How does the geography of Iceland influence the way people live?

Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, almost within the Arctic Circle. Iceland was formed through volcanic activity and sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In fact, Iceland is often called the land of fire and ice due to its unique contrast of geothermal activity and icy expanses! Only around 20% of the country is inhabited, and much of the other 80% is tundra where it is not possible to grow food. Most of...

Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, almost within the Arctic Circle. Iceland was formed through volcanic activity and sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In fact, Iceland is often called the land of fire and ice due to its unique contrast of geothermal activity and icy expanses! Only around 20% of the country is inhabited, and much of the other 80% is tundra where it is not possible to grow food. Most of Iceland's population live in the southwestern city of Reykjavik or the surrounding Capital Region. Because there is so little inhabitable or arable land, the Icelandic people have a long history of surviving on preserved fish, sheep, and dairy products. Some very hearty vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, and turnip may be grown on the arable land along the south of Iceland. Today, many foods are imported from around the world. With so many people concentrated along the coastline, it's no wonder fishing is a major industry for Iceland. Industrial work, such as processing aluminum, is also common. 

Though months on end of darkness poses a risk for vitamin D deficiency, the Icelandic people are some of the healthiest in the world! Obesity rates are low and Icelanders enjoy active lifestyles including indoor and outdoor sports. Living in such a small space also makes the Icelandic people very environmentally conscious, and the country runs almost entirely on green energy.

What are we to make of Clarke's characterization of Paris as a "feminine" city? Despite the fact that we know Paris to be as much a masculine as a...

Notions of femininity and masculinity are always relative. Perceptions of masculinity and femininity are usually developed from one's interactions with people. Individuals examine others' fashions, mannerisms, the ways in which men and women relate to one another, and how social roles are prescribed according to gender.

For Stephen Clarke's roman à clef, let's begin to answer this question by using the example of fashion, which is far more important to the French than it is to the English.

In the chapter "Février," or February, Paul and his friends Bob, Ian, and Dave go out to a bar. They meet three Parisian women and begin talking about the differences between Englishmen and Frenchmen. Bob asserts that "all French men are a bit effeminate," which he chalks up to their fondness for "handbags." Marie corrects him: the bags are, in fact, "sacs à main," which literally translates to English as "handbag," though they are more like briefcases with a handle and a shoulder strap. This interest in fashion, a decidedly feminine pursuit, is one reason why Bob diminishes the masculinity of French men.

In this exchange between the men and women, Clarke presents interesting contrasts that buoy the nature of the conversation. Firstly, Bob and "the boys" have beer, while Florence has wine, Viviane a gin and tonic, and Marie "scarily" has "a double rum." Marie's ability to drink straight alcohol is more "masculine" than feminine, as is her overt sexuality. Her sexual boldness is compared to that of Frenchmen who "zey see a woman, she smile at him, he want to fock you direct, allez hop!" Lastly, Ian contrasts French women's laissez-faire attitude to "compliments" from men with that of British women who, he thinks, are more likely to perceive such speech as sexual harassment. In this sense, according to Ian, "French women are feminine without being too feminist." He misunderstands the meaning of feminism hear, which partly exists to question notions of masculinity and femininity and to dismantle prescribed gender roles.

Another instance in the book in which Anglo-French relations could be considered through the prism of masculinity and femininity is in their "Mars," or March, discussion of the impending Iraq War. The French, as we know, were decidedly against it. Stéphanie, Paul's co-worker, is certain that "France's experienced diplomats [will] gain the upper hand at the UN over the 'unsubtle Anglo-Saxon barbarians.'" Paul responds with an attempt at irony that falls flat due to his limited French. Stéphanie's comment not only drudges up the old Anglo-French feud based on the 1066 Norman Conquest—in which the French assumed power over the Anglo-Saxon tribes that populated England and reformed English civilization—but it also addresses a decided lack of refinement in the English. Notions of refinement, particularly the abstention from war and aggression, would be deemed feminine in England.

I do not agree that Clarke emphasizes Paris as a "feminine" city or presents French culture as decidedly "feminine." However, he does show the ways in which English expressions of masculinity and power are different from those of the French. Paul and some of the other male characters in the novel contrast their presentations of masculinity with those of the French and perceive their own masculinity as superior, and more heterosexual. The difference in values between the cultures, particularly the act of going to war, can also be viewed from the gender binary: war is associated with "tough" masculinity, while abstention makes one appear "weak," or more effeminate.

Why Was The Radical Republican Plan For Reconstruction Considered Radical

The Radical Republican plan for Reconstruction was considered radical because, if it would be enacted, it would bring significant changes to the South. The original goals of their plan called for giving all African-American males the right to vote. This was a huge change for southerners, as African-American males weren’t allowed to vote as slaves. It also called for taking away the voting rights of the former leaders of the Confederacy. Another drastic part of...

The Radical Republican plan for Reconstruction was considered radical because, if it would be enacted, it would bring significant changes to the South. The original goals of their plan called for giving all African-American males the right to vote. This was a huge change for southerners, as African-American males weren’t allowed to vote as slaves. It also called for taking away the voting rights of the former leaders of the Confederacy. Another drastic part of their plan called for redistributing land by taking away some of the lands the plantation owners had and giving these lands to the former slaves. Their plan also wanted to provide federal dollars for African-Americans to establish schools.

Some of the accomplishments of their plan also brought significant changes to the South. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 gave African-Americans full citizenship. The 14th amendment stated that all people born in the United States, excluding Native Americans, would be citizens and would have the rights that all citizens have. The military was put in charge of Reconstruction with the passage of the Reconstruction Act of 1867. African-American males were being registered to vote, and they began to vote. Some African-American males were elected to office. The passage of the 15th amendment said that a person couldn’t be denied the right to vote because of their race, or if they had been a slave in the past. Considering the circumstances that many African-Americans faced prior to the end of the Civil War, these changes seemed very extreme to many white southerners.

Of the four plans proposed for Reconstruction, the Radical Republican plan brought about the most change in the South. When their plan was implemented, these changes were so major and altered old ways of doing things in the South so much that to many people they were considered extreme. Thus, the name Radical Reconstruction was an appropriate name for the Reconstruction process.

What did the United States hope to gain from World War II?

I would argue that it is wrong to say that the US hoped to gain anything from World War II.  After all, the US was forced into this war.  It was not a war that the US chose to fight.  Once the US was in it, though, they hoped to gain an end to Japanese and German aggression and a more peaceful world order after the war.

The United States did not enter the war...

I would argue that it is wrong to say that the US hoped to gain anything from World War II.  After all, the US was forced into this war.  It was not a war that the US chose to fight.  Once the US was in it, though, they hoped to gain an end to Japanese and German aggression and a more peaceful world order after the war.

The United States did not enter the war in order to gain anything.  Instead, the US entered the war in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  The US believed that it had to fight back once it was attacked in such a major way.

Once the US entered the war, however, it of course had war aims.  Its first aim was to force Germany and Japan to surrender unconditionally.  It wanted to break those two countries, making sure that they would not have enough power to start another war.  Its second aim was to try to create a world where war would be less likely.  This was one reason it wanted to defeat Japan and Germany in such a total way.  The US also wanted to create a better world order after the war.  For example, it wanted to create the United Nations to give countries a better way to interact with one another and to solve their disputes.

Thus, the US hoped to gain peace from WWII.  The country wanted to utterly defeat their enemies and then to set up a world order that would make later wars less likely to occur.

At What Point In The Story Do You Find Montresor Disturbing

Montresor is the most disturbing when he leaves Fortunato behind while he is screaming. 

Montresor is disturbing during most of the story.  At the beginning, he explains to us that he needs to kill a guy for a reason that is important to him but apparently not important enough to tell us. 

I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. 

Although this is really disturbing, because he is plotting a cold-blooded murder and his only concern is that he gets away with it, it gets worse as he slowly reels poor Fortunato in with reverse psychology.  First he tells him that he has a really cool cask of wine that he needs an opinion on, but he is going to ask someone else instead.  Then he gets him underground, and keeps inquiring about his health and saying they should go back. 

Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there isLuchesi—” 

This is definitely disturbing.  It shows that Montresor is conniving and heartless.  However, the most disturbing action occurs when he actually gets his prey holed up in the wall.  At this point, Fortunato is drunk and perhaps congested to the point of being lightheaded.  Either way, he is not aware of what is going on until it is too late.  Montresor gets him bricked up before he realizes he is being buried alive. 

Fortunato thinks it is a joke at first, or hopes it is. 

“He! he! he!—he! he! he!—yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone.”

“Yes,” I said, “let us be gone.”

To me, this is the most disturbing part.  Montresor has just gotten creepier and creepier, but his attitude at this part of the story is bone-chilling.  He bricks a man up in a wall, and then says "let us be gone" and leaves him there?  How messed up is that?

Poe builds this story up very carefully, so that we can see how demented Montresor is from the very beginning.  At the end he tells us fifty years have gone by, but you have to wonder who he's talking to. 

What change or transformation does David Strorm undergo in The Chrysalids?

I believe that David Strorm goes through two main categories of transformation in The Chyrsalids.  One transformation is an emotional, allegiance change.  The other is a physical change.  

Let's start with the physical change.  When the story begins, David Strorm is a ten year old boy.  By the time the novel ends, David is sixteen.  Additionally, David is in full control of his powers and understands his telepathy for what it is.  Physically, David...

I believe that David Strorm goes through two main categories of transformation in The Chyrsalids.  One transformation is an emotional, allegiance change.  The other is a physical change.  

