How does the lawyer spend his 15 years of imprisonment in "The Bet" by Anton Checkhov?

The impulsive lawyer is sequestered in the banker's lodge where he can have virtually anything he desires except human companionship.

After arguing against the banker that life imprisonment is not less humane than capital punishment--"to live anyhow is better than not at all"--the banker wages two million rubles that the lawyer cannot stay in solitary confinement for five years. With the arrogance and recklessness of youth, the lawyer contends that he can stay, not just five, but fifteen years. The banker accepts the bet, but he warns the younger man,

Don't forget either, you unhappy man, that voluntary confinement is a great deal harder to bear than compulsory. 

So, while the lawyer tries to prove that living an isolated life is not a hardship and win the bet of two million, he can have any of the books he wants, he is given a piano and music, he is allowed to write letters, and he may drink wine and smoke. The only outlet to the outside is a little window through which the books and letters and other things are passed. 

During the first year, the prisoner is extremely lonely; he spends a great deal of time at the piano. Because he is lonely, he refuses the wine and tobacco; in explanation, he writes that wine stimulates the senses, only exacerbating his lonely condition. Tobacco ruins the air of his little room.
In the second year, the prisoner stops playing the piano, and he exchanges the light reading of his first year for the classics. Then, in his fifth year, the prisoner requests wine, and he again plays the piano. During this year, the lawyer mostly eats and drink and lies on his bed. But, at times he writes all night; afterwards, however, he tears up what he has written, crying. 
Then, in the sixth year, he begins to study languages, history, and philosophy. He immerses himself in these studies so much that the banker is overwhelmed as he tries to furnish the books. After the lawyer learns six languages, the prisoner writes his jailer in these languages; further, he requests that the banker show them to experts and fire a shot in his garden if they are correct. The banker follows the lawyer's instructions and fires two shots. Hearing these shots, the lawyer expresses his happiness since he has mastered six hundred volumes of scholarly learning.
After the tenth year, the lawyer abandons all reading, but the Gospels. Theology and philosophy are his next readings. In the last two years of his confinement, the lawyer reads indiscriminately, choosing Shakespeare, then a medical manual, then philosophy or theology.

His reading suggested a man in the sea among the wreckage of his ship and trying to save his life by greedily clutching first at one spar, and then at another.

Before he is released, the lawyer, now a man of despair, writes that he despises freedom, life, and health--all that is called "the good things of the world."

What are two things you learn in the Afterword section of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars?

The author of Number the Stars, Lois Lowry, explained about her research process to create the story in the Afterword section.  She explained that she was inspired to write the story by her longtime friend, Annelise Platt.  Lowry's friend was "a child in Copenhagen during the long years of the German occupation."  Annelise had told stories of how her family had suffered after the Germans took over Denmark.  Lowry created Annemarie and her family partially...

The author of Number the Stars, Lois Lowry, explained about her research process to create the story in the Afterword section.  She explained that she was inspired to write the story by her longtime friend, Annelise Platt.  Lowry's friend was "a child in Copenhagen during the long years of the German occupation."  Annelise had told stories of how her family had suffered after the Germans took over Denmark.  Lowry created Annemarie and her family partially based on these stories.

Lois Lowry also noted that the Danish people and their king, Christian X, kept a spirit of "courage and integrity" despite the occupation of their country by Nazi troops.  The Danish Resistance remained strong and secretly fought against Nazi ideas.  The Nazis were physically present in Denmark, but the people remained loyal to their country and the Germans "never controlled King Christian."  The Danish people helped Jewish citizens escape to Sweden.  When the Nazi occupiers approached, "the Danes sank their own entire navy in Copenhagen harbor."  They did this to prevent the Nazis from claiming the navy ships for their own military use.

What does the quote "for Banquo's issue have I filed my mind" from Macbeth mean?

Your question refers to a line that is part of a soliloquy Macbeth has in Act III, Scene 1. Let's look first at two common words in the sentence that are used here in uncommon (for modern readers) ways.

"Issue" - in this context,  "issue" refers to "children" or "descendants". "Filed" - is actually "Shakespeare slang" for the word "defiled", or "corrupted."

With these definitions, then, you could rewrite the sentence to read: "For Banquo's...

Your question refers to a line that is part of a soliloquy Macbeth has in Act III, Scene 1. Let's look first at two common words in the sentence that are used here in uncommon (for modern readers) ways.

"Issue" - in this context,  "issue" refers to "children" or "descendants".
"Filed" - is actually "Shakespeare slang" for the word "defiled", or "corrupted."

With these definitions, then, you could rewrite the sentence to read: "For Banquo's children have I corrupted my mind."

Macbeth has just had a conversation with Banquo (III.i.14-28) and it has put him in mind of what the witches promised Banquo at the same time they told Macbeth he'd be king. Back in Act I, Scene 3, the witches said that Banquo's children would be kings. Macbeth, seeing that the witches' prophecies for him have come true, now fears the same for Banquo. And if Banquo's children are to be kings someday, then that means (in Macbeth's mind, at least) that it is only for the sake of Banquo's descendants ("issue") that Macbeth has murdered, lied, corrupted his soul, etc. (in short, "filed" his mind).

This fear is what prompts Macbeth to hire murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.

Was appeasement a mistake in WWII?

I would certainly argue that appeasement was a mistake.  I suppose you could argue that it was a mistake before WWII and not a mistake in that war.  However, it seems hard to say that appeasement was anything but a mistake.

Appeasement was the process in which the British and the French, in particular, allowed Hitler to violate the Treat of Versailles and, eventually, to take over other countries, without resisting him.  They allowed Hitler...

I would certainly argue that appeasement was a mistake.  I suppose you could argue that it was a mistake before WWII and not a mistake in that war.  However, it seems hard to say that appeasement was anything but a mistake.

Appeasement was the process in which the British and the French, in particular, allowed Hitler to violate the Treat of Versailles and, eventually, to take over other countries, without resisting him.  They allowed Hitler to do so because they did not want a war. They hoped that Hitler would soon be satisfied and would then stop his aggressive behavior.

Appeasement was a mistake because it did not prevent war.  Instead, it only postponed the war, which was actually a bad thing. Postponing the war was a bad thing because all it did was to give Hitler time to increase his power. When Hitler started violating the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was still rather weak.  The French and the British could easily have invaded Germany at that point and defeated Hitler.  If they had done so, the Nazi government would probably have fallen and the world might have been spared WWII and the Holocaust.  Instead, the allies appeased Hitler and gave him time in which Germany could rearm and become a real power.  Once the Allies decided that they actually had to fight, the German military was extremely strong and was able to rampage through Western Europe during the Blitzkrieg.  This could have been avoided if the Allies had not appeased Hitler.

There is nothing wrong with avoiding war.  However, when you fail to actually avoid war and, instead, you only postpone it until your enemy is stronger than you, you have made a terrible mistake.

At the beginning of his speech, why does King explain his reasons for speaking out against the Vietnam War?

On April 4, 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. stood before an assembled crowd in New York and gave a speech he titled “Beyond Vietnam.” King had been a leader of the civil rights movement since the early 1950s. He and other leaders of this movement would, over time, come to broaden their efforts beyond the plight of African Americans to include others who had suffered the same indignities of prejudice. For many of his years as an active leader of the civil rights movement, however, King tended to eschew comments on the growing American involvement in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam. Early in his speech, he acknowledged his failure to address the war more openly and forcefully:

I come to this great magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization that brought us together, Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam. The recent statements of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart, and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam. . .

Over the past two years, as I have moved to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burnings of my own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of Vietnam, many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. At the heart of their concerns, this query has often loomed large and loud: "Why are you speaking about the war, Dr. King? Why are you joining the voices of dissent?" "Peace and civil rights don’t mix," they say. "Aren’t you hurting the cause of your people?" they ask. And when I hear them, though I often understand the source of their concern, I am nevertheless greatly saddened, for such questions mean that the inquirers have not really known me, my commitment, or my calling. Indeed, their questions suggest that they do not know the world in which they live. In the light of such tragic misunderstanding, I deem it of signal importance to state clearly, and I trust concisely, why I believe that the path from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church—the church in Montgomery, Alabama, where I began my pastorate—leads clearly to this sanctuary tonight.

King had eschewed open involvement in the debate over Vietnam primarily because he did not want to detract from his principal goal, the attainment of equal rights for African Americans. The legacies of slavery and institutionalized segregation were still being felt. The struggle for civil rights was an ongoing effort, and it had only been within the previous decade that important advances in this area had been achieved. A second reason, however, might very well have been that public support for the war in Vietnam had not yet turned. While the anti-war (and, in some cases, pro-North Vietnam) constituencies were becoming larger and more vocal, the real turning point in public reaction to the war would only come nine months later with the Tet Offensive. Whether King had silently opposed the war from its inception is a question up for debate. He was only now, however, publicly expressing opposition to the war because the public, for the most part, was not ready for prominent leaders to come out against the war. Additionally, King could not afford to alienate President Lyndon Johnson, whose Great Society program included major advances in civil rights. Whether President Johnson was already seriously considering his future decision of not to seek reelection is equally uncertain. Most histories suggest that decision would not come until the late summer or early fall of 1967. It is possible, however, that King had calculated that he could now afford to risk Johnson’s anger by announcing his opposition to a war that the incumbent president had overseen. In any case, King’s speech occurred during a period when the political ramifications of the American role in Vietnam were just beginning to be felt by elected officials and political and civil rights activists alike.

