hour.  The value of my time, at least during working hours, is then $25.  If I want to take an hour off work so I can watch my child play in some sports event, I am losing $25. 

In this view, time has different values at different times and for different people.  The time of a super-rich person is much more valuable than my time because they could potentially make hundreds or even thousands of dollars in an hour.  The time of a retired person might be completely without value because they do not do any paid work and therefore do not have to give up any potential income in order to spend an hour of time doing something.  Therefore, one way of valuing time is to say that its value depends on how much money we could make during that time.

A second way to talk about the value of time is to say that it is literally invaluable.  In other words, there is no way we can put a monetary or numerical value on time.  All human beings have a finite amount of time on Earth.  There is more or less nothing we can do to increase the amount of time that we are alive.  This means that there is no way for us to replace a single moment of our lives.  If we lose a given amount of time, we cannot pay any amount to get it back.  If we think of time in this manner, we can conclude that it is something like love -- valuable beyond all price.  It is something to which we cannot assign any monetary value.

What legal issue is at the core of the Speluncean Explorers case?

L. Ron Fuller wrote The Case of the Speluncean Explorers. It was published in the Harvard Law Review in 1949. The case is about a group of 10 explorers who were trapped in a cave by a landslide.  Rescue efforts were underway to free the explorers. However, 10 members of the rescue team had already died.

The explorers were able to locate a two-way radio system and contact medical experts. The explorers asked the experts...

L. Ron Fuller wrote The Case of the Speluncean Explorers. It was published in the Harvard Law Review in 1949. The case is about a group of 10 explorers who were trapped in a cave by a landslide.  Rescue efforts were underway to free the explorers. However, 10 members of the rescue team had already died.

The explorers were able to locate a two-way radio system and contact medical experts. The explorers asked the experts if they cannibalized a fellow explorer, if they would be able to survive ten more days. The medical experts reluctantly stated survival would then be possible. According to the case, it was Whetmore's idea. Whetmore also proposed casting lots and using a pair of dice to determine who would be cannibalized. At the last minute, Whetmore tried to withdraw. However, it was ultimately Whetmore who was cannibalized.

The legal crux of the case is whether or not the explorers committed murder in cannibalizing Whetmore. Initially, the explorers were found guilty of murder and were sentenced to be hanged. However, they brought a petition of error and asked for the case to be reviewed. Of five justices on the court, two upheld the conviction. One justice withdrew. Two of the justices asked that the conviction be set aside. 

What is Tom's handicap and what conclusion can we draw because of it?

Chapter 18 is when Tom Robinson's handicap is revealed. Jem is shocked when he sees it. Reverend Sykes explains what happened to Tom as follows:

"He got it caught in a cotton gin, caught it in Mr. Dolphus Raymond's cotton gin when he was a boy . . . like to bled to death . . . tore all the muscles loose from his bones—" (186).

Mayella and Bob Ewell claim that Tom choked, beat, and...

Chapter 18 is when Tom Robinson's handicap is revealed. Jem is shocked when he sees it. Reverend Sykes explains what happened to Tom as follows:

"He got it caught in a cotton gin, caught it in Mr. Dolphus Raymond's cotton gin when he was a boy . . . like to bled to death . . . tore all the muscles loose from his bones—" (186).

Mayella and Bob Ewell claim that Tom choked, beat, and raped Mayella, but there's no way he could have because his left arm is about a foot shorter than his right, and the hand is shriveled and completely useless to him. The prosecution still maintains that because he is a young, strong man, he overpowered the nineteen-year-old girl. The problem with that is the rest of the Ewells' story. Mayella also claims that Tom choked her, but usually that involves two hands, not one. She also claims he beat her, but most of her wounds were on her right side, suggesting that a left-handed man hurt her. Therefore, because of Tom's handicap, he could not have choked or beaten her; and if he didn't do those things to her, he more than likely did not rape her.

How did the United States and United Kingdom become allies?

Due to the shared history and culture between the United States and Great Britain, it seems a natural alliance exists between the two countries. The two countries share a common language, similar religious traditions, and comparable legal and political systems. Today, the countries consider one another as their most important allies in the world.

The birth of an Anglo-American alliance may well have taken place during the Spanish-American War. The decades that followed the Civil...

Due to the shared history and culture between the United States and Great Britain, it seems a natural alliance exists between the two countries. The two countries share a common language, similar religious traditions, and comparable legal and political systems. Today, the countries consider one another as their most important allies in the world.

The birth of an Anglo-American alliance may well have taken place during the Spanish-American War. The decades that followed the Civil War were not considered friendly between the two powers. The United States was bitter about Britain's neutrality during the Civil War among other things.  During the Spanish-American War, however, Great Britain supported the United States.  Soon thereafter, United States supported Great Britain in the Boer War. Both countries worked together to suppress the Boxer Rebellion in China and shared similar goals in the East during this period.

Despite some of these early relations, the most important development in the relationship between England and the United States occurred in the World Wars. This is particularly true of World War II when Britain was faced with the task of being the last great power facing Hitler's Nazi Germany. The United States and Britain fought together to ensure victory in North Africa, Italy, and Western Europe in World War II. They would solidify their partnership during the Cold War as the two most important members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.  

What is the book "Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer" by Phil Chalmers about?

Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer by Phil Chalmers is a book that explores the mindset of teenagers that commit violent crimes, notably school shootings. Chalmers interviewed teens currently serving time in prison for violent offenses in order to get a deeper understanding of their actions. The book tackles questions that ask why some teenagers choose to hurt people and offers solutions about what can be done to stop it from continuing.  

Specifically,...

Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer by Phil Chalmers is a book that explores the mindset of teenagers that commit violent crimes, notably school shootings. Chalmers interviewed teens currently serving time in prison for violent offenses in order to get a deeper understanding of their actions. The book tackles questions that ask why some teenagers choose to hurt people and offers solutions about what can be done to stop it from continuing.  

Specifically, Chalmers looks at violent video games, gun control, and bullying among other items related and possibly correlated with teen violence. Chalmers discusses what a parent can do to keep their child safe from their potentially violent peers, as well as early warning signs to look out for in their own children.

Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer is written to be educational, but also to be an influence for a safer future. On the very first page of the book, Chalmers states:

I wrote this book with only one thing in mind--change. My hope is that the research and studies I have compiled during the last two decades can create positive change; educate law enforcement, youth workers, teachers, and parents about warning signs in potentially violent teens, and hopefully save many innocent lives.

What points of chess etiquette does Waverly learn from Lau Po in "Rules of the Game"?

Waverly learns not to be vain or childish when playing chess. 

Waverly first plays chess after her family gets a used set for Christmas.  It is missing pieces, and her mother wants them to throw it out at first because someone else didn’t want it.  Her brothers are interested though, and Waverly turns out to be quite the chess player.  Her mother decides to let her pursue the game, telling her to make sure...

Waverly learns not to be vain or childish when playing chess. 

Waverly first plays chess after her family gets a used set for Christmas.  It is missing pieces, and her mother wants them to throw it out at first because someone else didn’t want it.  Her brothers are interested though, and Waverly turns out to be quite the chess player.  Her mother decides to let her pursue the game, telling her to make sure to learn the American rules so that no one can take advantage of her. 

Waverly sees a group of men playing chess in the park and wants to join.  When Waverly first approaches Lau Po about playing chess, he teases her by saying he hasn’t played with dolls in a long time.  He lets her play though, and he teaches her the finer points of the game. 

From Lau Po, Waverly learns all kinds of chess tricks and their names. She loses a lot of Life Savers, but she also gets better and better at the game.  In addition to fine-tuning her understanding of the rules and learning gambits, Waverly learns the "finer points" of chess etiquette. 

Keep captured men in neat rows, as well-tended prisoners. Never announce "Check" with vanity, lest someone with an unseen sword slit your throat. Never hurl pieces into the sandbox after you have lost a game, because then you must find them again, by yourself, after apologizing to all around you. 

Waverly says that by the end of the summer she has learned all she can for Lau Po. He was a good teacher, but she was also a good student.  He learned that she was more than a doll, and she learned that you get a little bit better with each opponent and each game.  A good chess player is able to incorporate failure and learn from it.  Waverly does that.

How does Tom explain that it is worth digging for treasure?

Interesting question! In the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Tom encourages Huckleberry Finn to hunt for treasure with him by demonstrating the entertainment and financial benefits that hunting for treasure could offer.

In the book, Huck generally agrees to Tom’s requests. Because of Huck's freedom, Huck generally is able to acquiesce to Tom and his ideas. Furthermore, he does not possess much money; thus, as long as Tom’s ideas do not...

Interesting question! In the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Tom encourages Huckleberry Finn to hunt for treasure with him by demonstrating the entertainment and financial benefits that hunting for treasure could offer.

In the book, Huck generally agrees to Tom’s requests. Because of Huck's freedom, Huck generally is able to acquiesce to Tom and his ideas. Furthermore, he does not possess much money; thus, as long as Tom’s ideas do not mandate financial commitments, Huck is generally agreeable. As the text shows:

“Huck was always willing to take a hand in any enterprise that offered entertainment and required no capital, for he had a troublesome superabundance of that sort of time which is not money.”

Furthermore, Tom utilizes this knowledge about Huck to illustrate that searching for hidden treasure is worthwhile. First, Tom demonstrates that hunting for treasure is worthwhile by appealing to Huck's desire for entertainment. Tom realizes that Huck enjoys spending time with him. He also makes the task more enjoyable by playing "Robin Hood" with Huck while searching for the treasure.

