Do you think Marlow's admiration and envy are justified in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness?

Though Kurtz is clearly morally reprehensible (at least by the time we the readers meet him), there is a sense that Marlow's admiration and envy of the man is, in fact, justified. This justification has little to do with the terrible things Kurtz does; rather, it relies on the hypnotic and powerful things Kurtz says.

Conrad often describes Kurtz as a terribly powerful voice capable of exerting control over all who hear it....

Though Kurtz is clearly morally reprehensible (at least by the time we the readers meet him), there is a sense that Marlow's admiration and envy of the man is, in fact, justified. This justification has little to do with the terrible things Kurtz does; rather, it relies on the hypnotic and powerful things Kurtz says.

Conrad often describes Kurtz as a terribly powerful voice capable of exerting control over all who hear it. The sheer power of this voice, and by extension Kurtz himself, can clearly be seen in the way that all of the ivory traders in the company admire and envy Kurtz, even if they also fear him. Indeed, even the people who don't even seem to like Kurtz that much cannot help but fall under the man's spell, especially once he starts talking about all of his grand "plans." Thus, Conrad suggests Kurtz is something of a personified black hole; he pulls in all objects around him with a terrible and irresistible force. In that case, Marlow's envy and admiration would appear to be justified, as he seems to have almost no choice in the matter. Since Kurtz is incredibly charismatic, Marlow has little choice but to envy and admire the man. Indeed, toward the end of the novella, Marlow even seems to be disgusted by his own envy and admiration of Kurtz once he sees Kurtz's degradation. As such, it's possible for Marlow's envy and admiration of Kurtz to be justified, even though Kurtz is not an honorable man.  

What issues addressed by David Fromkin in A Peace to End All Peace opened the way for the troubles in the Middle East today?

The enduring value of David Fromkin’s study of the political machinations that created the modern Middle East, A Peace to End All Peace, lies in the meticulously conveyed history of outside interference in local affairs, including, most ominously, the establishment of national borders throughout much of the region by the so-called Great Powers of Europe. Those “powers,” Great Britain, France, Russia, and the soon-to-be nonexistent Ottoman Empire, vied with and against each other for...

The enduring value of David Fromkin’s study of the political machinations that created the modern Middle East, A Peace to End All Peace, lies in the meticulously conveyed history of outside interference in local affairs, including, most ominously, the establishment of national borders throughout much of the region by the so-called Great Powers of Europe. Those “powers,” Great Britain, France, Russia, and the soon-to-be nonexistent Ottoman Empire, vied with and against each other for influence in Arabia and across North Africa, as well as in the vast region of South Asia that includes Afghanistan. The result was a conglomeration of Arab nations, the borders of which reflected those machinations rather than the natural evolution of nation-states that might otherwise have materialized. Most prominent among the agreements involving European powers was the Sykes-Picot agreement. Sir Mark Sykes and Francois Georges Picot were the diplomatic representatives of Great Britain and France, respectively, who, during the Great War (World War I), negotiated between themselves the future borders of the Middle East with each of these two world powers guaranteed control over different regions or countries. While the most well-known, the Sykes-Picot agreement was only one of a series of such secretly concluded resolutions dividing the spoils of war between Great Britain, France and Russia, the Ottoman Empire being a combatant on the side of Germany during the war and then in its death throes (which would lead to the post-war establishment of the modern Republic of Turkey).

Fromkin’s study is valuable for the depth of research he conducted and for the astute analyses he provides. A Peace to End All Peace takes the reader through the dissolution of the once mighty Ottoman Empire, with the resulting vacuum in Arabia providing the opening to Great Britain and France for which those nations had long hungered. The Ottoman Empire had represented an extremely formidable obstacle to French and British ambitions for hundreds of years, and the empire’s demise left now-liberated Arab tribes the opportunity, they believed, to gain independence and to establish their own kingdoms and republics. Indeed, the empire’s final defeat in the Great War emboldened such figures as Ibn Saud, eventual founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and King Hussein, whose Hashemite kingdom would comprise, at various times, modern-day Jordan and Iraq, each of those two nations ruled by a son of Hussein Ibn Ali, a leader of the Arab Revolt against the Turks during the war, to press for advantage against each other at the expense of tribes wishing to be incorporated into neither newly-established entity. While British support for the Arab Revolt against Turkish (Ottoman) occupation provided an important sideshow to the major conflict raging in Europe, that support concealed Britain’s ambition of filling the aforementioned vacuum that would be left in Arabia once the Turks were definitively defeated.

Fromkin’s book performs an invaluable service in presenting this history. The problems of the modern Middle East owe themselves in no small part to the political maneuvers performed by Britain and France. By describing and explaining these maneuvers—and one would be remiss if one failed to mention the role of the Balfour Declaration in further muddying the waters, although muddying them in a way that provided a sanctuary for European, African, Middle Eastern and South Asian Jews desperate to escape genocidal tyranny at the hands of leaders of nations across much of the world—Fromkin provides readers a solid background in understanding how we arrived at our current destination. It’s a convoluted history, but essential to appreciating the intricacies involved in the modern Middle East. That is the service Fromkin performs in A Peace to End All Peace.

What are two examples that show how Tom Robinson is a hero?

A hero is not always someone who saves another person from death or injury. A hero can be someone who demonstrates courage while facing the worst possible odds. This is Tom Robinson. Just the fact that Tom decides to face an all-white judicial system, and testify against a white woman, is bravery beyond belief for the time period. He could have easily given up by confessing to something he didn't do, with the hopes that they'd let him off with a life sentence rather than death, but he didn't. All during the trial, too, Tom never loses his temper. He always conducts himself with pride, dignity, humility and grace.

One way Tom demonstrates his heroic qualities is when he testifies about how he handled Mayella Ewell's advances. Atticus asks Tom, "Did you resist her advances?" Tom responds by saying the following:

"Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to 'thout bein' ugly to her. I didn't wanta be ugly, I didn't wanta push her or nothin'" (195).

The whole time Mayella Ewell is doing something horrible, Tom is thinking about treating her right and not hurting her. That is heroic. Mayella could have cared less for Tom because she was chasing him for herself, not out of love or anything honorable. Tom, on the other hand, specifically thought of not hurting her in the process of running away.

Tom's next demonstration of courage is found as he faces the prosecution's questions during cross-examination. Mr. Gilmer's tone of voice is rude and condescending the whole time. It gets worse when Tom says that he felt sorry for Mayella and that's why he always helped her out. Mr. Gilmer also corners Tom by asking, "Then you say she's lying, boy?" This is very intimidating with an antagonistic attorney staring him down and a full courtroom waiting to hear what Tom has to say. Tom keeps his cool, though and says, "I don't say she's lyin', Mr. Gilmer, I say she's mistaken in her mind" (197). So, instead of verifying that she is lying, Tom courteously spins his answer to suggest that she just has a different understanding of the situation than he does. This shows that Tom has complete control over his emotions and temper. He is always calm, cool, and collected. He is nervous and intimidated, but he doesn't back down; he doesn't change his testimony; and, he remains strong through the whole trial.

How did the attack on Pearl Harbor hurt the US?

In military terms, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor did not hurt the United States much at all.  Not that many ships were destroyed and none of the US aircraft carriers were even at Pearl Harbor so the most important ships were not harmed at all.  The US was able to turn around and crush the Japanese at Midway only about six months later.  This shows that the US was not really hurt that badly...

In military terms, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor did not hurt the United States much at all.  Not that many ships were destroyed and none of the US aircraft carriers were even at Pearl Harbor so the most important ships were not harmed at all.  The US was able to turn around and crush the Japanese at Midway only about six months later.  This shows that the US was not really hurt that badly by the actual Pearl Harbor attack.

The Japanese meant to destroy the entire US fleet by attacking Pearl Harbor.  That would have made it impossible for the US to go out and resist Japan in the Western Pacific.  However, the Japanese failed to actually destroy the fleet.  The aircraft carriers, which would become the most important ships in the fleet, were out of port and so were not damaged.  Only 7 or 8 US ships total were damaged badly enough to be out of service for a year or more.  This is not a very large number.  At the time, it seemed like it was a major loss because it was unexpected and because many people thought that the battleships (which took the brunt of the damages in the attacks) were going to be the most important kind of ship.  As it turned out, battleships were not that important and aircraft carriers became the dominant kind of ship.

So, the Pearl Harbor attack did not really hurt the US in military terms.  Of course, it hurt the families of the people who were killed and it hurt the people who were wounded in the attack.  It ended up hurting Americans of Japanese descent on the West Coast who were interned because Americans feared that they would help bring about further surprise attacks.  But it did not hurt the actual US war effort very much and it certainly helped the US by motivating most people in the country to participate in WWII.

Is the Battle Royal section in Invisible Man realistic? Why or why not?

I argue that the Battle Royal section in chapter one of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is not terribly realistic, but it does address genuine issues concerning race dynamics in the United States at the time that it was written. I do not find the section particularly realistic because it is so allegorical. Allegories rarely strive for verisimilitude, and the first chapter of Invisible Man is no different. This section functions as a surreal section of the novel; indeed, it is almost dream-like in its descriptions. Even the scenario the unnamed narrator finds himself is itself unrealistic. He is involved in a vicious melee that pits young black men against one another to entertain wealthy white men. Throughout the battle, however, the narrator is concerned with giving a speech:

“And while I still held him I butted him and moved away. I felt myself bombarded with punches. I fought back with hopeless desperation. I wanted to deliver my speech more than anything else in the world, because I felt that only these men could judge truly my ability, and now this stupid clown was ruining my chances” (25).