In Of Mice And Men, what is Lennie to George?

The two main characters in Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, are George Milton and Lennie Small. It's a common assumption by readers that George and Lennie are cousins, but they are, in fact, not related at all. 

Lennie grew up being cared for by his Aunt Clara. George also knew Clara, and, prior to her death, agreed to take care of Lennie after she was deceased. 

The confusion likely arises from the...

The two main characters in Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, are George Milton and Lennie Small. It's a common assumption by readers that George and Lennie are cousins, but they are, in fact, not related at all. 

Lennie grew up being cared for by his Aunt Clara. George also knew Clara, and, prior to her death, agreed to take care of Lennie after she was deceased. 

The confusion likely arises from the lie George tells their potential boss at the ranch in chapter 2: "He's my... cousin. I told his old lady I'd take care of him."

Later, though, in the same chapter, Steinbeck uses George to clarify that they are not related. Lennie says,

"You said I was your cousin, George."

And George replies,

"Well, that was a lie. An' I'm damn glad it was. If I was a relative of yours I'd shoot myself." 

It can be very tempting to believe that George and Lennie are related because of the care and love they show for one another throughout the novel. Though they would certainly be considered "family," they are not related. 

What character sketch of Mr. Merton S. Keith is found in Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life?

In 1896, Helen began studying at the Cambridge School for Young Ladiesin preparation for admittance into Radcliffe and was soon accompanied by her younger sister Mildred. But when Helen grew ill and could not attend classes one day during her second year, Mr. Gilman, the school's principal, argued that she was "breaking down" from the stress and insisted he change her schedule. Helen reports in Chapter XIX that the change in her schedule "would...

In 1896, Helen began studying at the Cambridge School for Young Ladies in preparation for admittance into Radcliffe and was soon accompanied by her younger sister Mildred. But when Helen grew ill and could not attend classes one day during her second year, Mr. Gilman, the school's principal, argued that she was "breaking down" from the stress and insisted he change her schedule. Helen reports in Chapter XIX that the change in her schedule "would have rendered it impossible for [her] to take [her] final examinations with [her] class." When Miss Sullivan tried to battle Mr. Gilman on Helen's behalf but was unable to reach an agreement, Mrs. Keller, Helen's mother, had both Helen and Mildred withdrawn from the school. Instead, Helen continued her studies under a tutor of the Cambridge school by the name of Mr. Merton S. Keith.

Helen studied "algebra, geometry, Greek and Latin" under Mr. Keith twice a week while she was staying at Wrentham then five times a week once she was back in Boston. Miss Sullivan interpreted all of his instructions for Helen.

Helen describes her tutor as always having a very "gentle and forbearing," meaning tolerant, nature no matter how long it took her to grasp a subject of study. Though Helen found languages and literature easy subjects, she struggled to learn algebra and geometry; however, he was able to make mathematics interesting and patiently continued to help her, no matter how long it took her to grasp a concept. Helen was so grateful for his patience and teaching style that she notes her "stupidity would often have exhausted the patience of Job."

All in all, through her descriptions of Mr. Keith, we develop the understanding that he was a very well-educated, patient, kind, and level-headed man, whom she learned a great deal from, much more than she would have learned in the classroom.

In what chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird does Dill's mother re-marry, preventing him from returning to Maycomb for the summer?

Dill's mother remarries in Chapter Twelve of To Kill a Mockingbird, which prevents him from returning to Maycomb for the summer as he had previously done. This change is a sad blow to Scout's spirits, as she had been desperately awaiting Dill's arrival. She receives a letter from Dill disclosing that his mother had remarried, providing him with a "new father" (whose photograph is enclosed). Dill, thus, will be staying with his family in...

Dill's mother remarries in Chapter Twelve of To Kill a Mockingbird, which prevents him from returning to Maycomb for the summer as he had previously done. This change is a sad blow to Scout's spirits, as she had been desperately awaiting Dill's arrival. She receives a letter from Dill disclosing that his mother had remarried, providing him with a "new father" (whose photograph is enclosed). Dill, thus, will be staying with his family in Meridian, and his new summer plans include building a fishing boat with his new dad, who Scout describes as "a lawyer like Atticus, only much younger." Despite the fact that she misses him, she is happy that Dill has found and "caught" a father who seems to be so pleasant.

Dill promises that he will eventually come to retrieve and marry Scout as soon as he had saved up enough money, and he encourages her to write to him. Regarding this, Scout remarks,

The fact that I had a permanent fiancé was little compensation for his absence: I had never thought about it, but summer was Dilly by the fish pool smoking string, Dill's eyes alive with complicated plans to make Boo Radley emerge; summer was the swiftness with which Dill would reach up and kiss me when Jem was not looking, the longings we sometimes felt each other feel. With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.

Of course, as young love often goes, Scout does not cling too steadily to her grief over the distance. She claims that she is miserable for two days but then clearly finds other ways to keep herself occupied for the summer.

In Kumalau Tawali's poem “The Old Woman’s Message,” what does the speaker imply in the first five lines?

The speaker is a very old lady, who wistfully longs for her sons’ return. Polin and Manuai are her sons, who are away from her when she needs them the most. She is about to die and has “little breath left to wait for them.” So, through an unidentified person, she is sending a message to her sons exhorting them to come back to their dying mother. She says,

the ripe fruit falls and returns...

The speaker is a very old lady, who wistfully longs for her sons’ return. Polin and Manuai are her sons, who are away from her when she needs them the most. She is about to die and has “little breath left to wait for them.” So, through an unidentified person, she is sending a message to her sons exhorting them to come back to their dying mother. She says,

the ripe fruit falls and returns
to the trunk –

Here, “the ripe fruit” symbolizes her grown-up sons, while “the trunk” stands for the old mother herself. The comparison of sons and daughters to flowers, and parents to roots of a tree trunk is old and conventional. If not plucked, a ripe fruit has a tendency to fall down itself to the ground close to the tree trunk.

What the old mother implies is - now that her sons are able and self-dependent persons, and are educated and skilled enough to earn their livelihood, they must come back to her.

The mother, on the other hand, has lost the agility and grace of her youth. Both physically and mentally, she has grown infirm and dependent. She urgently needs the presence and support of her sons.

So, we see that by giving the example of a ripe fruit falling and returning to the trunk in her message, the old mother urges her sons to return to her. A tone of indignation can also be felt in these lines. It sounds as if the forlorn and disappointed mother is reminding her children that they should have returned by now by themselves, but they seem to have forgotten her. 

What is the meaning of this sentence which is said by Santiago: "The setting of the sun is a difficult time for all fish."

As a novel, The Old Man and the Sea is preoccupied with questions of age, mortality, strength, and change. Santiago, the fisherman, is an elderly man whose physical health and luck are deteriorating, so much so that he is considered "salao," or unlucky. He must battle against these forces in order to survive, and, perhaps more importantly, to regain his pride and reputation.

Thus, when Santiago says that "The setting of the sun is a...

As a novel, The Old Man and the Sea is preoccupied with questions of age, mortality, strength, and change. Santiago, the fisherman, is an elderly man whose physical health and luck are deteriorating, so much so that he is considered "salao," or unlucky. He must battle against these forces in order to survive, and, perhaps more importantly, to regain his pride and reputation.

Thus, when Santiago says that "The setting of the sun is a difficult time for all fish," he may well be referring to his own predicament. He is an aging man - that is, he is in the sunset of his life - and it is becoming progressively more difficult for him manage his strenuous occupation. If he does not fish, he will sink deeply into poverty. He may be too old and too sick to pursue other employment. Further, Santiago's life is "setting" in that the joys and adventures of his youth, symbolized by lions on an African beach, are far away, and his future is uncertain. What will happen to him in the coming years? Who will care for him when he is too frail to work? 

This quote can also be understood in terms of the broader context of literary modernism, which refers, loosely, to a school of writing which spurns embellished or flowery prose for simple, cutting statements and depictions of an ambiguous world. Indeed, Santiago's statement is short and straightforward; there are no unnecessarily large or complex words, and its symbolism (the setting sun) is quite ordinary. Nevertheless, it conveys profound tension and emotion about aging, the future, and mortality. Indeed, it is an excellent example of the paucity and potency of prose for which Hemingway is famous. 

If the market demand for a product increases, what will happen to production price and production cost?

a. Product price will increase and production costs will fall, resulting in greater profits.

b. Product price will decrease and production costs will rise, resulting in greater profits.

c. Product price will decrease and production costs will rise, resulting in lower profits.

d. Product price will increase and production costs will fall, resulting in lower profits.

e. Product price will increase and profits will increase.

The answer to this question is either Option A or...

a. Product price will increase and production costs will fall, resulting in greater profits.

b. Product price will decrease and production costs will rise, resulting in greater profits.

c. Product price will decrease and production costs will rise, resulting in lower profits.

d. Product price will increase and production costs will fall, resulting in lower profits.

e. Product price will increase and profits will increase.

The answer to this question is either Option A or Option E, but we do not have enough information to know which of these two is the best answer.  We can be certain that none of the other options can be correct.

First, we can eliminate Options B and C.  When the demand for a product rises, there is no reason for the price of the product to fall (we must assume that all other variables are being held constant).  This means that those options are wrong.  Similarly, we can reject Option D.  If the sale price of a product goes up and the cost of producing it goes down, profits will clearly rise.  This means that Option D cannot be correct.