Not only this, but Tom indicates to Huck that they will find money; thus, ameliorating Huck’s financial situation. As Tom illustrates:

“Suppose you find a brass pot with a hundred dollars in it, all rusty and gray, or rotten chest full of di’monds. How’s that?”

Therefore, Tom appeals to Huck’s desires for entertainment and money. Because Tom knows Huck, he is able to appeal to Huck’s desires and demonstrate that it is worth digging for hidden treasure.

Did the novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich play a role in the growth of dissidents and/or in the independence movements in the Eastern...

Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovichplayed an important role in the growth of dissidents, or people who disagreed with Soviet policies, and in the independence movements in the Eastern Bloc nations controlled by the Soviet Union. The book was published in 1962, when the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, allowed a brief thaw in hard-line Soviet ideology in the press. Part of the reason Khrushchev allowed the book to be published was...

Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich played an important role in the growth of dissidents, or people who disagreed with Soviet policies, and in the independence movements in the Eastern Bloc nations controlled by the Soviet Union. The book was published in 1962, when the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, allowed a brief thaw in hard-line Soviet ideology in the press. Part of the reason Khrushchev allowed the book to be published was that it criticized the forced labor camps created by Stalin, his predecessor, and he was trying to discredit Stalin. However, Khrushchev fell out of power in 1964, and he was replaced by hardliners who again controlled the press in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc.

As a result, dissidents, including activists for independence movements in Eastern Bloc countries, created an underground press, publishing what was called samizdat (which means "I self-publish"). This press became a critical way for dissidents across national lines to share thoughts and press for freedom, and Ivan Denisovich and Solzhenitsyn's other work, The Gulag Archipelago, became part of the samizdat press. This underground press became a way to voice disagreement with the official Soviet line, and Solzhenitsyn became a voice of protest, particularly after he was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1974.

What is an example of alliteration in Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro"?

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of a series of words. This technique can give a poetic line rhythm or musical quality as well as stress important meanings in the poem. In Pound's poem, he uses alliteration in the second line: "Petals on a wet, black bough." The repetition of the "b" with "black" and "bough" is alliterative. 

This is an Imagist poem. And this simply means the poet tried to...

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of a series of words. This technique can give a poetic line rhythm or musical quality as well as stress important meanings in the poem. In Pound's poem, he uses alliteration in the second line: "Petals on a wet, black bough." The repetition of the "b" with "black" and "bough" is alliterative. 

This is an Imagist poem. And this simply means the poet tried to create an image without any superfluous or unnecessary rhetorical language. Pound wrote it about a succession of beautiful faces he'd seen upon leaving the London subway. Collectively, they seem like apparitions or ghosts. As he looks quickly from one to the next, he sees one and then it is gone, and so on. It's as if, like a ghost, each face disappears as soon as he sees it. He then moves on to the next face. 

He compares the succession of faces with the petals on a "wet, black bough." Note that the comma after "wet" isolates the alliterative "black bough." The poem ends with this image and the alliteration emphasizes the image. The beauty of the petals is attached to a black bough (branch). The beauty of the petals is juxtaposed to the bleakness of the "black bough" and this is perhaps a comparison with the beautiful faces coming out of the dark subway. 

In Summer Of My German Soldier, why does Patty lie about what Anton Reiker bought?

In the story, Patty lies about what Anton Reiker bought because she wants to protect him. When the FBI agents question her, she tells them that the only things Anton bought were a 'sharpener, paper, and pencils.'

Then, remembering that Anton had bought a faux diamond pin for a dollar, she resolves to cover his tracks by saying that he bought a 'straw field hat like the rest of the prisoners.' Why does she do...

In the story, Patty lies about what Anton Reiker bought because she wants to protect him. When the FBI agents question her, she tells them that the only things Anton bought were a 'sharpener, paper, and pencils.'

Then, remembering that Anton had bought a faux diamond pin for a dollar, she resolves to cover his tracks by saying that he bought a 'straw field hat like the rest of the prisoners.' Why does she do this? To find the answer, we will need to refer to Chapter Eight, where Anton confesses to how he used the pin.

In effect, Anton utilized the pin to buy his way out of prison. He explains how he bribed a prison guard by using the three-layered approach Hitler used to manipulate his audience. Essentially, listeners can be lulled into security by the first two layers of fact-filled truth; the third layer, however, is the one that holds the lie. So, Anton's excellent English allowed him to convince the guard that he came from a wealthy background; his assertion that he had had an English governess further reinforced the exclusive image he wanted to emphasize. From there, it was an easy task to convince the guard that he had five diamonds, valued in excess of a thousand dollars each, to bequeath anyone who helped him escape. Basically, Anton paid the guard with 'a dollar's worth of glass jewelry.'

Knowing this information, Patty does not want to tell the FBI agents about the pin Anton bought. Because of her love for him, she does not want to incriminate him.

How does the idea of light and darkness play out in Suddenly, Last Summer?

Suddenly, Last Summer is one of several Tennessee Williams plays in which light, usually in the forms of whiteness (the color more so than the race) and blondness, plays a role. 

In Suddenly, Last Summer, Catherine, Sebastian Venable's cousin and travel companion, has been committed to a mental institution by her Aunt Violet after Sebastian's death, in which he is devoured by a group of boys in one of the southern European countries...

Suddenly, Last Summer is one of several Tennessee Williams plays in which light, usually in the forms of whiteness (the color more so than the race) and blondness, plays a role. 

In Suddenly, Last Summer, Catherine, Sebastian Venable's cousin and travel companion, has been committed to a mental institution by her Aunt Violet after Sebastian's death, in which he is devoured by a group of boys in one of the southern European countries in which he went seeking boys or men for sex. Catherine witnesses his being devoured in a cannibalistic frenzy and has a mental breakdown.

Catherine's doctor in the institution is a young, blonde man. He is described in Scene One as wearing white, causing him to appear "glacially brilliant." He also has an "icy charm." Later in the play, Catherine sees him standing at the window, but says that he's too blonde "to hide behind window curtains" because the light catches him, "he shines through them." She then recalls how her now dead cousin planned to take her to one of the "northern countries" where she -- his man-bait -- would help him procure men. 

Catherine ends her remembrance of Sebastian with a quote from somebody: "We're all of us children in a vast kindergarten trying to spell God's name with the wrong alphabet blocks." Sebastian's fascination with blondes plays into cultural narratives that equate blondness with purity. This is why the doctor "shines through" the light. His fair skin and hair convey the senses that he is pure and true. The quote suggests that his intention to procure blonds, in an attempt to become true and pure, was misguided. 

The doctor's "light" appearance is in marked contrast to that of Aunt Violet who, strangely, has light pink or orange hair, and wears a lavender dress. She has traditional Southern charms, manners known for their masterful evasions and hypocrisies. Her manners contrast with the doctor's "icy" clinical approach to people. Once again, there is a sense that, as an embodiment of scientific truth, he is "pure" and will reveal the truth about Catherine's mental breakdown, whereas her aunt seeks to obscure that truth. In fact, when Violet speaks, Catherine directly accuses her of lying.

In sum, the blonde doctor dressed in white represents the "light" of truth in the play. Ironically, he was what Sebastian was looking for in life, but could only achieve in death: a man, particularly a blond man, who would help him come to terms with his identity. However, as was the case in her procurement of men for Sebastian, Catherine serves as the surrogate through which Sebastian Venable's truth becomes known. Violet Venable represents the "darkness" of dishonesty. When the doctor pulls the secret out of the closet, Aunt Violet goes mad, unable to live with the truth of who her son was.

In Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, what is the Boo Radley game? Who plays it and how do the different characters feel about it?

In chapter 4 of Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem suggests to Dill and Scout that they should act out the Radleys' family drama like a game. It's just like how little kids play "house" and take parts with family roles. Only the Radley game is about a dysfunctional adult son who stabs his father in the leg with scissors. The sinister side of the tale intrigues the boys who want to explore it through roleplay. However, playing the game happens after the tire incident when Jem rolls Scout into the Radleys' yard. Scout hears someone laughing from inside the house, but she doesn't tell the boys about it. Needless to say, Scout is reluctant to play a game about the Radleys when someone in the house might be watching them. She even uses the word "reluctant" to express her feelings about the game as follows:

"I reluctantly played assorted ladies who entered the script. I never thought it as much fun as Tarzan, and I played that summer with more than vague anxiety despite Jem's assurances that Boo Radley was dead and nothing would get me" (39).

Atticus catches the children playing the game one day, but Jem and Dill still want to play it. Since the game is Jem's brainchild, he wants to continue playing it. Scout protests, then explains how Jem feels about playing the game as follows: 

"He still maintained, however, that Atticus hadn't said we couldn't, therefore we could; and if Atticus ever said we couldn't, Jem had thought of a way around it" (41).

Jem, therefore, enthusiastically desires to continue playing the game they call "One Man's Family" (40). As for Dill, Scout says that he "was in hearty agreement with this plan of action" (41). Scout seems to be outvoted on discontinuing the game. As a result, she leaves the boys to their playing and scheming and visits Miss Maudie more frequently.

Discuss the relationship between servant leadership and ethical leadership.

In simplest terms, one is a subset of the other: Servant leadership is one concept of ethical leadership.Ethical leadership in general is the idea that leaders have ethical responsibilities to their followers, that leadership is not simply the passing down of absolute authoritarian commands from top to bottom. Ethical leadership demands that leaders hold to their own moral values, and also respect the rights and dignity of the people they lead. Servant leadership is...