The fact that he is concerned with giving his speech gives the moment a farcical feel. After the narrator is knocked unconscious, he wakes up and is allowed to give his speech in which he espouses upholding the unequal status quo concerning race relations. During the speech, he uses the phrase “social equality” by mistake and rectifies it by saying “social responsibility:”

“Well, you had better speak more slowly so we can understand. We mean to do right by you, but you've got to know your place at all times. All right, now, go on with your speech.” (31).

These are elements that give the story an allegorical feel. It is not realistic in that this section includes an electrified rug, a violent battle royal, nude women dancing, and is capped off by the narrator giving an impassioned speech about how race relations are ideal as they are. However, Ellison is addressing real concerns and confronting the racially charged issues of the time.

What is the derivatives market?

Derivatives are a type of financial instruments or securities that do not have any value on their own.  Their value comes from (is derived from) the value of some other thing.  The derivatives market is the market in which people buy and sell derivatives.

Derivatives do not include things like stocks in companies, barrels of oil, or mortgages on houses.  These things have value on their own.  Instead, derivatives are securities that are based on...

Derivatives are a type of financial instruments or securities that do not have any value on their own.  Their value comes from (is derived from) the value of some other thing.  The derivatives market is the market in which people buy and sell derivatives.

Derivatives do not include things like stocks in companies, barrels of oil, or mortgages on houses.  These things have value on their own.  Instead, derivatives are securities that are based on those types of things that have inherent value.  One example of a derivative would be a futures contract.  Imagine that you and I agree on a futures contract in oil.  Our contract specifies that I will deliver a certain amount of oil to you on a specific date that is relatively far in the future.  It says how much you will pay for the oil on that date.  In general, I am betting that the price of oil will drop between now and then while you are betting that it will go up.  That futures contract is a derivative.  It has value because it is worth (depending on what you think the price of oil will do) the opportunity to buy the oil at the specified price or the opportunity to sell the oil at that price.  However, its value is based on the value of the oil itself, not on the inherent value of the contract.

The derivatives market is the market in which people buy and sell these financial instruments.  You might, for example, decide that you made a bad deal or you might simply want to make some cash now and so you decide to sell the contract to someone else.  They will buy because they believe that the price of oil will go up in the future.  People can and do buy and sell these types of contracts all the time.  These transactions make up the derivatives market.

How did Manifest Destiny affect individuals?

Manifest Destiny affected people in the United States. The goal of Manifest Destiny was to spread our control from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Many people saw Manifest Destiny as an opportunity. People moved to the new lands we received in order to farm, to raise cattle, or to mine for minerals. Other people viewed these new areas as an opportunity for adventure. They could go to new places to discover what was...

Manifest Destiny affected people in the United States. The goal of Manifest Destiny was to spread our control from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Many people saw Manifest Destiny as an opportunity. People moved to the new lands we received in order to farm, to raise cattle, or to mine for minerals. Other people viewed these new areas as an opportunity for adventure. They could go to new places to discover what was there. As people moved west, business owners saw this as an opportunity to expand. This would give them a chance to make more money.

Other individuals were affected negatively because of the policy of Manifest Destiny. The Native Americans had their lands taken away when they were placed on reservations. They also got diseases as white people moved to the West. Some Native Americans died from these diseases. Some of the original settlers in the western regions also suffered a similar fate from these diseases that the Americans brought with them as they expanded westward.

Manifest Destiny affected individuals in various ways.

Choose two characters who are portrayed differently or the same in the play and movie adaptation of The Crucible.

Both John and Elizabeth Proctor are represented in much the same way in both the original play and the movie adaptation of it. John is conflicted: he feels terrible guilt for his marital infidelity, but he also is tired of feeling as though he is being judged for something he's admitted to and apologized for. He doubts his own goodness, but he cannot abide the thought that his wife doubts him as well (even though...

Both John and Elizabeth Proctor are represented in much the same way in both the original play and the movie adaptation of it. John is conflicted: he feels terrible guilt for his marital infidelity, but he also is tired of feeling as though he is being judged for something he's admitted to and apologized for. He doubts his own goodness, but he cannot abide the thought that his wife doubts him as well (even though she assures him that she still considers him to be a good man). Likewise, Elizabeth is the same pious, unflinching woman in both play and film. She is unfailingly honest—except when she attempts to protect her husband, and she tells a crucial lie that paves the way to the accusation and conviction of John. He depended on her truthfulness to save them both, and—in this way—they both make one awful misstep that ends in his death (he, the affair with Abigail, and she the attempt to protect his reputation). Ultimately, the final scenes where John once again finds his own integrity and goodness and Elizabeth's unwillingness to take that knowledge from him remain intact, and these help to drive home the play's main messages in both mediums.

What is the role of nature in "A Passage to India"?

Nature in A Passage to India is used in building atmosphere and in symbolism.

Forster refers to nature continuously throughout the novel, and often to build the atmosphere of a location or event. For example, in the very beginning of the novel, describing Chandrapore, a fictional city in India, Forster consistently uses natural objects to describe the city: the Marabar Caves, the River Ganges, bank, stream, the sea, filth, mud, soil; in fact at the...

Nature in A Passage to India is used in building atmosphere and in symbolism.

Forster refers to nature continuously throughout the novel, and often to build the atmosphere of a location or event. For example, in the very beginning of the novel, describing Chandrapore, a fictional city in India, Forster consistently uses natural objects to describe the city: the Marabar Caves, the River Ganges, bank, stream, the sea, filth, mud, soil; in fact at the end of the first paragraph Chandrapore is described as something that itself appears to be alive: "...the general outline of the town persists, swelling here, shrinking there, like some low but indestructible form of life." This constant reference to nature establishes that in India, there are no boundaries between urban and rural areas and that the environment in India, both natural and social, is unforgiving.

In Part II - Caves, Forster uses several paragraphs to detail the ancient natural history of India. This makes the entire country feel like a living, evolving entity, and renders the human lives upon it momentary and insignificant.

In the days of the prehistoric ocean the southern part of the peninsula already existed, and the high places of Dravidia have been land since land began, and have seen on the one side the sinking of a continent that joined them to Africa, and on the other the upheaval of the Himalayas from a sea. They are older than anything in the world. No water has ever covered them, and the sun who has watched them for countless aeons may still discern in their outlines forms that were his before our globe was torn from his bosom.

The sun mentioned in this passage continues to be referenced the whole time Mrs. Moore, Adele, Aziz, and the others are at the caves, establishing an atmosphere of bright, sweltering uncertainty.

An example of nature being used symbolically in this novel is the wasp. The wasp is mentioned three times in “A Passage to India,” making it both a symbol and a motif. In Part I - Mosque, Chapter 3, Mrs. Moore encounters a wasp while hanging up her coat: "Going to hang up her cloak, she found that the tip of the peg was occupied by a small wasp." Mrs. Moore notes that the Indian wasp is different from the British wasp, echoing the novel's theme of the differences between the Indian people and the British occupiers. Mrs. Moore contemplates the wasp: nature symbolizes the blurred lines between interior and exterior spaces in India. The wasp here specifically symbolizes the tendency of nature to intrude into interior spaces in India:

Perhaps he mistook the peg for a branch--no Indian animal has any sense of an interior. Bats, rats, birds, insects will as soon nest inside a house as out; it is to them a normal growth of the eternal jungle, which alternately produces houses trees, houses trees.

Nature is used symbolically in a conversation in Chapter 4, between two missionaries -- Mr. Graysford and Mr. Sorley -- in which they discuss the idea that all God's creations are equal and welcome in their house. The missionaries mention several examples from nature, in descending order of status: monkeys, jackals, wasps, oranges, cactuses, crystals, mud, and bacteria. Mr. Sorley believes that all except bacteria belong in their gathering: "No, no, this is going too far. We must exclude someone from our gathering, or we shall be left with nothing." By excluding bacteria, Mr. Sorley symbolically refers to the line that is drawn between whom the British include and exclude from their gatherings.

We meet the wasp again in Part III - Temple, Chapter 33, when Godbole is dancing and meditating. He recalls Mrs. Moore and that he loves her, and he next recalls a small wasp and realizes that he loves the wasp, as well, as God loves all His creatures. Then Godbole attempts to love the stone the wasp sat upon, but is not able to. Godbole also draws a line, this time between what is included in his love and what is not. 

What are three spiritual lessons from The Canterbury Tales?

Because The Canterbury Tales is written about a pilgrimage during the medieval time period, spiritual lessons are prevalent in the text. Some examples include:

The Man of Law's Tale is about a woman named Constance who suffers for the majority of her life, but who is rewarded for her pain. Several miracles occur in her presence, and she is the emblem of Christianity in the tale. Her faithfulness to her husband, overall purity, and her...

Because The Canterbury Tales is written about a pilgrimage during the medieval time period, spiritual lessons are prevalent in the text. Some examples include:

The Man of Law's Tale is about a woman named Constance who suffers for the majority of her life, but who is rewarded for her pain. Several miracles occur in her presence, and she is the emblem of Christianity in the tale. Her faithfulness to her husband, overall purity, and her unwavering perseverance are rewarded by her salvation and by her son being crowned king. The lesson is that purity and perseverance are holy practices that will be rewarded. 