This leaves us with Options A and E, but we do not have enough information to know which scenario is correct.  As a firm produces more goods or fewer, its marginal costs change.  However, we cannot know whether its marginal costs will go up or down when it produces more goods, as the firm in this scenario is doing.  This depends on where the firm is on the marginal cost curve.  If the firm is already producing at or above its optimal level (the number of goods that result in the lowest possible marginal cost), its marginal costs will increase when it produces more goods.  In this case, Option E might be correct if the price of the product goes up enough to override the increased cost of production  If, by contrast, the firm is producing fewer goods than optimal, its costs will decrease when it produces more.  In this case, Option A will be correct. 

Clearly, either Option A or Option E must be correct, but we cannot know which is the best answer given the amount of information that we have in this question.

What could be done if you needed to remove the water from a sample of blood in order to study the solids that remained?

A centrifuge could be used to separate the water from a sample of blood in order to study the solids that remain. The sample of blood would be placed in a small vial. The vial is then inserted into a well of the centrifuge. When the centrifuge is turned on, it spins rapidly. Thus, the centrifuge uses centripetal force to separate the contents. Materials that are denser have greater inertia. The denser the material,...

A centrifuge could be used to separate the water from a sample of blood in order to study the solids that remain. The sample of blood would be placed in a small vial. The vial is then inserted into a well of the centrifuge. When the centrifuge is turned on, it spins rapidly. Thus, the centrifuge uses centripetal force to separate the contents. Materials that are denser have greater inertia. The denser the material, the less responsive it is to the centripetal force. As a result of this difference in inertia and centripetal force imposed on objects of different densities, the blood sample housed in the vial is separated into different “layers” once the centrifuge is turned off.  The less-dense plasma and other liquids in blood, such as water, will be found towards the top of the vial.  The more-dense red blood cells will be located towards the bottom of the vial.  

"The child is father to the man," what does this quote actually mean?

This quote comes from a poem called "My Heart Leaps Up" and articulates a theme that threads it way throughout Wordsworth's poems. It's a theme that is also dear to Romanticism in general: the idea that the child has a natural purity, or as the poem says, a "natural piety," that is gradually eroded and corrupted by contact with the civilized world. The world jades us, rubbing away our sense of wonder. The idea, also...

This quote comes from a poem called "My Heart Leaps Up" and articulates a theme that threads it way throughout Wordsworth's poems. It's a theme that is also dear to Romanticism in general: the idea that the child has a natural purity, or as the poem says, a "natural piety," that is gradually eroded and corrupted by contact with the civilized world. The world jades us, rubbing away our sense of wonder. The idea, also expressed by Wordsworth in the statement that the child is born trailing clouds of glory, is that the younger you are, the closer you are to that godhead or divine source from which we all spring. In "My Heart Leaps Up," the poet notes that his heart leaps up when he sees a rainbow, just as it would when he was child seeing a rainbow. He wants very much to keep that sense of wonder at a rainbow until he "shall grow old." If his heart ever stops leaping up in childlike joy at nature's beauties (symbolized by the rainbow), he says, "let me die!" It is only as he is informed by childlike joy and wonder that life is worth living. This short poem never says that civilization corrupts people, but it strongly implies that the child's innocent wonder is more valuable than an adult sophistication that would not allow a heart to leap in joy at a rainbow.

How is Granny affected by the intrusion of the men from the county in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"?

The intrusion onto the Cains' property is very disturbing to Granny because she values privacy and respect of ownership.

When Granny first spots the men, she tells her grandchildren,

"Go tell that man we ain't a bunch of trees....I said to tell that man to get away from here with that camera."

Then, by the time that the man with the camera cuts across the neighbor's yard into the Cains', Granny has already pushed open...

The intrusion onto the Cains' property is very disturbing to Granny because she values privacy and respect of ownership.

When Granny first spots the men, she tells her grandchildren,

"Go tell that man we ain't a bunch of trees....I said to tell that man to get away from here with that camera."

Then, by the time that the man with the camera cuts across the neighbor's yard into the Cains', Granny has already pushed open the screen door, cutting off the man's words with "Good mornin." When the other man, who smiles in a supercilious manner, asks her, "Mind if we shoot a bit around here?" Granny replies, "I do indeed," and she curtly requests that they turn off the camera.

The men back away. Turning to the children, Granny offers an example of how callous people with cameras can be. She tells the children that there once was a man in despair contemplating a fatal jump off of a bridge, and a man with a camera started to take pictures of him. In fact, he used nearly his entire roll of film, but saved a few in case the other man did jump.

After telling her grandchildren of the callousness of such a man who would take pictures of a suicide, Granny re-enters the house, and the children later hear her

...mumblin real low and grumpy and holdin her forehead like it wanted to fall off and mess up the rum cakes.

When her husband returns with a hawk he has caught as "Smilin and Camera" follow stealthily behind him, Granny calls out to Granddaddy Cain,

"Get them persons out of my flower bed, Mister Cain...."

Again she is moaning as though she were at a funeral because she suffers from the blues. Granny has suffered from these before, and even moved because people would not respect her and her privacy.

It was her determination that helped Helen Keller gain admission to Radcliffe College. Comment on this.

Helen began preparing for her entrance to Radcliffe College when she was sixteen. She attended the Cambridge School for Young Ladies in order to prepare for her Radcliffe examinations. She worked extremely hard and took many courses to prepare her for the challenges of Radcliffe College.

Helen had to take sixteen hours worth of "preliminary exams for Radcliffe." Mr. Gilman, the principal of the Cambridge School, "sat beside [Helen] and read the paper through first, then...

Helen began preparing for her entrance to Radcliffe College when she was sixteen. She attended the Cambridge School for Young Ladies in order to prepare for her Radcliffe examinations. She worked extremely hard and took many courses to prepare her for the challenges of Radcliffe College.

Helen had to take sixteen hours worth of "preliminary exams for Radcliffe." Mr. Gilman, the principal of the Cambridge School, "sat beside [Helen] and read the paper through first, then sentence by sentence, while [she] repeated the words aloud, to make sure that [she] understood him perfectly." All of this communication was done using the manual alphabet. Helen was anxious, as her exams were challenging. She wrote her answers using a special typewriter. After typing, Mr. Gilman read Helen's answers and used the manual alphabet to communicate what they were. She then made changes if she felt that she needed to. It was a long and tedious process, but Helen was determined to do well. She passed all of her examinations.

The next year, Helen became overwhelmed by her course load. Mr. Gilman felt that she should take fewer courses, even though Helen wanted to finish in two years rather than three. Ms. Sullivan agreed with Helen's plan, as did her mother. These differing ideas led Helen to be withdrawn from the school. She continued her studies with the help of a tutor.

When Helen took her final entrance exams for Radcliffe, she had to take them using Braille. This was a challenge, especially in mathematics. There were different types of Braille, which caused extra challenges. Helen had trouble reading some of the mathematical signs in Braille during her exams. Despite these challenges, Helen passed and stated that she had "the consolation of knowing that [she] overcame them all."

Helen had to work through a tedious process to complete her exams. She was determined to do her best and to pass. It was this determination that helped her through, and eventually allowed her to go to Radcliffe.

Identify and describe one of the events that signaled the beginning of American imperialism.

The Spanish-American War was an event that signaled the start of U.S. imperialism. The United States wanted colonies to control. Thus, we were looking for a conflict that could lead to us getting colonies.

The Spanish-American War was a conflict that we wanted. When the newspapers began to exaggerate how bad events were in Cuba, the government did nothing to refute the stories. The use of yellow journalism was a key factor in swaying American...

The Spanish-American War was an event that signaled the start of U.S. imperialism. The United States wanted colonies to control. Thus, we were looking for a conflict that could lead to us getting colonies.

The Spanish-American War was a conflict that we wanted. When the newspapers began to exaggerate how bad events were in Cuba, the government did nothing to refute the stories. The use of yellow journalism was a key factor in swaying American support for the war. When the Spanish ambassador, in a private letter that was intercepted, criticized President McKinley, American public opinion intensified against Spain. When the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, we immediately blamed Spain for this event. Later evidence suggested Spain wasn’t responsible for this event.

When the Spanish-American War began, we attacked Spain in the Pacific Ocean and in Cuba. As a result of the war, we got Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain for $20 million. We now began our journey as an imperial power.

What are five relationships and experiences that shape Holden's individual sense of belonging?

Holden seems to be lost between childhood and adulthood. He doesn't feel accepted at his most recent school, Pencey, and he's just been kicked out of it. Before Holden goes home to face the music with his parents, he visits Sally Hayes, Phoebe Caulfield, and Mr. Antolini because he feels a sense of belonging with these people. Along the way, he discusses his deceased brother Allie and Jane Gallagher for the same reason. These are the people who have made him feel accepted throughout his young life. Everyone else Holden talks about is a phony, or fake, to him, but he never calls these people phony. The following quotes show just how much he loved being with these people:

Sally Hayes:

"When we were coming out of a clinch, I told her I loved her and all. It was a lie of course, but the thing is, I meant it when I said it" (125).

Holden likes Sally so much that he even asks her to run away with him and eventually marry him. This doesn't work for her, though, and they part ways after having a fairly good date together.

Phoebe Caulfield:

"You'd like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you're talking about. I mean you can even take her anywhere with you. If you take her to a lousy movie, for instance, she knows it's a lousy movie. If you take her to a pretty good movie, she knows it's a pretty good movie" (67).