In simplest terms, one is a subset of the other: Servant leadership is one concept of ethical leadership.

Ethical leadership in general is the idea that leaders have ethical responsibilities to their followers, that leadership is not simply the passing down of absolute authoritarian commands from top to bottom. Ethical leadership demands that leaders hold to their own moral values, and also respect the rights and dignity of the people they lead.

Servant leadership is a more specific concept of ethical leadership, on which the reason one becomes a leader is not to command, but to serve---similar to the notion of government officials as "civil servants". A servant leader may issue orders, but only toward the achievement of common goals; they coordinate the actions of others, rather than seeking to control them. They try to ensure the well-being of their subordinates and help them grow in their own lives. The opposite would be something like Nietzche's "will to power", where you command others for the sake of commanding them.

One thing that surprises a lot of managers is that servant leadership is efficient; workers perform much better when they are comfortable and given autonomy. Even if you were a callous psychopath who cared nothing for the well-being of your workers, it might still be rational for you to take on a servant leadership style simply to maximize your company's profits.

What does Winnie do with the bottle of spring water Jesse gave her in Tuck Everlasting?

Winnie pours the spring water onto the toad.

Winnie accidentally sees Jesse drinking from the spring in the woods near her house and ends up going on a grand adventure. She learns that he is immortal, and so is his entire family.  Jesse is seventeen, but he is really one hundred and four years old.  He will be seventeen forever.

Jesse is quite smitten with Winnie, even though she is not old enough yet to...

Winnie pours the spring water onto the toad.

Winnie accidentally sees Jesse drinking from the spring in the woods near her house and ends up going on a grand adventure. She learns that he is immortal, and so is his entire family.  Jesse is seventeen, but he is really one hundred and four years old.  He will be seventeen forever.

Jesse is quite smitten with Winnie, even though she is not old enough yet to be a girlfriend.  He asks her to wait until she is his age and then drink the water and become immortal too.

But the thing is, you knowing about the water already, and living right next to it so's you could go there any time, well, listen, how'd it be if you was to wait till you're seventeen, same age as me—heck, that's only six years off—and then you could go and drink some, and then you could go away with me! (Ch. 14)

Winnie is “struck dumb” by this offer.  Winnie also likes Jessie quite a bit.  She is too young to make a decision about who she wants to spend the rest of her life with, let alone eternity.  Jesse tells her to think about it.

While helping Mae Tuck escape from prison, Jesse gives Winnie a bottle of the spring water and reminds her of her options.  Later, Winnie sees a toad she has befriended being harassed by a dog.  She decides to get the bottle Jesse gave her and use it to help the toad.

The toad still squatted where she had dropped it, the dog still waited at the fence. Winnie pulled out the cork from the mouth of the bottle, and kneeling, she poured the precious water, very slowly and carefully, over the toad. (Ch. 25) 

The decision is not necessarily as meaningful as you might think.  At the time, Winnie felt that she could get more water any time.  A fire in the woods eventually eliminates that possibility, but Winnie has made her choice.  She wants to be mortal.  She grows up and dies, and leads a normal life.  Her experience with the Tucks seems to show her that being immortal is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Dumping out the water that Jesse gave her was a hint at her future choice not to be immortal. 

In Holes, why did Elya tell Myra to choose Igor?

Elya told Myra to choose Igor because she did not really love him, and she proved self-centered.

In the past, there is the story of Elya Yelnats and Myra Menke.  Elya is in love with Myra.  So is Igor Barkov, the pig farmer.  He is fifty-seven years old though, and you would not think that he was the most attractive of mates for a teenager.  Myra's father wants to know what each of them can...

Elya told Myra to choose Igor because she did not really love him, and she proved self-centered.

In the past, there is the story of Elya Yelnats and Myra Menke.  Elya is in love with Myra.  So is Igor Barkov, the pig farmer.  He is fifty-seven years old though, and you would not think that he was the most attractive of mates for a teenager.  Myra's father wants to know what each of them can offer.

"I will trade you my fattest pig for your daughter," Igor offered.

"And what have you got?" Myra's father asked Elya.

"A heart full of love," said Elya.

"I'd rather have a fat pig," said Myra's father. (Ch. 7)

Myra does not choose right away.  This in itself proves that Myra does not really love Elya.  If she did, she would have chosen him and not worried about the pig.  She is selfish and does not love either man.

Madame Zeroni tells Elya not to bother with Myra, because just because she is pretty does not make her a good wife.

"I'm in love with Myra Menke," Elya confessed. "But Igor Barkov has offered to trade his fattest pig for her. I can't compete with that."

"Good," said Madame Zeroni. "You're too young to get married. You've got your whole life ahead of you."

"But I love Myra."

"Myra's head is as empty as a flowerpot." (Ch. 7)

Madame Zeroni gives Elya a piglet, and tells him to take it up a mountain and sing to it.  As he does this, the piglet will get bigger and he will get stronger.  Then he is supposed to carry her up the mountain.  She warns him that if he doesn’t he will be cursed. 

Elya carries the pig, and it gets bigger.  When Myra’s father is presented the two pigs, they weigh the same.  Myra cannot decide which man to marry.  She tells the men to choose a number.  This finally convinces Elya that Madame Zeroni was right.  He tells her to marry Igor, and gives her the pig as a wedding present.  He goes to America, without fulfilling his promise to Madame Zeroni.  He is sad because the girl he loves does not love him back.

What are some quotes that demonstrate that Ralph is not being a good leader in Lord of the Flies?

First of all, Ralph is chosen as the leader for nebulous reasons. He hasn’t actually exhibited any leadership skills, except when he blew the conch and all of the boys came, drawn to the sound. He is elected leader almost immediately. 

None of the boys could have found good reason for this; what intelligence had been shown was traceable to Piggy while the most obvious leader was Jack. But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch. (Ch. 1) 

Jack has leadership experience because he is the head of the choir. He leverages the choir to become leader of the hunters, and then slowly creates a schism between his followers and Ralph’s followers, undermining his leadership. 

Ralph’s leadership problems extend beyond Jack. He doesn’t know how to get the boys to do what he wants. Ralph tries to provide civilization and order to the island, but the boys are usually not interested in his ideas. Getting them to work is next to impossible. 

“Been working for days now. And look!”

Two shelters were in position, but shaky. This one was a ruin.

“And they keep running off. You remember the meeting? How everyone was going to work hard until the shelters were finished?” (Ch. 3) 

Jack’s way is more fun. The boys would rather paint their faces and eat pig meat than build shelters and mind a signal fire. Even when Ralph’s ideas are good, nothing comes of them. He doesn’t know how to get the other boys to listen to him.

After Simon and Piggy have died and most of the boys are allied with Jack, Ralph blames himself for what happened. He believes he should have been a better leader and prevented the tragedies that unfolded.

What kinds of thoughts are being expressed by Macbeth when he sees a dagger suspended in the air in front of him?

During the dagger soliloquy, Macbeth ponders the possibility of murdering Duncan. He recognizes that he is seeing a bloody, murderous dagger suspended in front of him and that this apparition cannot be real. Further, he questions his own thoughts and mental state when he sees this dagger, wondering if he should trust his own mental facilities to correctly guide him to the appropriate actions. Shakespeare uses this soliloquy to accomplish two things. First, he sets...

During the dagger soliloquy, Macbeth ponders the possibility of murdering Duncan. He recognizes that he is seeing a bloody, murderous dagger suspended in front of him and that this apparition cannot be real. Further, he questions his own thoughts and mental state when he sees this dagger, wondering if he should trust his own mental facilities to correctly guide him to the appropriate actions. Shakespeare uses this soliloquy to accomplish two things. First, he sets the viewer up to understand the mental delirium that Macbeth undergoes as he questions his ability to commit Duncan's murder. Second, he sets an eerie mood for the murder itself by utilizing the imagery of ghosts, witches, and the moonlight to suggest evildoing. During this section of the play, Macbeth accepts the actions that he is going to take in killing Duncan and commits himself to the evil that he plans to pursue. In questioning his actions so fervently before committing the crime, Macbeth clearly begins the play as a good man who slowly unravels due to a number of external factors.

What tests and setbacks does Santiago experience on his journey?

I would say that Santiago's first test is getting up the courage to tell his father that he wants to leave and travel the world.  He knows that it will disappoint and perhaps even anger his father, but Santiago still asks.  He even came away with his father's blessing. 

An early setback was when Santiago was robbed.  He had sold his sheep in order to finance his search for his Personal Legend, but soon after...

I would say that Santiago's first test is getting up the courage to tell his father that he wants to leave and travel the world.  He knows that it will disappoint and perhaps even anger his father, but Santiago still asks.  He even came away with his father's blessing. 

An early setback was when Santiago was robbed.  He had sold his sheep in order to finance his search for his Personal Legend, but soon after Santiago was robbed and lost his money.  He recovered by getting a job with a crystal merchant.  Within a year, he and the crystal merchant had become wealthy men.  

Santiago then continued on his quest to find his Personal Legend.  The next setback was learning that he must stay at the oasis, because the caravan refused to continue on to the pyramids.  The caravan would stay put until it was safe to travel again.  Unfortunately the bands of robbers attempt to come into the oasis.  Santiago had a vision that they would attack, so the oasis was able to defend itself.  

That is not the last time that Santiago had to deal with Arab marauders though.  Santiago and the alchemist are both captured at one point.  Santiago was only days away from reaching the pyramids that he had been so desperately seeking.  Santiago once again was forced to give up all of his money.  This time it was to save their lives.  