The Prioress's Tale is about a small schoolboy who faces persecution for being a Christian. He refuses to stop singing praises to Mother Mary, and is killed by Jews as a martyr. Even after his death, the boy continues to sing! The spiritual lesson is that faithfulness and bravery will bring favour in the eyes of Mary and God. 

A final example is found in The Parson's Tale. He preaches a long and lengthy sermon on the importance of penitence. This is the clearest spiritual lesson found in The Canterbury Tales as it is basically spelled out for readers and listeners alike - penitence is the only way to salvation.

What is Jem's view of Boo Radley compared to Scout's?

Jem's perception of Boo Radley actually evolves more quickly than Scout's does. When Jem first tells Dill all the background information, he paints Boo Radley as a phantom or boogieman of Maycomb county. Scout holds onto this notion as well because she is so young and usually follows Jem's lead. However, Jem starts to change his mind in chapter six after his pants get caught in the Radley fence on the night he tries to steal a peek at Boo from the backyard window. When Jem goes back for his pants that night, they are sewn up and folded, just waiting for him to come get them. This makes Jem start to wonder if Boo is friendly and not a crazy, mean person. Scout does not make this connection, though.

The next thing that changes Jem's perception of Boo Radley is when the children find little gifts in a knothole in the Radley's tree. At first it's gum, but after the kids receive two pennies, two soaps, and an old watch, Jem starts to believe that Boo is more than just a stranger. The evidence of the difference between Jem's view of Boo and Scout's is seen when they start to write a thank you letter in chapter 7 to whomever has been leaving them gifts.

"He had been on the verge of telling me something all evening; his face would brighten and he would lean toward me, then he would change his mind. He changed it again.

'Oh, nothin'.'

'Here, let's write a letter.' I pushed a tablet and pencil under his nose.

'Okay. Dear Mister. . . '

'How do you know it's a man? I bet it's Miss Maudie. . .'

'Ar-r, Miss Maudie can't chew gum'" (61).

When Jem says, "Ar-r" he is about to say "Arthur," which is Boo's real name. Scout thinks that it is Miss Maudie who has been leaving the gifts for them, so she clearly has not considered Boo as the nice and friendly type, yet. It isn't until the night of Miss Maudie's fire that Jem finally comes to the conclusion that Boo Radley is a friend and tells Scout and Atticus about it. When Scout comes home that night with a strange blanket around her shoulders, Jem realizes that the only person who could have given it to her was Boo. She says that she almost vomits when she finds out, which suggests that she still hasn't come to believe that he is a friend. Jem, on the other hand, knows.

Discuss this idea: if I take a copy of something from you and you still have your copy, it is not stealing.

There are at least three different ways to respond to this question:

 First, we can say that your statement is correct. The situation you describe does not meet legal definitions of theft.  As we can see in the link below, theft only occurs when you take something from someone, intending to deprive them of their property permanently. When you steal a copy of something (I assume we are talking about digital piracy here) you do...

There are at least three different ways to respond to this question:

 First, we can say that your statement is correct. The situation you describe does not meet legal definitions of theft.  As we can see in the link below, theft only occurs when you take something from someone, intending to deprive them of their property permanently. When you steal a copy of something (I assume we are talking about digital piracy here) you do not deprive the owner of their own copy of the material.

Second, we can say that you are still stealing. You may not be depriving the owner of their own copy, but you are depriving them of the benefits they could get from the copy that you stole.  This is particularly important in the case of digital piracy.  When I pirate a movie, I deprive the studio of the revenue they would have gotten had I bought or rented that movie.  I may not be stealing the movie, but I am, in essence, stealing the money I should have paid them for the right to have a copy of the movie.

Finally, we can say that you are not stealing in legal terms but you are stealing in moral/ethical terms.  We can say that, in moral terms, when you take something that you have no right to have, you have stolen it.  You have taken possession of something that you do not deserve to possess.  Therefore, it really does not matter if you have hurt the person who owned it. You have stolen because you have taken something that you have no right to possess.

 Which of these arguments makes the most sense to you?

In "The Most Dangerous Game," how does the matter of scruples highlight a major difference in the personalities of Rainsford and Zaroff?

Scruples could be defined as misgivings about something one feels is wrong. When Rainsford calls General Zaroff a murderer, the general counters by saying, 

"Dear me," said the general, quite unruffled, "again that unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded."

Rainsford, of course, has misgivings over Zaroff's mode of hunting on the island. Instead of hunting animals, the general hunts men and that is precisely what...

Scruples could be defined as misgivings about something one feels is wrong. When Rainsford calls General Zaroff a murderer, the general counters by saying, 

"Dear me," said the general, quite unruffled, "again that unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded."

Rainsford, of course, has misgivings over Zaroff's mode of hunting on the island. Instead of hunting animals, the general hunts men and that is precisely what Rainsford objects to. He thinks of Zaroff as an unscrupulous murderer and cannot abide the inhumane activity the general is engaged in. The general tries to explain his reasoning for hunting men, which revolves around his immense arrogance and bigotry. He says, 

"Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if need be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the earth—sailors from tramp ships—lascars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels—a thoroughbred horse is worth more than the lot of them."

Rainsford sees it as nothing less than barbaric and when the general offers to hunt with Rainsford, the American refuses, showing his scruples. He knows it is wrong to hunt men, regardless of the general's twisted logic. Of course, Rainsford does become involved in the hunt as the general actually hunts him in the second half of the story. 

Why did the United States not ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that ended World War I. After the treaty was made, the United States Senate had to ratify it. There were several reasons why the United States Senate didn’t ratify the treaty.

There were a group of senators that had concerns or reservations about some parts of the treaty. Led by Henry Cabot Lodge, they attached several amendments to the treaty to address their concerns. The biggest concern...

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that ended World War I. After the treaty was made, the United States Senate had to ratify it. There were several reasons why the United States Senate didn’t ratify the treaty.

There were a group of senators that had concerns or reservations about some parts of the treaty. Led by Henry Cabot Lodge, they attached several amendments to the treaty to address their concerns. The biggest concern centered on Article X. The senators were concerned that this portion of the treaty might force the United States to get involved in an issue that had little relevance to us or might force us to support an action that wasn’t in the best interests of our country. President Wilson refused to accept these amendments.

There were a few other factors that helped prevent our ratification of the treaty. There was some distrust between President Wilson and some Republicans. It didn’t help President Wilson that he didn’t ask any prominent Republicans to join him in Paris while the treaty was being developed. There also were some Americans, especially German and Italian Americans, who felt this treaty was unfair. President Wilson also wasn’t able to campaign for the passage of the treaty because his health began to fail. All of these factors contributed to the refusal of the United States Senate to ratify the Versailles Treaty.

Write the net ionic equation for the following molecular equation. (Use the solubility rules provided in the OWL Preparation Page to determine the...

The balanced equation is:

   `~3Pb(NO_3)_2` (aq) + `~2K_3PO_4` (aq) -> `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2` (s) + `~6KNO_3` (aq)

Solubility

We can determine the solubility of the compounds in this reaction two ways:

Use the state symbols:

• The state symbol "aq" indicates that the substance is soluble in water. Therefore, `~3Pb(NO_3)_2` , `~2K_3PO_4` , and `~6KNO_3` are soluble in water. 

• The state symbol "s" indicates that the substance is a solid that is not soluble in water. Therefore, `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2`  is not soluble...

The balanced equation is:

   `~3Pb(NO_3)_2` (aq) + `~2K_3PO_4` (aq) -> `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2` (s) + `~6KNO_3` (aq)

Solubility

We can determine the solubility of the compounds in this reaction two ways:

Use the state symbols:

• The state symbol "aq" indicates that the substance is soluble in water. Therefore, `~3Pb(NO_3)_2` , `~2K_3PO_4` , and `~6KNO_3` are soluble in water. 

• The state symbol "s" indicates that the substance is a solid that is not soluble in water. Therefore, `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2`  is not soluble in water.

Use the solubility rules: 

• "Nitrates: soluble ionic compounds" - `~3Pb(NO_3)_2 ` and `~6KNO_3` are soluble in water.

• "Phosphates: insoluble except w/ sodium, potassium, or ammonium" - `~2K_3PO_4 ` is soluble in water, `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2` is insoluble in water.

Net Ionic Equation

First, write the total ionic equation by separating all soluble substances into ions:

   `~3Pb^2^+` + `~6NO_3^- ` + `~6K^+` + `~2PO_4^3^-` -> `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2` + `~6K^+` + `~6NO_3^-`

Now, write the net ionic equation by removing all of the ions that are exactly the same on both sides of the equation:

   `3Pb^2^+` + `~2PO_4^3^-` -> `~Pb_3(PO_4)_2`

In "Raymond's Run," how do you think growing up in a city like this one has affected Squeaky's personality?

Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, also known as Squeaky, is growing up in Harlem, New York, in Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “Raymond’s Run.” In the story, Squeaky, describes the responsibilities of family members, and how she immediately reacts to difficult situations by fighting. She describes her reactions, and what her brother does for a living, which gives the reader clues to the inner workings of the neighborhood. There are neighborhoods where disagreements are not decided...

Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, also known as Squeaky, is growing up in Harlem, New York, in Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “Raymond’s Run.” In the story, Squeaky, describes the responsibilities of family members, and how she immediately reacts to difficult situations by fighting. She describes her reactions, and what her brother does for a living, which gives the reader clues to the inner workings of the neighborhood. There are neighborhoods where disagreements are not decided by violence but this is not one of them. She sees her life as “survival of the fittest.”