Let's start with the physical change.  When the story begins, David Strorm is a ten year old boy.  By the time the novel ends, David is sixteen.  Additionally, David is in full control of his powers and understands his telepathy for what it is.  Physically, David is still himself.  He has known about his power for a very long time; however, to Waknuk society, David physically changes from "normal" to "deviant."  That change in physical status occurs in chapter 12, because Sally and Katherine were tortured until they confessed to the names of the other telepaths.  

David's emotional transformation is more important to the overall plot.  The change is large, but it is more constant and steady.  The reader gets to experience David's emotional changes with David, because the book is written in first person.  Because of that, a reader can see David's gradual change from being a Waknuk society member that blindly accepts their critical "genoism" against genetic differences to a person that is actively leading an escape and fight against his former society.  It's not that David's overall personality changes though.  He stays strong, loving, and caring throughout the novel.  What changes is who he directs those attributes toward.  His commitment is no longer to his family and society; his commitment is to his new family -- his telepathic friends.  

What are some events from "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas" novel that relate to ALL the characters in the book?

The rise of Nazism and the Holocaust are two events that relate to all of the characters in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

The rise of the Nazi philosophy relates to Bruno's family. Bruno's grandparents, especially his grandmother, have to confront how their son, Bruno's father, embraces his future as a Nazi.  Bruno, Gretel, and their mother must move to Auschwitz because of father's "promotion" in the Nazi ranks.  Similarly, Lieutenant Kotler covets...

The rise of Nazism and the Holocaust are two events that relate to all of the characters in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

The rise of the Nazi philosophy relates to Bruno's family. Bruno's grandparents, especially his grandmother, have to confront how their son, Bruno's father, embraces his future as a Nazi.  Bruno, Gretel, and their mother must move to Auschwitz because of father's "promotion" in the Nazi ranks.  Similarly, Lieutenant Kotler covets the career advancement his participation in Nazism affords him.  Herr Liszt's nationalist teachings reflect Nazi ideology. The emergence of Nazism also impacted those considered "outsiders."  Pavel and Shmuel are victims to it.  They are in Auschwitz, along with millions more, because the rise of Nazism deemed them as "enemies."  

The Holocaust is another event that relates to all of the characters.  On some level, it forces people to take action. On one side, people like Bruno's father and Lieutenant Kotler are perpetrators of the Holocaust.  They are part of the political and social agenda that targets those who are seen as "different." Kotler has no problem berating those he sees as "lesser" than him, something intrinsic to the Holocaust.  Bruno's father is in the position of power at Auschwitz, part of the Nazi death machinery that defined the Holocaust. At the other end of the spectrum, people like Bruno's grandmother stood opposed to the Holocaust, arguing that it is essential to speak out against a political and social program that targets other people.  Bruno's mother and sister take a stand against the Holocaust when they leave Auschwitz after Bruno's disappearance. Finally, Bruno repudiates the philosophy behind the Holocaust when he dons "striped pajamas" to help Shmuel find his father.  As he and Shmuel are herded into the gas chamber, the physical embodiment of the Holocaust, Bruno affirms friendship amidst hate and sadness.  The Holocaust and the rise of Nazism are two events that relate to all of the book's characters.

What are the literary approaches and theories used in the story "Hearts and Hands" by O. Henry?

When discussing literary theories, we refer to the prevailing perception of what makes a literary work "good." Such discussions go all the way back to Plato and Aristotle; since the 1900s many new literary theories have been put forth, as you can see from the resource below. Writing in the early years of the 20th century, O. Henry could have been familiar with the ideas of Plato and Aristotle but not with the other schools...

When discussing literary theories, we refer to the prevailing perception of what makes a literary work "good." Such discussions go all the way back to Plato and Aristotle; since the 1900s many new literary theories have been put forth, as you can see from the resource below. Writing in the early years of the 20th century, O. Henry could have been familiar with the ideas of Plato and Aristotle but not with the other schools of interpretation that came later. In reading this short story by O. Henry, we can see that it jives nicely with both Plato's literary theory and Aristotle's. From Plato's point of view, a work of art should teach morality and ethics. At the end of this story, the other passengers comment on how the marshal is a "good sort of chap," presumably because he prevented embarrassment for both his prisoner and the young woman and because he kept the young woman from baring her heart any further to a man whose hands were tied from being able to assist her in any way. Aristotle described how elements such as "plot, character, thought, [and] diction" work together to produce an emotionally satisfying literary work. The surprise plot ending and the portrayal of the two men and the woman are used skillfully by the author in this story, showing an adherence to Aristotelian guidelines.

Looking at the approaches O. Henry took in writing this story to produce maximum satisfaction in readers, we note a detached third person narration that makes the twist ending possible; carefully chosen words for each character; and delightful situational and verbal irony. By keeping the narration completely external and not allowing readers inside any of the characters' heads, Henry can maintain his sleight of hand until the very end of the story. The marshal times and chooses his words with delicacy so as to avoid embarrassing the young woman in particular, but also the prisoner. The prisoner's words are likewise apt and full of delicious irony: "My butterfly days are over, I fear" and "I must go on to Leavenworth" have a deeper meaning than the woman or the casual reader can know at first. Even the words spoken by the two fellow passengers at the end are subtle enough to create supreme enjoyment in readers when their true meaning dawns.

Henry's masterful use of narration, plot, characterization, and diction make his work highly successful and satisfying when considered through the lens of either Plato or Aristotle.

What is an epic hero's greatest weakness called? What is Odysseus's?

Homer’s Odyssey is a heroic epic that recounts Odysseus’ ten-year journey to return to his homeland after the Trojan War.  Traditionally in literature, an epic hero possesses certain characteristics that serve as defining features of the genre.  In this instance, Odysseys is the epic hero and his weakness is referred to as his tragic flaw, or harmartia.  A tragic flaw causes the hero’s eventual downfall, or in heroic epics, causes immense obstacles and creates...

Homer’s Odyssey is a heroic epic that recounts Odysseus’ ten-year journey to return to his homeland after the Trojan War.  Traditionally in literature, an epic hero possesses certain characteristics that serve as defining features of the genre.  In this instance, Odysseys is the epic hero and his weakness is referred to as his tragic flaw, or harmartia.  A tragic flaw causes the hero’s eventual downfall, or in heroic epics, causes immense obstacles and creates foes.  In the Odyssey, Odysseus’ weakness can be seen as his pride, or hubris.  Odysseus is a strong and courageous warrior who bravely leads his men back from Troy, but he often finds himself in situations caused by his own arrogance.  For example, in Book Nine, when Odysseus very wisely tells the cyclops Polyphemus that his name is “Nobody,” Polyphemus cries out that “Nobody has attacked me!”  This enables Odysseus and his men to escape, but Odysseus’ prideful nature causes him to turn back and yell his real identity to the cyclops, which in turn leads to destruction by Poseidon’s wrath.   Upon learning the identity of his son’s attacker, Poseidon unleashes a massive storm on Odysseus’ travel and he is forced to wander for an even longer duration.  Therefore, it is Odysseus’ pride that causes his epic struggle to return home. 

In Animal Farm, is Mr. Jones really a cruel landowner or is he simply a businessman? Compare him to the people in our real world who control the...

Farmer Jones is supposed to represent the typical business or owner class rather than stand out as a particularly cruel farmer. He is a type rather than an individual, which means he is representative rather than individual: this is reflected in his generic name, Farmer Jones. He is comparable to a business person in today's society who simply wants to turn a profit. The animals are clearly meant to be the average worker. What Orwell...

Farmer Jones is supposed to represent the typical business or owner class rather than stand out as a particularly cruel farmer. He is a type rather than an individual, which means he is representative rather than individual: this is reflected in his generic name, Farmer Jones. He is comparable to a business person in today's society who simply wants to turn a profit. The animals are clearly meant to be the average worker. What Orwell is saying is that business as usually practiced exploits the average animal or worker by keeping them working hard for a very low standard of living. 

Interestingly, however, Farmer Jones is set apart by his heavy drinking. In this way, he is not simply a typical businessman. His drinking leads him to neglect the animals so that they go hungry and then revolt. This is why the animals ban drinking alcohol. Orwell seems to be saying that it takes events out of ordinary, such the neglect caused by alcohol,  to motivate a revolution. 

How did Hemingway reflect modernism? What are some modernist themes in The Old Man and the Sea?

Modernism was a movement in art and literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was marked by a drive to break with traditional styles and closely linked to the realism movement. Modernist writers experimented with different literary forms and styles. Some of the influences on the American modernists included a growing sense of a national identity, suffrage, immigration and race relations, a quickly changing modern world, and the two world wars.

Earnest Hemingway was an American novelist. He lived in Paris in the 1920s, where he was influenced by the modernist movement. The Old Man and the Sea was his last book, published in 1952 while Hemingway was living in the Bahamas.

The Old Man and the Sea fits into the genre of modernism because it is experimental and would also be considered realism.

The novel is experimental because it deals with an unusual topic outside of most readers' scope of experience: an old Cuban fisherman's fight to bring in a giant fish. It is linked to realism because the story depicts a very common activity -- fishing -- in a very realistic way. Hemingway describes the fight between the main character, Santiago, and the giant marlin in graphic detail and minute-by-minute.