Holden loves his little sister so much that she becomes the reason he doesn't run away from home in the end.

Mr. Antolini:

"He was about the best teacher I ever had, Mr. Antolini. He was a pretty young guy, not much older than my brother D.B., and you could kid around with him without losing your respect for him" (174).

Holden generally hates adults, so to have a favorite teacher he looks up to is a big deal. Holden feels so comfortable with Mr. Antolini that he would rather call him about failing out of Pencey rather than his parents.

Allie Caulfield:

"He was also the nicest, in lots of ways. He never got mad at anybody. People with red hair are supposed to get mad very easily, but Allie never did, and he had very red hair" (38).

Allie is Holden's brother who died three years previously. Holden really looked up to his little brother for the genuine person that he was. After his death, Holden was never the same.

Jane Gallagher:

". . . she was terrific to hold hands with. Most girls if you hold hands with them, their goddam hand dies on you, or else they think they have to keep moving their hand all the time, as if they were afraid they'd bore you or something. Jane was different" (79).

Jane is Holden's first love and another person he believes is genuine. That is the most important quality for Holden to find in a person—the fact that they are not phony. Holden is able to connect with people he feels are not fake because they are the ones who make him feel cared for and accepted.

What is the significance of the last line in the novel Of Mice and Men?

The line at the end of the novel can be interpreted to mean that Slim and George are close friends now.

George and Lennie have always been friends, but they could never be equals.  George was Lennie’s protector.  When George met Slim, he was impressed with the fact that George and Lennie went around together.  Most men on the ranch were loners, always going from one place to another by themselves and never staying one...

The line at the end of the novel can be interpreted to mean that Slim and George are close friends now.

George and Lennie have always been friends, but they could never be equals.  George was Lennie’s protector.  When George met Slim, he was impressed with the fact that George and Lennie went around together.  Most men on the ranch were loners, always going from one place to another by themselves and never staying one place for long.

Slim seemed almost jealous for what George and Lennie had.  He was an impressive guy who had a good reputation on the ranch.  He interrogated George and Lennie from the beginning, curious about how they could travel in a pair and look out for each other.

"You guys travel around together?" His tone was friendly. It invited confidence without demanding it.

"Sure," said George. "We kinda look after each other." (Ch. 2)

What George and Lennie have is unique because Lennie is completely dependent on George.  George looks out for him, protects him, and defends him.  He also gets him out of trouble.  When Lennnie gets into trouble for killing Curley’s wife, George has more trouble than he can handle.  He has come to trust Slim, and Slim is the one who tries to comfort him.

Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. "Never you mind," said Slim. "A guy got to sometimes." (Ch. 6)

Slim understands the relationship between Lennie and George better than anyone else.  The other men assume that Lennie was dangerous and just tried to kill George, but Slim knows better.  He knows Lennie would never attack George, but that George had to do what he had to do to protect Lennie.  He tells George they will get a drink to show him that he is on his side.

The last line of the book indicates that Slim and George understand each other, but the other men on the ranch do not.  This puts Slim and George in a special kind of relationship, the friendship that both of them need.  They have the potential to go around together now like George and Lennie did, or George can stay put for a bit.

What plans does Holden make with Sally in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger?

The only plans Holden makes with Sally Hayes are for him to come to her house and help her decorate her family's Christmas tree. When they are sitting at a table by the skating rink in Chapter 17, she says,

"Look. I have to know. Are you or aren't you coming over to help me trim the tree Christmas Eve? I have to know."

Holden replies,

"I wrote you I would. You've asked me that about twenty times. Sure, I am."

Then Holden comes up with a truly wild plan. He wants Sally to run away with him immediately. It is not too different from his fantasy about being a catcher in the rye.

"We'll stay in these cabin camps until the dough runs out. I could get a job somewhere, and we could live somewhere with a brook and all and, later on, we could get married or something."

Holden has assets in the bank of about $180. Sally would not for a moment consider such a wild suggestion. Holden himself realizes that he doesn't even like this girl, and he can't understand why he is saying what he says. holden and Sally end up quarreling, and it looks as if he won't even be coming to her house to help trim her Christmas tree. 

In Chapter 17, more than anywhere else, Holden vents his hatred and disgust with everything. Perhaps he knows Sally better than most of the other people he deals with in the book. They appear to have known each other for a long time and to have some sort of very fragile bond because they have done a lot of necking and have been on a number of dates. Despite the time she has spent with Holden, Sally is a million miles away from sympathizing with Holden's feelings about the world they live in. She is fairly content with things the way they are. She is far from being a rebel like Holden. She is truly admirable in the sensitive way she listens to him and handles his tantrum. She may be a phony, but she has some very good qualities, which Holden may appreciate on some unconscious level. It may be because he knows she cares for him a little that he confides in her and makes his wildly impractical proposal to run away together and get married on $180, especially when he is only sixteen and she is similar in age.

We can sympathize with Holden for wanting to break free, but we can also sympathize with Sally, who not only has more sense than Holden but also handles him so diplomatically. In the end, they have not really planned anything. It was his plan to go see Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. It was her plan to go ice-skating at Radio City. It was his plan to run away together to Massachusetts or Vermont. Holden seems to get along better with Sally Hayes than he does with most of the characters in the book, yet they end up hating each other. Much of The Catcher in the Rye is about Holden's disappointing encounters with other people. The only person with whom he seems to relate successfully is with his little sister Phoebe. 

What is one of the main problems with Nietzsche's idea of the "ubermensch," or superman?

Frederich Nietzche's conception of a "superman," one who is literally "beyond human," grew out of his previous pronouncement that "God is dead," by which he meant that human civilization had outgrown the need for a mythologically-based value system (Christianity), and that the values of Christianity and other religions had ceased to be useful and even relevant in the age of science and reason. Although Nietzsche himself never advocated for the notion of racial or ethnic supremacy, many historians believe that his philosophy laid the groundwork for fascism and the rise of totalitarian dictatorships.

Nietzsche's idealized "ubermensch" would, according to Nietzsche, be so advanced and wise that he would create his own system of values and ethics to govern himself and the world. According to Nietzche, this new race of advanced humans, specifically men, would rely on women solely for reproduction, so that those women could give birth to more supermen. In this way, the philosophy of the superman justified relegating women to second class citizenship, and Hitler (among others) later used this philosophy to justify misogyny and sexism.

Most disturbing of all, the notion of a "race of superior men" who would evolve from other ordinary humans, helped justify all sorts of racism, eugenics, and eventually, genocide. If God was dead and the moral components of Christianity became obsolete, as Hitler and other despots argued, then the supermen, often self-appointed as such, could justify any actions they took based on the notion that they were God-like humans, to whom morality and rule of law did not apply. 

Ultimately, Nietzsche's conception of the ubermensch, though revolutionary and shocking at the time, was not problematic in and of itself. Nietzsche could not have fathomed how his idea would have been used. Yet it did become very dangerous in the hands of those who lacked a nuanced understanding of what Nietzsche was discussing, or simply didn't care. Nietzsche was ultimately pondering how to improve the world and create a new morality, which later philosophers like Bertrand Russell would term "humanistic." In the wrong hands, however, the concept of the ubermensch became twisted, and it was used to  advance the murderous agendas of numerous dictators during the 20th century.

How does Old Behrman catch pneumonia in "The Last Leaf" by O. Henri?

O. Henry introduces the subject of pneumonia early in "The Last Leaf."

That was in May. In November a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called Pneumonia, stalked about the colony, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. Over on the east side this ravager strode boldly, smiting his victims by scores, but his feet trod slowly through the maze of the narrow and moss-grown “places.”

In O. Henry's day little was known about the...

O. Henry introduces the subject of pneumonia early in "The Last Leaf."

That was in May. In November a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called Pneumonia, stalked about the colony, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. Over on the east side this ravager strode boldly, smiting his victims by scores, but his feet trod slowly through the maze of the narrow and moss-grown “places.”

In O. Henry's day little was known about the disease, and doctors had no antibiotics to treat it. According to the Mayo Clinic:

A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

Most of the people in New York must have been exposed to organisms that could cause pneumonia, but it was mainly those who were susceptible for one reason or another who caught it and died. Old Behrman is a good candidate for pneumonia even before he goes out on a stormy night to paint a fake leaf on a brick wall. He is old. His heavy drinking has  affected his health. He doesn't take good care of himself. He doesn't dress warmly. O. Henry intentionally shows how Behrman dresses inappropriately for the weather.

A persistent, cold rain was falling, mingled with snow. Behrman, in his old blue shirt, took his seat as the hermit miner on an upturned kettle for a rock.

Even indoors in those cheap living quarters in Greenwich Village, it must be very cold inside. When Behrman goes outside in the dead of night to paint that single ivy leaf, he is probably still wearing only "his old blue shirt." It is no wonder that he succumbs to pneumonia, since it is going around and since he exposes himself heedlessly to cold, wind, and rain.

How would you describe Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is the sister of Atticus and Jack.  She is married to Jimmy, who rarely speaks or works.  They live at Finch's Landing.  They have an adult son, Henry.  He is married and has his own son, Francis.  Aunt Alexandra coddles Francis.  She teaches him how to cook and tells him her opinion on many things.  She is a good cook, and every year she prepares a large Christmas meal.

Family heritage and Maycomb...