Later, Santiago was digging for his treasure, and he was again accosted by robbers.  They beat him until they discovered that Santiago had no money. 

I might say that his final setback was discovering that the treasure he so desperately sought was back in his hometown.  That's not a terrible setback though, because he got to go back home and got rich in the process. 

As Maniac meets more people, he sees that not everyone is "color blind" the way he is. Why is Maniac "color blind?"

There is one quote that I love that seems to really nail Maniac's "color blindness."  The quote is from chapter 16.

He didn't figure he was white any more than the East Enders were black, He looked himself over pretty hard and came up with at least seven different shades and colors right on his own skin, not one of them being what he would call white (except for his eyeballs, which weren't any whiter than the eyeballs of the kids in the East End.)

Which was all a big relief to Maniac, finding out he wasn't really white, because the way he figured, white was about the most boring color of all.

I think a large part of Maniac's color blindness is the fact that he doesn't see himself as a single color.  When he looks at himself or other people, he doesn't see single colors.  He sees a bunch of different colors at the same time.  To Maniac, calling somebody a single color is just silly.  

I think another reason that Maniac is color blind to skin color is because Maniac judges people for what they do, how they act, and how they treat other people.  Maniac's vision is deeds based, not skin color based.  That's why Maniac wasn't suspicious of Mars Bar until Mars Bar pulled a massive mood swing on Maniac for taking a bite of the offered candy bar and hit Maniac.  Maniac judges people for how they treat him.  Black and white people have both been mean and nice to Maniac, so Maniac doesn't believe skin color has anything to do with.   

What does Sheila promise to take off from the booklet in Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing?

In Chapter 7 of Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Sheila agrees to take off the line she added to the cover of their booklet that reads "handwritten by miss sheila tubman."In Chapter 7, Peter has been assigned to work on a group projectwith two of his classmates who live near him, Jimmy Fargo and Sheila Tubman. Their project is to make a poster, write a booklet, and present an...

In Chapter 7 of Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Sheila agrees to take off the line she added to the cover of their booklet that reads "handwritten by miss sheila tubman."

In Chapter 7, Peter has been assigned to work on a group project with two of his classmates who live near him, Jimmy Fargo and Sheila Tubman. Their project is to make a poster, write a booklet, and present an oral report about transportation in New York City. At one point, they agree the boys should each write five pages of the booklet while Sheila does the other ten. Peter raises the concern that, if this is to be a group project, all the handwriting in the booklet should look the same—it shouldn't be obvious which kid did what part of the project. Sheila agrees that, since she has the best handwriting, she should copy all of their written work into the one booklet.

On the day Sheila makes the cover for their booklet during one of their after-school meetings, Jimmy notices that, though Sheila put all their names on the cover of the booklet, she also gave herself special recognition by identifying herself as the one wrote the booklet by hand. Jimmy and Peter are furious because they had all agreed that, if it was to be a group project, they should each get the exact same credit as the other members of the group. Sheila objects at first, but when Jimmy threatens to rip up the cover, she finally agrees and turns the line that reads "handwritten by miss sheila tubman" into a decoration of "sixteen small flowers" (50).

Why did the Cold War start?

Although different people might answer this in different ways, I would argue that the Cold War started because the United States and the Soviet Union did not trust one another.  Because they did not trust one another, each interpreted the other’s actions in the most negative possible light and each thought the other was a grave threat.

The Soviet Union and the US never really trusted one another.  The Soviet Union’s communist ideology specifically stated...

Although different people might answer this in different ways, I would argue that the Cold War started because the United States and the Soviet Union did not trust one another.  Because they did not trust one another, each interpreted the other’s actions in the most negative possible light and each thought the other was a grave threat.

The Soviet Union and the US never really trusted one another.  The Soviet Union’s communist ideology specifically stated that the capitalists were the enemy of the workers and needed to be overthrown.  Therefore, they were inclined to distrust the capitalist Americans.  Moreover, the US had acted in ways that made the Soviets trust them even less.  The US had sent at least some troops to help fight against the communists in the Russian Civil War after WWI.  The US had refused to recognize the USSR for decades.  The US had, in the Soviets’ minds, dragged its feet on invading Europe during WWII, allowing the Red Army to lose millions of men fighting the Germans.  All of these things predisposed the USSR to distrust the Americans.

The Americans, in turn, distrusted the Soviets.  Communist ideology explicitly called for world revolution, which meant that the US felt that the USSR was dedicated to overthrowing the US political and economic system.  The US also believed that the communists were going to try to spread their influence to other countries of the world.  Because of this, they were very suspicious when the Soviets wanted to control Eastern Europe as their own “sphere of influence” or buffer zone of satellite states.  The Soviets felt this was sound strategy, but the US believed that it meant that the Soviets were trying to dominate Eastern Europe as a first step towards taking control of Western Europe.

Because each side in this situation distrusted the other side, conflict was bound to arise.  The Cold War began because the two sides did not trust one another and because each felt the other side was trying to destroy it.

In the play Julius Caesar, how is Mark Antony shown as a cunning and selfish politician?

Mark Antony is cunning and selfish because he takes advantage of Caesar’s death to gain power for himself. 

Mark Antony was supposed to be Julius Caesar’s trusted aid.  He was loyal to Caesar, and upset when he died.  Yet he used Caesar’s death to gain power by first tricking Brutus into letting him address the people and then forming a triumvirate with Lepidus and Octavius.  When he defeated Brutus and Cassius, he probably expected to be leader of Rome, but Octavius stood in his way. 

When Caesar was assassinated, the conspirators made sure that Mark Antony was nowhere nearby.  They were afraid he would interfere.  When Antony saw Caesar’s body, surrounded still by the conspirators, he seemed to genuinely feel grief and remorse.  He vowed to avenge Caesar’s death.

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! (Act 3, Scene 1) 

Antony makes an agreement with Brutus to speak at Caesar’s funeral. He has to agree to say that he spoke with Brutus’s permission, and has to speak after Brutus.  Antony readily agrees, because he knows that he can use this to catapult himself into the public eye, outside of Caesar’s shadow.  Cassius fears that Antony will influence the people.  He is right.

Antony’s funeral speech is a work of art.  He accuses Brutus and Cassius of murder and shows the people Caesar’s will, describing the bequests. This associates him with Caesar's generosity and makes him seem like Caesar's heir to power.  Every word of the speech is designed to get the people to turn against the conspirators and support him.  He also made sure that Octavius wasn’t there, telling him it was too dangerous.  Caesar’s named heir showing up would put a wrench in his plans. 

Antony seems quite pleased with himself after his speech.  Everything is going according to plan. 

Servant

I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.

ANTONY

Belike they had some notice of the people,
How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius. (Act 3, Scene 2) 

After his speech, Antony is presented as even more cunning and cruel.  During the triumvirate’s meeting, he almost gleefully condemns family members to death and patronizes Lepidus.  He also tries to convince Octavius to listen to him, because he is older and more experienced.  Antony wants the power for himself.  He thinks that he is the most important member of the triumvirate, next to a boy and a nobody.

What is The Brotherhood in 1984?

In 1984, the Brotherhood is first mentioned in Part One, Chapter One, and is described as a secret organization which rebels against the Party. Its head is Emmanuel Goldstein, the enemy of the state of Oceania:

He was the commander of a vast, shadowy army, an underground network of conspirators dedicated to the overthrow of the state.

Because of their secretive nature, the very existence of the Brotherhood is questioned by Winston. In Part...

In 1984, the Brotherhood is first mentioned in Part One, Chapter One, and is described as a secret organization which rebels against the Party. Its head is Emmanuel Goldstein, the enemy of the state of Oceania:

He was the commander of a vast, shadowy army, an underground network of conspirators dedicated to the overthrow of the state.

Because of their secretive nature, the very existence of the Brotherhood is questioned by Winston. In Part One, Chapter Seven, for instance, he refers to it as "the legendary Brotherhood" because he does not understand how its members can assemble when the watchful eye of Big Brother seems ever present. In fact, it is only when Winston goes to O'Brien's apartment in Part Two, Chapter Eight, that he changes his mind. This is because O'Brien tells him that the Brotherhood is real and that their activities, like sabotage and blackmail, are designed to "cause demoralization" and to "weaken the power of the Party."

In addition, O'Brien informs Winston that once he has read 'the book,' he will be a full member of the Brotherhood. This book, penned by Emmanuel Goldstein, outlines the corrupt nature of the Party and provides the ideological justification for rebellion. O'Brien gives a copy of the book to Winston in the next chapter.  

Unfortunately for Winston, he has been the victim of a terrible ruse: Emmanuel Goldstein and the Brotherhood are the false creations of the Party and the book is, in fact, written by O'Brien and other Party members. For his rebellion, Winston faces imprisonment and torture in the Ministry of Truth, with no hope of The Brotherhood, or any fellow rebels, coming to save him. 

How does John Steinbeck show the way society treats people in Of Mice and Men through his characters?

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses his characters to show how society treats people. Lennie Small is mentally challenged. He often makes wrong decisions due to his childlike qualities. He unintentionally harms animals and people due to his childlike desire to pet soft, furry animals. He also is fascinated with soft textures. He is on the run because he touched a girl's dress. He would not let go and the people accused him of trying to harm the girl. He was just interested in her dress fabric, but society interpreted his actions as dangerous to the girl.