Although the story is simple, most readers take The Old Man and the Sea as an extended metaphor. That means that the entire story could be taken as a metaphor for overcoming hardship in our own lives. Santiago has had a streak of 84 luckless days at sea and his young apprentice has been removed from his service, but he keeps going out on his fishing boat. This could symbolize a life with many struggles and hardships, break down of personal relationships, and the human drive to keep trying. Santiago hooks a massive fish and it takes him three days to actually pull it in. This could symbolize coming up against a massive adversary and never giving up until you overcome it. On his way back to town with the fish, Santiago thinks about how much money he will get for the fish and how many mouths it will feed. This could symbolize dreaming about a wonderful outcome before your current task is complete. Before Santiago makes it back to shore, he fights off many sharks and his marlin is mostly devoured. This could symbolize facing still more hardships as you struggle to reach a goal. Finally, Santiago is commended for his catch and reunited with his apprentice. This could symbolize hard work and perseverance paying off.

As an extended metaphor, The Old Man and the Sea is highly experimental and therefore would be considered modernist literature. Even taken at face value as a simple story about a fisherman hauling in an exceptionally massive fish, The Old Man and the Sea is a modernist tale because realist literature was part of the modernist movement, and included stories about banal or everyday activities, like fishing. 

Read the summary of The Old Man and the Sea , and find out more about the themes .

Darkness is a key idea within Lord of the Flies. How does Golding use darkness in the novel?

Golding uses darkness in Lord of the Fliesto further the action, the theme, and characterization. Since the boys are on a deserted island without adults, realistically they are bound to be frightened of the dark. They suddenly find themselves in a world without electric lights, and the darkness is darker than what they have been used to. Many of the worst things that happen to the boys occur in the darkness or as darkness...

Golding uses darkness in Lord of the Flies to further the action, the theme, and characterization. Since the boys are on a deserted island without adults, realistically they are bound to be frightened of the dark. They suddenly find themselves in a world without electric lights, and the darkness is darker than what they have been used to. Many of the worst things that happen to the boys occur in the darkness or as darkness approaches: The plane crashed in the dark; the fire that kills the boy with the birthmark happens at dusk; the boys have nightmares in the dark; Ralph loses control of the assembly because he calls it so late that the darkness allows talk of ghosts to take hold; the "beast from air" descends on the island at night; Simon is murdered in the dark; Piggy's glasses are stolen at night; and it is nighttime when Ralph learns from Samneric that Jack intends to kill him. 

Golding's theme of the darkness of the human heart follows along with his use of darkness in the narrative. Many of the worst displays of negligence, rebellion, and violence occur in the dark. During Ralph's last night alone on the island, he is tormented not just by the darkness of the night but also by the moral darkness the other boys have succumbed to. He remembers Piggy's fatal fall, and to him "Piggy was everywhere, was on this neck, was become terrible in darkness and death." 

Golding uses darkness to enhance characterization, especially of Simon. Interestingly, black-haired Simon seems to be the only boy who does not mind the dark. He finds a little thicket where he likes to go to be alone, even at night. There, in the darkness, "the candle-buds opened their wide flowers glimmering under the light that pricked down from the stars." Just as the night-blooming jasmine flowers (probably the flower Golding had in mind--see video link) bloom in the darkness, so Simon is able to retain his purity despite the depravity of the others. Even Ralph and Piggy end up partaking in murdering the innocent Simon. Only Simon in the novel is able to face the darkness of the Lord of the Flies, in his vision even entering inside the mouth where "there was blackness within, blackness that spread." He also faces the "beast from air," examining it until he understands what it is--a decomposing paratrooper--and setting it free from the parachute. Of all the boys, Simon can touch darkness without being tainted by it, perhaps because he alone understands "mankind's essential illness." 

In The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, what was controversial about Ayrton Senna's last race?

The controversy regarding Ayrton Senna's last race lay in the differing accounts of how he died.

Accordingly, Ayrton Senna had died when his car veered off the course on the day of the San Marino Grand Prix. He had been traveling at one-hundred-and-ninety-miles per hour, and his car had crashed into a concrete barrier. Ayrton died after sustaining injuries to his head when a piece of suspension penetrated his helmet. His death was controversial, however,...

The controversy regarding Ayrton Senna's last race lay in the differing accounts of how he died.

Accordingly, Ayrton Senna had died when his car veered off the course on the day of the San Marino Grand Prix. He had been traveling at one-hundred-and-ninety-miles per hour, and his car had crashed into a concrete barrier. Ayrton died after sustaining injuries to his head when a piece of suspension penetrated his helmet. His death was controversial, however, because there was no consensus as to how he died. The question lay in whether Ayrton died en route to the hospital or whether he died on the tracks.

Yet, camera footage of the accident had "mysteriously disappeared," leaving no conceivable way of determining the true cause of Ayrton's death. To add to the controversy, the FIA (Federation Internationale de L'Automobile) was known to have a high stake in the affair. According to the law in Italy, a driver's death on the tracks had to be investigated immediately, and all races were to be discontinued until investigations were complete. On the other hand, if the driver died in the helicopter on the way to the hospital, the race was allowed to continue. Since any moratorium always led to the loss of millions of dollars in revenue for the FIA, sponsors, and stakeholders, it was clearly in the FIA's interest to assure the continuation of the race.

So, the controversy lay in whether there was any attempt on the part of the FIA to cover up the true cause of Ayrton's death.

How does Sofi begin building a community of resistance?

Sofia's civic action is how she begins to build a community of resistance.

Sofia's resistance operates outside of the traditionally prescribed realm for women.  Convention dictates that she find her life's purpose as a daughter, wife, and mother. However, Sofia recognizes that meaning in her life will not be found through these narrow constructions.  Her attempts at resistance exist outside of the reality that many women like her must endure.

Sofi builds a community of...

Sofia's civic action is how she begins to build a community of resistance.

Sofia's resistance operates outside of the traditionally prescribed realm for women.  Convention dictates that she find her life's purpose as a daughter, wife, and mother. However, Sofia recognizes that meaning in her life will not be found through these narrow constructions.  Her attempts at resistance exist outside of the reality that many women like her must endure.

Sofi builds a community of resistance through civic action. One example of this is when she runs for mayor:  "Then why stop at mayor? Why not elect herself la juez de paz or Ja comandante of Tome as they had had in the old days? Why not be Queen of Tome for that matter?"  Sofi recognizes that she can bring people together through political activism.  She works towards organizing laborers and farmers, the poorest of society.  Sofi builds community through public works that benefit more people and gives voice to the voiceless.  At the end of the novel Sofi founds an organization dedicated to mothers who have seen their children die young.  This is another civic action whose intent is to develop a communitarian form of resistance.  She does not accept that her powerlessness to combat pain.  Rather, she establishes strength through forging bonds with others. In doing so, her political actions help form a resistance in developing a stronger community. 

In Lois Lowry's The Giver, how does Jonas respond to different events?

There are three major events that influence Jonas in The Giver: his first memory that he receives; when he discovers colors; and when he sees his father kill an innocent baby. With each event, Jonas discovers a little bit more about the sacrifices the community makes in order to live under a condition called Sameness. With every benefit that the community receives, such as safety, peace, and equality, they also must give up something just as precious in return. These three events are pivotal to how Jonas responds to his new assignment as the Receiver of Memory.

In chapter 11, the first memory Jonas receives is about sliding down a snowy hill on a sled. He absolutely loves sledding! Afterwards, he says that he was "Surprised" with the whole experience (82). Then, he asks the Giver why they don't have something so fun like snow anymore. The answer, of course, is Sameness. In an effort to live with perfect Climate Control, snow was taken away. Jonas reacts by frowning and saying, "I wish we had those things, still. Just now and then" (84).

Next, colors are discussed in chapters 12 and 13. As Jonas realizes that Fiona's hair and apples are red, the Giver helps him to notice other colors in the memories he gives him. Again, the answer to why the community does not have colors is because of Sameness. By giving up colors, they are able to control people's preferences and desires for making individual choices. Jonas reacts by saying the following:

"If everything's the same, then there aren't any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things! A blue tunic, or a red one" (97).

Finally, and the most influential event that breeds the biggest reaction from Jonas is seeing his father inject a lethal drug into a newborn baby in chapter 19. The baby is a twin who weighs less than his brother, so he must die in order to maintain population control. 

"He killed it! My father killed it! Jonas said to himself, stunned at what he was realizing. He continued to stare at the screen numbly" (150).

As a result of witnessing this event, Jonas plots with the Giver to overthrow the system of Sameness. This is the final straw. Jonas cannot help a community that wants to do these things in order to achieve peace and stability for a chosen few. 

Why is Timothy's death important (what does it teach Phillip) in The Cay by Theodore Taylor?

In The Cayby Theodore Taylor, Timothy's death is important for a couple of reasons. First of all, Phillip quickly realizes how much Timothy has taught him in the amount of time they have been on the cay. Phillip started out resenting Timothy and thinking he was less important than Phillip and his white family and friends, but during their time together, Phillip begins to understand that Timothy is very intelligent about the ways of...

In The Cay by Theodore Taylor, Timothy's death is important for a couple of reasons. First of all, Phillip quickly realizes how much Timothy has taught him in the amount of time they have been on the cay. Phillip started out resenting Timothy and thinking he was less important than Phillip and his white family and friends, but during their time together, Phillip begins to understand that Timothy is very intelligent about the ways of the outdoors and that he is just as important as anyone else. When Timothy dies, Phillip recognizes that Timothy has been a father figure to him and he loves him like a father.

Furthermore, Phillip now has all of the qualities he needs to survive alone on the cay, thanks to Timothy. Once Timothy is gone, and Phillip has to do everything for himself, he sees what an important teacher and influence Timothy has been for him. Even after he's finally rescued, Phillip prefers spending time down on the docks with those who knew Timothy--he has matured way beyond the little boy he was when they were first stranded.