And I don’t have to earn my pocket money by hustling; George runs errands for the big boys and sells Christmas cards.

And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I am a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. And if things get too rough, I run. And as anybody can tell you, I’m the fastest thing on two feet.

She has to be tough and use her best skills to survive. Squeaky has a need to excel at something so that she has a position in the neighborhood. Other girls are good at playing the piano, or winning spelling bees. Squeaky’s talent is running. She is passionate about it, and practices her breathing routine in front of everyone as she walks down Broadway. Throughout most of the story, her ability as a runner defines her and gives her a way to be accepted in the neighborhood.

The people in her neighborhood live by the same tenets and change allegiances often. Squeaky makes friends with a new girl, Mary Louise, who becomes friends with someone else. Loyalty is at a premium is her circle of acquaintances.

Mary Louise, who used to be a friend of mine when she first moved to Harlem from Baltimore and got beat up by everybody till I took up for her on account of her mother and my mother used to sing in the same choir when they were young girls, but people ain’t grateful, so now she hangs out with the new girl Gretchen and talks about me like a dog...

Although, Squeaky’s personality is defined by her surroundings, and the people she encounters in the neighborhood, ultimately, her relationship with Raymond exerts the greatest influence on who she chooses to become.

What is an important quote from Joel in the novel The Bronze Bow?

In Chapter 20, Joel visits Daniel to tell him that he is moving to Jerusalem, and Daniel laments at his decision to part ways with Rosh's band. Joel then tells Daniel that Hezron is trying to arrange a marriage for Thacia, which further upsets Daniel. Joel finishes the conversation by telling Daniel that Jesus is in great danger, and encourages Daniel to warn Jesus. Before Joel leaves, he says,

"Go see him, Daniel. I...

In Chapter 20, Joel visits Daniel to tell him that he is moving to Jerusalem, and Daniel laments at his decision to part ways with Rosh's band. Joel then tells Daniel that Hezron is trying to arrange a marriage for Thacia, which further upsets Daniel. Joel finishes the conversation by telling Daniel that Jesus is in great danger, and encourages Daniel to warn Jesus. Before Joel leaves, he says,

"Go see him, Daniel. I wish---but it's too late for me now. Perhaps we made a mistake. Maybe Jesus is really the leader we're waiting for" (Speare 220).

After Joel tells Daniel that Jesus could be the real leader, Daniel has a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Daniel feels that everything he has dedicated his life to is lost. However, Daniel listens to Joel's advice and travels to warn Jesus. During Daniel's visit, Jesus encourages Daniel to love, instead of seeking vengeance. This concept is hard for Daniel to accept, but at the end of the novel, Daniel lets go of his hate and bitterness. Joel's quote encouraging Daniel to visit Jesus is significant because Jesus' message has a profound impact on Daniel's life. Joel was also correct in stating that Jesus was actually the leader they were both waiting for.

Explain how and why Beijing, China developed. What were major advantages that Beijing had during the time it was first established, and who were...

The first humans to inhabit Beijing were Peking Man, a type of Homo erectus that lived 300,000-500,000 years ago. As recently as 27,000 years ago, Homo sapiens lived in the area that is now Beijing, and remains from the neolithic period (from about 10,000 BCE-2000 BCE) have also been found in Beijing.

Ji was the first walled city in Beijing; it was built during the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties (from the 11th century BCE...

The first humans to inhabit Beijing were Peking Man, a type of Homo erectus that lived 300,000-500,000 years ago. As recently as 27,000 years ago, Homo sapiens lived in the area that is now Beijing, and remains from the neolithic period (from about 10,000 BCE-2000 BCE) have also been found in Beijing.

Ji was the first walled city in Beijing; it was built during the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties (from the 11th century BCE to the 7th century BCE). The original inhabitants were descendants of the Yellow Emperor, or Huangdi, who governed from approximately 2697 BCE to 2597 BCE (according to legend). Huangdi is regarded as the propagator of Chinese culture and civilization. During the Zhou dynasty, Ji was a vassal state. During this dynasty, King Wu, who had defeated King Zhou of Shang to establish the Zhou Dynasty, gave a noble title to the ruler of the city state of Ji. The city government of Beijing has recognized the year 1045 BCE as the first in its history. During the Western Zhou dynasty, the Zhou did not rule the territory they conquered directly but placed loyal subjects into power in walled cities.

In the book Symposium on Historical Chinese Geography by Renzhi Hou, scholars discuss why Ji, in the Yan State, became developed. Scholars cite the geographic advantages of the city. It is a temperate location on a large plain called the Beijing Plain. This area was the site of two rivers, the Yongding and the Chaobai. Unlike other areas, the city of Ji was located away from flood regions and had access through rivers and mountain passes to the north and south. In addition, the city of Ji was built on a rich alluvial soil from the Yongding River. These geographical features help explain its advantages and why the city of Ji grew so rapidly.

I need help devising a thesis for the question, "what were the Nuremberg laws?"

The best way way to go about writing a thesis for this topic is to first understand what the Nuremburg Laws did, and what effect they had, so let's start with that. The Nazi's Nuremberg Laws stripped German Jews of their citizenship, prevented them from owning property, and excluded them from most professions, many of which they had dominated, such as academia, medicine, law and business. The effect of these laws was to rob German...

The best way way to go about writing a thesis for this topic is to first understand what the Nuremburg Laws did, and what effect they had, so let's start with that. The Nazi's Nuremberg Laws stripped German Jews of their citizenship, prevented them from owning property, and excluded them from most professions, many of which they had dominated, such as academia, medicine, law and business. The effect of these laws was to rob German Jews of their possessions and livelihoods, and  deprive them of any legal recourse for such deprivations. Once the Nuremburg Laws passed, non-German Jews could steal from, beat up and even kill German Jews without facing punishment. 

Now, as for devising a thesis to describe the laws, remember that a good thesis consists of two parts: your position plus your "because clause." In this case, your job is quite simple: you need to characterize the Nuremberg laws and then give a brief outline as to why those laws fit your characterization. You could argue, for example, that: "The Nazis passed the Nuremberg Laws in order to dehumanize, terrorize and rob German Jews, and in order to unjustly enrich themselves and their supporters." 

Alternatively, you could try for a more ambitious thesis that makes a more far-reaching claim, such as: "The Nazis passed the Nuremberg Laws not only to persecute the Jews and enrich themselves, but also to demonstrate that they had no regard for the rule of law or any intention of governing in a civilized fashion." Whatever thesis statement you choose, you must be able to back it up with specific examples and analysis of those examples, so don't bite off more than you can chew. Also, before you commit to any thesis, make sure to outline the body paragraphs that thesis would require. Remember that everything in your essay must flow from your thesis. 

What is the initial situation in the story, "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" by Arthur Conan Doyle? What is the conflict, what are the...

Helen Stoner comes to see Sherlock Holmes very early in the morning. She is terrified because she thinks her life is in danger. She tells Holmes and Watson a long back-story which includes an account of the mysterious death of her twin sister Julia Stoner two years ago. Julia was engaged to be married, but she died an agonizing death which was never explained because she had been sleeping in a locked room. Now Helen has been moved into that room by her violent stepfather, Dr. Roylott, under the pretext of having repairs done on her own bedroom. On the second night she was awakened by the sound of a low whistle, which was the same as the sound Julia had described to her shortly before her death. This is what frightened Helen into taking the train to London to consult Holmes.

After Helen leaves, the ferocious, half-mad Dr. Roylott bursts into Holmes and Watson's sitting room and demands to know what Helen has been telling them. Holmes cooly refuses.

Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation is most entertaining,” said he. “When you go out close the door, for there is a decided draught.”

“I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands.

This is the only time that Dr. Roylott will appear alive. But his menace hangs over the remainder of the story. The author's purpose in dramatising his visit is to establish that the conflict in the story is one of man against man, Holmes against Roylott.

Before going down to Stoke Moran to examine the crumbling old building, Holmes does some research and learns that, under the terms of his deceased wife's will, Roylott is legally bound to give either girl an annual payment of one-third of the income from the large sum he inherited from their mother. Julia died shortly before she was to be married--and now Helen has become engaged. Roylott is obviously a strong suspect for the murder of Julia, and now appears to be planning to murder Helen. As is often the case in Sherlock Holmes tales, the main motivating factor turns out to be money. But the big question in this so-called "locked room murder mystery" is how anyone could have killed Julia when her door was locked and her windows bolted. This mystery provides most of the complications involved in resolving the case. Many of the complications date back two years to the time of Julia's death.

Holmes later explains his observations and deductions to Watson:

My attention was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was furnished with a supply of creatures from India [...]

Holmes and Watson spend the night in the bedroom next to Dr. Roylott's. At around three o'clock in the morning, they hear the low whistle Helen had described. 

Holmes sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his cane at the bell-pull.

This is the climax. Holmes drives the snake back up the bell-rope and through the ventilator, where it bites Dr. Roylott and kills him instantly. Thus the conflict between Holmes and Roylott is resolved by the death of the mad doctor.

What is a quote that describes Judge Taylor?

"He was a man learned in the law, and although he seemed to take his job casually, in reality he kept a firm grip on any proceedings that came before him" (Lee 220).