Lennie's mental disability is a frowned-upon handicap by society during this time. Lennie has no friends except George and Candy, and George has also been mean to Lennie by playing dirty tricks on him from time to time. Also, Curly is abusive to Lennie because he takes pride in ridiculing him. Curly likes to bully people. He tries to take advantage of Lennie's slow abilities.  

Mentally retarded people always bring out the sadistic potential in certain types of boys and grown men. George himself used to play dirty tricks on Lennie just for meanness.

Crooks is a black man who feels superior to Lennie because of Lennie's mental disabilities. During this story, blacks were inferior to white people. Picking on Lennie makes him feel superior. 

Crooks is at the bottom of the social ladder on the ranch because of his race and his broken body. But he sees in Lennie an inferior who could make him feel one rung higher. 

Because Lennie is so strong, he often unintentionally harms people and animals. He means no harm, but society treats him as if he is an abusive person. When Lennie accidentally breaks Curly's wife's neck, Curly is determined to hang Lennie. Society has no mercy on Lennie, even though it was totally an accident. 

For this reason, George knows he has to shoot Lennie before Curly can find him and torture him. Curly does not care that it was an accident. He has no understanding for Lennie's disability. 

Steinbeck reveals the views of society during this time through his characters' actions and dialogue. 

Steinbeck was a realist. His characters show good and bad qualities, and many of them change, as real people must do. 

How did Spanish colonists oppress Filipinos?

The Spanish conquered the Phillipines in 1565, and ruled over them for over 300 years, only losing control in the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 when the United States seized control for almost 50 years before turning the Phillipines over to a newly-formed independent democratic government after the Second World War.

The islands are actually called the Phillipines after King Phillip II of Spain, who reigned at the time the islands were conquered.

...

The Spanish conquered the Phillipines in 1565, and ruled over them for over 300 years, only losing control in the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 when the United States seized control for almost 50 years before turning the Phillipines over to a newly-formed independent democratic government after the Second World War.

The islands are actually called the Phillipines after King Phillip II of Spain, who reigned at the time the islands were conquered.

While the Spanish ruled the Phillipines, they did so essentially as an absolute monarchy, with edicts from the King of Spain enforced by a Governor-General with almost total power over the government. A strict system of hierarchy, supported by both the government and the church, kept native Filipinos down under the heels of Spanish conquerors. Spain showed little concern for the welfare of the population and made no effort to represent their interests; their goal was to maintain control and extract wealth.

The Filipino population tried to rebel against Spanish control several times, and each time the rebellion was brutally cut down by the Spanish military.

Which landmark court decision changed the laws of separate but equal and began the desegregation of public education facilities: Barnett vs....

The correct answer to this question is Brown v. Board of Education.  The Supreme Court of the United States decided this case in 1954.  In that case, the Court ruled that the system of “separate but equal” schools for white and non-white children was unconstitutional.  This was the first major case to bring about desegregation in K-12 public education.

The other cases mentioned here are clearly not correct.  Only one of them even has...

The correct answer to this question is Brown v. Board of Education.  The Supreme Court of the United States decided this case in 1954.  In that case, the Court ruled that the system of “separate but equal” schools for white and non-white children was unconstitutional.  This was the first major case to bring about desegregation in K-12 public education.

The other cases mentioned here are clearly not correct.  Only one of them even has anything to do with segregation.  The case that does have to do with segregation is Plessy.  That case was decided in 1896 and it set up the system of separate but equal.  In that case, the Court said that separate but equal accommodations for the different races were constitutional.  This led to the system that Brown started to dismantle.

The other two cases have nothing to do with desegregation.  The only Barnett v. Rice that I know of is about water rights.  Roe v. Wade is the famous 1973 case in which the Court said that the Constitution protects women’s rights to get abortions. 

From all this, we can see that the correct answer is clearly Brown v. Board of Education.

What is the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures including the type and arrangement of particles?

Substances can be classified as elements, compounds or mixtures. 

An element is the purest substance possible and is composed of (almost) the same particles. In other words, each element is made up of similar atoms (similar, because isotopes are also there). These constituent particles have the same number of protons and electrons and have same properties. Some examples of elements are carbon, iron, sodium, etc. Elements can be solid, liquid or gas at room temperature...

Substances can be classified as elements, compounds or mixtures. 

An element is the purest substance possible and is composed of (almost) the same particles. In other words, each element is made up of similar atoms (similar, because isotopes are also there). These constituent particles have the same number of protons and electrons and have same properties. Some examples of elements are carbon, iron, sodium, etc. Elements can be solid, liquid or gas at room temperature and hence the arrangement of constituent atoms can be different.

A compound is made up of 2 or more elements, combined in a specific ratio. A compound has different properties than the constituent atoms. For example, water or H2O is composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a fixed 2:1 ratio. Hydrogen is very combustible and oxygen is required for combustion, yet their compound water is used for extinguishing fires. The constituent atoms of a compound are present in a fixed ratio (for example, 1:2 carbon to oxygen atom ratio in carbon dioxide). It is difficult to break down a compound in its constituent atoms or elements.

A mixture is made up of 2 or more compounds, mixed in any ratio. Individual constituents of a mixture retain their individual properties, unlike compounds. The constituents of a mixture can be separated by physical processes. An example is the trail mix. Depending on whether the mixture is homogeneous or heterogeneous, the individual particles maybe uniformly or non-uniformly mixed.

Hope this helps. 

What makes up the central nervous system?

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.  All motor neurons, sensory neurons, cranial nerves, and spinal nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are considered to be parts of the peripheral nervous system.  The central nervous system is responsible for integrating information that it receives from incoming information from sensory neurons, processing that information, and then sending signals to effectors (muscles and glands) through motor neurons.

Within the central nervous...

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.  All motor neurons, sensory neurons, cranial nerves, and spinal nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are considered to be parts of the peripheral nervous system.  The central nervous system is responsible for integrating information that it receives from incoming information from sensory neurons, processing that information, and then sending signals to effectors (muscles and glands) through motor neurons.

Within the central nervous system the neurons are organized into nuclei and tracts whereas they are organized into nerves and ganglia in the peripheral nervous system.  Nuclei (and ganglia in the peripheral nervous system) are groups of cell bodies and axon terminals.  It is within these structures that many neurons synapse or nearly meet to send signals to each other.  Tracts (and nerves in the peripheral nervous system) are bundles of axons of neurons.  Within the brain they may serve to connect regions of the brain as the corpus callosum, a major set of tracts, connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain.  Ascending tracts in the spinal cord deliver sensory information to the brain and descending tracts in the spinal cord deliver motor signals from the motor cortex of the cerebrum to effectors throughout the body.  

Could you please indicate what type of reaction this is: Calcium Hydroxide + Carbon Dioxide -> Calcium Carbonate + Water It would also be...

The word equation for the reaction that you presented is:

Aqueous calcium hydroxide reacts with gaseous carbon dioxide to produce solid calcium carbonate plus liquid water.

   `~Ca(OH)_2(aq) + ~CO_2(g) -gt ~CaCO_3(s) + ~H_2O(l)`

But, the reaction is more complicated than it appears. When carbon dioxide gas is added to aqueous calcium hydroxide, the carbon dioxide reacts with the water in the aqueous calcium hydroxide to form carbonic acid:

   `~CO_2(g) + H_2O(l) harr ~H_2CO_3(aq)`

...

The word equation for the reaction that you presented is:

Aqueous calcium hydroxide reacts with gaseous carbon dioxide to produce solid calcium carbonate plus liquid water.

   `~Ca(OH)_2(aq) + ~CO_2(g) -gt ~CaCO_3(s) + ~H_2O(l)`

But, the reaction is more complicated than it appears. When carbon dioxide gas is added to aqueous calcium hydroxide, the carbon dioxide reacts with the water in the aqueous calcium hydroxide to form carbonic acid:

   `~CO_2(g) + H_2O(l) harr ~H_2CO_3(aq)`

The carbonic acid then reacts with the calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate and water:

  ` ~Ca(OH)_2(aq) + ~H_2CO_3(aq)harr~CaCO_3(s) + 2H_2O(l)`

The word equation for this reaction is: Aqueous calcium hydroxide reacts with aqueous carbonic acid to produce solid calcium carbonate plus liquid water.

The reaction between calcium hydroxide and carbonic acid can be classified as a double replacement reaction. The reaction is also an acid base reaction.

How would a judge who is a strict constructionist interpret the 2nd Amendment in the face of an argument by a Constitutional attorney who asserts...

The strict constructionist would dismantle the constitutional attorney's argument by using the legal precedent, District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court's 2008 decision which found, by a 5-4 vote, that the District of Columbia's ban on handguns was unconstitutional. The Heller decision was the first major ruling on the Second Amendment since 1939 (United States v. Miller). 

I will assume the voice of such a judge:

"While it is true that the...

The strict constructionist would dismantle the constitutional attorney's argument by using the legal precedent, District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court's 2008 decision which found, by a 5-4 vote, that the District of Columbia's ban on handguns was unconstitutional. The Heller decision was the first major ruling on the Second Amendment since 1939 (United States v. Miller). 

I will assume the voice of such a judge:

"While it is true that the well-known prefatory clause, 'a well-regulated militia,' did express a purpose that was particular to its time, according to the Court, 'it [still] does not limit or expand the second part': 'the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' Moreover, the prefatory clause acts as an anti-Federalist check on a government that could revert to tyranny. The clause acts to deny Congress the power 'to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms...' 

"Moreover, at the time that the Constitution was ratified, there were state constitutions that provided citizens with 'arms-bearing rights.' 