How can I describe the rise of the English Empire in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Australia?

The first records of English explorers arriving to the Australia/New Zealand region are from 1606; they referred to the huge unknown southern landmass as Terra Australis Incognita, which means "unknown southern landmass"---but the name Australia stuck.

(Aotearoa is simply the Maori name for New Zealand, originally the Maori name for the north island but later expanded to the whole country. I'm more used to calling it New Zealand, so that's what I'll use.)

New Zealand was first reported by European sources in 1642, by Abel Tasman, for whom Tasmania is named. It is rumored he was actually looking for this mysterious Terra Australis Incognita but got lost.

By that time, Aborigine people in Australia and Maori people in New Zealand had already been living there for thousands of years, having migrated ultimately from Southeast Asia roughly 70,000 years ago.

Several different European nations explored the region, mainly with trading vessels en route to China; but no one officially claimed Australia until 1770, when Lieutenant James Cook claimed the entire continent for England. (Yes, apparently, one can just do that. Eddie Izzard has a hilarious routine about this: "Do you have a flag?")

English colonists did not begin arriving in Australia until 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip established a colony of about 1,000 people near what would ultimately become Sydney. The initial colonization efforts were not very successful, and carried a very high death rate (the Second Fleet was particularly ill-fated and became known as the "Death Fleet"). As a result, England's government decided that Australia was unsuitable for conventional colonization and instead made New South Wales a penal colony---that is, a gigantic prison for incorrigible criminals.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was claimed in 1779, and mainly colonized by hunters of whales and seals as well as missionaries hoping to convert the Maori to Christianity.

New South Wales remained a penal colony until 1823, and thus its initial population mainly was comprised of convicts and soldiers and their families. Then at last it became a free colony of the British Empire.

New Zealand did not become officially a British colony until 1840 with the Treaty of Waitangi, after which British colonists became much more plentiful and conflicts with the Maori that had previously been relatively minor became much more violent.

In 1854, New Zealand became a Commonwealth of the British Empire. Today it is widely regarded as an independent country, though there is no clear date at which this occurred. New Zealand's Parliament was simply ceded more and more power over governance of the country, so that under common law it is now regarded as an independent nation.

Australia took a bit longer to assemble. Western Australia was established in 1827, followed by South Australia in 1836, Victoria in 1851, and Queensland in 1859. Australia officially became its own Commonwealth in 1901 and has been largely independent ever since, though it remains officially under the British Crown.

Being almost diametrically opposite the UK on the globe, Australia and New Zealand were a major part of why the sun never set on the British Empire.

How many systems does the spleen help? How many roles does the spleen have?

The spleen is a small organ located in the abdomen, just behind the stomach. It is sort of a "multipurpose" organ, and has roles in the circulatory, lymphatic, and immune systems. 

Though the spleen is quite small, it plays a big part in making sure we have healthy blood circulating through our bodies. The spleen's most important role is to filter out any red blood cells which are beginning to break down. The spleen can...

The spleen is a small organ located in the abdomen, just behind the stomach. It is sort of a "multipurpose" organ, and has roles in the circulatory, lymphatic, and immune systems. 

Though the spleen is quite small, it plays a big part in making sure we have healthy blood circulating through our bodies. The spleen's most important role is to filter out any red blood cells which are beginning to break down. The spleen can recycle usable components from these cells, like iron, in making new red blood cells. The spleen also serves to store blood in its highly elastic vascular tissue, so that if one sustains an injury or loses blood, these reserves can be put to use.

As a part of the lymphatic system, the spleen can detect and filter out bacteria and viruses. In the event of (potential) infection, the spleen helps to produce lymphocytes, which are cells that attack and break down illness-causing agents. Lymphocytes are also produced in the lymph nodes. In this function, the lymphatic and immune systems are highly connected, as it is the production of lymphocytes that helps to protect the body from infection.

How can I compare and contrast Sonnet 18 and Sonnet 130? How are they similar or different when talking about the theme of appearance?

In William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 and Sonnet 130, the speakers praise the beauty of their lovers through abundant metaphors and figurative imagery that uphold the theme of appearance. In Sonnet 18, the speaker begins his admiration with the initial lines of "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?  / Thou art more lovely and more temperate" (1-2).  Here, the speaker claims his love is more beautiful than a summer day, claiming “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, / And summer’s lease hath all too short a date” (3-4).  The beauty of his love is greater than a summer day because the fair season often has strong winds that damage delicate flowers and the season is fleeting—it never lasts.  Thus, the theme of appearance in Sonnet 18 is centered on the premise of youthful beauty, and the speaker goes to great lengths to compare his love to “nature’s changing course” (8).  However, in contrasting Sonnet 18 with Sonnet 130, the speaker never actually describes the physical appearance of his lover, but instead compares it to natural events, asserting the beauty is eternal.  The speaker states, “But thy eternal summer shall not fade, / Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st” (9-10).  Therefore, the theme of appearance is not grounded in the physical sense, but in the metaphysical sense that his lover’s beauty will be immortalized.  

Similar to Sonnet 18, Sonnet 130 compares a lover’s beauty to nature. The speaker begins with the following lines:

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;

Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;

If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. (1-4)

Again, the first line compares the lover’s appearance to the sun, but does so in an adverse way. The speaker again notes how his lover’s beauty is incomparable to natural elements, such as “sun,” “coral,” “snow,” and “wires,” but in contrast to Sonnet 18, Sonnet 130 provides a physical description of the lover’s appearance.  Further, Sonnet 130 is more concerned with the physicality of the subject as opposed to the youthful soul and immortal beauty of the subject in Sonnet 18.  Thus, in terms of appearance, Sonnet 18 is metaphysical, while Sonnet 130 is physical.  The speaker of Sonnet 130 goes on to chastise other poets for exaggerating descriptions and using elaborate figurative language to describe their lovers.  The speaker concludes Sonnet 130 with the quatrain, “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare” (13-14). Here, the speaker pokes fun at poems that ridiculously compare women to beautiful nature, as those descriptions are often over-idolized and false representations. This line is ironic in terms of the language of Sonnet 18, but it simultaneously shows two stances on presenting a theme of appearance through poetic language.

What would you include in a fireside chat if you were Franklin D. Roosevelt to explain why the Civilian Conservation Corps was necessary?

President Franklin Roosevelt often spoke to the American people over the radio to keep the American people updated on what the government was doing to help end the Great Depression. He also spoke to the American people about other issues. These talks were known as fireside chats.

If President Roosevelt had spoken to the American people about the need to create the Civilian Conservation Corps, he would have emphasized several key points. He would have...

President Franklin Roosevelt often spoke to the American people over the radio to keep the American people updated on what the government was doing to help end the Great Depression. He also spoke to the American people about other issues. These talks were known as fireside chats.

If President Roosevelt had spoken to the American people about the need to create the Civilian Conservation Corps, he would have emphasized several key points. He would have talked about the need to employ young people. This would keep them out of trouble and would allow them to develop skills they could use after their time in the Civilian Conservation Corps ended. These young men would also gain confidence as they took part in the program. This program would employ young men to work on conservation projects in the West for approximately six months. This would be good for these young men, for our economy, and for our conservation efforts. He would have told the American people this was a winning situation for everybody, and this program should be supported by the American people.

Where are some quotes in Things Fall Apart that represent the theme of education?

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a twentieth century narrative that recounts the tragic demise of Okonkwo, the leader of the African Igbo community of Umuofia, through a series of colonial invasions from European missionaries.  Perhaps one of the most prominent quotes from the novel is presented in Chapter 20 when Obierika and Okonkwo are discussing the changes that the white men are bringing:

“Does the white man understand our custom about land?”

“How can...

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a twentieth century narrative that recounts the tragic demise of Okonkwo, the leader of the African Igbo community of Umuofia, through a series of colonial invasions from European missionaries.  Perhaps one of the most prominent quotes from the novel is presented in Chapter 20 when Obierika and Okonkwo are discussing the changes that the white men are bringing:

“Does the white man understand our custom about land?”

“How can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad . . .” (Chapter 20).

This quote exemplifies the theme of education as it pertains to this novel.  There is a disconnect between the African tribes and the white settlers/missionaries because they do not understand the customs, language, or perspectives of the other.  Therefore, education becomes paramount in how the Igbo cling to their traditions and how the colonial imposition is able to infiltrate the African community. 

The following quotes take up different aspects on the theme of education in Things Fall Apart:

• “Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten” (Chapter 1).  This metaphor appears in the beginning of the novel to establish the importance of language among the Igbo community.  This is significant because as the novel progresses, language becomes the way through which the white men are able to take control of the tribes.  This presents education as a colonialization tactic.

• “Whenever Mr. Brown went to that village he spent long hours with Akunna in his obi talking through an interpreter about religion. Either of them succeeded in converting the other but they learned more about their different beliefs” (Chapter 21).  This quote expertly upholds the theme of education in the novel.  Mr. Brown, the white Christian missionary, tries to sway Akunna to Christianity.  The dialogue between the two men shows that both men have faith in a belief system that is rather similar, but their inability to understand the customs behind the other prevents them from finding common ground.

