Can someone help me find quotes that relate to nobility in Huck Finn?

There are a few ways to look at this question. While on
the river, Huck and Jim run into two con men, who call themselves the Duke and the
Dauphin (King). These men pretend to be nobility, but "these liars warn't no kings nor
dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds." The Duke and King are the furthest
thing from real nobility, but they play the part, "All I say is, kings is kings, and you
got to make allowances. Take them all around, they're a mighty ornery lot. It's the way
they're raised." (chapter 23)

However, the real noble
characters in this book are Huck and Jim. Huck decides to help his friend even though he
himself might be damned for doing so, "I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide,
forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my
breath, and then says to myself:All right, then, I'll GO to hell." (Chapter
30)

Huck helps his friend escape, not because its the right
thing to do (he believes that it is wrong, based on what he has been taught) but because
he just can't bring himself to turn in his friend. It is an innate instinct in Huck that
he must do what he can for his friend, regardless of consequences. Jim, in turn, cares
for Huck and helps him throughout their journey. 

Another
quote that I think illustrates nobility or noble behavior on Huck's behalf is when he
watches the Duke and King get tarred and feathered. Even though the Duke and King were
such terrible human beings and were mean to Huck, Huck didn't believe they deserved such
a terrible death.

readability="9">

"Well, it made me sick to see it; and I was sorry
for them poor pitiful rascals, it seemed like I couldn't ever feel any hardness against
them any more in the world. It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful
cruel to one another." (chap
33)

Another instance of noble
behavior/not-noble behavior you may want to look at is the lynch mob scene in chapter
22. In this scene a man named Boggs threatens a gentleman named Sherburn. Sherburn warns
him to leave peaceably and Boggs doesn't, so Sherburn shoots him. The lynch mob forms to
lynch Sherburn, but Sherburn talks them down:

readability="10">

"Your newspapers call you a brave people so much
that you think you are braver than any other people-- whereas you're just as brave, and
no braver. Why don't your juries hang murderers? Because they're afraid the man's
friends will shoot them in the back, in the dark -- and it's just what they WOULD
do."

He challenges the notion
of "Southern justice" and chastises the crowd for being followers and getting caught up
in a mob mentality. 

Hope this gives you some things to
think about!

Can someone help me find quotes that relate to nobility in Huck Finn?

There are a few ways to look at this question. While on the river, Huck and Jim run into two con men, who call themselves the Duke and the Dauphin (King). These men pretend to be nobility, but "these liars warn't no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds." The Duke and King are the furthest thing from real nobility, but they play the part, "All I say is, kings is kings, and you got to make allowances. Take them all around, they're a mighty ornery lot. It's the way they're raised." (chapter 23)

However, the real noble characters in this book are Huck and Jim. Huck decides to help his friend even though he himself might be damned for doing so, "I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself:All right, then, I'll GO to hell." (Chapter 30)

Huck helps his friend escape, not because its the right thing to do (he believes that it is wrong, based on what he has been taught) but because he just can't bring himself to turn in his friend. It is an innate instinct in Huck that he must do what he can for his friend, regardless of consequences. Jim, in turn, cares for Huck and helps him throughout their journey. 

Another quote that I think illustrates nobility or noble behavior on Huck's behalf is when he watches the Duke and King get tarred and feathered. Even though the Duke and King were such terrible human beings and were mean to Huck, Huck didn't believe they deserved such a terrible death.

"Well, it made me sick to see it; and I was sorry for them poor pitiful rascals, it seemed like I couldn't ever feel any hardness against them any more in the world. It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful cruel to one another." (chap 33)

Another instance of noble behavior/not-noble behavior you may want to look at is the lynch mob scene in chapter 22. In this scene a man named Boggs threatens a gentleman named Sherburn. Sherburn warns him to leave peaceably and Boggs doesn't, so Sherburn shoots him. The lynch mob forms to lynch Sherburn, but Sherburn talks them down:

"Your newspapers call you a brave people so much that you think you are braver than any other people-- whereas you're just as brave, and no braver. Why don't your juries hang murderers? Because they're afraid the man's friends will shoot them in the back, in the dark -- and it's just what they WOULD do."

He challenges the notion of "Southern justice" and chastises the crowd for being followers and getting caught up in a mob mentality. 

Hope this gives you some things to think about!

Information on abolition movement.

This is a very broad question.  You could get a better
answer if you asked a more specific question.

The abolition
movement in the United States was not very strong and not very popular.  Most people,
including Northerners, did not believe in abolishing
slavery.

The movement really got started in the 1830s, due
largely to a wave of reforms that started up in that era.  Some major names in the
movement were William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Lydia Maria Child and the
Grimke sisters.

The abolition movement never really had
much of an impact on government policy.  They did, however, manage to help quite a few
slaves escape from the South.  Their main legacy, however, is that they spoke up against
an evil system when hardly anyone was doing so.

Information on abolition movement.

This is a very broad question.  You could get a better answer if you asked a more specific question.

The abolition movement in the United States was not very strong and not very popular.  Most people, including Northerners, did not believe in abolishing slavery.

The movement really got started in the 1830s, due largely to a wave of reforms that started up in that era.  Some major names in the movement were William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Lydia Maria Child and the Grimke sisters.

The abolition movement never really had much of an impact on government policy.  They did, however, manage to help quite a few slaves escape from the South.  Their main legacy, however, is that they spoke up against an evil system when hardly anyone was doing so.

In "The Silver Sword," what happened to Ludwig the dog? How old the parents were when both got taken away?

Stories very often leave some details to the imagination. We are only told of the horrible storm and of how Ludwig was barking frantically a distance away. Ludwig was running around in circles, half-blinded by the forceful rains and wanting to be rescued by Jan. Jan, for the first time, could not give in to the love and devotion he has always felt for his pets. It was either he helped Ruth to save Edek or he went after Ludwig. He chose the former. So, it is up to you to surmise what may have happened to Lugwig. My guess is, he did not make it through the storm. Then again, maybe he did as the rain had already began to ease and we are told that Ludwig made a sudden bolt inland.

As for the parents, the father was a headmaster so although we are not told his age, we can assume that he is somewhere in his thirties to early forties. Again, you need to rely on your creative imagination. If the parents have three children and the oldest being 13 yr old Ruth, what do you think the ages of their parents might be? Being told everything takes the fun out of the story, don't you think?  

Can one pin-point the strengths, and more importantly, the weaknesses in the relationship between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men?The...

The relationship between George and Lennie is a symbiotic one because they need each other to succeed. Neither man is self-sufficient. Lennie obviously needs George to look after him and try to keep him out of trouble as well as find jobs for him while George needs Lennie with his tremendous strength to help George, a small man, obtain jobs on ranches. Brains and brawn describes their relationship. Together they plan to work and save enough money to buy their own place and "live off the fatta the land."

Without one, the other is less likely to succeed if not doomed altogether. When George kills Lennie to save him from a torturous death, the dream dies as well. George may be finally free of the responsibilities of looking after Lennie and taking care of his problems, but it is unlikely he will ever be able to make and save enough money to buy the little farm. 

What does Hamlet mean when he says, "When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause"? According to Mr. Arthur Schopenhauers, in...

This is one of the most famous Shakespeare soliloquies. Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy is an exploration of the human condition. He discusses the pain, sickness, misery and frustration that accompany living. Hamlet weighs the pros and cons of living versus death and of facing the fear of death. He also ruminates on the limits of what mere mortals can accomplish, which highlights Hamlet's own hesitancy to act on his plan of revenge, "lose the name of action" (III, i).

In this particular quote:

... To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: (III, i)

Hamlet uses an extended metaphor to compare death to sleep, a comparison wherein the afterlife is equivalent to bad dreams; this is most likely a reference to hell. In this extended metaphor, the mortal coil is our human life and to give pause is to reflect.

One meaning of "shuttle" is to  move rapidly out, to shoot out of something. The meaning comes from the "shuttle" that is used to draw cross-threads through the long-threads of a loom (weft and warp threads ). It shoots from one side through the alternately raised warp threads and out at the other side of the loom. So "to shuttle off this mortal coil" means to quickly leave life behind. In this sense, "coil" also relates to looms and weaving because thread (or life) is coiled around the shuttle: When we shoot away from the mortal threads of life.

What is Timothy's age in The Cay?

In chapter 8, Timothy tells Philip that he is more than 70 years old. Timothy has a grandson about the same age as Philip. Learning Timothy's age makes Philip begin to worry about him; he knows Timothy is very old and that he might die and leave Philip alone.

Why is George Milton found guilty for his role in the death of Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men.George Milton is guilty of first degree murder but...

George pulled the trigger with intention to kill. He
considered what he had to do (retrieve a gun, find Lennie in the exact location he knew
Lennie would be in, and position Lennie to be ready to be shot). He had a good
intention, but it was an intention to kill. We know this because he shot Lennie in the
back of the head, told him the story of having a little place and living off the fat of
the land, and he made Lennie as comfortable as he could for the moment of death. This is
kind gesture, but it demonstrated to us as readers careful planning. That makes it
murder.

If the charge was manslaughter, it would be on
accident. There was no accident here, it was purposeful. Sometimes murder can be in the
second or third degree. These are in cases of defending one's self or someone else, or
being not as sane as one normally is.

I think he knew
exactly what he was doing, this makes it first degree.

Why is George Milton found guilty for his role in the death of Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men.George Milton is guilty of first degree murder but...