"While the Second Amendment does allow for limitations, such as 'longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill,' it contains no language that prohibits the possession of arms altogether." 

In the novel The Outsiders, what were some crimes that Ponyboy committed?

Ponyboy Curtis, the main character of S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders,demonstrates in many ways a dichotomy. He exhibits noble character traits like bravery, loyalty, kindness and compassion. He also walks on the wild side and doesn't follow all the laws of the land. He follows his own moral code and that sets him apart from mainstream society.

Although the crimes Ponyboy commits in the novel are mild compared to those of others in his gang, they are nonetheless against the law. Two-Bit Matthews is a shoplifter, Dally was arrested in New York, and the others have been involved in many fights. Steve Randle steals hubcaps. Ponyboy mentions in the opening chapter that he has never been in a fight. He explains the activities of his group in chapter one: 

"Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive souped-up old cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while. I don't mean I do those things like that. Darry would kill me if I got in trouble with the police. "

One of the crimes he commits is sneaking into the drive-in movies without paying admission. 

Another crime he commits is trespassing. This is done when Ponyboy and Johnny camp out in the abandoned church to hide after Johnny kills the Soc. Even though the church is abandoned, it is still private property, and they did not obtain permission to be there. 

He commits a third crime during the rumble between the Greasers and the Socs near the end of the novel. Street fighting is illegal and would fall under assault, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. 

In Oklahoma, where the novel is set, the law regarding cigarettes is that it is illegal to sell, give, or otherwise supply someone under the age of 18 with cigarettes. It doesn't specifically prohibit smoking by a minor, though other states, like Rhode Island, do, so his smoking in the novel is more the crime of those who supply him with cigarettes. 

The last crime Ponyboy commits is threatening bodily harm against the three Socs in chapter twelve.

"'You're the guy who killed Bob Sheldon. And he was a friend of ours. We don't like nobody killing our friends, especially greasers.'

Big deal. I busted the end off my bottle and held onto the neck and tossed away my cigarette. 'You get back into your car or you'll get split.'"

This could be considered felony menacing, or assault. Under Oklahoma state law, assault is defined as threatening or attempting to cause bodily harm to another person. 

On the other hand, Ponyboy also heroically rescues children from the burning church, builds a bridge of peace with Randy the Soc and Cherry Valance, and picks up the pieces of broken glass after threatening the Socs in chapter twelve. It is this dichotomy of characteristics that makes him a timeless and relatable character. 

Why do Scout and Jem go with Calpurnia to her church in Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus was not home, so Calpurnia brought Scout and Jem to church with her because she didn't want them going by themselves.

Calpurnia was suspicious of the children being left to their own devices at church, because apparently one time they went to Sunday School and the teacher wasn’t there and there was trouble.  Scout and Jem had been expecting to go to church on their own, since Calpurnia went to a different church, but...

Atticus was not home, so Calpurnia brought Scout and Jem to church with her because she didn't want them going by themselves.

Calpurnia was suspicious of the children being left to their own devices at church, because apparently one time they went to Sunday School and the teacher wasn’t there and there was trouble.  Scout and Jem had been expecting to go to church on their own, since Calpurnia went to a different church, but she decided not to risk it.

“Besides, Cal, this isn’t the first time Atticus has left us,” I protested.

“Yeah, but he makes certain your teacher’s gonna be there. I didn’t hear him say this time—reckon he forgot it.” Calpurnia scratched her head. Suddenly she smiled. “How’d you and Mister Jem like to come to church with me tomorrow?” (Ch. 12)

Scout and Jem have never been to the African American church, which is called First Purchase because the community gathered its own money to buy it.  It was “paid for from the first earnings of freed slaves.”  It also has no white members.  This is why Lula is surprised to see Scout and Jem, and makes a big deal out of it.

“I wants to know why you bringin‘ white chillun to nigger church.”

“They’s my comp’ny,” said Calpurnia. Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them.

“Yeah, an‘ I reckon you’s comp’ny at the Finch house durin’ the week.” (Ch. 12)

Calpurnia made a big fuss about bringing Scout and Jem to church with her.  She starched Scout’s skirt so much that it flew up when she sat down, and she scrubbed both of them to death.  She wanted to make sure that the children did not embarrass her at church, and then Lula questioned their right to be there.

Then Cal’s son Zeebo intervened, telling them that Lula was just a trouble-maker.  Scout and Jem had a very eye-opening experience at the church.  For one thing, they learned that most of the members could not read.  They did not have a black school.  Zeebo did not go to school either, but Cal learned to read and she taught her son.

In the play, Macbeth, what does lady Macbeth think of her husband?

Lady Macbeth thinks differently of her husband at different times in the play, depending on the situation. In Act 1, scene 5, after she has received his letter, she expresses pride at his achieving the title Thane of Cawdor. However, she feels that her husband is too gentle and kind to drive his ambition further, for the witches had also told him that he would be 'king hereafter.' Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband does not have the ruthlessness required in achieving such a lofty goal, for, surely, he can only become king if he should do so by foul means. She states:

...yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win:

She knows that Macbeth is ambitious, but she also recognizes that he does not have the malevolence required to achieve what he wants. She wishes that he should rush home so that she can fill his head with evil thoughts and drive away all ideas that might withhold him from committing the foul acts that he would need to perform in order to achieve the crown.

Later, when Macbeth arrives at the castle, she thinks that he is too open-faced and expressive and that others might read in his face 'strange matters.' She asks him to adopt a different look and present an image of goodness and conviviality, whilst he is actually a viper ready to strike:

...look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't.

Once they have plotted to kill king Duncan, Macbeth tells her, 'We shall proceed no further in this business.' He has given considerable thought to their plan and wants to end it. Lady Macbeth is angry and thinks that he is a coward. She accuses him of having expressed a hope as if he were drunk. She is obviously disappointed at his sudden cowardice and says that she would from this time measure his love on that basis. She compares him to a cat that wants to eat fish but is afraid to get its feet wet.

She, furthermore, thinks of him as one who cannot keep a promise for she asks him what has now made him break the vow that he had made to her. As an example of what she requires of him, she mentions that she would rip a suckling baby from her breast and dash its brains out if that had been what she promised to do. She uses this disgusting image to urge her husband into reconsidering his decision.

Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is afraid when he considers the possibility of their failure in this plot. She tells him:

...screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail.

In other words, he needs to regain his courage and they would be successful. She then carefully outlines her plan to ensure the success of their abhorrent mischief.

There are a number of instances where Lady Macbeth questions her husband's character and courage. When he, for instance, returns from Duncan's chamber after having murdered him, Macbeth expresses the fact that his hands are 'a sorry sight.' She believes him foolish to think so and reprimands him. She thinks him weak-minded to spend so much thought on the fact that he could not say 'amen' after the murder and that he had heard voices. She calls him 'brainsickly' for thinking in such terms.

When Macbeth refuses to return to Duncan's chamber to replace the guards' knives, his wife loses patience with him and calls him 'infirm of purpose' once again reflecting on his courage. She later returns with her hands all bloody and emphasizes the fact that she thinks he is a coward by saying:

My hands are of your colour; but I shame
To wear a heart so white.

This belief that her husband is a coward is again confirmed later when Macbeth imagines seeing Banquo's ghost after he had him murdered. When he tells her that it is a terrible vision that he sees, she remarks:

O proper stuff!
This is the very painting of your fear:
This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,
Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman's story at a winter's fire,
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces? When all's done,
You look but on a stool.

She is ashamed of him and how he behaves. She calls him 'unmanned in folly' - his foolishness makes a coward of him.

It is probably Lady Macbeth's resolute determination and her ruthless criticism of her husband as well as her urging him to commit the vile deeds that he did, which eventually turn Macbeth into the malevolent and ruthless tyrant he becomes. In the end, the depth of his evil becomes too much for her and she cannot contain her guilt. She loses her mind and eventually commits suicide. 

Why does Paris want to marry Juliet so soon?

To answer this question, take a look at Act IV, Scene I. In this scene, Paris gives two reasons for why he wants to marry Juliet so quickly. First, he tells Friar Lawrence that Juliet's father, Capulet, wants the marriage to happen quickly; Paris does not want to disappoint him.

Second, Paris says that Juliet is still mourning the death of Tybalt and that this is getting in the way of love:

 For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.

Moreover, Paris explains that she is crying too much and he is certain that if they get married, she would feel much better about the situation because she would have a companion, somebody at her side:

Which, too much minded by herself alone,

May be put from her by society.

Once again, Juliet's father also agrees that Juliet is crying too much over Tybalt and that a marriage is the only way to cure her sadness. So, it is important for Paris to not disappoint the man who will be his father-in-law.

In "The Rockpile," what are three details that describe physical aspects of the story's setting or the landmarks of the neighborhood?

1. The rockpile is described best here: "Dozens of boys fought each other in the harsh sun: clambering up the rocks and battling hand to hand..."

Legendary among the neighborhood kids, the rockpile itself is a huge "mass of natural rock" that thrusts up from the ground in an otherwise empty lot, with a house on each side. It's huge, the site of neighborhood boys constantly playing, fighting, climbing, and falling, whenever they're not in...

1. The rockpile is described best here: "Dozens of boys fought each other in the harsh sun: clambering up the rocks and battling hand to hand..."

Legendary among the neighborhood kids, the rockpile itself is a huge "mass of natural rock" that thrusts up from the ground in an otherwise empty lot, with a house on each side. It's huge, the site of neighborhood boys constantly playing, fighting, climbing, and falling, whenever they're not in school.