Aunt Alexandra is the sister of Atticus and Jack.  She is married to Jimmy, who rarely speaks or works.  They live at Finch's Landing.  They have an adult son, Henry.  He is married and has his own son, Francis.  Aunt Alexandra coddles Francis.  She teaches him how to cook and tells him her opinion on many things.  She is a good cook, and every year she prepares a large Christmas meal.

Family heritage and Maycomb County are important to Aunt Alexandra.  She is proud to be a Finch.  She thinks that Scout needs to act more like a young lady, and one of the reasons is so that she can help maintain the Finch image around town.  Aunt Alexandra is very proper, and she believes in dressing appropriately.  In Chapter 13, Scout describes her aunt's outward appearance:

She was not fat, but solid, and she chose protective garments that drew up her bosom to giddy heights, pinched in her waist, flared out her rear, and managed to suggest that Aunt Alexandra's was once an hour-glass figure. From any angle, it was formidable.

Atticus and Uncle Jack are warm and friendly.  They are usually easy-going and kind.  Aunt Alexandra does not naturally share these traits.  Scout sees her aunt as an oddity in the family:

... I decided that she had been swapped at birth, that my grandparents had perhaps received a Crawford instead of a Finch.  Had I ever harbored the mystical notions about mountains that seem to obsess lawyers and judges, Aunt Alexandra would have been analogous to Mount Everest: throughout my early life, she was cold and there (To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 9).

When Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch house, she becomes involved with the missionary circle.  She is an excellent hostess, hosting teas in the Finch home.  Scout also describes her aunt's manners and demeanor:

... she had river-boat, boarding-school manners; let any moral come along and she would uphold it; she was born in the objective case; she was an incurable gossip.  When Aunt Alexandra went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, so she knew not its meaning.  She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.

What profession does Zachary want to pursue?

When Lily confides in Zach that she want to become a writer, he shares with her that he would like to be a lawyer. Lily tells him she has never heard of a Negro lawyer before, which is not surprising, since she has been raised in the South, in a rural and segregated environment, in the fifties and sixties. Zach does have a bit of a mentor, Mr. Forrest, a local attorney, who talks to...

When Lily confides in Zach that she want to become a writer, he shares with her that he would like to be a lawyer. Lily tells him she has never heard of a Negro lawyer before, which is not surprising, since she has been raised in the South, in a rural and segregated environment, in the fifties and sixties. Zach does have a bit of a mentor, Mr. Forrest, a local attorney, who talks to Zach about his cases, lets him look through his books, and has even given Zach some old law books to take home. Sadly, Zach gets to see the other side of the law when he is jailed after an altercation with a group of racist white men in town. The charges against him are dismissed, but not before his being jailed has led to the suicide of May, who can no longer bear all the racism and sadness of people's lives. But Zach is even more determined to become a lawyer and fight for justice, saying, 

Nobody will believe how hard I'm gonna study this year. That jail cell is gonna make me earn grades higher than I ever got (231).

Lily sees his determination, that he will use this experience, to become part of the wave of change she sees coming, fights against racial injustice, even in the South, and that Zach would be someone who would help bring those changes about. 

In Act III of Romeo and Juliet, what does Mercutio think is the reason for Romeo refusing to fight?

Mercutio thinks Romeo refuses to fight with Tybalt when challenged because he is afraid of him. Neither Mercutio nor Tybalt knows Romeo secretly married Tybalt's cousin Juliet and now feels well disposed to all members of the Capulet family because of his new relationship with them. Mercutio believes Romeo's refusal to fight the insulting and belligerent Tybalt is disgraceful and challenges Tybalt to fight him instead.

Romeo tries to prevent Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting...

Mercutio thinks Romeo refuses to fight with Tybalt when challenged because he is afraid of him. Neither Mercutio nor Tybalt knows Romeo secretly married Tybalt's cousin Juliet and now feels well disposed to all members of the Capulet family because of his new relationship with them. Mercutio believes Romeo's refusal to fight the insulting and belligerent Tybalt is disgraceful and challenges Tybalt to fight him instead.

Romeo tries to prevent Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting by getting between them. He reminds them the Prince forbids sword-fighting in the streets. Tybalt gives Mercutio a fatal sword-wound. According to the stage directions:

Tybalt under Romeo's arm thrusts Mercutio in, and flies with his Followers.

Because Mercutio is his best friend and a member of the house of Montague, Romeo feels compelled to challenge Tybalt in revenge, especially since his attempted intervention was responsible for Mercutio's fatal wound. When Tybalt returns to the scene, the two young men have a brief duel in which Romeo kills Tybalt in the heat of anger.

This marks the turning point in the play. It leads to the deaths of Juliet and Romeo in the tomb after the young bride is in a state resembling death. 

Which quotes from the novel Lord of the Flies best illustrate the breakdown of social order on the island?

In Chapter 8, Jack says that he quits Ralph's group and runs off to the other end of the island to start his own tribe. Shortly after Jack leaves, the majority of the boys follow him and decide to join his tribe. Ralph is extremely upset to see how many boys abandoned the group and has a discussion with Piggy about why the social order has been declining. Ralph mentions that he is scared and says,

"Not of the beast. I mean I’m scared of that too. But nobody else understands about the fire. If someone threw you a rope when you were drowning. If a doctor said take this because if you don’t take it you’ll die—you would, wouldn’t you? I mean?" (Golding 200).

Ralph cannot comprehend how Jack and his band do not care about being rescued. They are not concerned about maintaining a signal fire and choose to hunt rather than be civil. The boys' disregard for maintaining a signal fire and Ralph's frustration illustrate the breakdown of social order on the island.

In Chapter 11, Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric travel to Castle Rock to retrieve Piggy's stolen glasses. While Ralph is speaking with Jack, Roger hurls a giant boulder towards Piggy. Golding writes,

"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went" (260).

The rock not only kills Piggy but also destroys the conch which is a symbol of civility and democracy. This scene depicts how depraved and barbaric the boys have become on the island. With the destruction of the conch, there is no longer any hope for civilization on the island which illustrates the extensive breakdown of social order.

What might be a good theme for Lois Lowry's The Giver?

A theme is the main idea, a main message, or subject for discussion. Generally novels have many different themes or motifs that can be discussed. One way to find a theme is by recognizing the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. For example, Jonas is the protagonist and his main struggle is against the condition of Sameness that his community lives under. First, he has to discover what Sameness is and means, though. In the...

A theme is the main idea, a main message, or subject for discussion. Generally novels have many different themes or motifs that can be discussed. One way to find a theme is by recognizing the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. For example, Jonas is the protagonist and his main struggle is against the condition of Sameness that his community lives under. First, he has to discover what Sameness is and means, though. In the beginning, he doesn't know how Sameness impacts his life and the lives of his friends and family. Then, once he does understand the sacrifices that are made in order to live under Sameness, he must make the choice to accept or reject it. How Jonas handles the information and memories he receives determines the theme and the message that the author wants to send to readers. One comment Jonas makes brings up an important theme surrounding freedom to choose:

"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).

Freedom to make one's own daily choices is important to everyone. This fundamental human desire is thematic because it applies to everyone and the human condition.

Another event that shakes Jonas up is when he sees his father kill a newborn twin simply because he weighs less than his brother. This begs the question if it is morally right to kill an innocent child simply to control the population. Who should choose who lives and dies? The freedom to choose life is taken away from this helpless baby and Jonas is faced with whether or not he supports this practice.

Finally, choices are taken away from the community on a daily basis, but they don't even know it. For example, colors, sunlight, and love are never even presented to the community for them to choose or to reject. As a result, those choices are made for them and they remain in ignorance never knowing what choices they could have had. Therefore, one major theme in The Giver is choice or the freedom to choose because the ability and opportunity to choose are all taken away from people without their knowledge or consent. As a result, Jonas chooses to reject Sameness.

What are two examples of archetypes in The Odyssey?

Odysseus--the protagonist of Homer's The Odyssey--represents a number of different archetypes. Two of these include the "trickster" and the "explorer." The trickster relies on his cleverness to get out of sticky situations, as Odysseus does repeatedly in the Odyssey (and the Iliad). For example, he tells Polyphemus, the cyclops, that his name is "Nobody" so that the cyclops' neighbors do not pay any attention when Polyphemus screams "Nobody is killing me!" Odysseus...

Odysseus--the protagonist of Homer's The Odyssey--represents a number of different archetypes. Two of these include the "trickster" and the "explorer." The trickster relies on his cleverness to get out of sticky situations, as Odysseus does repeatedly in the Odyssey (and the Iliad). For example, he tells Polyphemus, the cyclops, that his name is "Nobody" so that the cyclops' neighbors do not pay any attention when Polyphemus screams "Nobody is killing me!" Odysseus was also responsible for devising the strategy of the Trojan Horse, which allowed the Greeks to infiltrate Troy.

Odysseus also represents the archetype of the explorer. Explorers incessantly pursue a particular quest or goal. For Odysseus, this quest is to return home to Ithaca, his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. The entire Odyssey chronicles his journey home, as well as the trials, tribulations, and diversions which lengthened that journey by a decade. 

Did they have computers in The Giver?

The community does have computers and advanced technology. 

Jonas does have at least some understanding of the workings of a computer.  When Jonas and The Giver discuss memory, Jonas tells the old man that he understands what memory is because he has learned about it in school. 

"My Instructors in science and technology have taught us about how the brain works," Jonas told him eagerly. "It's full of electrical impulses. It's like a computer....

The community does have computers and advanced technology. 