• “Mr. Brown learnt a good deal about the religion of the clan and he came to the conclusion that a frontal attack on it would not succeed.  And so he built a school and a little hospital in Umuofia.  He went from family to family begging people to send their children to his school . . . Mr. Brown begged and argued and prophesized.  He said that the leaders of the land in the future would be men and women who had learnt to read and write.  If Umuofia failed to send her children to the school, strangers would come from other places to rule them” (Chapter 21). This excerpt presents the theme of education as a necessity for cultural survival and community control.  As Mr. Brown states, education is the means through which dominance is communicated and maintained, making it vital for the clansmen to be educated.  However, the antithesis to this is that the Igbo were educated, but not in the Eurocentric system of values. 

• “[Mr. Brown] had just sent Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye, who was now called Isaac, to the new training college for teachers in Umuru” (Chapter 21).   This is another quote exemplifying the role of education in the Igbo transitioning to post-colonial civilization.

• “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion.  We were amused at his foolishness and allowed his to stay.  Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one.  He has put his knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart” (Chapter 20). This quote shows how the tribe has fallen apart from within, and this was accomplished through the religious education that Mr. Brown promoted.  He gave members of the tribe new perspectives and information that went against what they previously knew, and this caused divisions within the clan.

What is the relationship between the narrator and narratee in the short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"?

In this story, the narrator often speaks directly to the readers, assuming we're incredulous about the utopian nature of Omelas, anticipating and addressing our logical objections, and even inviting us to imagine aspects of Omelas in any way we want to.

Because this story is told to an imaginary listener who actively questions the information and actively fills in the details about it, we realize that the narrator is making certain assumptions about who she's...

In this story, the narrator often speaks directly to the readers, assuming we're incredulous about the utopian nature of Omelas, anticipating and addressing our logical objections, and even inviting us to imagine aspects of Omelas in any way we want to.

Because this story is told to an imaginary listener who actively questions the information and actively fills in the details about it, we realize that the narrator is making certain assumptions about who she's talking to. A narratee emerges: an invisible person to whom the narrator is telling the story.

The narratee, then, is someone who has no prior knowledge of Omelas and holds a skeptical attitude toward it. In contrast, the narrator has extensive knowledge of it, with access to all kinds of details about the festival, the system of government, the horrible abuse of the child, and the citizens' thoughts, feelings, and reactions to that abuse. The narratee is told about the shifting nature of Omelas and the flexibility of some of its finer details (which makes sense when readers consider Omelas a representation of any human society) and the narrator even has knowledge about this looseness of attributes in Omelas.

In addition, the narratee is an educated person whom the narrator treats with a respectful tone. We can tell because the narrator uses sophisticated diction ("magnanimous," "paradox," "poignancy") and never belabors any points, keeping the story moving swiftly and assuming the narratee has no need for too much explanation. In inviting the narratee to imagine aspects of Omelas in any preferred way, the narrator implies that the narratee is equally skilled in imagining realistic details.

Lastly, the narratee is a rational, mature adult, and the narrator treats him or her as such. The narrator gives descriptions of the hypothetical drug use and sexual promiscuity in Omelas without having to add any commentary like "Don't do this at home, kids." She also holds back no details in the horrible description of the abhorrent child abuse there, knowing that the narratee can handle it. Most importantly, the narrator respects the logical mind of the narratee, asking only after the description of the child abuse: "Now do you believe in them? Are they not more credible?"

What will happen to demand for pizza from a given shop if that shop faces new competition? Please see attached image for more.

When a restaurant that previously had no competition faces new competition, the elasticity of demand for its food will rise.  In the context of the scenario that your image presents to us, your new demand curve will have to go through Point Y, not Point Z. 

To understand why this is, we have to think about what will happen to the slope of your demand curve. The slope of a demand curve is determined by...

When a restaurant that previously had no competition faces new competition, the elasticity of demand for its food will rise.  In the context of the scenario that your image presents to us, your new demand curve will have to go through Point Y, not Point Z. 

To understand why this is, we have to think about what will happen to the slope of your demand curve. The slope of a demand curve is determined by the price elasticity of demand for that product.  Price elasticity of demand refers to how much the quantity demanded of the product changes when the price changes.  If demand is elastic, a change in price leads to a greater change in quantity demanded. In graphic terms, what this means is that the more elastic the demand, the less steep the slope will be.  This is because the shallower (less steep) slope means that the quantity of pizza changes more with any given change in price.

Now we have to figure out whether demand for Theresa’s pizza will become more or less elastic. Demand for a product becomes more elastic when there are more substitutes for that product.  Your scenario specifies that the noodle and taco restaurants are acceptable substitutes for pizza. Therefore, demand for the pizza will be more elastic and the demand curve will be less steep.  A line that goes through Points A and Y will be shallower than one that goes through Points A and Z.

When a restaurant gets more competition, the elasticity of the demand for its food rises.  This is represented on your graph by a line that goes through Points A and Y.

Why did North Carolina and Rhode Island not ratify the Constitution?

North Carolina and Rhode Island did ratify the Constitution. They were the last states to do so. There were reasons for their delay in ratifying the Constitution.

When the Constitutional Convention was held, Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the meeting. Rhode Island had little interest in creating a new plan of government, especially one that would give the federal government more power. However, after the other twelve states ratified...

North Carolina and Rhode Island did ratify the Constitution. They were the last states to do so. There were reasons for their delay in ratifying the Constitution.

When the Constitutional Convention was held, Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the meeting. Rhode Island had little interest in creating a new plan of government, especially one that would give the federal government more power. However, after the other twelve states ratified the Constitution, Rhode Island eventually ratified the Constitution. There were several votes held to ratify the Constitution that had failed in Rhode Island, but they eventually did ratify it.

North Carolina originally voted to take no stance regarding the new Constitution. They were concerned that there were no protections of individual liberties. They wanted to see a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution and suggested various amendments. Once enough states had ratified the Constitution and a promise was made to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution, North Carolina eventually did agree to ratify it.

While North Carolina and Rhode Island didn’t originally ratify the Constitution, both states eventually agreed to ratify it.

How did Rome's acceptance of Christianity change the world?

The adoption of Christianity by the Romans in the late Fourth Century had a dramatic impact on the world.  Early Christianity had a relatively small following and much of it was underground.  Through the infrastructure and organization of Rome, the religion gained remarkable traction and became one of the major religions of the world.  This had the effect of changing the Roman culture. Romans lost a sense of tradition and culture that they shared for...

The adoption of Christianity by the Romans in the late Fourth Century had a dramatic impact on the world.  Early Christianity had a relatively small following and much of it was underground.  Through the infrastructure and organization of Rome, the religion gained remarkable traction and became one of the major religions of the world.  This had the effect of changing the Roman culture. Romans lost a sense of tradition and culture that they shared for centuries as their pagan beliefs became targets of the early Christian church.  Some historians attribute the adoption of Christianity as one of the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire.  The fall of the Roman Empire ushered in a period of decline called the Dark Ages.  During this time, the Roman Catholic Church enjoyed a period of great wealth and influence.  If not for the adoption of Christianity by Roman emperors, the religion may have remained obscure and underground. All of the positive and negative actions of the Roman Catholic Church in history should be attributed to the conversion of the Romans to Christianity.  

In "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl," why was Anne angry with her father?

"Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl" contains the notes that Anne made to her "Dearest Kitty" (the name she gives to her diary) when her family has no choice but to go into hiding to escape persecution as Jews in Holland during World War II. Her family stays in "The Secret Annex" with another family, and, with the help of many good people, they remain undiscovered for more than two years.  

Anne...

"Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl" contains the notes that Anne made to her "Dearest Kitty" (the name she gives to her diary) when her family has no choice but to go into hiding to escape persecution as Jews in Holland during World War II. Her family stays in "The Secret Annex" with another family, and, with the help of many good people, they remain undiscovered for more than two years.  

Anne often discusses her relationships with her family. She is never able to bond with her mother or her sister, but in one of her first diary entries, prior to going into the annex, Anne describes her father as  "the most adorable father I've ever seen" (Saturday, June 20 1942). Even shortly after going into the annex, Anne mentions that, "I feel myself drifting further away from Mother and Margot" (Sunday, July 12 1942). In the same diary entry, Anne acknowledges that her father loves her dearly but she is upset that, despite this, he still "sides with Mother and Margot" on most occasions although he never stays angry for long. 

On Saturday, November 7 1942, Anne relates an incident in which her mother "scolds" her for upsetting Margot but, instead of her father trying to find out the whole story, he immediately jumps to Margot's defense and Anne feels a "gnawing ache" because of her father's behavior. She is deeply hurt. On Saturday, January 30 1943, Anne talks about how she feels angry with everyone, even her father when she is overwhelmed by their  difficult circumstances in the Annex.

Are there any characters similar to to Scout, Atticus, and Jem from To Kill A Mockingbird in The Help?

Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird bears a very close resemblance to Skeeter, one of the protagonists of The Help. Like Scout, Skeeter sees the injustice of racial relations in the south (though Skeeter lives in Mississippi in the 1960s, and Scout lives in Alabama in the 1930s). Through her writing, Skeeter exposes the unjust ways African-American maids are treated. Scout experiences the injustice of race relations the way a young child would, so...

Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird bears a very close resemblance to Skeeter, one of the protagonists of The Help. Like Scout, Skeeter sees the injustice of racial relations in the south (though Skeeter lives in Mississippi in the 1960s, and Scout lives in Alabama in the 1930s). Through her writing, Skeeter exposes the unjust ways African-American maids are treated. Scout experiences the injustice of race relations the way a young child would, so in this sense, she is different from Skeeter. Still, they are both independent minded and are willing to buck the gender and racial norms that were entrenched in the south. Skeeter, for example, does not get married and winds up heading to New York to work in publishing, while Scout refuses to wear dresses and decides to fight like a boy.