George pulled the trigger with intention to kill. He considered what he had to do (retrieve a gun, find Lennie in the exact location he knew Lennie would be in, and position Lennie to be ready to be shot). He had a good intention, but it was an intention to kill. We know this because he shot Lennie in the back of the head, told him the story of having a little place and living off the fat of the land, and he made Lennie as comfortable as he could for the moment of death. This is kind gesture, but it demonstrated to us as readers careful planning. That makes it murder.

If the charge was manslaughter, it would be on accident. There was no accident here, it was purposeful. Sometimes murder can be in the second or third degree. These are in cases of defending one's self or someone else, or being not as sane as one normally is.

I think he knew exactly what he was doing, this makes it first degree.

In Moby Dick, how does Melville develop Captain Ahab's complex character?

Ahab is developed slowly throughout the book, given that
he doesn't even appear physically until around the middle chapters.  He begins as a
force of nature, Melville describes him as being indomitable, as being willing to do
anything to seek his revenge on the creature.  The reader at first sees this as his
great power, though there are hints of the somewhat more broken character of the
man.

As the plot progresses and Ahab begins to descend into
more of a madness, it becomes clear that as he descends, he is more and more a weak man
being driven by an obsession, rather than a powerful man seeking some kind of revenge. 
He is controlled rather than controlling, representing somewhat of a reversal of his
role.  In actuality this was always the case, but Melville takes his time revealing
this.

In Moby Dick, how does Melville develop Captain Ahab's complex character?

Ahab is developed slowly throughout the book, given that he doesn't even appear physically until around the middle chapters.  He begins as a force of nature, Melville describes him as being indomitable, as being willing to do anything to seek his revenge on the creature.  The reader at first sees this as his great power, though there are hints of the somewhat more broken character of the man.

As the plot progresses and Ahab begins to descend into more of a madness, it becomes clear that as he descends, he is more and more a weak man being driven by an obsession, rather than a powerful man seeking some kind of revenge.  He is controlled rather than controlling, representing somewhat of a reversal of his role.  In actuality this was always the case, but Melville takes his time revealing this.

What does it mean when Winterbourne makes the comment posted below in Daisy Miller by Henry James?Winterbourne meditated a moment. "They are very...

"Pray what  is it that happens--here, for instance?" Winterbourne demanded.
"The girl goes about alone with her foreigners. As to what happens further, you must apply elsewhere for information. She has picked up half a dozen of the regular Roman fortune hunters, and she takes them about to people's houses. When she comes to a party she brings with her a gentleman with a good deal of manner and a wonderful mustache."
"And where is the mother?"
"I haven't the least idea. They are very dreadful people."
Winterbourne meditated a moment. "They are very ignorant--very innocent only. Depend upon it they are not bad."
"They are hopelessly vulgar," said Mrs. Costello. "Whether or no being hopelessly vulgar is being 'bad' is a question for the metaphysicians. They are bad enough to dislike, at any rate; and for this short life that is quite enough."

Winterbourne makes this thoughtful remark in Part 2, Rome, Chapter 3 of Daisy Miller while in conversation with his Aunt Mrs. Costello upon the occasion of his first coming to Rome where he is eagar to call upon Daisy immediately. Mrs. Costello tells him that Daisy has been acting unwisely and indecorously.

In that era it was critical that a young lady not be seen in any situation in which her conduct could be called into moral question. Nor could an English young lady be seen alone with foreign men when touring in Europe. This is because European national mores were thought to be in some instances more lax than English mores, thus making the young lady subject to suspicions about her behavior and morality. Such suspicions would lead of course to ostracism (exclusion) from English society (parties and gatherings) as represented by English upper class travelers in prominent European cities.

Having thus set the stage for understanding Winterbourne's comment, his Aunt, Mrs. Costello, is speaking to Winterbourne and berating Daisy for her behavior since she is going around Rome unchaperoned with Italian men and taking them with her to parties given by English society. Mrs Costello sums the matter up by declaring Daisy and her mother "dreadful people."

It is to this pronouncement that Winterbourne responds with the quote in question. He corrects Mrs. Costello's judgment by saying that at worst they are ignorant, i.e., unlearned and lacking in training or knowledge. This does not equate to dreadful, i.e., extremely bad. He further says that Daisy and her family are "innocent only," which means that the worst ("only") that can be said about them is that they are innocent, i.e., having simplicity and naivete and guilessness. This too does not equate with dreadful. These definitions explain why, then, Winterbourne ends by saying, "Depend upon it they are not bad." [definitions Random House Dictionary on Dictionary.com].

Locate evidence in "The Crucible" that suggests that more than one type of resolution to the Salem conflict was possible.

The easiest evidence that another resolution was possible is found early in the play. If Reverend Parris' daughter had not fallen ill, he would not have been unbalanced by his worry and grief, and there would be little reason to be concerned about the "witchcraft." This would have drained the energy, and deflected much of the conflict. Another way to ward it off would have been for Parris to have given up earlier. If he'd left, the community might have gotten another clergyman they liked better. In the character descriptions for Act I, Thomas Putnam's background indicates a number of changes that would have reduced his involvement, making a calmer resolution more likely.

In what ways did Lyndon Johnson improve life for Americans through his Great Society?

Most of what Lyndon Johnson did through the Great Society
was meant to help poor people.  So a lot of people who are not poor got no direct
benefits from the Great Society.

For example, some of the
most high profile programs were Head Start, which is preschool for poor kids, Medicaid,
which is health care for poor people, and general welfare programs, which are, of
course, for poor people.

So LBJ helped improve the lives
(you can argue) of poor people through programs like the three I just mentioned.  I
would say that most middle class people were not directly
affected.

In what ways did Lyndon Johnson improve life for Americans through his Great Society?

Most of what Lyndon Johnson did through the Great Society was meant to help poor people.  So a lot of people who are not poor got no direct benefits from the Great Society.

For example, some of the most high profile programs were Head Start, which is preschool for poor kids, Medicaid, which is health care for poor people, and general welfare programs, which are, of course, for poor people.

So LBJ helped improve the lives (you can argue) of poor people through programs like the three I just mentioned.  I would say that most middle class people were not directly affected.

What is the theme of the "The Scarlet Ibis?"

Pride is a major theme in this story, "The Scarlet Ibis" because pride is linked with shame and embarrassment over his little brother Doodle, who has a disability. Pride is harmful. The narrator was so ashamed to have a brother like that, he even decides to kill the baby by smothering him with a pillow. He stop and sees Doodle smile and realizes that he is smart. The narrator is sometimes mean to Doodle. He showed Doodle the coffin threatening him to leave him there. Doodle begs his brother to never abandon him. The Brother was embarrassed that Doodle still couldn't walk so he sets out to teach him. On Doodle's 6th birthday, doodle surprises the family by walking. Brother decides to teach him to be athletic like him. Doddle shows signs of weaknesses. They find a scarlet ibis in their yard. Doodle is sad and he buries it. Later on the brother makes Doodle row the boat. Doodle is exhausted. A storm approaches and doodle and his brother run home. The brother runs ahead of him and when his anger calm, he runs back to find Doodle curled up. Doodle was bleeding from his mouth. The scarlet Ibis symbolizes him. The Brother is cruel, his pride took over him.

How well does Hamlet fulfill his role as revenger and why is there a big delay in doing so?

As chief avenger for his father's death, Hamlet is ultimately successful in  this role.  However, Shakespeare's play is more than just a story about revenge.  The reader gets lost in Hamlet's mind, his musings, his questioning of the meaning of life, love and death. 

Hamlet gives us an opportunity to delve into the secrets of life, death and love through his extensive thinking about his uncle's guilt.

If Hamlet acted on the information from his father's ghost immediately, there would be no layers to this tragedy.  The reader is given a fuller experience through Hamlet's delaying his response. 

Hamlet, probably Shakespeare's most famous character, is rich with contradiction and emotion.  He embodies a full course of human emotions, ranging from grief, love, anger, rage, and passion to fear and insanity. 

We learn a great deal about human nature from Hamlet, he is a wonderful teacher!   

In what way is Oedipus a better man (though less fortunate) at the end of Oedipus Rex?

There is no one right way to answer this question, but it
is possible to say a few things. First, he is a better man, because of all his
sufferings and hardship. Usually a person who goes through a lot learns much. The school
of suffering educates well. In Oedipus' case, he probably would not gotten to where he
is at the end of play apart from suffering. Second, we can say that Oedipus by the end
of the play really knows what he has done and who he is. The self-knowledge is a true
sign of maturity. Before this he was living a life that was filled with lies or
half-truths. From a literary perspective, even though he is now blind, he truly
sees.

In what way is Oedipus a better man (though less fortunate) at the end of Oedipus Rex?

There is no one right way to answer this question, but it is possible to say a few things. First, he is a better man, because of all his sufferings and hardship. Usually a person who goes through a lot learns much. The school of suffering educates well. In Oedipus' case, he probably would not gotten to where he is at the end of play apart from suffering. Second, we can say that Oedipus by the end of the play really knows what he has done and who he is. The self-knowledge is a true sign of maturity. Before this he was living a life that was filled with lies or half-truths. From a literary perspective, even though he is now blind, he truly sees.

In The Crucible, what do we learn from encountering the conflict in the play?

The Crucible gives the reader the opportunity to observe the concept that perception is truth.  The idea that, the actual truth has less value than the perceived truth.  For example, because of the hysteria caused by the Puritans inability to accept that bad things happen, such as infant and child deaths, cattle or livestock, or pig death or sickness that can not be explained, they decided to invent a cause "witchcraft".

The black magic was performed by people that the town elders or administrators did not like or understand.  Or those who engaged in pleasures of the flesh which were strictly forbidden by the Puritans.