2. The fire escape is described best here: "The sun fell across them and across the fire escape with a high, benevolent indifference..."

This fire escape is another important feature of the setting. Roy and his brother John sit there together, along with their mother, watching the other boys play. It's there that the boys feel a "longing" while sitting on this ledge, and it's there that Roy feels impatient, wanting to somehow "grow wings." From here, the boys watch everyone walking by, occasionally wave to people, and observe their father coming home from work. The narrator also ties this idea of the fire escape to the notion of sin: that we can sit and watch all the sinning going on, but we're sinners, too. That idea becomes more real as Roy is lured off the fire escape to play with the other boys on the rockpile, resulting in a terrible cut to his forehead.

3. The river is best portrayed in this line: "In the summer time boys swam in the river, diving off the wooden dock, or wading in from the garbage-heavy bank."

Lastly, this dirty river where kids go swimming is an important physical aspect of the story. It's relevant to the scene where, in the narrator's memory, we flash back to the time when another child, Richard, was swimming in the river and drowned. His father carried the poor child's body home while the mother screamed and screamed in horror and grief, making a scene for the whole neighborhood to witness. Although neither Roy nor John goes swimming in the river during this story, the river serves as an important parallel for the rockpile: it's also a fun yet dangerous place where boys play roughly together, and when the narrator mentions it, the reader makes that connection to the rockpile and feels an even greater tension when Roy gets injured there. Will he be killed, like Richard? This is what we wonder as we read.

What are a direct and an indirect quote from The Great Gatsby said by Gatsby himself?

Though we learn much of Gatsby's story secondhand, there are moments when Nick quotes Gatsby directly. One would be the famous instance in which Nick tries to tell Gatsby, reasonably enough, that you can't repeat the past. Gatsby responds as follows:

“'Can’t repeat the past?'” he cried incredulously. “'Why of course you can!'” 

This direct quote offers us some of the vehemence and passion of Gatsby's conviction that he can turn back the clock and...

Though we learn much of Gatsby's story secondhand, there are moments when Nick quotes Gatsby directly. One would be the famous instance in which Nick tries to tell Gatsby, reasonably enough, that you can't repeat the past. Gatsby responds as follows:

“'Can’t repeat the past?'” he cried incredulously. “'Why of course you can!'” 

This direct quote offers us some of the vehemence and passion of Gatsby's conviction that he can turn back the clock and erase five years to be with Daisy as if nothing has happened.

Nick quotes Gatsby indirectly in another scene, because Fitzgerald wants to compress and speed up the action. In this scene, Tom and the Sloanes have arrived on horseback at Gatsby's doorstep, just wanting a quick drink before they get on their way. Here, Gatsby fusses over his guests, who aren't interested at all in him, and we move from direct quoted dialogue to indirect dialogue. Gatsby asks Sloane, as summed up by Nick, "[Gatsby] A lemonade? [Sloane] No, thanks. [Gatsby] A little champagne?" This compression of the dialogue mimics the way the upper-crust, horseback-riding guests only want to quickly move on.

What was the nature of the Romantic poets?

The Romantic Era of English language literature spanned the years 1785-1830. Key poets during that time included William Blake, Anna Letitia Barbauld, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, George Gordon Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Romanticism was a reaction to the previous era, namely the Age of Enlightenment. During that time many advances had been achieved in the sciences; knowledge had increased dramatically, and rationalism ruled. The Romantics reacted to having too much...

The Romantic Era of English language literature spanned the years 1785-1830. Key poets during that time included William Blake, Anna Letitia Barbauld, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, George Gordon Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Romanticism was a reaction to the previous era, namely the Age of Enlightenment. During that time many advances had been achieved in the sciences; knowledge had increased dramatically, and rationalism ruled. The Romantics reacted to having too much knowledge without enough emotion; they wanted to focus on things of the heart rather than things of the head. Additionally, the American Revolution had just taken place, with its emphasis on individual rights and freedom, and the French Revolution for a time caused many to envision the dawning of a new golden age. These were the historical and cultural influences that fed the Romantic poets. 

To understand Romantic poetry, familiarize yourself with the "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" by William Wordsworth, in which he delineates a new type of poetry that he and Samuel Taylor Coleridge wanted to introduce to the world. They proposed poetry that spoke in the language of real people rather than in elevated diction and that featured the common man rather than people in high positions. Even poets from the time who did not deliberately espouse the concept of "lyrical ballads" nevertheless shared many of Wordsworth and Coleridge's tenets. 

Five tenets of Romanticism encompass the nature of the Romantic poets. They are

1. Awe of nature

2. Focus on freedom and individual rights

3. Appreciation of childhood

4. Strong senses and emotions

5. Importance of imagination

While not every poem written by every Romantic poet brings in all five tenets, one can often notice at least three of these five tenets in any given Romantic poem. For example, "The Tables Turned" by Wordsworth, in an obvious backlash against the Enlightenment, exhibits awe of nature, focus on freedom, and strong senses and emotions as it urges students to "quit your books" and retreat into nature, which can teach one more "than all the sages can." Keats' odes are characterized by awe of nature, strong senses and emotions, and imagination. Byron's "Don Juan" shows  a focus on freedom, strong senses and emotions, and imagination as the wild Don Juan pursues his own way through his humorous yet scandalous escapades. These five tenets that capture the essential nature of the Romantic poets. 

What are three quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird that reflect on the loss of innocence?

Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination of Tom Robinson is Dill's moment, Jem's is the guilty verdict, and Scout's is Mr. Ewell's attempt to kill her and Jem.

Since this is a coming of age story, loss of innocence is a theme that threads its way through.  Many of the children’s innocence-impaling experiences involve the Tom Robinson trial.  They are young, and they are just learning that the world is not fair.

One of the most profound examples of this is Dill’s reaction to Tom Robinson’s trial.  Dill, like many kids, is young and naïve.  He doesn’t quite know how the world works.  He has a physical reaction to the trial.  Mr. Gilmer’s racist and degrading cross-examination of Tom Robinson makes him vomit.

“That old Mr. Gilmer doin‘ him thataway, talking so hateful to him—”

“Dill, that’s his job. Why, if we didn’t have prosecutors—well, we couldn’t have defense attorneys, I reckon.”

Dill exhaled patiently. “I know all that, Scout. It was the way he said it made me sick, plain sick.” (Ch. 19) 

Dill can’t tolerate Mr. Gilmer’s behavior.  Dolphus Raymond sees him get sick and gives him some Coca-cola.  He tells Dill he is not “thin-hided.”  It should make him sick.  Scout doesn’t see what Dill sees, and Jem hasn’t really caught on yet either.  He is still idealistic, while Scout is pragmatic.  Dill has just gotten a lesson in racism so profound that it literally turned his insides. 

That brings us to Jem’s loss of innocence.  Despite Mr. Gilmer's performance and Dill’s reaction to it, Jem holds out hope that Tom Robinson will be acquitted.  From a legal standpoint, he is pretty sure that everything will be fine.  He thinks that Atticus has made his case.  Then he hears the verdict. 

Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty… guilty… guilty…guilty…” I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them. (Ch. 21) 

To Jem, the verdict is a betrayal.  He never really understood until that point how deep racism really went.  It went beyond treating someone disrespectfully and calling a grown man “boy.”  It meant that a black man could not get a fair trial, even when all of Maycomb thought he was innocent.

That leaves Scout.  Scout is the youngest of the three children and the protagonist.  While the trial is important to her, her childhood seems to center around Boo Radley.  Scout was pretty young when Bob Ewell attacked her.  She was already growing up quickly because of the trial, but from that moment you can’t really say she was a child any more.  When someone tries to kill you, you have lost your innocence.

“Anyway, Jem hollered and I didn’t hear him any more an‘ the next thing—Mr. Ewell was tryin’ to squeeze me to death, I reckon… then somebody yanked Mr. Ewell down. Jem must have got up, I guess. That’s all I know…” (Ch. 29)

Scout’s childhood comes full circle when Boo Radley saves her life.  She realizes fully that things are not always what they seem, and people are more than their reputation.  Boo Radley is not the scary monster of her childhood.  He is a friend.  Racism and other scary and terrible things may exist, but there are also people looking out for you.

Explain why burning magnesium continues to burn, but burning sulfur is extinguished when dropped in gas containing NO.

Both magnesium and sulfur need oxygen for burning to occur and continue. The amount of oxygen available is what determines whether the burning will continue or be extinguished. Dropping burning magnesium or sulfur into a jar causes oxygen to become a limiting factor in the combustion reactions.

When magnesium is burning, it produces more heat energy than sulfur. As a result, the heat produced by the burning magnesium causes the NO to break down into...

Both magnesium and sulfur need oxygen for burning to occur and continue. The amount of oxygen available is what determines whether the burning will continue or be extinguished. Dropping burning magnesium or sulfur into a jar causes oxygen to become a limiting factor in the combustion reactions.

When magnesium is burning, it produces more heat energy than sulfur. As a result, the heat produced by the burning magnesium causes the NO to break down into N2 and O2. The O2 allows the combustion, or burning, of the magnesium to continue. The magnesium will continue to burn as long as there is sufficient O2 for the combustion reaction to continue.

When burning sulfur is dropped into the jar containing NO, the heat it produces is not enough to cause the breakdown of NO to N2 and O2. As a result, there is insufficient O2 in the jar to allow the combustion of the sulfur to continue, and so the burning sulfur is extinguished.

What were the Meiji reforms and how were they beneficial to Japan?