Atticus tells his children that Judge Taylor is a fair judge who takes his job seriously.Scout mentions that Atticus said that Judge Taylor believes that the "proof is in the pudding" and seldom reverses his decision when evidence is...

"He was a man learned in the law, and although he seemed to take his job casually, in reality he kept a firm grip on any proceedings that came before him" (Lee 220).

Atticus tells his children that Judge Taylor is a fair judge who takes his job seriously. Scout mentions that Atticus said that Judge Taylor believes that the "proof is in the pudding" and seldom reverses his decision when evidence is clearly presented. Throughout the trial, Judge Taylor displays his ability to maintain order in his court. There are several moments throughout the trial where Judge Taylor uses his gavel to calm the audience during exciting moments. When Link Deas stands up to defend Tom Robinson's character from the audience, Judge Taylor is quick to tell Link to shut his mouth. After the trial, Scout and Jem find out that Judge Taylor gave Atticus Tom's case because he knew Atticus would defend Tom with integrity. He is portrayed as a fair man who plays a unique role in moving Maycomb towards racial equality.

Describe at least 2 scenes from "Fahrenheit 451", which feature fire and use them to explain what/fire/flames symbolize in the novel. How has the...

Two scenes from Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451" that feature fire are:

1. The opening scene in Part One of the novel

This first part of the novel is entitled “The Hearth and the Salamander”. In this opening scene in Part One, Montag, the story’s protagonist, is engaged, with his other team members (firemen), in the burning down of a house. The owner is being punished by the totalitarian government because books were found in the...

Two scenes from Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451" that feature fire are:

1. The opening scene in Part One of the novel

This first part of the novel is entitled “The Hearth and the Salamander”. In this opening scene in Part One, Montag, the story’s protagonist, is engaged, with his other team members (firemen), in the burning down of a house. The owner is being punished by the totalitarian government because books were found in the house. Books are banned in this futuristic society. As a result, when banned books are found at a residence, firemen are dispatched to destroy the house and the books contained therein.

The fire/flames in this opening scene symbolize the power of the totalitarian government to do whatever it desires in response to illegal activities by certain citizens. These destructive flames symbolize that the government has complete power. The fire symbolizes that the government will not tolerate dissent; that the government will forcefully enforce its edicts.

2. The scene where the woman ignites her own home

In addition, in Part one of the novel, the firemen arrive at a house where a woman lives. She has been found to have books in her house as well. She refuses to leave her home and says, “You can’t ever have my books.” She resists all attempts to get her to leave the house before it is incinerated to the ground. She stands her ground and pulls out an ordinary kitchen match. She’s not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. She is willing to die for her beliefs – in fact, willing to become a martyr for her cause.

The fire/flames in this scene symbolize the courage of those who are willing to fight for what they believe in. The fire that results from the woman scraping the kitchen match on the porch railing, and igniting the trail of kerosene leading up to her porch, symbolizes righteous opposition to a decadent and immoral government.

The meaning of fire has changed in this story in that fire was once looked upon as something to quench. Now, under this totalitarian government, fire is looked upon as something to start. This government, in this oppressed society, sees fire as a cleansing tool. It uses fire to clean up neighborhoods that have homes where books are found – they simple destroy these homes. If need be, the government also engages in cleansing society of undesirables - people who oppose the government’s laws.

How would you rate President Kennedy and President Johnson on domestic issues?

Both President Kennedy and President Johnson had lofty ambitions for their domestic programs. While both men made accomplishments with their goals, President Johnson had more success than President Kennedy.

While President Kennedy was in office, several things were accomplished. Minimum wage increased to $1.25. Women’s rights were expanded. The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women was created. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed. Jobs were creating in the defense industries and in...

Both President Kennedy and President Johnson had lofty ambitions for their domestic programs. While both men made accomplishments with their goals, President Johnson had more success than President Kennedy.

While President Kennedy was in office, several things were accomplished. Minimum wage increased to $1.25. Women’s rights were expanded. The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women was created. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed. Jobs were creating in the defense industries and in the field of space exploration.

President Johnson accomplished much more. President Johnson wanted to have a legacy similar to the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Many programs were passed as a result of his Great Society program. Health insurance was provided to the elderly through the Medicare program. Poor people got health insurance with the Medicaid program. The Head Start program allowed disadvantaged kids a chance to start school at an earlier age. The Neighborhood Youth Corp and the Job Corps provided jobs for young people. The VISTA program allowed people to work in underdeveloped regions of the United States to help improve the lives of the people living in these regions. More money was given to public schools as a result of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Under President Johnson, three important civil rights laws were passed. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public facilities. The Voting Rights Act ended the practice of using poll taxes and literacy tests to deny African-Americans the right to vote. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 ended discrimination in housing sales and rentals.

There are reasons why President Johnson got more accomplished than President Kennedy. President Johnson knew how to work with Congress. President Kennedy didn’t campaign for Democrats running for Congress in 1960. Thus, these representatives didn’t feel they owed anything to President Kennedy, especially when it came to some of the controversial issues such as civil rights. President Johnson, however, had done many things for other elected officials. He knew how to apply pressure to them to get his ideas passed. President Johnson expected help on key issues because he had helped these people in the past. Another issue that was significant was the assassination of President Kennedy. He had less time in office than President Johnson had to accomplish all of the goals of his domestic agenda.

Both President Kennedy and President Johnson had many goals for their domestic agenda. While both men had accomplishments with their domestic agendas, President Johnson got more accomplished than President Kennedy did.

How do Desiree and Armand feel for the three months of their baby's life?

For the first month of the baby's life, happiness suffuses L'Abri, the house where Desiree and Armand live.  Desiree proclaims to Madame Valmonde, "'Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name."  Armand's behavior has changed as well to show this happiness the couple feel: He does not discipline his slaves in the ways he used to (at first, it was quite harsh, but...

For the first month of the baby's life, happiness suffuses L'Abri, the house where Desiree and Armand live.  Desiree proclaims to Madame Valmonde, "'Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name."  Armand's behavior has changed as well to show this happiness the couple feel: He does not discipline his slaves in the ways he used to (at first, it was quite harsh, but now, Desiree mentions that "'he hasn’t punished one of them—not one of them—since baby is born.'").  In fact, Desiree's own mood reflects directly from Armand's:

Marriage, and later the birth of his son, had softened Armand Aubigny’s imperious and exacting nature greatly. This was what made the gentle Désirée so happy, for she loved him desperately. When he frowned she trembled, but loved him. When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God. But Armand’s dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.

However, this happiness changes when the baby turns three months old.  Madame Valmonde suspected something was amiss when she visited Desiree when the baby was one month old: 

Madame Valmondé had never removed her eyes from the child. She lifted it and walked with it over to the window that was lightest. She scanned the baby narrowly, then looked as searchingly at Zandrine, whose face was turned to gaze across the fields.

Madame Valmonde is comparing the baby's skin color to that of Zandrine, the nurse who is of mixed race, a term that in Chopin's time and in the South were called "mullato."  Two months later, Desiree begins to notice what Madame Valmonde noticed; her baby's skin color is close to the same color of Zandrine, but Desiree and Armand are both of white ancestry--or so they thought.  When Armand realizes that his child, the boy who would carry on the Aubigny name, is of mixed race, "[h]e thought Almighty God had dealt cruelly and unjustly with him; and felt, somehow, that he was paying Him back in kind when he stabbed thus into his wife’s soul. Moreover he no longer loved her, because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and his name."  Armand thus returns to his fierce manners, horribly mistreating his slaves and basically kicking Desiree and the child out of the house.  

Which image of Jesus has made the most positive contribution to Western civilization? Which has had the most negative effect?

Images of Jesus Christ are interpretations of His life and work, as seen through the fallible eyes of human beings. The Bible is the source for our information on Jesus and interpretations of the Bible have shifted drastically over the 2000 year history of Christianity. Keeping in mind that these images are skewed, we can find examples of where images of Jesus have made positive and negative contributions to Western Civilization. 

Negative Images

The end of the book of Matthew (chapter 28, verses 18-20) states:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus railed against people who were legalistic (the Pharisees) and He consistently showed mercy to people. Yet some Christian interpreters took the Great Commission of the end of Matthew to mean they were to force people to convert to Christianity. Many of the negative images of Jesus derive from Christian interpretations of scripture that focus on the Great Commission and exclude the ways He dealt with people. Even today, non-Christians may not want to listen to the Christian message because it has been presented by people whose actions are not like Jesus's. This problem covers a lot of territory, including the Crusades, the forced conversion of enslaved people in the Americas, and the forced conversions of Native Americans during the colonization process.

Positive Images

A major force during the 20th century was that of non-violent resistance to oppression. This process helped free India from British rule under the leadership of Gandhi and was central to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s contributions to the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Gandhi was not a Christian; nevertheless, he was strongly influenced by what Jesus had to say about turning the other cheek in chapter five, verses 38-39 of Matthew: 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

King was, in turn, influenced by Gandhi. 

Non-violent protest works because it puts the protesters on the higher moral ground than the oppressors. The image of the small Ruby Bridges walking to school, accompanied by federal agents, while protesters made threats on her life, embodies the concept of non-violent resistance. Bridges and other children who integrated schools for the first time in the United States as the Little Rock Nine were polite and didn't return threats or escalate violence. 