So a group mindset, or "Groupthink" is developed based on perception rather than truth.  This runs the entire conflict and plot of the play.  Innocent people are put to death for witchcraft to satisfy the perception that evil is being eliminated from the town.  When in fact, the very act of putting innocent people to death is EVIL.  

What is the exposition, complication (rising action), climax, anti-climax, and denouement of The Death of Ivan Ilyich?

Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan
Illych follows the following plot
outline:

Exposition:
We see Ivan's life as "climbing a ladder."  He's a "cog in
a machine," a good member of a Czarist Russian bourgeoisie, getting married, having
children--but totally unhappy, spiritually
unfulfilled.

Complication:
We realize he's dying spiritually.  We realize that he's
been living a life based only on social expectations, an unfulfilled life, never
developing meaningful relationships with family or friends.  It's all about money,
status, possessions.

Turing point:
He falls while CLIMBING A LADDER and HANGING
DRAPES, symbolic that his life has been a climbing of the rungs of the social ladder.
 There's a shift in the verb tense from past to present.
Death becomes real. Life is being lived for
the first time, ironically, in
death.

Anti-climax / falling
action: the doctors and his friends are no help; they only make suffering
worse.

Resolution: Ivan must
come to terms with the fact that his senseless life caused
his ridiculous
death.

Denouement: Tolstoy
presents his worldview:

• Ivan must let go of all
  justification of his life.


• He has a major
  revelation


• He starts to feel universal compassion for
  people whom he had been hating.


• He dies content--this
  compassion sets him free from the hate, jealousy, and pettiness that had been holding
  him back.


• The moral center of the work is
  the servant, Gerásim, a member of the peasant
  class


• This works as a metaphor for
  Tolstoy's brand of Christianity

What is the exposition, complication (rising action), climax, anti-climax, and denouement of The Death of Ivan Ilyich?

Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Illych follows the following plot outline:

Exposition: We see Ivan's life as "climbing a ladder."  He's a "cog in a machine," a good member of a Czarist Russian bourgeoisie, getting married, having children--but totally unhappy, spiritually unfulfilled.

Complication: We realize he's dying spiritually.  We realize that he's been living a life based only on social expectations, an unfulfilled life, never developing meaningful relationships with family or friends.  It's all about money, status, possessions.

Turing point: He falls while CLIMBING A LADDER and HANGING DRAPES, symbolic that his life has been a climbing of the rungs of the social ladder.  There's a shift in the verb tense from past to present. Death becomes real. Life is being lived for the first time, ironically, in death.

Anti-climax / falling action: the doctors and his friends are no help; they only make suffering worse.

Resolution: Ivan must come to terms with the fact that his senseless life caused his ridiculous death.

Denouement: Tolstoy presents his worldview:

• Ivan must let go of all justification of his life.


• He has a major revelation


• He starts to feel universal compassion for people whom he had been hating.


• He dies content--this compassion sets him free from the hate, jealousy, and pettiness that had been holding him back.


• The moral center of the work is the servant, Gerásim, a member of the peasant class


• This works as a metaphor for Tolstoy's brand of Christianity

What literary devices and style does the author use in "Those Winter Sundays"?

Linda-allen has given a wonderful example of devices in this poem that I would like to expand upon.  Specifically, I would like to call your attention again to the vivid imagery of "Those Winter Sundays" in addition to alliteration. 

One must understand, also, the interesting structure of this poem.  Most scholars, when they see a fourteen line poem, they immediately think "sonnet."  However, the rhyme scheme and meter don't fit the bill.  Therefore, "Those Winter Sundays" continues to be an astounding lyrical poem worthy of study in its own right.  Let's look at it in its entirety here:

Sundays too my father got up early
And put his clothes on in the blueback cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he'd call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love's austere and lonely offices?

In my own personal opinion, it's the language of the poem more than its stanza form that catch my attention.  Just look at the intensity of the imagery!  Look at words like "blueblack cold" which deals with the sense of sight and touch.  Or how about the ice "splintering, breaking" which again gets to those images of both sound and touch.  The juxtaposition here is between the cold of the ice vs. "the room was warm."  Again, we delve into the beauty of touch imagery.  We extend on the touch imagery with the idea of "cracked hands," again sight and touch.  Then there is "speaking indifferently" which focuses upon the sound.  How about "polished my good shoes" which finally touches all the senses except for taste.  This is a delight for the senses, this poem!

And since even the imagery touches upon sound, let's move further into sound by looking at alliteration and assonance.  Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds.  The sound of the letter "k," is not a peaceful sound, but promotes cacophony.  Take a look at these words full of the "k" sound:  “blueblack cold,” “cracked,” “ached,” “banked,” “thanked,” "speaking," "chronic," "cold," and "breaking." Another example of alliteration is in the "w" sound.  Again, we have a sound that doesn't give us a good feeling.  Look a the words, "weekday weather," "with," "one," "when," "were warm," "would," "what," and "know." 

Finally, let's look at the assonance in the poem.  (Assonance, of course, is the repetition of vowel sounds, as opposed to the consonant sounds of alliteration.) Here, it's pertinent to look at the long "a" sound.  Notice the words, mostly from the first stanza, "Sundays," "ached," "labor," "weekday," "made," "ablaze," "wake," and "breaking."  Again, the long "a," not a pleasing sound.  More like a whine.  Assonance is a wonderful stylistic device that serve the poet well here.

Therefore, you can see that, due to its great use of language and imagery, "Those Winter Sundays" is full of stylistic devices.

What is the meaning or definition of Theocracy, and what are some examples of theocracies?

The term originally comes from two Greek words, "theos," meaning God, and "kratein," meaning to rule. Putting two and two together, we get "rule of (or by) God." Theocracies are typically prone to focusing their governmental authority upon or around concepts of religion.

Many ancient peoples believed that their god or gods had handed down laws for their government; in fact, the famous Code of Hammurabi was supposed to have been revealed in this way. And while there were twelve tribes of Judah, reference books and resources still point to the Israelites as an example because God gave them their law through Moses. 

Another example would be the Puritan government of Massachusetts, as it was conducted for many years on the principle of obedience to divine law, as interpreted by the clergy of that day. Today's theocracies remain a little harder to spot, as the international community at large tends to shun associations with an almighty spiritual power; perhaps the closest we can come to identifying a "true" theocracy today would be to examine certain middle eastern countries, where much of their governmental procedure is underlaid by tenets of the Qu'ran. Having said that, however, one only needs to examine a dollar bill to find references in our own country to God: "In God We Trust" and similar messages remain on our country's currency, despite the fact that we are technically a democratic republic.  

What are the most important symbols in The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

There are, of course, many symbols in Hugo's novels, but two of the most important are the Notre Dame Cathedral and Esmeralda's red baby shoes.

The cathedral serves as a symbol of France, specifically, it represents the possibility of a return to France's former glory. 

Esmeralda's red shoes are a symbol of innocence and purity.  Recall that Esmeralda was kidnapped by gypsies when she was a child.  Her mother managed to save one of her baby's red shoes.  Years later, young Esmeralda meets with a gypsy who has the mate to her baby shoe.  The gypsy tells Esmeralda that as long as she remains virtuous, that one day, she and her mother will be reunited. 

I want to have a summary of "The Three Day Below" by Hemingway

Hemingway's "Three Day Blow" is one of his stories that
exhibits the "iceberg effect":  there is much more beneath the surface than what is in
the narrative.  Nick Adams and his friend Bill are in the hunting cabin of Bill's father
as they wait out an autumn storm known as the "three-day blow."  As they drink whisky
from Bill's father's cabinet, the boys first discuss baseball, but their discussion
moves to fishing, a more authentic activity that a man can do alone.  On their second
drink of whisky, the boys discuss writers; Bill feels that Horace Walpole is a better
writer than G.K.Chesterton, whom Nick says is a classic.

As
the evening progresses, the boys decide to get drunk.  Nick decides to prove that he can
control himself even if he is drunk because it bothers him that his physician is a
tee-totaler.  Nick says, "It all evens up," and they sit looking into the fire "and
thinking of this profound truth."  Bill tells Nick he will get another bottle while Nick
offers to procure more water.  On his way back to the living room, Nick sees his
reflection in a mirror and "it grinned back at him."  Somehow the face looks
different.

The boys' discussion moves to Nick's having
broken up with Marge, his girlfriend.  Bill tells him he is lucky because once a man's
married, he loses his independence:  "He's done for."  He tells Nick that he is better
off for not having married her.  As the liquor dies out of him, Nick feels
that

It was
all gone....Just like the three-day blows come now and rip all the leaves off the
trees. 

The boys go outside
where the "Marge business ws no longer so tragic...

readability="6">

The wind blew everything like that away....The
wind blew it out of his head.  Still he could always go into town Saturday night.  It
was a good thing to have in
reserve.

In his youthfulness,
Nick does not feel is anything irrevocable.  But for Bill the solitary life is one in
which a man can guard against himself and not lose control over his
destiny.

I want to have a summary of "The Three Day Below" by Hemingway

Hemingway's "Three Day Blow" is one of his stories that exhibits the "iceberg effect":  there is much more beneath the surface than what is in the narrative.  Nick Adams and his friend Bill are in the hunting cabin of Bill's father as they wait out an autumn storm known as the "three-day blow."  As they drink whisky from Bill's father's cabinet, the boys first discuss baseball, but their discussion moves to fishing, a more authentic activity that a man can do alone.  On their second drink of whisky, the boys discuss writers; Bill feels that Horace Walpole is a better writer than G.K.Chesterton, whom Nick says is a classic.