Skeeter's father, Carlton Phelan, who she refers to as "Daddy," is similar to Atticus. Mr. Phelan runs a farm and has a paternalistic attitude towards his African-American workers. He tells Senator Whitworth that brutality against African-American people makes him sick, and he says, "I'm ashamed, sometimes, Senator. Ashamed of what goes on in Mississippi" (page 268). Like Atticus, who defends Tom Robinson, an African-American man, Mr. Phelan believes African-American people should be treated justly. None of the characters in The Help seem to resemble Jem closely. 

Why did M&M run away in That Was Then, This is Now?

M&M is the quintessential hippie who is sensitive, has long hair, and promotes peace. In Chapter 3, Bryon goes over to M&M's house to pick up Cathy for a school dance. While Bryon is waiting in the house, Mrs. Carlson talks to him and asks Bryon how he can tell M&M and Cathy apart. Mr. Carlson overhears their conversation and makes a smart comment about M&M's hair. Mrs. Carlson says, "Now, Jim...We agreed not...

M&M is the quintessential hippie who is sensitive, has long hair, and promotes peace. In Chapter 3, Bryon goes over to M&M's house to pick up Cathy for a school dance. While Bryon is waiting in the house, Mrs. Carlson talks to him and asks Bryon how he can tell M&M and Cathy apart. Mr. Carlson overhears their conversation and makes a smart comment about M&M's hair. Mrs. Carlson says, "Now, Jim...We agreed not to say any more about M&M's hair" (Hinton 50). After Mrs. Carlson asks Bryon about his grades, Mr. Carlson mentions that M&M is failing math and gym. M&M's father says, "How anyone can flunk gym is beyond me" (Hinton 51). Bryon comments that M&M could hear the entire conversation and was pretending that he wasn't listening. When Bryon gets into the car, Cathy voices her concerns about M&M and is worried that her father is picking on him too much about his grades and hair.

In Chapter 6, Bryon is driving everyone around the popular part of town known as the Ribbon, when M&M tells him to drive by the hot-dog stand. When Bryon pulls up, M&M hops out and tells them that he has some friends around that he's going to hang out with. When Bryon and Cathy ask what time he wants to be picked up, M&M says, "Not ever. I'm not going home" (Hinton 103). M&M walks away, and Bryon and Cathy drive around the Ribbon until one o'clock in the morning looking for him.

In Chapter 7, Cathy comes home and explains to her father that M&M ran away. Her father is not concerned and tells her that M&M is simply going through a stage and says that M&M will be home tomorrow. Cathy blames her father for causing M&M to run away. She mentions that M&M ran away because he was sick of his father picking on him about his hair and flunking gym.

Why is Mercutio most responsible for the fight in Act III, Scene 1?

In earlier scenes, Mercutio establishes himself as flamboyant, boastful, and edgy. His Queen Mab speech and his treatment of the Nurse prove he's unpredictable. It could also be argued that Mercutio is most responsible for the fight which breaks out in Act III, Scene 1. First, he should have listened to Benvolio. Ever the peacemaker, and well aware of Mercutio's temperament, Benvolio warns him to get off the street. Benvolio says,

I pray thee, good...

In earlier scenes, Mercutio establishes himself as flamboyant, boastful, and edgy. His Queen Mab speech and his treatment of the Nurse prove he's unpredictable. It could also be argued that Mercutio is most responsible for the fight which breaks out in Act III, Scene 1. First, he should have listened to Benvolio. Ever the peacemaker, and well aware of Mercutio's temperament, Benvolio warns him to get off the street. Benvolio says,

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,
And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

Instead of heeding Benvolio's warning, Mercutio launches into a sarcastic litany of ways Benvolio is actually the fighter. He names reasons for Benvolio's illusory belligerence:

Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking
nuts, having no other reason but because thou
hast hazel eyes.

When Tybalt arrives, Mercutio continues the hard-edged humor by playing on the double meaning of the word consort (either being in league with or a group of musicians). He tells Tybalt,

Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels?
An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear
nothing but discords. Here’s my fiddlestick; here’s
that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort!

Here, Mercutio is displaying his willingness to fight before Romeo even shows up. He refers to his sword as a fiddlestick in line with his reference to musicians. When Benvolio again urges restraint, Mercutio is deaf. Even though the Prince has forbidden fighting in the street, Mercutio is arrogant enough to ignore that the people of Verona are witnessing the scene. He says,

Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze.
I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.

When Romeo enters, Tybalt withdraws from Mercutio and challenges Romeo. Tybalt feels he has been insulted by Romeo's attendance at Capulet's party the night before and wants satisfaction. He says,

Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this: thou art a villain.

Romeo has just married Juliet, Tybalt's cousin, so he rightfully backs down and refers to the Capulets with love. Mercutio, partly miffed that he has been ignored and also enraged by Romeo's acquiescence, steps into the mix and draws his sword. It seems like Mercutio refuses to walk away until there is a fight. In regards to Romeo's apparent cowardice, Mercutio tells Tybalt:

O calm, dishonorable, vile submission!
Alla stoccato carries it away.
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?

The fight symbolizes Mercutio's apparent need to prove his manhood and always be the center of attention. The fight may have never occurred if it hadn't been for Mercutio's pride. Shakespeare uses Mercutio's death as a way to move the plot forward and focus the play on the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. 

Did the benefits of World War I outweigh the drawbacks?

It is, in all honesty, difficult to think of any direct benefits of World War I, and certainly not any that would outweigh its horrific consequences. Over 17 million people died in World War I, including nine million soldiers. Countless more, indeed entire generations of young men, were severely wounded. The war ushered in technology, including poison gas, the airplane, and rapid-fire machine guns, that were put to devastating effect. It directly contributed to the...

It is, in all honesty, difficult to think of any direct benefits of World War I, and certainly not any that would outweigh its horrific consequences. Over 17 million people died in World War I, including nine million soldiers. Countless more, indeed entire generations of young men, were severely wounded. The war ushered in technology, including poison gas, the airplane, and rapid-fire machine guns, that were put to devastating effect. It directly contributed to the advent of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. It created a postwar order that was an ideal environment for the rise of dictatorships, including Mussolini and Hitler. In short,  it paved the way for World War II, which was even more horrific. One might argue on rather tenuous grounds that it helped to destabilize empires, thus paving the way for decolonization after World War II, and perhaps even that it laid the framework for international organizations with the League of Nations. One might also point to its role in creating an atmosphere in which women were granted the right to vote in Great Britain and the United States. But it is difficult to say that even this last momentous and welcome development in any way balanced out the horrors of the First World War.

Why does the sunset become delayed in "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"

Head to the fifth-to-last paragraph in the story, and we can see why the sunset seemed delayed:

"He looked up--the sun had already set. He gave a cry: 'All my labor has been in vain,' thought he, and was about to stop, but he heard the Bashkirs still shouting, and remembered that though to him, from below, the sun seemed to have set, they on the hillock could still see it.He took a long...

Head to the fifth-to-last paragraph in the story, and we can see why the sunset seemed delayed:

"He looked up--the sun had already set. He gave a cry: 'All my labor has been in vain,' thought he, and was about to stop, but he heard the Bashkirs still shouting, and remembered that though to him, from below, the sun seemed to have set, they on the hillock could still see it. He took a long breath and ran up the hillock. It was still light there. He reached the top and saw the cap."

What we find out right here is that Pahom is standing on lower ground when he sees the sun set from his perspective down low. But then when he runs up to the top of the hill, he can still see the sun peeking out a little bit.

Of course, the whole idea of the sun "setting" is all about perspective: whether it has already "set" or not depends on where you're standing and whether or not you can still see it. That we would find a natural, simple answer to this question makes sense in the context of the story: we weren't looking for anything magical or miraculous to happen, since we know that "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" is a serious, realistic tale without any magic, any time travel, or any bending the laws of nature.

Why do you think Langston Hughes chose to use the verb "moan" rather than "play" to describe the piano music in the poem "The Weary Blues"?

Langston Hughes' poem “The Weary Blues” is about the emotional anguish of an old blues singer/piano player. To look at why he uses the term “moan” in connection with the singer's piano, we have to examine Hughes' purpose for writing the poem--what is he trying to say to his readers?

One of the best ways to uncover a poet's theme is to look at his diction. What kinds of words does he use? Do many of the words point in the same direction or evoke the same emotional response? A quick reading of “The Weary Blues” reveals the following words that have a similar thematic impact:

weary, drowsy, mellow, pale, dull, rickety, sad, raggy, melancholy, old, died, dead, ain't happy.

Hughes is communicating a feeling of resignation—life can be disappointing, and sometimes the only thing you can do to ease the pain is throw your head back and sing your feelings.

But what about the word “moan”? For one thing, “moan” fits into the word pattern quite nicely. What do we do when we feel bad? We moan. Whether it's physical pain or emotional pain, we express that pain by moaning. The word moan appears twice in the poem, in the following lines:

Line 10: He made that poor piano moan with melody.

Line 18: I heard that negro sing—that old piano moan.

What's interesting here is that Hughes' has the piano do the moaning, not the singer (the singer “croons” and “sings”). Hughes is creating a type of metaphor called personification by giving the piano a human ability. In so doing, he emphasizes just how powerful the emotions are—even the piano seems to feel them. If he had used the word "play" instead, the piano would have remained neutral and would not have contributed as much to Hughes' message.