Another facet of Jesus's positive image is His essential compassion for people. The first four books of the New Testament recount many events, such as when Jesus healed people, spent time with the reviled people in His society (prostitutes, tax collectors, Samaritans), and prevented punitive people from blindly carrying out the law.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8: 2-11

Jesus lived a life of love and demonstrated a love that was without fear. He cared for people despite criticism, wept at their sorrows, and was sad for their spiritual limitations, which were the limitations that put Him on the cross. Even while dying a horrendously painful death, Jesus asked God to forgive the people who crucified Him. 

Humans have fear in our lives, but through Jesus's example, some people, such as Mother Teresa, manage to overcome those fears in order to make other people's lives better. 

Taken on its own terms, the Bible is a book written for human beings describing actions well beyond a human's ability to grasp. It's unsurprising there would be many struggles to comprehend who Jesus is, and the misunderstandings have been worse than tragic. At the same time, those who focus on Jesus's love have been a part of liberation and freedom.

Find the volume of the area between xy=4, x+y=5, rotated about y=0.

In order to solve this question we will require the use of Calculus with particular reference to Washer's method. 

Since we are rotating about the line y=0, the line y=0 is the same as x-axis in a two dimensional plot. 

Hence, the equation we will use to find the volume between the area of the aforementioned graph is as follows: 

`V =int_a^b pi*(f(x))^2 - pi*(g(x))^2 dx.`

Since we are given two equations and no limits....

In order to solve this question we will require the use of Calculus with particular reference to Washer's method. 

Since we are rotating about the line y=0, the line y=0 is the same as x-axis in a two dimensional plot. 

Hence, the equation we will use to find the volume between the area of the aforementioned graph is as follows: 

`V =int_a^b pi*(f(x))^2 - pi*(g(x))^2 dx.`

Since we are given two equations and no limits. We need to determine the limits of these equations. These limits are found by equating the two equations.

`xy = 4=> y=4/x` (Eq.1)

`x+y=5=> y=5-x` (eq.2)

Now equate Eq.1 and Eq.2: 

`4/x = 5-x`

`(4/x)*x = x(5-x)` - multiply 'x' on both sides

`4 = 5x - x^2`

`x^2 - 5x + 4 = 0` -rearrange the equation

`(x - 4)(x-1) = 0` - factorisation

`x = 4 or x=1`

Now we have our limits, b=4 and a=1. we can find the volume: 

`V =int_1^4 pi*(5-x)^2 - pi*(4/x)^2 dx.`

`V =int_1^4 pi*(25 -10x + x^2) - pi*(16/x^2) dx.` 

`V =int_1^4pi * (25 - 10x +x^2 - (16/x^2))dx`

`V = [pi* (25x -5x^2 +(x^3)/3 + 16/x)]` upper limit = 4, lower limit =1

Now we can substitute our limits and solve:

`V = [pi* (25(4) - 5(4)^2 + (4^3)/3 + 16/4] - [pi*(25(1) - 5(1)^2 + (1^3)/3 + 16/1)]`

`V = (136 Pi)/3 - (109pi)/3 = 9pi units^3`  

Answer: The volume is   cubic units or 28.27 cubic units

What quotes reveal Juliet's age, Romeo's age, and the two characters wanting to get married?

Unfortunately, there is no textual evidence to declare exactly how old Romeo is in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The Friar and the Nurse both call him a young man at different times, which suggests that he is closer to Juliet's age than he is to making a name for himself out in the world. Another clue about Romeo's age might be as Lord Montague confides with his nephew, Benvolio, about his concerns for Romeo as follows:

"The shady curtains from Aurora's bed,

Away from light steals home my heavy son,

And private in his chamber pens himself,

Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out,

And makes himself an artificial night" (I.i.129-133).

The above passage proves that Romeo still lives at home with his parents just as a teenager would. His father notices that his son blocks daylight out of his life, or else he is sleeping most of the day. Again, such is the life of many a teenager. A specific age for Romeo, however, is never explicitly revealed.

As far as Juliet's age is concerned, though, Lord Capulet reveals her age to Paris in the following passage:

"By saying o'er what I have said before.

My child is yet a stranger in the world;

She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.

Let two more summers wither in their pride

Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride" (I.ii.7-11).

This proves that Juliet is 13 years old, going on 14. It also demonstrates that her father does not wish her to marry so young because she is still "a stranger in the world." Little does he know that Juliet will get married very soon.

On the night of the Capulet masquerade ball, Romeo and Juliet unexpectedly meet at the party and then later outside her balcony. It is here that they fall deeper in love and make wedding plans. Juliet mentions marriage first:

"If that thy bent of love be honourable,

Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,

By one that I'll procure to come to thee,

Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite" (II.i.185-188).

Romeo tells her he will send someone by the hour of nine to inform her of how the wedding will happen. He immediately goes to Friar Laurence to secure him to perform the marriage. He says to Friar Laurence, "We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow/ I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray,/ That thou consent to marry us today" (II.ii.62-64). 

How can I analyze The Warden by Anthony Trollope? What is its main theme?

The Warden by Anthony Trollope is the first in a group of six novels often referred to as The Chronicles of Barsetshire. The novels are set in the fictional county of Barsetshire of which the principal city is the fictitious cathedral town of Barchester.

The Wardenhas a third person omniscient narrator and chronicles the events happening to the Reverend Harding, an old-fashioned clergyman with a love of traditional religious music and a kind if...

The Warden by Anthony Trollope is the first in a group of six novels often referred to as The Chronicles of Barsetshire. The novels are set in the fictional county of Barsetshire of which the principal city is the fictitious cathedral town of Barchester.

The Warden has a third person omniscient narrator and chronicles the events happening to the Reverend Harding, an old-fashioned clergyman with a love of traditional religious music and a kind if rather ineffectual temperament. Its main theme is clerical reform, in particular the fight to clean up the allocation of benefices, pluralism, and other areas in which church emoluments seemed to be unfairly distributed. In this particular case, John Bold takes on what he sees as an abuse of a bequest in the wardenship of Hiram’s Hospital. The muckraking newspaper The Jupiter picks up on this and shames and humiliates Harding.

The most interesting part of the novel is that, as is typical with Trollope, matters turn out not to be so clear-cut as they appear to dogmatists on either side. Although the way the warden is allocated money is unfair, Harding himself is quite decent and handles his job with a great deal of personal decency and integrity, eventually even sacrificing opportunities to sustain a high income on ethical grounds. As a result of the furor over the handling of the bequest, the beneficiaries end up far worse off than they were under Harding's gentle if faintly incompetent leadership.

Thus the theme is that narrow dogmatism and rigid implementation of ideals, no matter how good they appear in the abstract, should always be tempered by awareness of individual circumstances, and that individual human kindness and charity are perhaps more important and help people more than grand ideas and principles. 

What is the most significant episode/event in "All Summer in a Day"?

The most significant episode in the story is when the children lock Margot, the only child in the class who remembers the sun and the one most pining for sunshine, into a windowless closet right before the sun comes out on Venus for the one hour it will in seven years. Bradbury describes the closet as like a dark tunnel, shows us the door trembling as Margot bangs on it and throws herself against it,...

The most significant episode in the story is when the children lock Margot, the only child in the class who remembers the sun and the one most pining for sunshine, into a windowless closet right before the sun comes out on Venus for the one hour it will in seven years. Bradbury describes the closet as like a dark tunnel, shows us the door trembling as Margot bangs on it and throws herself against it, crying, and then the children "smiling" in the triumph of their cruelty as they head out into the emerging sun. Bradbury only needs to use that single word, smiling, to convey the children's sinister delight at thwarting Margot's deepest desire.

Bradbury then juxtaposes the horror of Margot in the dark closet against the joy of the children experiencing the sun. They forget her in their delight. Bradbury is a master of description and we see and feel with the children the flaming bronze sun, the sky like a giant blue tile, and the heat of the sun like an iron on their skin. However, as readers, Margot lurks in the back of our minds as we wonder if the children will remember her in time.

What are some figures of speech in the poem "Farewell Love and all thy Laws for ever"?

There are many different types of figures of speech. A figure of speech is a phrase or a word that has or gives a meaning different from its literal meaning, like metaphors, similes, or even alliteration.

“Farewell Love and all thy Laws for ever” is a poem written by Sir Thomas Wyatt in an ABBA rhyme scheme. The poem is, as its title suggests, an exclamation by the writer saying that he is giving up...

There are many different types of figures of speech. A figure of speech is a phrase or a word that has or gives a meaning different from its literal meaning, like metaphors, similes, or even alliteration.

“Farewell Love and all thy Laws for ever” is a poem written by Sir Thomas Wyatt in an ABBA rhyme scheme. The poem is, as its title suggests, an exclamation by the writer saying that he is giving up on love and turning instead to the world of intellect.

Wyatt relies heavily on metaphors in the poem. In line 2, Wyatt writes:

Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more.

This is an excellent example of a metaphor, wherein Wyatt likens the temptations of love to “baited hooks” that he will avoid the way fish avoid lures. (Remember that a metaphor is different from a simile in that both compare two dissimilar things, but a simile uses the words like or as.) Similarly, he compares learning to not pursue pointless love with climbing rotten trees, in the poem’s final line:

Me lusteth no lenger rotten boughs to climb.

Just as climbing a rotting tree is dangerous and pointless, so is pursuing love.

Another figure of speech is alliteration, which is when several words start with the same sound. We can see an example of this in line 8:

And scape forth, since liberty is lever.