As the evening progresses, the boys decide to get drunk.  Nick decides to prove that he can control himself even if he is drunk because it bothers him that his physician is a tee-totaler.  Nick says, "It all evens up," and they sit looking into the fire "and thinking of this profound truth."  Bill tells Nick he will get another bottle while Nick offers to procure more water.  On his way back to the living room, Nick sees his reflection in a mirror and "it grinned back at him."  Somehow the face looks different.

The boys' discussion moves to Nick's having broken up with Marge, his girlfriend.  Bill tells him he is lucky because once a man's married, he loses his independence:  "He's done for."  He tells Nick that he is better off for not having married her.  As the liquor dies out of him, Nick feels that

It was all gone....Just like the three-day blows come now and rip all the leaves off the trees. 

The boys go outside where the "Marge business ws no longer so tragic...

The wind blew everything like that away....The wind blew it out of his head.  Still he could always go into town Saturday night.  It was a good thing to have in reserve.

In his youthfulness, Nick does not feel is anything irrevocable.  But for Bill the solitary life is one in which a man can guard against himself and not lose control over his destiny.

In "Fahrenheit 451," what is the role of family in the characters' lives, particularly in relation to the TV parlor "families"?

The parlor TV walls are actually interactive. They talk to the person who has signed up to engaged with them. Montag and Mildred have three walls and Mildred longs for a fourth so she can have a bigger role in the lives of the families on her programs. The TV walls take the place of real family interaction and the parts played by the owners are minute and meaningless, but it gives them the illusion of being part of the TV families. The entire society in the book is based on giving its members the illusions of actual feelings and relationships so the TV walls play their role to a tee. Family and relationships in general cause people from time to time to become unhappy and dissatisfied. The TV families can step in and give people the illusion of being part of a family without any of the pain or the joy that can come with actual relationships and interactions.

In A Raisin in the Sun, why does Beneatha say that she is not on assimilationist and what does she mean?

Beneatha says that she is not an assimilationist in Act II Scene 1.  At the beginning of the scene, Beneatha is wearing the Nigerian traditional garb that Joseph Asagai has given her as a gift, and she is dancing to traditional music.  When George arrives to take her out on a date, Beneatha gets into an argument with him about his upper class values which she deems as "assimilationist."  By this, Beneatha means that she thinks that George has lost touch with his ancestral African roots and that he has conformed to American societal standards (here she implies that these standards are racially bound and based on "white" culture).  Beneatha thinks that she is more well-rounded person because she claims to understand her heritage.

What are three clues of trouble that are reveal by the Squire's letter from Bristol in Treasure Island?

In Treasure Island," the receipt by Dr. Livesey and Jim of the Squire's letter from Bristol gave three significant clues to impending danger and rough seas ahead. Stevenson writes these so masterfully that the reader senses at once the "Uh-oh!" quality of the Squire's statements. The first clue pertains to the Squire himself. Dr. Livesey said that the Squire was the one whom he feared because he couldn't keep a secret to himself. The Squire agreed saying that the Dr. had spoken rightly. And in fact, it turns out that the Dr. was right: the Squire did let the whole city of Bristol know that they were after treasure. Trouble, my friend.

It is significant to note that the other two clues depend on the Squire's indiscretion of telling their secret. The second clue pertains to how the Squire met Long John Silver: Long John just happened to turn up--oh, yeah, uh huh.: "fortune brought me the very man that I required. ... I was standing on the dock, when, by the merest accident, I fell in talk with him." By the merest chance occurrence Long John just happened to be there after the whole town had been a-buzz with talk of treasure.

The third clue stems from both the second and the first. Long John Silver gathers the Squire a crew of the "toughest old salts imaginable" who are fearsome to look at, with the "most indomitable spirit," and who "could fight a frigate." (A frigate is a fast naval vessel that is high masted and heavily armed with cannons on two decks! Random House Dictionary, Dictionary.com.)

These are the three clues, and they make an attentive reader's hair stand on end just thinking of the trouble or it makes the incredulous reader say, "The Squire what? He wouldn't have. He couldn't have. Oh no, he did!"

In Shakespeare's tragic play Othello, does Othello suffer from morbid jealousy?

In Othello, Othello's
jealousy takes many forms.  Here are three uses of "jealous" and their implications in
the play:

1.  "feeling or showing envy of someone or their
achievements and advantages"

Even though he outranks Cassio
and Iago and has a more beautiful wife, Othello shows signs of envy.  As a black man in
a white world, as a former Muslim in a Christian world, and as an older military man in
a young civilian world, Othello suffers from an inferiority complex based on social
mores and racial codes.

2.  "feeling or showing suspicion
of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship"

Since his is
an "honor culture" that supports the male and devalues the female, Othello sets his
relationship up to fail by giving her the handkerchief, expecting her to lock it under
key (by being submissive and quiet).

3. "fiercely
protective or vigilant of one's rights or
possessions"

Othello wants exclusivity with Desdemona: if
he can't have her quiet, dutiful, and virginal, then no one will.  His strangling her is
an honor killing--the way a vengeful father or brother kills an unfaithful woman so as
not to soil the family name.  In the end, Othello equates Desdemona as a status symbol:
they rise and fall together.

In Shakespeare's tragic play Othello, does Othello suffer from morbid jealousy?

In Othello, Othello's jealousy takes many forms.  Here are three uses of "jealous" and their implications in the play:

1.  "feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages"

Even though he outranks Cassio and Iago and has a more beautiful wife, Othello shows signs of envy.  As a black man in a white world, as a former Muslim in a Christian world, and as an older military man in a young civilian world, Othello suffers from an inferiority complex based on social mores and racial codes.

2.  "feeling or showing suspicion of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship"

Since his is an "honor culture" that supports the male and devalues the female, Othello sets his relationship up to fail by giving her the handkerchief, expecting her to lock it under key (by being submissive and quiet).

3. "fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions"

Othello wants exclusivity with Desdemona: if he can't have her quiet, dutiful, and virginal, then no one will.  His strangling her is an honor killing--the way a vengeful father or brother kills an unfaithful woman so as not to soil the family name.  In the end, Othello equates Desdemona as a status symbol: they rise and fall together.

What is the formal structure of "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen?

This poem can also be viewed as two sonnets. The first two stanzas, one of eight lines, an octave, and one of six, a sestet,could be seen loosely as a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet though not in classical form as Owen does not strictly adhere to that rhyme scheme. The second portion of the poem is similar to a Shakespearean (English) sonnet, which consists of three quatrains (four line stanzas) and one couplet (two line stanza),though the stanzas are not broken into visible quatrains, but instead two stanzas, one of two lines and one of twelve lines.This may be one interesting way to look at this poem's structure.

Oates describes Connie as only half-aware, saying she's "dreaming" and her mother must "drag her back into the daylight." What is so appealing to...

Connie is 15 years old and is concerned with only boys, music, and her appearance.  She is manipulative and deceitful, as well, and loves attention to be showered upon her by boys.  Unfortunately, Connie is not rooted in reality. She lets her vain nature overtake her judgment in some instances.  She seems to flit through life with superficiality.  Beyond her own interests, Connie does not seem to be concerned about anyone else.  

Connie's inability to be rooted in reality is part of what leads to her demise (or supposed demise, I should say) at the hands of Arnold Friend.  When Arnold appears at her home, she does not react quickly enough to be able to get help and does not realize that he is dangerous until it is too late.  She has let her own jaded view of things prevent her from seeing the reality of the dangerous nature of this man until it is too late to save herself, although she does leave with Arnold Friend in order to save her family's lives.  

Her half-conscious world is appealing because in this type of world, one can ignore problems of others and the world around them.  He or she is not conscious of the stark reality surrounding him or her.  Connie glides through her days obsessing about boys and her outer appearance, choosing not to deal with the real world.

What impressions does the story give about early twentieth social customs in Ireland?

In that society marriage is more about social standards, public perceptions and formal sanctions than mere feelings. Mooneys belong to a lower class (Mrs Mooney is a butcher's daughter and married to father's foreman) So Mrs. Mooney's intention is to make some prosperous man marry her unfavourable child. Poor Mr. Doran becomes the victim. Doran realizes how his family would react to this marriage. For Mooneys this marriage is a profit (Mrs. Mooney make sure Doran has a steady job, salary and savings and he's form a higher class) whereas for Doran it's an entrapment. Maariage has commercialized in that society.

Joyce slaps at some extremities in the religion, prevailed in that society. Union of a female and a male was considered 'a sin'. The priest magnified it to  greater extent. People were stereo-typed in that society (Dublin is a city where everyone knows everyone else's business)Doran had two options, whether to marry Polly or to run away, but he feared the latter since it's going to destroy his sound reputation.Mrs. Mooney, unlike other mothers, demanded marriage (not money as a compensation) or to risk public disclosure. So those religious and social forces trapped this man, who was not in the need o initiate a relationship with Polly. He hd to wedPolly despite of her vulgerity, wrong grammer, unfavourablefamily and social class. What mattered to the pople most was reputtion. Joyce evidently provides impressions about early 20th social customs plus the pathotic lives of dubliners.

What has the reader learned from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?I am unsure of what to write about....maybe we learn that we should not love a...

Let us examine your statement:  "Maybe we learn that we
should not love a person so much so that the relationship can last longer?"  This
statement underscores precisely the theme of one of Friar Laurence's didactic speeches. 
In Act II, Friar Laurence instructs Romeo,

readability="23">

These violent delights have violent
ends,

And in their triumph die, like fire and
powder

Which as they kiss consume.  The sweetest
honey

Is loathsome in his own
deliciousness

And in the taste confounds the
appetite.