What is the overall theme of the poem "Happiness" and of the short story "Two Kinds?" The poems can be found here: ...

While both the short story "Two Kinds" and the poem "Happiness" address the theme of growing up, each takes a different point of view. In "Happiness," the narrator of the poem is a child of unspecified age who is involved in a community-wide Fourth of July celebration. The child, who we may assume is a boy, has won "the fight over whose turn it was" and now is now turning the handle of an ice...

While both the short story "Two Kinds" and the poem "Happiness" address the theme of growing up, each takes a different point of view. In "Happiness," the narrator of the poem is a child of unspecified age who is involved in a community-wide Fourth of July celebration. The child, who we may assume is a boy, has won "the fight over whose turn it was" and now is now turning the handle of an ice cream freezer as children and youth swim in the nearby swimming hole and little boys jump up and down in excitement. A goat is to be roasted for the dinner, but first it must be slaughtered, and Daddy Red forces the narrator to stroke its neck before he kills it. The boy manages to not cry. As the ice cream hardens, the boy's arms have grown tired and sore, but he feels happy. In the poem the ice cream is a picture of the boy's growing up. It takes a combination of the unpleasant (many cranks of the handle that cause the boy's arms ache and hurt) and the pleasant (custard and peach slices) to make ice cream. In the same way, it takes a mix of hard experiences, like being strong enough to see an animal slaughtered without crying, and fun experiences, like this holiday celebration, to make a boy grow into a man. The boy was happy because he was part of a community celebration and he had been able to pass two tests of maturity: turning the ice cream freezer handle and not crying at the slaughtering of the goat. 

In "Two Kinds," Jing-mei is also growing up, but along the way, she rebels against her mother's expectations of her. While she at first complied with her mother's wishes to make her into a "prodigy," she did not have the drive for hard work that it would have taken to succeed at playing the piano. When she botches her piano number at a talent show, she embarrasses both her mother and herself. After that, she determines she no longer has to do everything her mother says. What hurts Jing-mei about her mother's desire for her to be a prodigy is that Jing-mei feels her mother doesn't love her for who she is--that she wishes she was someone else. Jing-mei lashes out at her mother, saying some very hurtful things. Through her years as a child, teen, and adult, she continues to assert her own will over her mother's and to pursue authenticity in her life--being herself rather than giving in to others' expectations for her. At the end, she realizes that she had to go through the rebellious period she went through in order to reach a state of contentment with herself that she has as an adult. The overall theme of "Two Kinds" is that growing up means that you stop doing things just to try to make others happy and you are able to be authentic with yourself.

Both the poem "Happiness" and the story "Two Kinds" explore issues of growing up, but they take very different perspectives on the topic.

In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, what is Jane's view on Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins? How does her view contrast to Elizabeth's?

Jane thinks that Elizabeth is being too critical of Mr. Collins and Charlotte's upcoming union.  She reminds her younger sister that Charlotte has a "'steady, prudent character'" and that Mr. Collins is a respectable man.  This makes their match more reasonable to Jane.  She explains to Elizabeth that Charlotte could not have found better man to be her husband because her parents have many children.  Sir Lucas and Lady Lucas have several daughters, so they...

Jane thinks that Elizabeth is being too critical of Mr. Collins and Charlotte's upcoming union.  She reminds her younger sister that Charlotte has a "'steady, prudent character'" and that Mr. Collins is a respectable man.  This makes their match more reasonable to Jane.  She explains to Elizabeth that Charlotte could not have found better man to be her husband because her parents have many children.  Sir Lucas and Lady Lucas have several daughters, so they cannot afford a large dowry for Charlotte.  Also, she is plain and this is considered undesirable.

Elizabeth is adamant that her friend cannot possibly love Mr. Collins because he is a "'conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, [and] silly man.'"  She thinks that Charlotte was not in her right mind when she accepted the proposal from Mr. Collins.  Jane tells her sister that Charlotte "'may feel something like regard and esteem for [their] cousin.'"  Elizabeth believes that Charlotte will trade "security for happiness."  Charlotte will have a home, a respectable husband, and someone to provide for her when she marries Mr. Collins.  Jane wishes that Elizabeth will eventually "'be convinced [that it is a good match] by seeing them happy together.'"

How would chapters 25-26 change if they were told from the point of view of Mrs. Finney?

This is an interesting question because Mrs. Finney is a relatively minor character in Walk Two Moons. To look at these chapters from her point of view changes the experience for the reader quite a bit. 

First let's look at what happens in chapters 25 and 26. In chapter 25, Sal and Phoebe join the Finneys for dinner, which is a wildly chaotic experience in comparison to what they are used to. Dinner at the Finneys is not only more crowded than what Phoebe is used to, but also the food is less healthy than what Phoebe usually eats at home. Since Phoebe is struggling with the disappearance of her mother, she takes out some of her feelings on the dinner spread, much to her dinner mates' annoyance. After Sal and Phoebe leave the Finney household, Sal invites Phoebe to stay over at Sal's house. Then Phoebe returns home to find her father struggling with household chores and, of course, the absence of his wife. 

In chapter 26, Sal struggles with Phoebe's picky habits as a house guest and they return to the Finney house. Mr. and Mrs. Finney are playing in the leaves with a couple of their kids before they sneak off for an intimate moment. Ben tells Phoebe and Sal that Mary Lou is on a date. That night, Sal's father hears Phoebe crying by herself and Sal remembers when she was in Phoebe's position after her mother left. 

Right away we know that if those chapters are from Mrs. Finney's point of view, the reader is going to lose everything that occurs outside of the Finney household. This includes Phoebe's father's struggles at home, Sal's struggles with Phoebe as a house guest, and Phoebe's "birds of sadness." We're also going to miss out on Sal's feelings towards Ben and Sal's inside knowledge of Phoebe's mother's disappearance. 

Not a lot is known about Mrs. Finney, but we do know that she has a lot of children and a loving relationship with her husband. In chapter 25 she "straggles" in the door, is bombarded by her children, greets her husband, and serves fried chicken for dinner. From Mrs. Finney's point of view, this is most likely just another night until Phoebe voices her complaints about the unhealthiness of the dinner. Mrs. Finney doesn't know about Phoebe's missing mother, so from her point of view, Phoebe's attitude is probably a little annoying. Mrs. Finney seems a little exasperated to be lectured by Phoebe about cholesterol, but she finds Phoebe some muesli to eat and dinner continues in its usual hectic manner. In chapter 26 Mr. and Mrs. Finney are enjoying a Saturday with their children before they sneak away to the roof for some alone time. From Mrs. Finney's point of view, it's probably another normal Saturday. The reader gets a feeling that the Finneys' marriage is very loving and that they're able to sneak in some time for each other despite their chaotic lives. Mary lou is on a date, so maybe Mrs. Finney spends a little time thinking about that, but Mary lou isn't the oldest child, so even this is most likely not a novel event. 

So you can see that changing the point of view from Sal to Mrs. Finney changes the experience entirely. In Mrs. Finney's life, chapter 25 and 26 are full of completely normal events with the addition of Sal and Phoebe, but what are a couple of extra kids in an already full house? In contrast, from Sal's point of view, the events of her life are anything but normal. Phoebe's mother has disappeared, which brings up memories of her own mother's absence. 

How can I write a clear, well-organized, well-developed essay on the notion of “earnestness” in The Importance of Being Earnest?

You will need to do several steps to complete this assignment: Choose, plan, draft, and revise/edit your essay.

First, it is often difficult with an assignment like this to choose which essay to write. Sometimes one option jumps out at you because you are curious about the topic, but other times they all seem equally difficult. In this case, your best bet is to do some brainstorming for EACH topic. Ask yourself:

You will need to do several steps to complete this assignment: Choose, plan, draft, and revise/edit your essay.

First, it is often difficult with an assignment like this to choose which essay to write. Sometimes one option jumps out at you because you are curious about the topic, but other times they all seem equally difficult. In this case, your best bet is to do some brainstorming for EACH topic. Ask yourself:

•          What do you already know about the topic?


•          What questions do you have about the topic?

Write down as much as you can in POINT FORM for each of the three essay topic options.

By brainstorming, you should discover which of the options you know the most about, or which is most interesting to you.

Now, select your essay topic and take the ideas you brainstormed. The next step is to PLAN your essay. I'm going to use your second topic, "Analyze the notion of 'earnestness' in the play," for an example.

An essay plan should be in the form of an outline. You can begin with the "five paragraph essay" structure, which can be used as a basis for nearly any literary essay. Write down the following headings and sub-headings, and then fill them in with KEY WORDS in point form for your essay. Don't use complete sentences in an outline. Using keywords in point form will allow you to get all your ideas down on paper and organized effectively quickly. You shouldn't write sentences / paragraphs until you begin to draft your essay. Here is the format of the five paragraph essay outline (attached).

Here are some suggestions for an essay on "Analyze the notion of 'earnestness' in the play" to show you how to fill in the outline using point form:

1. Introduction

• Hook - wordplay - Is it really important to be earnest, or just to be named Ernest?


• Background - The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde, 1895, "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People," one-to-two sentence summary of plot.


• Thesis statement - include three main points - Being earnest is not as important as being Ernest: Four main characters extremely dishonest, characters consistently lie about important things, dialogue is so frivolous actors have to display frivolous performances while keeping straight (serious) demeanors.
  

2. Body paragraph 1

• 
  Point - Jack, Algernon, Miss Prism, and Cecily are each dishonest


• -everything works out perfectly in the end


• -shows that Wilde considers earnestness utterly unimportant.