Jonas does have at least some understanding of the workings of a computer.  When Jonas and The Giver discuss memory, Jonas tells the old man that he understands what memory is because he has learned about it in school. 

"My Instructors in science and technology have taught us about how the brain works," Jonas told him eagerly. "It's full of electrical impulses. It's like a computer. If you stimulate one part of the brain with an electrode, it--" (Ch. 13) 

The Giver tells him that they “know nothing.”  The community has tight control over everything, a concept called Sameness.  Part of this involves very adept use of technology and an interesting use of memories.  We are never really told exactly how the community accomplishes its technological tasks, but they clearly have advanced technology. 

Technology is an important part of everyone’s everyday life too.  Children learn about it in school, and once they turn twelve they learn the technology required for their new Assignments. 

School was less important to him now; and before much more time passed, his formal schooling would end. But still, for Twelves, though they had begun their adult training, there were the endless lists of rules to be memorized and the newest technology to be mastered. (Ch. 17) 

Again, we are not given much detail.  Science and technology are usually mentioned together.  The community has advanced technology in areas of genetic engineering, technology, and biomechanics.  We do not know what technology they have, but we know they have at least most of the technology that we have and then some.  After all, they can control memories, color, the climate, and genetics.  Sometimes these are used against the citizens.  When Jonas escapes, he remembers that he learned in science and technology classes about heat-sensing search planes, and he avoids them.  

What is Kit Tyler's reaction to Connecticut and the community she joins in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

Kit was surprised and disappointed when she arrived in Connecticut, and eventually in Wethersfield.  Kit had expected established towns, with solidly built buildings and paved streets.  Instead, she found a much less established place when she first gazed upon Saybrook.  The author described Kit's reaction:

She didn't want to admit how disappointing she found this first glimpse of America. The bleak line of shore surrounding the gray harbor was a disheartening contrast to the shimmering...

Kit was surprised and disappointed when she arrived in Connecticut, and eventually in Wethersfield.  Kit had expected established towns, with solidly built buildings and paved streets.  Instead, she found a much less established place when she first gazed upon Saybrook.  The author described Kit's reaction:

She didn't want to admit how disappointing she found this first glimpse of America. The bleak line of shore surrounding the gray harbor was a disheartening contrast to the shimmering green and white that fringed the turquoise bay of Barbados, which was her home. The earthen wall of the fortification that faced the river was bare and ugly, and the houses beyond were no more than plain wooden boxes. 

Kit had endured a long ocean journey, and had been expecting a more welcoming place.  She did not feel welcomed by the "row of unimpressive shacks" in Saybrook.  She had hopes for a more impressive town in Wethersfield.  When she arrived, she saw that "out of the mist jutted a row of cavernous wooden structures... and beyond that the dense, dripping green of fields and woods."  She did find her aunt and uncle's house to be "solid and respectable, compared to the cabins they had passed."

In Barbados, Kit had lived a life of relative freedom.  She spent time outside, swam, and dressed how she pleased.  Kit found her uncle in Wethersfield to be a stern and strict man.  He thought that her clothes were too frivolous.  She was expected to do many chores around the house and to live simply.  Kit felt that her uncle did not accept her as she was.  She felt like a burden at times.

What is the role of public opinion of Americans on USA attack on IRAQ in 2003?

American public opinion played a significant role in the Iraq conflict in 2003.

In 2003, American public support for the United States' use of military in Iraq was very high.  According to PEW Research, over 70% of those surveyed believed that it was the right decision to use military force in Iraq.  In 2003, Americans believed that Iraq possessed "weapons of mass destruction." Military action was seen as the only way to rid then- leader...

American public opinion played a significant role in the Iraq conflict in 2003.

In 2003, American public support for the United States' use of military in Iraq was very high.  According to PEW Research, over 70% of those surveyed believed that it was the right decision to use military force in Iraq.  In 2003, Americans believed that Iraq possessed "weapons of mass destruction." Military action was seen as the only way to rid then- leader Saddam Hussein of them.  In a January 2003 poll conducted by CBS news, 85% of those polled believed that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was not cooperating with United Nations inspectors' attempts to find them.  In that same poll, a majority of Americans believed that the United States was losing respect in the world.  These elements help to explain how public opinion played a significant role in American military action against Iraq.

In 2003, the American public was still reeling from the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Polling in 2003 reveals that some of this anger fueled the desire to use military force in Iraq.  It also helped to underscore how the fear of Iraq's use of weapons of mass destruction convinced Americans of the need to use military force.  While 2003 polling data reveals support for the American incursion, these numbers begin to decrease as the war became more protracted and victory became more nuanced.

How did Georgia change after becoming a royal colony in 1752?

Georgia was the last colony to join the original thirteen.  Before becoming a royal colony in 1752, Georgia was a trustee colony meaning it was governed by a board of directors.  Under the trustee system, people could not buy land and if they had land could not sell it for a profit.  The population was much smaller than the other colonies.  Slavery was also prohibited in the colonies as was the consumption of alcohol.  The...

Georgia was the last colony to join the original thirteen.  Before becoming a royal colony in 1752, Georgia was a trustee colony meaning it was governed by a board of directors.  Under the trustee system, people could not buy land and if they had land could not sell it for a profit.  The population was much smaller than the other colonies.  Slavery was also prohibited in the colonies as was the consumption of alcohol.  The change to a royal colony had a dramatic effect on Georgia's agricultural output and economy.  The population of the state increased as the land was available for sale.  Many wealthy planters saw this as an opportunity to grab large tracts of land to build plantations. Slavery was permitted now and the number of  slaves increased from 500 to over 18,000 in a five-year period.  The slave system was quickly entrenched in Georgia and within ten years slaves were being brought directly from Africa. Profits soared for the elite, who were a vast minority of the people in the state.  The political arrangement was also transformed to a more representative form of government. A legislative body was created that was comprised of citizens elected by wealthy landowners.  Courts were also established to settle disputes.  All of these changes helped the population of Georgia to grow and the economy to prosper in a way that was not possible during the period of trustees.  

How does Macbeth reveal that he is struggling with conflicting ideas?

Macbeth is a complex character. He displays the tension between his "black and deep desires" and the moral principles which must be obeyed. He shows this tension in his soliloquies in which he lets us know about his fears and doubts. One of the soliloquies that allows us to examine his inner conflict more closely is in Act I, Scene 7. 

In this soliloquy, Macbeth reveals that he should not kill king Duncan for three...

Macbeth is a complex character. He displays the tension between his "black and deep desires" and the moral principles which must be obeyed. He shows this tension in his soliloquies in which he lets us know about his fears and doubts. One of the soliloquies that allows us to examine his inner conflict more closely is in Act I, Scene 7. 

In this soliloquy, Macbeth reveals that he should not kill king Duncan for three major reasons. Firstly, Duncan is his king and Macbeth should be his loyal subject. Secondly, they are relatives, so it'd be abnormal and against nature to kill Duncan. Thirdly, Macbeth will be his host, so as a host, Macbeth should protect his guest, not murder him.

Nevertheless, Macbeth admits that his ambition is the one that still motivates him to follow through with his plan. And even when it seems he will stop with his plan, Lady Macbeth pushes him forward and manipulates him into going after his unchecked ambition. Once he kills Duncan, Macbeth slowly transforms himself into a cold-blooded tyrant. 

How does the theme of isolation appear in "The Lady of Shalott"?

Much of the poem's poignancy lies in the physical and emotional isolation the Lady of Shalott experiences. In the first three parts, Tennyson builds her isolation until it reaches a crescendo. First, the lady lives on "the silent isle" of Shalott, a piece of ground that stands isolated from the main road that leads to Camelot. Because she never so much as comes to her window, she is not "known in all the land," but...

Much of the poem's poignancy lies in the physical and emotional isolation the Lady of Shalott experiences. In the first three parts, Tennyson builds her isolation until it reaches a crescendo. First, the lady lives on "the silent isle" of Shalott, a piece of ground that stands isolated from the main road that leads to Camelot. Because she never so much as comes to her window, she is not "known in all the land," but the reapers hear her vocal solo. She sees in her mirror many groups of people: "village churls," "market girls," and "a troop of damsels glad." Sometimes she sees individuals traveling past as well, but the knights, interestingly, come by "two and two," and the poet points out that "she hath no loyal knight and true." Seeing the "two young lovers lately wed" is the event that prompts the lady to realize that she is "half sick of shadows," meaning that she is beginning to feel the emotional pain of her isolation. The pairs she sees, the lovers and the pairs of knights, seem to make the isolation even more distressing. When Lancelot appears, he is by himself, but "a red-cross knight forever kneeled to a lady in his shield," pointing out that he, like the lady, was made to be in a man-woman relationship. This sight causes the lady to risk the curse and leave her weaving. When she goes down to the river, no other people seem to be present. She rides alone in the boat toward Camelot. In fact, she dies before she reaches the presence of any people, "ere she reached upon the tide the first house by the waterside." So she dies alone. The people who come to see her are listed in pairs: "knight and burger, lord and dame." Lancelot separates himself from the crowd, however, and speaks a blessing over the lady's dead body. Although it has come too late, she is paired, if only briefly, with Lancelot at the end; that is the first time she has been with another person during the entire poem.

The poem has been interpreted by some as a reflection on the isolation of the artist and by others of the isolation and captivity of the Victorian woman. Either way, the poem poignantly pictures a person who has suffered from physical and emotional isolation in life and in death.

How can a student write an essay about Sense and Sensibility?