The examples I gave are just a few kinds of the figures of speech you could look for in the poem. You might also be able to find instances of hyperbole, irony, assonance, etc.

What part of the Mruna family structure do the Maycomb ladies find particularly offensive?

In chapter 24 of To Kill a Mockingbird we are given an insight into the workings of the Maycomb ladies' social sphere. Although Scout usually would have avoided social gatherings such as this one (hosted by her aunt), in this case she was unable to spend time with Jem and Dill so stayed indoors instead. 

Scout overhears the women talking about the Mruna people at the start of the chapter and says that, according to Mrs. Merriweather,

"They put the women out in huts when their time came, whatever that was; they had no sense of family--I knew that'd distress Aunty--they subjected children to terrible ordeals when they were thirteen; they were crawling with yaws and eagworms, they chewed up and spat out the bark of a tree into a communal pot and then got drunk on it." 24.261

During this chapter Scout also is pulled into the gathering, where Mrs. Merriweather talks profusely of J. Grimes Everett, a missionary who is trying to convert the Mruna people to Christianity. Though it is not stated, the implication of this work is also that by converting them to a new religion, he intends to normalize them with white, Christian family structures and traditions. 

Later on in Chapter 27 Scout reveals that she has learned more about the Mruna people: 

"I learned more about the poor Mrunas' social life from listening to Mrs. Merriweather: they had so little sense of family that the whole tribe was one big family. A child had as many fathers as there were men in the community, as many mothers as there were women. J. Grimes Everett was doing his utmost to change this state of affairs, and desperately needed our prayers." 27.287

Both of these quotes show a very biased view of the Mruna family structure. The ladies of Maycomb are accustomed to judging everyone based on how well they fit into the white nuclear family life that they enjoy. These women expect people to fit into neat boxes, and when they do not, it is upsetting and viewed as a disgrace.

This is apparent in a more subtle way by the way they treat Scout in Chapter 24. They take indirect and direct stabs at the way that Scout dresses and acts, suggesting that she is not acting ladylike enough to fit their standards for how a little girl ought to act. This is the same sort of way they view the Mrunas, although they are able to be much harsher to this group since they are both distant (in Africa) and another race (so seen as inferior by the prejudiced white women). 

The part of the Mruna family structure that seems to most upset the ladies is the fact that the Mrunas are clearly a communal society. White, Western society, and certainly American society, has tended to stick to nuclear families (post-industrialization), or, at the very least, a separation of families into separate houses. Particularly in a place like Maycomb, it is seen as unnatural to live as a family made up of multiple households.

However, the Mruna people live as one family in a beneficial way. By treating all children as their own, they are able to create a community bond that strengthens the ties between all of the people. While Mrs. Merriweather sees this as proof that they have no sense of family, it is merely a different family structure. Indeed, it could be said that the Mruna people have more of a sense of family than the women of Maycomb because they treat everyone as family rather than picking and choosing who is proper enough to be considered close. By extension, it also means that unlike the women of Maycomb, who move from their discussion of the Mrunas into a negative discussion of the Maycomb African American community, the Mruna people do not exclude a whole segment of their society as inferior or different. Instead they are one family. Because of this, the attitude of the women very purposefully shows the disconnect between what they think is important about family and what the Mruna consider most important. 

What words can be used to describe Mae's conversation with Winnie in Chapter 10?

Winnie and Mae have a thoughtful and enlightening conversation about living forever.

Mae’s discussion with Winnie was about how the Tucks do not belong anywhere.  I would use the word reflective to describe Winnie’s reaction to the conversation.  You could use the word wistful to describe Mae Tuck’s reaction.

They work at what jobs they can get, try to bring home some of their money. Miles can do carpentering, and he's a pretty fair blacksmith,...

Winnie and Mae have a thoughtful and enlightening conversation about living forever.

Mae’s discussion with Winnie was about how the Tucks do not belong anywhere.  I would use the word reflective to describe Winnie’s reaction to the conversation.  You could use the word wistful to describe Mae Tuck’s reaction.

They work at what jobs they can get, try to bring home some of their money. Miles can do carpentering, and he's a pretty fair blacksmith, too. Jesse now, he don't ever seem too settled in himself. Course, he's young." She stopped and smiled. "That sounds funny, don't it? (Ch. 10)

Mae is reflecting on the state of the Tucks' lives, and Winnie is reacting. She is not used to people like this, who live life more comfortably and flexibly.  At first she thinks they may not care, but then she realizes that it is because they have been around for so much longer than everyone else.  Living forever gives you different priorities.

It sounded rather sad to Winnie, never to belong anywhere. "That's too bad," she said, glancing shyly at Mae. "Always moving around and never having any friends or anything." (Ch. 10)

Although Winnie thinks that the Tucks’ lives are lonely, Mae tells her that she and Angus have each other.  Mae and the other Tucks are not used to explaining their lives to others. Most of the time, they just stick to themselves.  Winnie is the first person they have explained things to.

Mae tells Winnie that the Tucks are ordinary folks.  They do not deserve to be either blessed or cursed. Yet they have lives to live, and there is no point in spending time thinking about or wondering about what happened and why it has happened.  Things just are as they are, and the Tucks have to make the best of them.

4. Some critics contend Brontë intended Wuthering Heights to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of loving too excessively. Does the novel...

While it could plausibly be argued that Wuthering Heights is a cautionary tale about the dangers of loving too much, that was not Bronte's intent. But let's go through how that argument would look: Catherine dramatically compromises her mental and physical health because she loves Heathcliff so much and can't bear being without him. This causes her to die in childbirth. Heathcliff then drives himself and everyone around into misery for the next two decades because he loved Catherine too much and can't bear that she's dead.

These events do happen in the course of the novel, but I would argue that it is not the deep love that Catherine and Heathcliff bear for each other where Bronte locates the problem. The problem is in patriarchy. Catherine evaluates the situation in front of her when as a teenager Linton offers her marriage: he is rich, he is kind, he can lift her (and she irrationally hopes Heathcliff) out of the misery of their existence with the alcoholic Hindley and the sanctimonious Joseph. In her society, marriage is really her only option as a woman. So she chooses with her head, as Nelly Dean points out to her, not her heart. Catherine openly betrays the one she loves for safety, status and security. And she knows it, saying

I’ve no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there [Hindley] had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn’t have thought of it.  It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am.  Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.’

As Heathcliff will say to her on her deathbed, you have done this Cathy:

Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy?  I have not one word of comfort.  You deserve this.  You have killed yourself.  Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears: they’ll blight you—they’ll damn you.  You loved me—then what right had you to leave me?  What right—answer me—for the poor fancy you felt for Linton?  Because misery and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own will, did it.

Bronte primarily is communicating not that they love excessively, though they do love very, very passionately, but that they betrayed their love--or at least Catherine did. It wasn't the loving itself that was the problem, it was how Catherine sold herself on the marriage market to a man she didn't love.

The novel arguably cues the reader to admire the bigger-than-life, epic love that has bound Catherine and Heathcliff: first, Bronte has been at pains to make their love psychologically realistic by showing how the two bond in an acutely dysfunctional family environment characterized by neglect, cruelty and abuse. She also illustrates the authenticity of their love for each other in the efforts they make for each other (especially Heathcliff for Cathy) and by showing how lukewarm and pallid other "loves" in the novel are in contrast: Catherine mentions Linton's "frost" of a love. I don't think Bronte means us to admire the pallid love Linton has for Catherine or her lukewarm affection for him or Isabella's deluded and shallow romantic crush on Heathcliff. Catherine and Heathcliff's deep, deep love is what we remember the novel for: the very intensity of this love drives our sympathy for these otherwise disagreeable characters: it is what redeems them.

What are three events that contain cause and effect relationships in the plot "Thank You, M'am"?

The following are three elements of the plot that contain a cause and effect relationship. These are stated as sentences beginning with the word because and ending with the effect that occurred.

In the beginning of the story, Roger attempts to steal Mrs. Jones' purse. It is a large purse and Roger falls backwards from its weight when he snatches it from behind her. Because Roger tries to steal her purse and falls, Mrs. Jones...

The following are three elements of the plot that contain a cause and effect relationship. These are stated as sentences beginning with the word because and ending with the effect that occurred.

In the beginning of the story, Roger attempts to steal Mrs. Jones' purse. It is a large purse and Roger falls backwards from its weight when he snatches it from behind her. Because Roger tries to steal her purse and falls, Mrs. Jones kicks him, snatches him up, and drags him home with her.

A bit later in the story, Mrs. Jones leaves Roger alone in a room of her home with the door open. Because she is a big woman and has already intimidated him by dragging him home as she did, Roger chooses to wash up as, she orders him to do, rather than run out of the open door.

Mrs. Jones insists on feeding Roger a portion of her small meal and dessert even though he attempted to steal her purse. Because Roger appears so under-nourished and she thinks he tried to steal the purse for money, Mrs. Jones shares her meal with him.

What motivates Macbeth: Violence? Compassion?

The events that take place in Macbethcenter around the violence caused by one couple's pride and ambition and greed.  When Macbeth is confronted by the Weird Sisters and their statements about his becoming Thane of Cawdor and then king, it sets into motion a chain of events that lead to the murder of a good man, kind friend, and noble king.  Once Macbeth acquaints his wife with the Weird Sisters' words, she immediately begins...