Therefore, love moderately, long love doth
so,

Too swift arrives, as tardy as too slow.
(9-15)

Clearly, your
statement touches upon the response in the previous post; that is--to use academic
language--the theme of impetuosity.  For, this theme is prevalent throughout the play as
almost every character exhibits irrational haste, even the Friar himself as, in fear, he
runs from Juliet's tomb leaving her alone.  So, stay with your original idea and develop
it, since often our initial reactions to a literary work are
intuitively accurate.

As you look for support, consider the
hasty actions of Lords Montague and Capulet as in cholera, they wish to duel in the
streets of Verona even though they know that such actions are against the law. 
Likewise, Mercutio and Tybalt engage in heated words and impetuous actions, along with
Romeo, who hastily intervenes--albeit meaning well--and causes Mercutio to be gravely
injured. 

Most impetuous of all, Romeo wishes to marry
Juliet immediately because their erotic love is a "violent delight" that they wish to
satisfy.  The tragic end to their love is due to this haste.  Indeed, how often the
satisfaction of one's erotic feelings prevents the development of a lasting relationship
in real life. Studies have shown that if couples will really get to know each other over
time, they will develop a more meaningful and lasting relationship, one which can
withstand conflicts and difficulties.  (For support, you may wish to do some research on
this last idea as magazines have featured such articles.) At any rate, time and time
again throughout the play, poor choices because of haste are more the cause of the
tragedy than the cursed fate.

What has the reader learned from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?I am unsure of what to write about....maybe we learn that we should not love a...

Let us examine your statement:  "Maybe we learn that we should not love a person so much so that the relationship can last longer?"  This statement underscores precisely the theme of one of Friar Laurence's didactic speeches.  In Act II, Friar Laurence instructs Romeo,

These violent delights have violent ends,

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder

Which as they kiss consume.  The sweetest honey

Is loathsome in his own deliciousness

And in the taste confounds the appetite.

Therefore, love moderately, long love doth so,

Too swift arrives, as tardy as too slow. (9-15)

Clearly, your statement touches upon the response in the previous post; that is--to use academic language--the theme of impetuosity.  For, this theme is prevalent throughout the play as almost every character exhibits irrational haste, even the Friar himself as, in fear, he runs from Juliet's tomb leaving her alone.  So, stay with your original idea and develop it, since often our initial reactions to a literary work are intuitively accurate.

As you look for support, consider the hasty actions of Lords Montague and Capulet as in cholera, they wish to duel in the streets of Verona even though they know that such actions are against the law.  Likewise, Mercutio and Tybalt engage in heated words and impetuous actions, along with Romeo, who hastily intervenes--albeit meaning well--and causes Mercutio to be gravely injured. 

Most impetuous of all, Romeo wishes to marry Juliet immediately because their erotic love is a "violent delight" that they wish to satisfy.  The tragic end to their love is due to this haste.  Indeed, how often the satisfaction of one's erotic feelings prevents the development of a lasting relationship in real life. Studies have shown that if couples will really get to know each other over time, they will develop a more meaningful and lasting relationship, one which can withstand conflicts and difficulties.  (For support, you may wish to do some research on this last idea as magazines have featured such articles.) At any rate, time and time again throughout the play, poor choices because of haste are more the cause of the tragedy than the cursed fate.

What are the different types of love in Romeo and Juliet, and how does love change in different characters throughout the play?

Romeo and Juliet begins with the love
of revenge, if that's a love.  The Capulet and Montague servants and households cannot
wait for their enemies to bait them toward violence.

When
Romeo and Juliet meet, we have infatuation (puppy love) and love at first sight.  This
is the destructive love which leads to their hasty marriage and deaths.  It is a
passion-only love, and Romeo and Juliet forget consequences, responsibility, law, and
common sense by expressing it.  Later, on their honeymoon night together, Romeo and
Juliet consummate their love physically
(eros).

Friar Lawrence wants to
express brotherly love (philea) between the families.  This is why
he marries the couple secretly, in hopes that their love will smooth over the love of
revenge.

The Prince loves the law, and he tries to uphold
it by threats of punishment, but it is to no avail.

Lord
and Lady Capulet love obedience in their daughter.  They love throwing parties.  They
love their high status in Verona.

The Nurse loves Juliet,
and at first she wants to make her happy regardless of social propriety.  But she later
sides with Lady Capulet in demanding Juliet marry Paris.  So, in the end, the Nurse
loves the obedient daughter as well.

The play ends with
love of peace, a reconciliation.  Lord Capulet erects a statue of pure gold to honor
Lady Montague, and the two families bury their hate (love of
revenge).

What are the different types of love in Romeo and Juliet, and how does love change in different characters throughout the play?

Romeo and Juliet begins with the love of revenge, if that's a love.  The Capulet and Montague servants and households cannot wait for their enemies to bait them toward violence.

When Romeo and Juliet meet, we have infatuation (puppy love) and love at first sight.  This is the destructive love which leads to their hasty marriage and deaths.  It is a passion-only love, and Romeo and Juliet forget consequences, responsibility, law, and common sense by expressing it.  Later, on their honeymoon night together, Romeo and Juliet consummate their love physically (eros).

Friar Lawrence wants to express brotherly love (philea) between the families.  This is why he marries the couple secretly, in hopes that their love will smooth over the love of revenge.

The Prince loves the law, and he tries to uphold it by threats of punishment, but it is to no avail.

Lord and Lady Capulet love obedience in their daughter.  They love throwing parties.  They love their high status in Verona.

The Nurse loves Juliet, and at first she wants to make her happy regardless of social propriety.  But she later sides with Lady Capulet in demanding Juliet marry Paris.  So, in the end, the Nurse loves the obedient daughter as well.

The play ends with love of peace, a reconciliation.  Lord Capulet erects a statue of pure gold to honor Lady Montague, and the two families bury their hate (love of revenge).

What are the setting and climax of "The Money's Paw," and why is it ironic?

The setting is the house of a blue-collar working class family, all "hearth and home," which takes a sinister turn upon the arrival of a guest from a faraway land.  Though he does not seem to be malevolent, he brings the storm outside within the home. The talisman brings its curse by its sheer presence; it also evokes an unnatural and even morbid curiosity from the family members. The lurid flames from the fire presage the curse which is to come, and from this point on things go from bad to 'the worst.' The house which is literally 'a haven in the storm' in the beginning becomes nightmarish and freakish. All the knocking and clattering crescendoes upon Herbert's phantom return until his father puts both soul and body to rest. Which brings us to the second half of your question. The climax coincides with the crisis, the point of no return. This is determined by the father's choice, not the mother's, for it is he who 'saves' his son by the third and final wish. When he does this, 'the storm inside' suddenly abates - the uncanny noises cease, and once again natural order (and not the supernatural one) prevails.

The setting is ironic because the White's home which should symbolize family unity and safety becomes a kind of hell-house instead until the curse of the supernatural is broken; the climax is ironic in that Mr. White's choice which could seem cruel is rather an act of mercy done out of love for his son.

Describe the part of In the time of the Butterflies when the Mirabel sisters were in prison and what happened out of prison?

In the book In the Time of the
Butterflies the two sisters Minerva and Mate were arrested and locked up in a
small cell with other women.  Several of the women were political prisoners like the
Mirabel sisters but many of the others were prostitutes.  There was also a woman who had
tried to get her child back by threatening to kill someone who had her
child.

Everyday Minerva would hold school except on
Sunday.  They would discuss the revolution and how to behave.  When they pardoned
several people they offerred a pardon to the Mirabel sisters but they refused.  Minerva
said that if she had nothing to be pardoned for because she had done nothing wrong, then
she could not give in to be pardoned.

In the prison the
women were very hungry, on several occasions Minerva was placed in solitary confinement
for acting out, and Mate was beaten and physically abused.  They had one male prison
guard who tried to be kind to them and brought them smuggled in packages and even some
blue hair ribbon for Mate.

When the UN investigators came
around to assess the way the political prisoners were being treated, they even fed the
girls chicken and rice in the prison.  The guards were afraid that the girls would
report them as having been inhumane.  Mate hides a note in her hair telling them what
grievances she had because of the mistreatment.

Both women
were realtively broken when they left the hospital, but they hid it
well.

Describe the part of In the time of the Butterflies when the Mirabel sisters were in prison and what happened out of prison?

In the book In the Time of the Butterflies the two sisters Minerva and Mate were arrested and locked up in a small cell with other women.  Several of the women were political prisoners like the Mirabel sisters but many of the others were prostitutes.  There was also a woman who had tried to get her child back by threatening to kill someone who had her child.

Everyday Minerva would hold school except on Sunday.  They would discuss the revolution and how to behave.  When they pardoned several people they offerred a pardon to the Mirabel sisters but they refused.  Minerva said that if she had nothing to be pardoned for because she had done nothing wrong, then she could not give in to be pardoned.

In the prison the women were very hungry, on several occasions Minerva was placed in solitary confinement for acting out, and Mate was beaten and physically abused.  They had one male prison guard who tried to be kind to them and brought them smuggled in packages and even some blue hair ribbon for Mate.

When the UN investigators came around to assess the way the political prisoners were being treated, they even fed the girls chicken and rice in the prison.  The guards were afraid that the girls would report them as having been inhumane.  Mate hides a note in her hair telling them what grievances she had because of the mistreatment.

Both women were realtively broken when they left the hospital, but they hid it well.