The best way to begin the writing process for any essay is to ask questions about the topic. In this case, your topic is Sense and Sensibility, a wonderful book about the contrast and connection between reason and emotion. What questions came to your mind as you read the book? Here are some that came to mine.

• Should Marianne have been more guarded around Willoughby?


• Should Marianne have married Colonel Brandon?


• How do Elinor...

The best way to begin the writing process for any essay is to ask questions about the topic. In this case, your topic is Sense and Sensibility, a wonderful book about the contrast and connection between reason and emotion. What questions came to your mind as you read the book? Here are some that came to mine.

• Should Marianne have been more guarded around Willoughby?


• Should Marianne have married Colonel Brandon?


• How do Elinor and Marianne view relationships and marriage differently?


• Are sense--a person's rational thoughts--and sensibility--a person's passions and emotions--necessarily opposed to one another?


• Is Austen's view of marriage correct or flawed?

Make sure to choose a question that interests you, not someone else. This will help keep you motivated as you write. Once you determine this question, reread the novel (or at least some key chapters related to your question) and underline or highlight quotations related to your question.

After you do this, write a thesis: a single-sentence statement of your argument and your reasons for arguing this. Make sure that your thesis--while an opinion--is based on evidence from the book. Create an outline according to your teacher's format requirements, and then write the essay according to your outline.

`int_0^(pi/4) tan^4(t) dt` Evaluate the integral

`int_0^(pi/4) tan^4(t) dt`

Express the integrand in factor form.

`= int _0^(pi/4) tan^2(t) *tan^2(t) dt`

Plug-in the trigonometric identity `tan^2(t) = sec^2(t)-1` to one of the factors.

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)*(sec^2(t)-1) dt`

`= int_0^(pi/4) (tan^2(t)sec^2(t)-tan^2(t)) dt`

`= int _0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)sec^2(t) dt - int_0^(pi/4)tan^2(t) dt`

Plug-in again the trigonometric identity  `tan^2(t) =sec^2(t) - 1` to the second integral.

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)sec^2(t)dt- int_0^(pi/4) (sec^2(t) - 1) dt`

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t) sec^2(t) dt - int_0^(pi/4) sec^2(t)dt + int_0^(pi/4) dt`

...

`int_0^(pi/4) tan^4(t) dt`

Express the integrand in factor form.

`= int _0^(pi/4) tan^2(t) *tan^2(t) dt`

Plug-in the trigonometric identity `tan^2(t) = sec^2(t)-1` to one of the factors.

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)*(sec^2(t)-1) dt`

`= int_0^(pi/4) (tan^2(t)sec^2(t)-tan^2(t)) dt`

`= int _0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)sec^2(t) dt - int_0^(pi/4)tan^2(t) dt`

Plug-in again the trigonometric identity  `tan^2(t) =sec^2(t) - 1` to the second integral.

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t)sec^2(t)dt- int_0^(pi/4) (sec^2(t) - 1) dt`

`= int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t) sec^2(t) dt - int_0^(pi/4) sec^2(t)dt + int_0^(pi/4) dt`

For the first integral, apply the u-substitution method.

     `u=tan (t)`

     `du = sec^2(t) dt`

>> `int tan^2(t) sec^2(t)dt = int u^2du=u^3/3 = (tan^3(t))/3`

For the second integral, apply the formula `int sec^2 x dx = tanx` .

>> `int sec^2(t)dt = tan (t)`

And for the third integral, apply the formula `int adx = ax` .

`gtgt int dt = t`

So the integral becomes:

`int_0^(pi/4) tan^2(t) sec^2(t) dt - int_0^(pi/4) sec^2(t)dt + int_0^(pi/4) dt`

`= ((tan^3(t))/3 -tan(t) + t) |_0^(pi/4)`

`=((tan^3(pi/4))/3 - tan(pi/4) + pi/4) - ((tan^3(0))/3 - tan(0) + 0)`

`= (1/3 - 1 + pi/4) - 0`

`=pi/4 - 2/3`

Therefore,   `int_0^(pi/4) tan^4(t) dt = pi/4 - 2/3` .

How is the representation of Ophelia, from Hamlet, still relevant to modern society?

Ophelia is the quintessential "good girl," who does everything she is supposed to. She is an obedient daughter (agreeing to quit seeing Hamlet, then spy on him for her father Polonius), a patient sister (listening to Laetres' gross virginity speech), and just altogether patient and charming. Meanwhile she has no control or agency over her body, sexuality, or marriage choices.

It's hardly surprising, then, when she goes insane, passing out flowers to everyone, singing a...

Ophelia is the quintessential "good girl," who does everything she is supposed to. She is an obedient daughter (agreeing to quit seeing Hamlet, then spy on him for her father Polonius), a patient sister (listening to Laetres' gross virginity speech), and just altogether patient and charming. Meanwhile she has no control or agency over her body, sexuality, or marriage choices.

It's hardly surprising, then, when she goes insane, passing out flowers to everyone, singing a song about a maiden who was pressured into sex then abandoned, and finally drowned by her flowing dress and skirts. The reason for her insanity seems pretty clearly to fall at the feet of the pressure she felt to live up to her family's and society's expectations for her.    

This theme is absolutely relevant to today's society. Girls and women are still under constant pressure. Beauty standards imposed by magazines and models and make-up companies define a narrow but rigid set of acceptable looks for women to work towards. The double standard of sexuality that Ophelia was held to still exists, devaluing women for looking or acting "too slutty," but celebrating men for the same behaviors. Women are able to make more of their own choices now than Ophelia was, but are constantly criticized for them. A working mother is "taking on too much" or "neglecting her kids," while a stay-at-home-mom is "old-fashioned" or "not living up to her potential."

As long as social norms put undue pressure on women to fit into a strict set of standards, Ophelia's story will be relevant. 

In Lord of the Flies Ralph says, "If we have a signal going, they'll come and take us off. And another thing. We ought to have more rules. Where...

The literary device Golding uses in this quote is symbolism, and at least three levels of symbolism are at work here. First, Golding has his characters choose a symbol for themselves as part of the action of the story. The boys have chosen the conch as a symbol of their form of government, which happens to be a type of democracy. They voted to elect Ralph as their chief, and they agreed to rules for their assemblies, including that whoever has the conch must be allowed to speak uninterrupted. This quote extends the authority of the conch, and therefore their democracy, to everywhere on the island. While the characters overtly use the conch as a symbol, Golding develops the symbol further in the narrative, using it to stand for the order of a civilized society. It comes to represent Ralph, Piggy, and the faction on the island that wants to remain civilized, as opposed to Jack's band that descends into savagery. Another symbol evident in the quote is the signal fire, which represents hope of rescue and a connection with the outside world. Ralph is "nuts on the signal," according to Jack, but as Ralph begins to despair and lose focus, Piggy often has to remind him of the importance of the fire. 

The quote could be analyzed in several ways. One would be to examine how it relates to the action of the story. Coming early in the novel, the quote establishes the importance of the conch and the fire, two elements that drive the narrative. This scene foreshadows the scene on Castle Rock when Piggy carries the conch when he and Ralph go to confront Jack about Piggy's glasses; at that later meeting, both the conch and Ralph's desire for "more rules" are shattered. 

The quote could be analyzed in terms of characterization, using it to show Ralph's blossoming skills as a leader and his relationship with Jack, since Jack immediately agrees with this declaration by Ralph.

One could also analyze the quote in relation to many of the themes of the novel, such as civilization versus savagery as discussed above. Another theme this quote could be helpful in exploring is what the book has to say about leadership. Ralph does not have natural leadership abilities like Jack, and he is not as intelligent as Piggy, yet he has leadership "thrust upon him." He takes his responsibility seriously throughout the novel, and he demonstrates that a good leader denies his own desires at times for the good of the group. Here he operates outside his comfort zone and skill set to help the entire group of boys who are now under his authority.

Summarize the poem "An April Day." |

In "An April Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the speaker notices and celebrates the beauty of nature in spring: the flowers, forests, saplings (baby trees); the morning and the evening; even the moon and stars. He closes by romantically asserting the everlasting nature of his love for this time of year.

This poem has eight stanzas. Keep in mind that it's called "An April Day," so it's basically describing all the beautiful things that can be...

In "An April Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the speaker notices and celebrates the beauty of nature in spring: the flowers, forests, saplings (baby trees); the morning and the evening; even the moon and stars. He closes by romantically asserting the everlasting nature of his love for this time of year.

This poem has eight stanzas. Keep in mind that it's called "An April Day," so it's basically describing all the beautiful things that can be seen during one day in April. By taking a look at each, we can come up with a more detailed summary:

Stanza 1: It's springtime and the sun is coming up. It's warm. The speaker goes out to the forest, where flowers are starting to bloom.

Stanza 2: There in the forest, there are all kinds of bright things to see, and it's not stormy.

Stanza 3: Baby trees are starting to pop up, and older trees are starting to perk up.

Stanza 4: The speaker hears birds singing, and he sees their colorful wings.

Stanza 5: The sun starts to set and makes the whole woods and all the surrounding hills look beautiful.

Stanza 6: Evening comes, and the speaker enjoys the beauty of the lake as well as the sky, moon, and stars above.

Stanza 7: The lake beautifully reflects the whole scene that the speaker sees.

Stanza 8: The speaker says he will love the month of April for his whole life.

What two questions does the narrator ask the raven towards the end of "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe?