• 
  Example - Jack hides ward - Cecily - from Algernon, - thinks Algernon terrible influence on Cecily


• -Algernon and Cecily fall in love - marry - anyway.


• -Jack creates fictional brother - uses bro's bad habits to cover up inappropriate activities in town - nonexistent Ernest drives the love between Algernon and Cecily.  


• 
  Explanation - despite being introduced in a cloud of dishonesty (Algernon posing as fake brother Ernest), A & C become a happy couple.


• -name Ernest more important to C than actual honesty (earnestness)

Finish the outline in the same style, adding more information from your brainstorming and from your reading of the play. You can use direct quotations or summary/paraphrasing from the play for "examples." Make sure you always explain how your examples support your points.

The five-paragraph essay is a minimum. You can include more body paragraphs with more main points. In addition, the outline I've given is a minimum. You can add additional examples and explanations to each body paragraph to support the main point of that paragraph.

The next step is to draft (type) the essay. After that you should re-read your essay and revise it: make sure you have given enough details. Add more details, such as additional examples or more detailed explanations, as necessary. Delete anything that is extraneous. Finally, you should re-read your essay a final time and edit (proofread.) Check and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

I hope this helps get you started. You can find out more and read of The Importance of Being Earnest to help you develop your essay.

What were two things that African-Americans did to help the war effort?

Since this question doesn’t mention a specific war, I will use World War II as an example.

There were ways that African-Americans helped the United States in World War II. Some African-Americans served in the military. African-American units were segregated during World War II. However, these soldiers fought bravely. Some were recognized for their bravery and others made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting. African-American men and women both served during World War II.

African-Americans also...

Since this question doesn’t mention a specific war, I will use World War II as an example.

There were ways that African-Americans helped the United States in World War II. Some African-Americans served in the military. African-American units were segregated during World War II. However, these soldiers fought bravely. Some were recognized for their bravery and others made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting. African-American men and women both served during World War II.

African-Americans also contributed to the war effort at home. They filled some of the jobs that were available in factories that produced materials for the war. Some African-Americans relocated to do this. They supported the government initiatives to conserve food. They bought liberty bonds. They also emphasized that in their minds this war was being fought to fight racism at home and abroad. While African-Americans were fighting for freedom in other parts of the world, they still faced segregation and discrimination at home. The Double V Campaign addressed this issue.

African-Americans made many contributions during World War II.

Why has Shaw chosen to use an allusion to Ovid's myth as his title for Pygmalion? How does it contribute to emerging themes in the play?

In Ovid's myth, Pygmalion is the name of a man who carves an ivory statue and falls in love with it. He is so in love with it that he wishes it would come to life, so he could marry it. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, grants Pygmalion's wish and turns the statue into a woman. 

In Shaw's play, Henry Higgins acts like Pygmalion. He creates or "sculpts" Eliza Doolittle into a completely new person...

In Ovid's myth, Pygmalion is the name of a man who carves an ivory statue and falls in love with it. He is so in love with it that he wishes it would come to life, so he could marry it. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, grants Pygmalion's wish and turns the statue into a woman. 

In Shaw's play, Henry Higgins acts like Pygmalion. He creates or "sculpts" Eliza Doolittle into a completely new person by retraining her accent and speech and teaching her to behave like a lady. The title isn't entirely flattering, for Higgins sees Eliza as an object, a "thing" he has created for his own convenience, and not a person. 

After he successfully turns her into a lady who can hold her own in the highest society, she does come to "life": she stands up to him and fights back against his verbal abuse. At this point, he starts to appreciate her. He doesn't want to marry her, but wants her to stay with him as a "bachelor." She is, to him, still his creation, and he is surprised when she leaves. The idea of Eliza being seen as a "statue" or "object" underlines the feminist themes of the play: Higgins might think Eliza belongs to him, as if she were a sculpture, but, in fact, she is her own person. 

Why does Half Arrow watch quietly while the guard binds True Son's arms?

True Son is being marched back to white civilization in chapter four after the Indians agree to a treaty which will release the whites who had been taken captive. True Son has lived with the Lenne Lenapi or Delaware tribe for eleven years. He is accompanied for much of the journey by his Indian cousin Half Arrow and he is being guarded by Del Hardy, a white soldier who speaks the Indian language.

Right before...

True Son is being marched back to white civilization in chapter four after the Indians agree to a treaty which will release the whites who had been taken captive. True Son has lived with the Lenne Lenapi or Delaware tribe for eleven years. He is accompanied for much of the journey by his Indian cousin Half Arrow and he is being guarded by Del Hardy, a white soldier who speaks the Indian language.

Right before they cross the river (probably the Ohio or Allegheny) into Fort Pitt, Del informs Half Arrow and Little Crane, who is accompanying his wife, that they can go no further into white territory. Half Arrow ignores this and continues to march side by side with True Son until they get to the ford in the river. When Dell pushes Half Arrow out of the way, True Son retaliates and attacks the guard. He is quickly restrained by a group of guards who then tie his arms. Half Arrow stands by passively. He knows that to resist would be to commit suicide.

Appropriately, Half Arrow's last words to True Son before they part company is a message from True Son's Indian father about patience and waiting for the right moment to escape. He tells True Son to bear "his hardship with patience and cheerfulness." He advises him to look for the proper time to act. Being impatient or foolish will lead to certain death. It is better to stay alive and go along with the white man until the time is "ripe" to overtake his captor.

What's a good introduction for my essay, "Shooting an Elephant?"

A good introduction for any essay should serve two purposes: provide a little background information on the subject of your paper, and introduce the reader to your thesis statement.

If you essay is about Shooting an Elephant, by George Orwell, you should mention this in your introduction. You may wish to give a little description of this piece, mentioning the themes of imperialism and conscience or guilt. 

If your essay is not about George...

A good introduction for any essay should serve two purposes: provide a little background information on the subject of your paper, and introduce the reader to your thesis statement.

If you essay is about Shooting an Elephant, by George Orwell, you should mention this in your introduction. You may wish to give a little description of this piece, mentioning the themes of imperialism and conscience or guilt. 

If your essay is not about George Orwell's work, and is otherwise titled Shooting an Elephant, tell your reader a little bit about what they will read in the coming paragraphs. Think of the introduction as a "short and sweet" description of what will be in the rest of your paper.

When it comes to your thesis statement, this may be one or a few sentences which summarize the "message" of your paper. If you are writing on George Orwell's essay, consider the following questions. Did you like Shooting an Elephant? Do you think it made a good point? Why or why not? Did you learn anything from the essay?

It may be easiest to write your introduction after completing the body of your paper. This way, you could read over what you already have written and think about what information in your paper is most important. 

Identify two positive aspects of America in the 1950s.

The emergence of the American Dream and the Civil Rights Movement were two positive aspects of 1950s culture.

The growth of the American Dream was a vital component of the 1950s. More people were able to realize the dream of finding a job, purchasing a home, and starting a stable life with their families.  The emergence of the American Dream in the 1950s enhanced the post-war prosperity that defined national and personal identity.  As a...

The emergence of the American Dream and the Civil Rights Movement were two positive aspects of 1950s culture.

The growth of the American Dream was a vital component of the 1950s. More people were able to realize the dream of finding a job, purchasing a home, and starting a stable life with their families.  The emergence of the American Dream in the 1950s enhanced the post-war prosperity that defined national and personal identity.  As a result, the middle class and suburban growth began to expand. This reality was also reflected in the purchasing power of the American consumer.  Being happy during the 1950s corresponded with pursuing the American Dream, something that more people were embracing.

Another positive aspect of the 1950s was the growth of the Civil Rights Movement.  With the Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education, segregation was deemed unconstitutional.  Racial integration was an emerging reality that helped to define reality in the 1950s. Events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott as well as the Little Rock Nine helped to advance the movement.  

Civil Rights was not fully achieved in the 1950s.  Yet, one of the most positive aspects of this time period was that the discussion about how America could and would be racially integrated began to take form.

What are the “black box” of microorganisms, including the "Great Plate Anomaly" and the "Paradox of the Plankton"? Which theories exist to...

The microbial "black box" refers to the fact that researchers are unable to grow many microbes in a laboratory setting, which means they are unknown and mysterious. Two theories were developed to explain why these microorganisms resist growth in a laboratory, including the "Great Plate Anomaly" and the "Paradox of the Plankton."

The "Great Plate Anomaly" is the observation that most microbes that can be observed under a microscope cannot actually be grown in a...

The microbial "black box" refers to the fact that researchers are unable to grow many microbes in a laboratory setting, which means they are unknown and mysterious. Two theories were developed to explain why these microorganisms resist growth in a laboratory, including the "Great Plate Anomaly" and the "Paradox of the Plankton."

The "Great Plate Anomaly" is the observation that most microbes that can be observed under a microscope cannot actually be grown in a laboratory. Even viable microorganisms grown under laboratory conditions are often not culturable, which makes experimentation impossible.

Similarly, the "Paradox of the Plankton" was termed in a 1961 paper by researcher G.E. Hutchinson. This theory refers to Hutchinson's observation that a wide variety of phytoplankton species are able to thrive while sharing very limited resources. This finding is paradoxical as it violates the exclusion principle, which states that when two species are competing for the same resource, one of them will become extinct.

The theory of spatial scaling of microbial eukaryote diversity is the most prominent potential answer to the microbial "black box." This theory holds that microbial organisms have significant local diversity and less regional diversity, which would explain why microorganisms behave differently under laboratory conditions and are able to coexist in competitive environments.