In chapter 4 of "Lord of the Flies", what two worlds does the narrator say that Jack and Ralph depict? Give textual evidence.

In chapter 4 page 81 Golding states, "We needed meat!" 

"Jack stood up as he said this, the bloodied knife in his hand.  The tow boys faced each other.  There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled commonsense."

Jack is the hunter, exhilarated by his accomplishment in bringing meat to the tribe, but Ralph is baffled because he doesn't understand why the boys can't see that if they had kept the fire going the ship would have seen them and they could be going home.  If the ship had rescued them there would be no need for the hunting.

What hope does Banquo maintain in Act 3, scene 1?

Here's the passage you ask about from Act 3.1 in
Shakespeare's Macbeth:

readability="34">

Thou hast it now--King, Cawdor, Glamis,
all

As the Weird Women promised, and I
fear

Thou played'st most foully for't.  Yet it was
said

It should not stand in thy
posterity,

But that myself should be the root and
father

Of many kings.  If there come truth from
them--

As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches
shine--

Why, by the verities on thee made
good,

May they not be my oracles as
well,

And set me up in hope?  But hush, no more.  (Act
3.1.1-10)

Banquo's hope is,
unfortunately, tied up with his suspicions.  He knows about the witches' predictions,
which makes him suspicious of Macbeth.  This makes him a danger to the new
king. 

But the same witches that predict Macbeth will be
king, also predict Banquo's heirs will be king.  This is Banquo's
hope. 

Banquo is a bit ambitious, as Macbeth is.  He would
like to keep his name at the forefront of Scotland's leadership, and he would like to
have his sons be kings.  This is important in the context of the play because Banquo
serves as a foil to Macbeth.  Faced with a similar situation, though Banquo would like
to see the predictions fulfilled, he is not willing to go to the lengths that Macbeth is
to make them come true.   

What hope does Banquo maintain in Act 3, scene 1?

Here's the passage you ask about from Act 3.1 in Shakespeare's Macbeth:

Thou hast it now--King, Cawdor, Glamis, all

As the Weird Women promised, and I fear

Thou played'st most foully for't.  Yet it was said

It should not stand in thy posterity,

But that myself should be the root and father

Of many kings.  If there come truth from them--

As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine--

Why, by the verities on thee made good,

May they not be my oracles as well,

And set me up in hope?  But hush, no more.  (Act 3.1.1-10)

Banquo's hope is, unfortunately, tied up with his suspicions.  He knows about the witches' predictions, which makes him suspicious of Macbeth.  This makes him a danger to the new king. 

But the same witches that predict Macbeth will be king, also predict Banquo's heirs will be king.  This is Banquo's hope. 

Banquo is a bit ambitious, as Macbeth is.  He would like to keep his name at the forefront of Scotland's leadership, and he would like to have his sons be kings.  This is important in the context of the play because Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth.  Faced with a similar situation, though Banquo would like to see the predictions fulfilled, he is not willing to go to the lengths that Macbeth is to make them come true.   

What are Julia's and Winston's respective views on society? How do they differ? What disturbs Winston about Julia's views?

While Julia hates the society in which she lives, she essentially accepts, almost treating it like a thing of nature. She isn't a revolutionary at heart. Instead, she just wants to do what she wants to do, to enjoy life, and to go along without trouble. She doesn't really question the Party's principles or dispute a lot of what it does; she just wants to have sex and a good time. This is due in part to her youth. She doesn't really remember a time before the Party, at least on an emotional level. Winston, by contrast, is older, and so is bothered by the Party on both a conceptual and ethical level. He knows the society is wrong, and that some of the things they claim are true are really false. This makes him a revolutionary and social critic, even if he's not particularly skilled at either action.

What opinions of Iago, before his exposure, are expressed by Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Lodovico?Is Othello the only one taken in by him? Does...

For the most part, characters have a very high opinion of Iago, reinforcing the idea that deception is, in fact, very powerful. Cassio turns to Iago for advice on how to get back into Othello's good graces, even though it's his trust of Iago that leads him to get drunk and lose his place at Othello's side. Roderigo gives Iago all his money despite the fact that the audience can tell Roderigo is being played. Even Lodovico trusts Iago. When he comes to visit Cyprus and sees Othello strike Desdemona, Lodovico turns to Iago for an explanation and then believes the explanation Iago provides. Desdemona is the only one to express doubt, and even then her doubts center on Iago's moral turpitude regarding women. In Act II, she calls him "slanderer" and "a most profane and liberal counsellor," but then later in Act IV, scene ii, she calls him "good Iago" and asks him, "What shall I do to win my lord again?" so obviously she has fallen for his deception as well. Iago's good (at least good at being bad).

In "Of Mice and Men", what is the swampers name? Chapter 2

The swamper's name is Candy (Chapter 2).

A swamper is a man whose job it is to keep the bunkhouse cleaned out.  Candy is old and crippled, and can do little more at this point than the unskilled labor he is assigned to do.  He has a filthy, aged, lame dog whom he loves dearly.  The other men in the bunkhouse, annoyed by the dog's smell, encourage Candy to euthanize him.  They argue that the dog is no good to anyone and is in pain, and that the merciful thing to do would be to put him out of his misery.

Candy knows that he himself is deteriorating with age and sickness, and that he will soon be unable to perform his duties as the swamper.  He fears that, like his dog, he will be deemed expendable at that point, and banished from the safety and security of the ranch.  He does have a little money put away, however, and hopes to be included in George's and Lenny's dream of owning a place of their own (Chapter 3).

In "A Cap for Steve" by Morley Callaghan, what does the cap itself symbolize?

"A Cap for Steve," is a sweet story about a boy's love of baseball.  Steve's world is dominated by his parents who do not understand his love of baseball.  Both adults seem sullen and worried all the time, Steve is the happiest in the family.  So as a happy kid, he falls in love with baseball and all the glamour that surrounds the major league players. 

One day, after a game as a large group of kids wait for the players, Steve is standing beyond the group and is approached by a player.  He expresses his admiration for both the player and the sport and is rewarded with the player's cap, which is too big for Steve.  It is a prize possession.  Dave, Steve's father does not understand why his son is so attached to the cap.  For Steve, the cap is a symbol of hope.  Steve holds a fascination for life because of his love for baseball. 

He, unlike his parents, who are realists, is dreaming of what could be, while his parents deal with what is.  Their lives are clearly difficult and they struggle to make ends meet.  For Steve, he escapes this gloomy picture of life through his hobby and the magical cap.    

"The cap is more than simply a prize to be contested. The cap was a link to a larger, more significant world, and perhaps a pledge of future glory."

When the cap is lost and Steve and his Dad try to get it back from a rich boy's family, it ends up being a wonderful moment for father and son to connect. 

After the war, do the states follow restoration or reconstruction?

After the Civil War, the Southern states tried to pursue
the goal of restoration.  Meanwhile, the national government tried to force them towards
reconstruction.

During the time that Reconstruction was
going on (up to 1877), the states were following reconstruction to a greater or lesser
degree.   The governments that were kept in power by the Army were interested in
reconstruction while everyone else (more or less) was trying to prevent
it.

Once Reconstruction ended, the whole South turned
towards restoration and tried to get back as close as possible to how things had been
before the war.

After the war, do the states follow restoration or reconstruction?

After the Civil War, the Southern states tried to pursue the goal of restoration.  Meanwhile, the national government tried to force them towards reconstruction.

During the time that Reconstruction was going on (up to 1877), the states were following reconstruction to a greater or lesser degree.   The governments that were kept in power by the Army were interested in reconstruction while everyone else (more or less) was trying to prevent it.

Once Reconstruction ended, the whole South turned towards restoration and tried to get back as close as possible to how things had been before the war.

In Chapter 6, what finality does Gatsby create when he first kisses Daisy?

True, there is a moment of bliss. We can also examine all that Gatsby loses at that moment as well. He had created a new “Self” whose purpose was to attract and capture the heart of Daisy. He had not created a life where this love could be possibly sustained or nurtured. He is confounded with the reality that Daisy has an innocent and ignored daughter with Tom.

He has been consumed with the chase that capturing the object of his desire. He loses this identity as the pursuer. This romantic sense of self does get lost. The green light, which had been so significant in his life previously becomes just another light. He nearly worshipped that symbol of Daisy.

Far be it from me to reference a movie over a book, but there is a scene in the Robert Redford version where he reaches out to touch her hand but pulls away without contact. He is realizing that the moment of anticipation is greater than the moment of resolution. But more than that I believe he sense the great change that will happen when they do begin an affair.

There has only been Gatsby the pursuer, not Gatsby the fiancé, husband, step father, etc.

What is the theme of "Love Among the Ruins" and why?

In this poem, a young wanderer has come across an ancient civilization that long ago disappeared.  All that is left of that civilization are the ruins of the buildings that once marked its greatness.  The wanderer walks among these ruins, which are being overgrown by the vegetation.  He talks of a girl who waits for him "in the turret" of an old castle, a girl capitivates him and has captures his love.  The more he focuses on the girl, the less he sees of the past civilization.  He becomes wrapped up in the girl only - she will "extinguish sight and speech."  The theme is that no amount of glory or material wealth achieved by any civilization can outshine the glory that comes from sharing love with another.  The last line sums it up:  "Love is best."