The events that take place in Macbeth center around the violence caused by one couple's pride and ambition and greed.  When Macbeth is confronted by the Weird Sisters and their statements about his becoming Thane of Cawdor and then king, it sets into motion a chain of events that lead to the murder of a good man, kind friend, and noble king.  Once Macbeth acquaints his wife with the Weird Sisters' words, she immediately begins to plot the "nearest way" to the throne.  Although Macbeth considered violence early on, he eventually decides that they "will go no further in this business," and he resolves not to injure his friend until his wife wounds his pride by insulting his masculinity.  When she insists that he will have to live a "coward in [his] own esteem" if he reneges on his promise to her to kill Duncan, he relents and recommits to their plan.  Therefore, it is, ultimately, his pride which prompts him to go forward with the murder.  It seems to be greed and ambition, primarily, that prompt her. 

What themes do Mr. Hooper's last words and the final images in "The Minister's Black Veil" suggest? Quote and paraphrase the text in your response.

At the end of this short story, Mr. Hooper is on his deathbed, speaking to another minister and the people who have come to be with him as he passes on.  Reverend Mr. Clark has told Mr. Hooper that it is time to remove the black veil from his face, and Mr. Hooper has vowed that it will never come off while he's alive.  The final paragraph sets the scene: Mr. Hooper in bed in...

At the end of this short story, Mr. Hooper is on his deathbed, speaking to another minister and the people who have come to be with him as he passes on.  Reverend Mr. Clark has told Mr. Hooper that it is time to remove the black veil from his face, and Mr. Hooper has vowed that it will never come off while he's alive.  The final paragraph sets the scene: Mr. Hooper in bed in the midst of a "circle of pale spectators."  He admonishes them for fearing the sight of him when they do not fear the sight of one another, and he finds it remarkable that he should have been avoided for his whole life, all because of the veil he wears.  He says,

"When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die!  I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a Black Veil!"

In other words, he claims that everyone wears such a veil, figuratively.  Mr. Hooper wears a literal black veil in order to symbolize this "secret sin" that each of us has.  We are all sinners, but none of us are willing to share this reality with our fellows.  Only Mr. Hooper has been honest enough to acknowledge this fact (of our sinfulness and our desire to hide it), and, for that honesty, he is been hypocritically ostracized. 

Thus, the story's final paragraph helps to convey the ideas that we are all sinners, and yet we all attempt to conceal this fact from the world.  Further, that we care more about the appearance of sinlessness than actually being sinless, and the order of our priorities renders us hypocrites.

What are some examples of betrayal between Amir and Baba in The Kite Runner?

Betrayal is a major theme in The Kite Runner. The central betrayal of the novel, of course, is Amir's inability to help his best friend Hassan while Hassan is being assaulted by Assef. Before this even happens, though, Amir has a troubled relationship with his father, Baba. Amir imagines that Baba sees him (Amir) as a reminder of Amir's mother, who died in childbirth, and that Baba associates him with and possibly blames him...

Betrayal is a major theme in The Kite Runner. The central betrayal of the novel, of course, is Amir's inability to help his best friend Hassan while Hassan is being assaulted by Assef. Before this even happens, though, Amir has a troubled relationship with his father, Baba. Amir imagines that Baba sees him (Amir) as a reminder of Amir's mother, who died in childbirth, and that Baba associates him with and possibly blames him for Amir's mother's death. Amir also knows that he is a different person than Baba; Amir wants to be a writer and is a more gentle, sensitive soul, while Baba is a shrewd businessman and is very social. Baba never talks about Amir's mother, and it's possible that Amir views this withholding of information as a kind of betrayal on Baba's part.

The most crucial betrayal between Baba and Amir, though, is the secret of Hassan's parentage. Hassan is supposedly the child of Ali (servant to Baba) and Sanaubar, who abandons the child and her husband. Later in the novel, it is revealed by Rahim Khan that Baba is actually Hassan's father. Amir finds this out only after Hassan has died. He never has a chance to make amends for his betrayal of Hassan when they were children; this is what inspires him to rescue Sohrab, Hassan's son. Amir takes the news that Hassan was more than his friend but was also his biological half-brother especially hard because of Baba's purported hatred of dishonesty. When Amir is a boy, Baba tells him that the worst sin a man can commit is theft and explains to Amir that dishonesty is theft because it takes the truth from another person. Amir has trouble reconciling Baba's secret with this earlier proclamation. At the time he learns that Baba is Hassan's father, Amir has also lost his father to an illness, so he cannot discuss this with him or get any further explanation. Eventually, Amir tries to exorcise the pain he feels at this betrayal by adopting Sohrab and doing what he sees as his duty to Hassan and his family's legacy.

What was the notion of Manifest Destiny and what impact did it have on the United States in the mid-1800s?

The philosophical underpinnings behind the notion of Manifest Destiny date back to the first Puritan settlers, such as John Winthrop, and his group’s explicit desire to build “a new Jerusalem,” or a “Shining City on a Hill.” The belief that America and its Puritan founders had a moral right and obligation to invent a better, purer world, informed the notion of what came to be known as “American Exceptionalism,” which is the belief that buttressed Manifest Destiny, and drove our foreign policy during the 19th century. 

Manifest Destiny implies that The United States, by its very nature, and because of its founding ideals, has a moral destiny to rule the western hemisphere and to project its power and values across the continent, by force if necessary. Thomas Jefferson expanded on this notion when he envisioned a vast agricultural economy stretching from sea to sea. Jefferson's decision to go ahead with the Lousiana Purchase as president was a big first step in actualizing that dream.

In the mid-1800s, starting in 1824 with president Andrew Jackson, and continuing on with his successors, Martin Van Buren and James Polk, American leaders used the argument of inherent moral superiority and Manifest Destiny to justify their brutal treatment of Native Americans. This treatment included policies of extermination, forced migration, ethnic cleansing and the forced relocation of tribes on reservations. James Polk was a major proponent of territorial expansion both as a military leader and as a president. Although America’s westward expansion was rationalized and cloaked in terms of moral superiority, it was ironically fueled in large part by the rapacious appetite of Southern plantation owners and later, by ruthless industrialists, who believed it was their right and destiny to exploit the land and its untapped resources.

By the 1840s, the term “Manifest Destiny” had started to be coopted by mining and railroad companies, which enjoyed the political and financial support of the federal government, and could rely on the United States Army to protect its business interests not only from Native Americans who had lived on the land, but also from laborers who had the temerity to demand better pay or safer conditions.

Finally, and perhaps most notably from a foreign policy standpoint, in 1846, President Polk led America to war against Mexico, using Manifest Destiny as a rallying cry in a war that netted the United States the territories that would become Arizona, California and New Mexico. By the end of that war, the United States had mostly realized Jefferson and Madison's vision of a nation stretching from coast to coast. 

In "So Long a Letter" by Mariama Ba, does the main character have a high status or low status?

Mariama Ba's So Long a Letter recounts the struggles that women face in a society that is starkly different than Western society. 

The book is a letter written by the main character, a school teacher named Ramatoulaye who lives in an African country called Senegal, to her friend Aissatou, who now lives in America. The letter describes much of these two friends' lives together and explores the changes that occur when the women get married.

Both women were on the forefront of feminism in their younger years. Ramatoulaye explains that "it was the privilege of our generation to be the link between two periods in our history, one of domination, the other of independence." They fought male-dominated society, choosing to become teachers in order to bring up a generation of young boys and girls. 

Both young women marry men who share their modern views... at first. A reader might think the main character has high status. She's a working woman, a wife, a mother of twelve (yes, twelve), and a well-respected feminist. She reflects on the tension between all these roles:

“Try explaining to them that a working woman is no less responsible for her home... There are the children to be washed, the husband to be looked after. The working woman has a dual task, of which both halves, equally arduous, must be reconciled. How does one go about this? Therein lies the skill that makes all the difference to a home."

However, the high status doesn't last long. Indeed, the purpose of Ramatoulaye writing her letter to Aissatou is that Ramatoulaye's husband has abruptly died. This comes not long after he'd taken a second wife. In a shocking rebuttal of trust and ideology, the husband married a second woman and totally abandons Ramatoulaye and their twelve children. This is allowed in Islamic society, the setting for the book, but is a huge blow to Ramatoulaye. She cannot afford a divorce in their uber-conservative society, so she stays legally married to him. However, the husband never sets foot in their house again. Eventually, he dies.

Now she is a publicly disgraced widow. She is writing her friend (also separated from her husband), during the mourning period of her husband's death, to reflect on their glory days and on the nature of marriage and feminism. Her life has changed drastically: 

"I survived. I overcame my shyness at going alone to cinemas; I would take a seat with less and less embarrassment as the months went by. People stared at the middle-aged lady without a partner. I would feign indifference, while anger hammered against by nerves and the tears I held back welled behind my eyes. From the surprised looks, I gauged the slender liberty granted to women." 

All of the liberty and power she felt as a prominent feminist seems to have been due to her marital status. Now, she is a single mother of twelve in a society that condemns single women. 

However, she is still sought after by older men in the town looking for a new wife. She reflects on their advances: 

"I then watched filing past and besieging me old men in search of easy revenue, young men in search of adventure to occupy their leisure. My successive refusals gave me in town the reputation of a 'lioness' or 'mad woman.' Who let loose this greedy pack of hounds after me?"

Her status is low. And that seems to be one of the points of the book. It examines the way a woman's status drastically changes based on circumstances out of her control.