The speaker in "The Raven" asks the bird if there's anything that will ease his heartache, and if there's any chance he'll see his lost love in the afterlife.

Let's check out the details of these two questions:

1. In the fourth-to-last stanza, the speaker asks the raven:

Is there- is there balm in Gilead?

What he means is, "Is there anything that will comfort my soul?" We know that the speaker is in...

The speaker in "The Raven" asks the bird if there's anything that will ease his heartache, and if there's any chance he'll see his lost love in the afterlife.

Let's check out the details of these two questions:

1. In the fourth-to-last stanza, the speaker asks the raven:

Is there- is there balm in Gilead?

What he means is, "Is there anything that will comfort my soul?" We know that the speaker is in a deep depression brought on by grief over the death of his love, Lenore, so by asking if there's balm in Gilead, he's asking if there's anything that will soothe his pain or offer relief from his profound sadness.

You'll notice that this is not a very specific question. (It's a reference to the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, when someone originally spoke that question when demanding to know why the "daughter of his people" hadn't yet been healed.)

2. In the third-to-last stanza, the speaker gets more specific and asks the bird if there's a chance that he can see his beloved Lenore in the afterlife. In other words, he's asking if it's true that his soul and the soul of Lenore will once again be joined after death.

I suppose if you want to be very picky, you could say the speaker doesn't really ask a question but instead makes a demand for information in the form of "Tell me..."

Anyway, here's how he requests this final piece of information:

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore- 

Of course, the bird's answer is "no" ("nevermore") and it upsets the speaker so much that he yells and tries to get the bird to leave, but it won't.

How did the Seven Years' War affect the British in North America?

The Seven Years’ War had a major impact on the British in North America. The portion of the Seven Years’ War in North America was called the French and Indian War.

The French and Indian War was fought between Great Britain and France. Most Native American tribes sided with the French. The British were able to win the French and Indian War as well as the Seven Years’ War. This victory had a major impact on the British.

The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the war. As a result of this treaty, the British got all of France’s land east of the Mississippi River, except for New Orleans. Great Britain also got some of France’s land in Canada. France was completely out of North America after this treaty was signed.

Most Native American tribes weren’t happy that Great Britain got all of this land. They believed the British would try to take away their land. There were uprisings, such as Pontiac’s Rebellion, that occurred between the British and the Native Americans. This led the British to pass the Proclamation of 1763, preventing the colonists from settling in the lands Great Britain received from France. This law was the first law that led to the growing conflict between the colonists and Great Britain that eventually led to the American Revolution.

The Seven Years’ War had a huge impact on the British and their colonies in North America.

What is a summary of Arthur Conan Doyle's "Night Voices"?

Night Voices is one creepy poem. 

The first two stanzas seem to be a conversation between a young child and his (the gender isn't clear, but let's assume it is a young boy for the sake of expediency) father near bedtime. The child asks his father, "who is it who whispers in the wood?"

The father, as any parent does, is quick to assure his child. He says, "it is the breeze/As it sighs among...

Night Voices is one creepy poem. 

The first two stanzas seem to be a conversation between a young child and his (the gender isn't clear, but let's assume it is a young boy for the sake of expediency) father near bedtime. The child asks his father, "who is it who whispers in the wood?"

The father, as any parent does, is quick to assure his child. He says, "it is the breeze/As it sighs among the trees." 

But the child is unsure. He is convinced that "there's some one who whispers in the wood." 

The second stanza is the same as the first, replacing whispering in the wood with murmuring in the night.

The third stanza is where things start to change. We (the readers) start to become aware that something is not right. The child asks the father to "let us go,/For the light is burning low." Let us go from where? Why would a child be pleading with his father to let him go? And who is "us"?

In the fourth and final stanza, our whole perception of this poem is drastically changed. For your convenience, here is the whole fourth stanza:

"Father, father, tell me what you're waiting for,
Tell me why your eyes are on the door.
It is dark and it is late,
But you sit so still and straight,
Ever staring, ever smiling, at the door."

Now, the father's actions have replaced the noises in the night as the creepy subject of the poem. The father is not a comforting figure, but stares, "ever smiling, at the door." He is terrifying--the active figure in the horror story. His answers from earlier in the story are under question, and we fear for the future of the children. 

What are the different types of genetic mutations?

Many different types of genetic mutations exist, with each having various effects on the proteins they code for within the body. One such type is a missense mutation. In a missense mutation, the problem arises due to the change of one DNA base pair for another, leading to the presence of a different amino acid than originally intended in the final protein. Another type of mutation is a nonsense mutation. A nonsense mutation is similar to a missense mutation in that it again occurs when one DNA base pair is changed from its original to another. It is different, however, because in this mutation the change does not lead to a different amino acid being present, but rather signals for a stop codon, causing the protein to prematurely stop being made. This can lead to shortened proteins that are compromised in function or that may not function at all. A third type of mutation is an insertion. As the name implies, this type of mutation occurs when a new DNA base pair, or pairs, are added into a gene. Conversely, another type of mutation is a deletion, which, as the name implies, occurs when a DNA base pair, or pairs, are deleted from a gene. In a duplication mutation, a part of the DNA is copied one or more times into the gene, resulting in a change in the overall DNA sequence compared to normal.

Frame shift mutations are also a form of genetic mutation. These mutations occur when DNA base pairs are either lost or gained, causing a change in the “reading frame” of DNA. This reading frame is made up of three base pairs that code for a specific amino acid; therefore, an insertion, deletion, or duplication mutation can also lead to a frame shift mutation. Finally, a repeat expansion can occur, leading to genetic mutation. In the case of repeat expansion, a short sequence of DNA is replicated in its entirety in the gene, and can appear a number of times.

Overall, all of these mutations can affect which amino acid(s) coded for by the DNA present. This change can alter the final conformation of the protein and can lead to improper function.

Hope this helps!

How is Thomas Putnam responsible for the witch trials in Salem?

There are many contributing factors to the witch trials in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, and fingers are often pointed at specific characters, Reverend Parris and Thomas Putnam included.  On the surface, Parris appears centrally involved, since he discovers and covers up the girls’ illicit behavior in the woods.  However, his motive in this is his great concern about his reputation in the village.  After all, he is their minister, and not well-liked at...

There are many contributing factors to the witch trials in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, and fingers are often pointed at specific characters, Reverend Parris and Thomas Putnam included.  On the surface, Parris appears centrally involved, since he discovers and covers up the girls’ illicit behavior in the woods.  However, his motive in this is his great concern about his reputation in the village.  After all, he is their minister, and not well-liked at that.  His goal is to maintain his powerful and rather lucrative position. Admitting that Satan has permeated his village would certainly not improve his social standing. Proof can be seen in Act 1 when Thomas Putnam states, "There is a murdering witch among us." Parris pleads with him to drop it, insisting "They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house." In fact, Parris only invites Reverend Hale to Salem in hopes that the witch expert will disprove the presence of witches in Salem.  Certainly we never see Parris accusing anyone of witchcraft, only protecting his own concerns.

Conversely, Thomas Putnam is the most actively involved adult in the witchcraft accusations, propelled by several motives.  As the wealthiest man in Salem, he self-righteously feels he should be at the forefront of the accusations and trials. It is a position of power--plus, as accuser, he is less likely to become the accused. He also has a vendetta against both Frances Nurse and Reverend Parris.  He feels that Mr. Nurse played a role in the rejection of his brother-in-law’s application for the minister of Salem position, which would have afforded Putnam additional importance in the village.  Putnam has his revenge when his wife, Ann, accuses Frances Nurse’s upright wife, Rebecca, of witchcraft.  They claim that as midwife to Ann’s eight children, Rebecca caused seven of them to die in infancy.  Although power and revenge play a role, perhaps Thomas’ greatest motive is greed--specifically, greed for land.  The people he accuses of being witches, such as his neighbor, George Jacobs, all have land that he conveniently begins to buy up.  The only one Putnam is unable to accuse is Reverend Parris, since the Puritans believed that men of God were divinely protected against Satan. Ultimately, in the actual 1692 Salem witch trials, which Arthur Miller's play emulates, over 200 people were accused of witchcraft, 43 of them by Thomas Putnam, and 0 by Reverend Parris.

What is the background story of "The Rape of the Lock"?

Pope was asked to write "The Rape of the Lock" after a seemingly trivial incident blew up into a fight between the Fermor family and the family of Lord Petre. Lord Petre had become enamored of Arabella Fermor and cut off a lock of her hair without permission, starting the quarrel. You can find out more about this background in the link below. 

Homer's Illiadalso is a background story for this mock heroic,...

Pope was asked to write "The Rape of the Lock" after a seemingly trivial incident blew up into a fight between the Fermor family and the family of Lord Petre. Lord Petre had become enamored of Arabella Fermor and cut off a lock of her hair without permission, starting the quarrel. You can find out more about this background in the link below. 

Homer's Illiad also is a background story for this mock heroic, which pokes fun at a minor incident of hair cutting by exaggerating it to epic proportions. Using the Illiad as a frame highlights the differences between real problems, such a genuine war, and losing a lock of hair.  For instance, the taking of Helen of Troy, a serious incident in the Illiad, becomes the frame for the taking of the lock of hair, making the uproar over the lock all the more ridiculous in comparison. A description of the famous warrior Achilles' shield becomes the description of a petticoat. Contemporary audiences, well-versed in classical literature, would have understood and appreciated the humor in this parody of the Illiad.