What is Mr. Avery's claim to fame in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

If this is a question from your teacher, and he/she is a bit of a trickster-Mr. Avery has another "claim to fame," from Scout and Jem's viewpoint. For Mr. Avery's not-so-gallant claim to fame, check out the beginning of Chapter 6. Within the first page of the chapter Scout mentions that, "Besides making change in the collection plat every Sunday..." which means he's a bit cheap or frugal. Reading a little bit further there is something even more shocking that he does, "...but a closer inspection revealed an arc of water descending from the leaves and splashing in the yellow circle of the street light...Dill said he must drink  a gallon a day..." Basically, the kids caught Mr. Avery taking a bathroom break over the edge of his porch--pretty impressive!

I need help to compare and contrast the stories "The Rocking-Horse Winner" and "The Lottery."

Both stories certainly show the dangers of conformity. In "The Rocking-Horse Winner," the mother feels that "she felt she must cover up some fault," and even though there's never any particular person forcing her to try and prove her worth by having more, she feels that nebulous need. She wants the "discreet servants" and to be seen as part of the upper class, and her son, understanding his mother's needs, chooses to sacrifice his life. This same conformity is evident in "The Lottery" where members of this town press each other to go along with the lottery. The old man Wagner calls the towns who have given up the lottery fools and suggests that the rain may stop coming for them. Clearly, both stories have a lot of societal pressure to conform.

However, where the first story is really about love, "The Lottery" is about a lack of love or even compassion. Paul loves his mother so much that when she is desperate, he risks himself to try and give her what she needs. But in "The Lottery" the other people in town are not willing to even give up the cruel joy of stoning a woman to death. The lack of compassion for another human being is incredible, and when someone presses a stone into little Davy's hand, it's clear that this lack of compassion is being taught to the next generation. This is clearly and sharply contrasted against Paul who would sacrifice even his own life just to make his mother happier.

Why would a Shakespearean audience relate to Shylock differently than a modern audience would?

In 16th century Europe usury, the lending of money for interest, was banned for Christians (it still is for Muslims), but not for Jews. Of course Christian commerce needed banking services and generally speaking the Jews provided it. So the Jews were often 1) rich and 2) foriegn. This caused tension, jealousy, mistrust, etc.

Also, European history is littered with outbreaks of religious extremism. 'The Jews are heretics who murdered Christ and should be converted or killed.' Was this a good excuse to steal their wealth and pick on an undefended foriegn community, possibly.

Christian-Jewish relations were generally poor. In fact, in Venice, the Doge allowed Jews to settle (because they needed bankers) but only in an area of old factories called La Ghetto, (the original 'ghetto'). They were not treated badly by the standards of the day and had some protection in law, but they were outsiders and, as today, people had many ignorant suspicions about their motives and practices.

Probably the average European Christian was anti-semetic. It's a tribute to Shakespeare that he shows the relationship between Jews and Christians from both sides of the line and has two wonderful monologues where Shylock shows us the world from his side as a persecuted, 'spat on', kicked around, minority with feelings, needs, loves, griefs.

In the context of the day, this was radical multi-culturalism.

What was the main problem in The Tale of Despereaux and what things made the problem difficult to solve?Was the main problem that Despereaux was...

I would say the main problem was that of being different
from the other mice in appearance and in interests. His difference makes others pick on
him and deem him unworthy to be a mouse. In his reading habits, he dreams of rescuing a
princess just like the hero did in the book he read. He was made to feel unworthy and
needed to feel like something important in someone's eyes. His sickliness began the
story, so it would be the conflict, or main problem. From there, complications such as
his reading habits lead to his dream of the princess's rescue. Of course, as he faces
many issues and solves them with or without help, his self-image grows along with his
confidence.

What was the main problem in The Tale of Despereaux and what things made the problem difficult to solve?Was the main problem that Despereaux was...

I would say the main problem was that of being different from the other mice in appearance and in interests. His difference makes others pick on him and deem him unworthy to be a mouse. In his reading habits, he dreams of rescuing a princess just like the hero did in the book he read. He was made to feel unworthy and needed to feel like something important in someone's eyes. His sickliness began the story, so it would be the conflict, or main problem. From there, complications such as his reading habits lead to his dream of the princess's rescue. Of course, as he faces many issues and solves them with or without help, his self-image grows along with his confidence.

Which animals are increasing in number on the farm and which are decreasing in number on the farm?

Pigs. Pigs are increasing with the help of Napoleon. He has spent much of his time on the farm siring new litters of pigs to raise on the farm. These sons and daughters of his are being educated by himself personally, to be groomed to "lead" the society. The things they learn in school are reading and writing and also social rules like other animals are to stand aside when they walk by.

The chickens and roosters are decreasing rapidly in number on the farm. They were told at first that for once in their lives they would get to see their young and raise them, but Napoleon made a deal with the humans to sell 400 eggs per week! This meant that not only would the hens not get to see the young, but they had to also produce more eggs than they had in the past. the hens who tried to revolt against this by laying their eggs from the rafters so that they would smash to the ground were executed. Napoleon was a leader whose source of power came from others' fear and this struck the fear into the hens to meet Napoleon's demands.

Was Adolf Hitler elected?I have some information that says he was elected democratically, but it needs to be confirmed. Does anyone know?

Well, Hitler after being jailed, realised that he could not take power by force, so he decided to use legal means to garner support. He concentrated on reorganising his party so that he could win power through elections. he set branches of the Party in Germany, created a youth movement to get support of the youth, and arranged large public movements to attract new members. But, he was never at once democratically elected as a President.

At first, during the 1928 Elections, the Nazi Party was pretty well unheard of, only winning less than 3 per cent of the votes. In July 1932 elections, the Nazis  won 37.3 per cent of the votes and became the party with the most number of seats in the Reichstag.

He came to power during 30 January 1933, when Hitler was appointed Chancellor by the President von Hindernburg. Within months, he ended Weimar government and started the Third Reiich (Empire). On 2 August 1914, the frail and old President died. Instead for calling up new elections for the post as Presdient of Germany, he forced his way through and took control of Germany as President, in addition to becoming Chancellor of germany too. Despite being illegal to have two positions at the same time, everyone could only watch in silence. He has now unlimited power and there was no one powerful enough to stop him right now. He had become the Fuhrer or supreme leader of Germany. Every soldier in the Army and official corps had to take a oath of allegiance towards him. Now, no more Weimar, only a solo dictatorship of one leader, one party. Hitler now controls the whole of Germany.

Can you tell 10 most important themes of Roadside Picnic and explain the 2 of them, in a couple of sentences, giving specific examples from the book?

Some of the themes the book deals with
are:

1. The human fascination with the
   unknown


2. The cosmos as a mystic source of
   power


3. The existence of a higher thinking
   civilization


4. The minimalism of
   humanity


5. Civility vs.
   chaos


6. Known vs. the
   Unknown


7. The human need of
   control


8. Master vs servant
   behavior


9. The search for true
   happiness

The civility vs. chaos theme is
notable in the actual name of the story. The title Roadside Picnic is a metaphor that
shows how the aliens came, chose a spot to land, spread out their artifacts, then took
off and left a really big mess of their stuff behind for us humans to Stalk. In the
midst of this chaos, humans still must strive to survive and somehow overcome this
insane moment. This is why it is a constant battle.

The
human need of control comes as a result of looking for the artifacts, and the powers
that such artifacts have over people, from changing their appearance, to controlling the
laws of gravity. They go at crazy extends penetrating the boundaries of the Zones to get
to these artifacts. Many found their deaths in them. However, the need of control is so
intense in human nature that even death wouldn't move convince them not to enter those
areas.

Can you tell 10 most important themes of Roadside Picnic and explain the 2 of them, in a couple of sentences, giving specific examples from the book?

Some of the themes the book deals with are:

1. The human fascination with the unknown


2. The cosmos as a mystic source of power


3. The existence of a higher thinking civilization


4. The minimalism of humanity


5. Civility vs. chaos


6. Known vs. the Unknown


7. The human need of control


8. Master vs servant behavior


9. The search for true happiness

The civility vs. chaos theme is notable in the actual name of the story. The title Roadside Picnic is a metaphor that shows how the aliens came, chose a spot to land, spread out their artifacts, then took off and left a really big mess of their stuff behind for us humans to Stalk. In the midst of this chaos, humans still must strive to survive and somehow overcome this insane moment. This is why it is a constant battle.

The human need of control comes as a result of looking for the artifacts, and the powers that such artifacts have over people, from changing their appearance, to controlling the laws of gravity. They go at crazy extends penetrating the boundaries of the Zones to get to these artifacts. Many found their deaths in them. However, the need of control is so intense in human nature that even death wouldn't move convince them not to enter those areas.

1. When Nick leaves the Buchanan’s house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” What does this suggest about his values?it is from the...

In The Great Gatsby, this entire
scene has an unreal atmosphere about it for Nick.  When he enters the house through a
high hallway the windows gleam white and the grass outside seems to grow into the house,
and the wind blows curtains and blows the women's dresses, and the women appear to float
above the couch.  This has the feeling of illusion, which, of course, Nick discovers the
relationship between Tom and Daisy is. 

From Nick's
entrance into the house, until the time he leaves, Nick is a bit dazed and confused. 
Notice that he is always a little behind the others, without knowledge that they
possess. 

Jordan acts like he isn't even there, and of
course he doesn't even know who she is.  The others talk about Jordan's career while
Nick stands by unknowing.  Tom has a new book full of stale ideas to share.  Tom gets a
phone call and the women know who the caller is and what the call is about, while Nick
doesn't.  

The atmosphere and the personalities and details
involved, combine to create a bit of a surreal experience for
Nick. 

It's no wonder he leaves feeling "confused and a
little disgusted." 