**As per e-Notes policy, I will answer one of the questions that you asked. This should help you to complete the project portion. I would do the diary entry as a samurai because it changed their role in society significantly. Use the link I provided for further information on their role change.

The Meiji Restoration ended Japan's feudal period and was instrumental in the modernization of the island nation. It restored the emperor as an...

**As per e-Notes policy, I will answer one of the questions that you asked. This should help you to complete the project portion. I would do the diary entry as a samurai because it changed their role in society significantly. Use the link I provided for further information on their role change.

The Meiji Restoration ended Japan's feudal period and was instrumental in the modernization of the island nation. It restored the emperor as an important symbolic force in the lives of the Japanese. This reformation came at a critical time in Asian history because the Western powers were establishing crippling influences in East Asia, particularly China. Also, Japan was not in control of its own economic and legal destiny in a number of ways due to Western influence.

The Meiji Restoration was responsible for modernizing Japan. The quick transition of Japan from a stagnant feudal society to an industrial-capitalist power was remarkable. This was made possible by a small group of ambitious, talented, and patriotic young men from the lower segment of the samurai class. They abolished the claims of feudal lords and began to industrialize Japan. Private ownership of manufacturing and land was to follow. They also eliminated local armies and created a national army. This national army was legitimized with a victory over a major European power in Russia.

The modernization of Japan that occurred as a result of the Meiji Restoration had the following positive effect for Japan:

• The creation of a centralized bureaucratic government modernized the political situation of Japan and made it more efficient.


• The establishment of an elected parliament in the new constitution empowered its citizens that now felt they had a greater stake in government.  Also important was merging the power of religion and the state in the name of the emperor.  


• Improvement of the transportation infrastructure allowed for the growth of industry.  The government further encouraged industrial growth with subsidies.


• Improvements in the education system of Japan with greater access to schooling for all classes.


• Investment in a powerful national army and navy.

Identify the lines in Rudyard Kipling's "If" that make the reader feel as though he/she is being instructed.

One must examine the totality of Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If" in order to identify the lines that provide instruction. The "if" statements can be construed as instruction. After reading the poem, which is composed of numerous “if” statements followed by a “then” statement, the reader determines that the narrator is instructing his son on the attributes necessary to become a "man."

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,  

And—which is more—you’ll be a...

One must examine the totality of Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If" in order to identify the lines that provide instruction. The "if" statements can be construed as instruction. After reading the poem, which is composed of numerous “if” statements followed by a “then” statement, the reader determines that the narrator is instructing his son on the attributes necessary to become a "man."

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,  

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Kipling provides instruction on integrity, dreams, social standing, hard-work, prosperity or the lack thereof. Each stanza focuses on an ideal, which the author elaborates on by stating a case using “if” statements. When speaking about “dreams" and forward thinking, the lines say,

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;  

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;  

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster;

And treat those two impostors just the same;

But the author does not immediately reveal what will happen if the reader takes these actions. 

Each stanza continues to build on the theme of integrity and quiet strength even when faced with adversity. The author explains that it is noble to pick oneself up after failing, to rebuild, and to move forward.

Therefore, each "if" statement is instructional before the teaching ends in the final line when the outcome of the lessons is revealed.

What should happen to the temperature of a substance while the substance is melting?

The temperature of a substance that is melting stays the same. As a solid substance is heated, the added heat increases the kinetic energy of the particles causing them to move faster.

The increase in kinetic energy can be observed as an increase in temperature. Eventually, the particles in the solid absorb enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction holding them together in a solid state.

Particles then begin to escape into...

The temperature of a substance that is melting stays the same. As a solid substance is heated, the added heat increases the kinetic energy of the particles causing them to move faster.

The increase in kinetic energy can be observed as an increase in temperature. Eventually, the particles in the solid absorb enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction holding them together in a solid state.

Particles then begin to escape into a liquid state. As particles escape into a liquid state, energy is used to break the forces between the particles rather than add to their kinetic energy. So, as heat energy is absorbed by particles in the solid state, heat energy is also removed as particles move into the liquid state. Since there is no net energy increase during the melting process, the temperature stays the same.

Once all of the particles have melted into the liquid state, heat energy is absorbed by the liquid state particles. This once again causes an increase in the kinetic energy of the particles and the temperature increases.

What is the author's intention in Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise"?

Maya Angelou’s intention with the poem “Still I Rise” is to speak to those who oppress, and to those who are oppressed. She begins the poem addressing the ubiquitous “you.” Although her message is universal, it is addressed directly to those who caused oppression for African-Americans, and in particular, African-American women.

Angelou writes from her perspective as an African-American woman who endured unthinkable acts and cruelty, yet she enabled herself, through her inner strength, to...

Maya Angelou’s intention with the poem “Still I Rise” is to speak to those who oppress, and to those who are oppressed. She begins the poem addressing the ubiquitous “you.” Although her message is universal, it is addressed directly to those who caused oppression for African-Americans, and in particular, African-American women.

Angelou writes from her perspective as an African-American woman who endured unthinkable acts and cruelty, yet she enabled herself, through her inner strength, to “rise above” and prosper. She does not ignore, or minimize her tribulations, but instead she humanizes them.

The poem asks tough questions of the audience. The author wants to know if her “sassiness” is offensive, or her “haughtiness” unnerving.  Through her words, she speaks to humanity, not only for herself, but for her ancestors, the slaves. She will not be kept down by others' actions, words, or deeds, instead she will be sexy, sassy, and strong.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don’t you take it awful hard

‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines

Diggin’ in my own backyard.

Although Maya Angelou’s intention was to address those who feel it is their right to oppress others, she is also demonstrating the strength of African Americans, especially women, to “rise” above circumstances, situations, and people who strive to negatively affect their lives.

In essence, her message becomes universal to all people who are striving to prosper in spite of bigotry and prejudice, whatever the reason.

What does the Handicapper General and the government require of people in this society to do if they have strength, intelligence, or beauty?

Because the Constitution of the United States in 2081 requires all citizens to be equal, the Handicapper General must force handicaps on those who have above average strength, beauty, or intelligence. A person who is strong must carry about extra weight so that they will experience the same level of fatigue and difficulty in life that those who are less strong do. George Bergeron has to carry a 47-pound bag of birdshot around his neck....

Because the Constitution of the United States in 2081 requires all citizens to be equal, the Handicapper General must force handicaps on those who have above average strength, beauty, or intelligence. A person who is strong must carry about extra weight so that they will experience the same level of fatigue and difficulty in life that those who are less strong do. George Bergeron has to carry a 47-pound bag of birdshot around his neck. Harrison, who is much stronger, carries 300 pounds of extra weight. Those who are more intelligent than the average person must wear a "little mental handicap radio" in their ears. Every 20 seconds the radio receives transmissions of loud and distracting noises, which have the effect of interrupting smart people's thought processes so they can't take "unfair advantage of their brains." Harrison must wear a "tremendous pair of earphones," presumably to make the sounds louder and harder to ignore. Beautiful people must wear masks to hide their beauty or otherwise modify their faces. The ballerina who reads the news bulletin "must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous." For Harrison's part, he has to shave his eyebrows, wear glasses with wavy lenses (which also make it harder for him to think), wear black caps on some of his teeth, and wear a ridiculous clown nose. By giving handicaps to those with superior talents or gifts, the government believes it can ensure that all of its citizens will be equal.

Support the claim made on page 274 of The Lightning Thief: "There is no such thing as a free lunch." Cite three examples from the book and include...

When Annabeth says that "'There's no such thing as a free lunch,'" what she means is that nothing good comes without a price or that one cannot get something for nothing.  One always has to pay, in some way, for any gift one receives. 

For example, Percy has always been considered a "troubled kid" who bounces around from school to school, always getting poor grades.  He's had to deal with dyslexia and ADHD, and these...

When Annabeth says that "'There's no such thing as a free lunch,'" what she means is that nothing good comes without a price or that one cannot get something for nothing.  One always has to pay, in some way, for any gift one receives. 

For example, Percy has always been considered a "troubled kid" who bounces around from school to school, always getting poor grades.  He's had to deal with dyslexia and ADHD, and these have affected his studies and made him think he is only capable of earning Cs and Ds at best.  However, Percy's dyslexia is only the result of his eyes being conditioned to read ancient Greek, and his ADHD is the result of his fighting reflexes.  The feelings of shame that have come with his struggles is the price he's had to pay for his ability to control water, and so on.  He can't just "lead a normal life" as he advises readers to do on the first page.  "Being a half-blood is dangerous.  It's scary.  Most of the time it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways."  So, while there are tremendous benefits to being a demigod, there is a price to pay for it as well.

Further when Percy gets to Camp Half-blood, it will mean safety for him; however, his mother, Sally Jackson, must sacrifice herself to the Minotaur in order to make sure that Percy and Grover are able to reach safety.  So, danger for her means safety for him.  They have to pay dearly in that they are separated from one another and do not know if they will ever be reunited, just to achieve safety for Percy.

Moreover, Sally Jackson has long sought to procure safety for her son, and this is why she married the horrible and malodorous Gabe, a terrible and abusive man: because his awful scent conceals Percy's.  As Grover tells him,

"'Your stepfather smells so repulsively human he could mask the presence of any demigod [....].  Gabe has been covering your scent for years. If you hadn't lived with him every summer, you probably would've been found by monsters a long time ago. Your mom stayed with him to protect you.'" 

So, Percy has been protected by his stepfather's repulsive smell, and having to live with Gabe's smell and abuse is the price that he and his mother have had to pay for security.