Concerning his values, Nick obviously
is bothered by Tom's infidelity, as well as his openness about it.  The fact that the
girls know about it and the situation just festers also bothers Nick.  He is also
bothered by Jordan, at least at first.  She seems uppity and a bit lazy to
Nick. 

The inference is that Nick brings his Midwestern
values to his narration, and the ways of these easterners bother
him.

Of course, at the same time, Nick is an unreliable
narrator, so a reader should avoid blindly accepting his value
judgments.

1. When Nick leaves the Buchanan’s house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” What does this suggest about his values?it is from the...

In The Great Gatsby, this entire scene has an unreal atmosphere about it for Nick.  When he enters the house through a high hallway the windows gleam white and the grass outside seems to grow into the house, and the wind blows curtains and blows the women's dresses, and the women appear to float above the couch.  This has the feeling of illusion, which, of course, Nick discovers the relationship between Tom and Daisy is. 

From Nick's entrance into the house, until the time he leaves, Nick is a bit dazed and confused.  Notice that he is always a little behind the others, without knowledge that they possess. 

Jordan acts like he isn't even there, and of course he doesn't even know who she is.  The others talk about Jordan's career while Nick stands by unknowing.  Tom has a new book full of stale ideas to share.  Tom gets a phone call and the women know who the caller is and what the call is about, while Nick doesn't.  

The atmosphere and the personalities and details involved, combine to create a bit of a surreal experience for Nick. 

It's no wonder he leaves feeling "confused and a little disgusted." 

Concerning his values, Nick obviously is bothered by Tom's infidelity, as well as his openness about it.  The fact that the girls know about it and the situation just festers also bothers Nick.  He is also bothered by Jordan, at least at first.  She seems uppity and a bit lazy to Nick. 

The inference is that Nick brings his Midwestern values to his narration, and the ways of these easterners bother him.

Of course, at the same time, Nick is an unreliable narrator, so a reader should avoid blindly accepting his value judgments.

Why was the alarm at the old woman's house so inconveinient in "Fahrenheit 451"?

Usually, before the firemen arrived at the house, the occupants had already been arrested and taken away.  However, in this call, Mrs. Blake was still at home.  Montag found this inconvenient because it made it more personal.  Before it was all about "things," not people.  It was simply "janitorial work."

Even worse, Mrs. Blake refused to be taken away.  She soaked herself with kerosene, lit a match, and set herself on fire.  It affected the entire fire crew.  They began to question, if only temporarily, the virtue of their job.  For Montag it would be one of the events that eventually lead him to open rebellion.

In "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall," how does the opening of the story present Granny as repeatedly "in denial"?

At the beginning of the story, Granny Weatherall seems to be in denial that her "jilting" by a man named George, who abandoned her at the altar sixty years ago, had not affected her. As the story continues, however, the reader begins to realize that that event, which occurred when Granny was 20 year old, was really a pivotal moment in her life. Even though she married another man, had his children, and convinced herself the pain was behind her, she had kept George's letters all her life. Now on her deathbed, the hurt and embarrassment of the incident still haunts her.

What are three traits of Kira in Gathering Blue? How can you prove each one with her actions, thoughts, and words?

In the book Gathering Blue by Lois Lowery, Kira is a young girl who should have been put to death according to the laws of the community.  Kira has a disability.  She has one side of her body that has a leg that drags behind her and causes her pain and discomfort.

Kira's mother had taught Kira to be as strong and independent as possible.  She taught her how to be a weaver and learn from her.  She is a strong and determined young lady.  After her mother's death she goes off on her own, but right away she begins to think of the things that she will need and have to do to survive.

"Somehow she would build a cott.  Then she would find a way to make a life."(3)

Kira is gifted with her hands and can figure out how to make useful items.  Her mother had taught her how weave through woven fabric and to use colorful threads to make a pattern.

"Kira had always had a clever way with her hands."(19)

Kira is courageous.  After Jo, the little singer's parents had died, she went to visit Jamison to find out about the child.  Kira learned that she was locked up at Jamison's.  She decides to help the child and tells her to wait that she would come back for her. (page 136)

how does the current in any one place in the circuit compare to the current at other places in the circuityou have a circuit of battery, switch,...

An electrical circuit can be series, parallel (the basic
configurations) or a combination of series/parallel devices.  When finding the current
through a circuit one first need to derive its equivalent resistance. For a series
circuit the equivalent resistance is

`R_(eq) =
R_1+R_2+...+R_n`

while for a parallel circuit the
equivalent resistance is

`1/R_(eq) =1/R_1 +1/R_2
+....+1/R_n`

For a complex series-parallel circuit the
equivalent resistance is found by grouping together the resistances first in series and
parallel combinations then finding the total resistance of these groups.

The total current in circuit is given by the Ohm
law:

`I_("tot") =U_("tot")/R_(eq)`

For a series circuit the current is the same in all the
components while the different voltage drops on the components add together to give the
total supply voltage.

For a parallel circuit the voltage is
the same in all components (and equal to the supply voltage) while the different
currents through components add together to give the total
current.

For a complex series-parallel circuit the voltages
and currents split accordingly the above rules on to different existent series and
parallel resistor groups.

how does the current in any one place in the circuit compare to the current at other places in the circuityou have a circuit of battery, switch,...

An electrical circuit can be series, parallel (the basic configurations) or a combination of series/parallel devices.  When finding the current through a circuit one first need to derive its equivalent resistance. For a series circuit the equivalent resistance is

`R_(eq) = R_1+R_2+...+R_n`

while for a parallel circuit the equivalent resistance is

`1/R_(eq) =1/R_1 +1/R_2 +....+1/R_n`

For a complex series-parallel circuit the equivalent resistance is found by grouping together the resistances first in series and parallel combinations then finding the total resistance of these groups.

The total current in circuit is given by the Ohm law:

`I_("tot") =U_("tot")/R_(eq)`

For a series circuit the current is the same in all the components while the different voltage drops on the components add together to give the total supply voltage.

For a parallel circuit the voltage is the same in all components (and equal to the supply voltage) while the different currents through components add together to give the total current.

For a complex series-parallel circuit the voltages and currents split accordingly the above rules on to different existent series and parallel resistor groups.

What happens to Homer Baron in A Rose for Emily? How do you know?

Homer Baron mysteriously disappears and everyone in the town assumes he has gone back up north where he came from...however, we know that from the poison Emily buys for "rats" and the lye the men put around her home to get rid of the awful smell, and from the skeleton in her bed with the "iron-gray" long hair on the pillow next to it, that she killed him and kept him in her boudoir until death made them part ways.

Of course, it's all circumstantial evidence (except for the skeleton, of course) since he may have had a massive heart attack and she just chose not to tell anyone since they would have taken him away from her like they did her dear old dad when he died.   She chose to keep her mouth shut and take care of him in her own way.

What are the main points to remember about the poem "Ozymandias"?

I would say that the transitory nature of existence is one
of the critical points from the poem.  The ruler Ozymandias, self described as the "king
of kings," is one whose statue is in a decrepit condition, set in a barren land.  The
notion here is that during his rule, people might have seen him as a powerful king. 
Ozymandias might have even seen himself as one of these rulers.  Yet, the possession of
political power does not guarantee political immortality.  Rulers cannot be measured by
solely their success when they rule, but must be assessed on the grounds of what they
have done to ensure that their rule is lasting.  At the same time, this can be broadened
to anyone who seeks immortality for its own end.  All artists could be subject to the
fate of Ozymandias, seeking immortality in this life, but not accomplishing it after
their time has passed.

What are the main points to remember about the poem "Ozymandias"?

I would say that the transitory nature of existence is one of the critical points from the poem.  The ruler Ozymandias, self described as the "king of kings," is one whose statue is in a decrepit condition, set in a barren land.  The notion here is that during his rule, people might have seen him as a powerful king.  Ozymandias might have even seen himself as one of these rulers.  Yet, the possession of political power does not guarantee political immortality.  Rulers cannot be measured by solely their success when they rule, but must be assessed on the grounds of what they have done to ensure that their rule is lasting.  At the same time, this can be broadened to anyone who seeks immortality for its own end.  All artists could be subject to the fate of Ozymandias, seeking immortality in this life, but not accomplishing it after their time has passed.

I am studying the theme of sacrifice in The Kite Runner. What quotes within the novel support the different ways in which the theme is explored?

There are a variety of themes within the story but one
predominant theme would be that of sacrifice and redemption. The relationship between
Hassan and Amir features much sacrifice, especially on the part of Hassan, who does
everything to keep Amir safe and comfortable. Hassan goes through so much trouble due to
his loyalty to his friend, who is also actually his brother. While running a kite that
Amir won, Hassan encounters Assef, the neighborhood bully. Assef asked for the kite but
Hassan resisted knowing well that nothing good would come out of his resistance, and at
this point he sacrificed himself to please Amir.

readability="8">

I had one last chance to make a decision. One
final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand
up for Hassan—the way he’d stepped up for me all those times in the past—and accept
whatever would happen to me. Or I could
run.

Hassan sacrificed
himself again when Amir set him up as a thief. Amir hid his watch and some money under
Hassan’s pillow, the items are discovered, and although Hassan knows that he is being
framed by his friend, he still pleads guilty.

readability="11">

Baba came right out and asked. “Did you steal
that money? Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hassan?”

Hassan’s
reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice:
“Yes.”

After several years of
carrying the burden of guilt, Amir seeks redemption, and he tries and eventually
succeeds in saving Hassan’s child from Assef after much sacrifice on his
part.

readability="8">

Come. There is a way to be good
again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in
passing, almost as an afterthought.

A way to be good
again.