As they finish baking the cakes, Buddy's cousin begins to cry. Why does Buddy's cousin spend the evening in tears in "A Christmas Memory"?

After baking the fruitcakes, which include the ingredient of whiskey, Buddy and his cousin enjoy the last of the whiskey themselves.  They have a pleasant evening in the kitchen, laughing and dancing and singing.

However, the other memebers of the family come in and realize that Buddy's cousin has given him - a child - alcohol.  Instead of evaluating the situation, instead of speaking with this member of their family, the other adults attack her.  They tell her that she is a disgrace and has behaved ridiculously.  This is what puts Buddy's cousin in tears.  The other adults do not treat her with equality or fairness.  They treat her as is she  is a child, even going so far as to scold her.

What is the mood in "Sister Carrie"?

G)Lack of communication
The failure of the characters to communicate with words is a recurring theme in this novel. This is most evident in the relationship between Hurstwood and Carrie as only the readers are made privy to their thought processes. They are unable to express their full views of each other and this may be interpreted as an attempt to reflect how little we know of our friends, partners and ourselves. A useful example of this may be found when Hurstwood fishes for words when trying to express his affection for Carrie, and finds instead that words fail him. Language is seen to be an inadequate means to articulate emotions.

By contrasting the characters’ thoughts with what they say, the narrative also exposes the gap between expression and the unconscious. By recording what they are thinking, it is also possible to see, on a simplified level, an echo of how quickly we change our minds.

H)Material possessions
Carrie’s fear of poverty and desire for material possessions are the only two factors which disturb her from her passivity. Consumerism often dominates her decisions as she is mainly characterized by her love of new clothes and need for comfort.

Interestingly, the narrative does not condemn her for this predilection. She and Drouet represent polar opposites of the puritan work ethic as they prefer finery and living for the moment. Although she is not punished by the author for her extravagant tastes, and is a likeable figure at times, she is never given a great amount of depth. Her encounters with Ames teach her that desire for wealth will lead to dissatisfaction, and she considers him as wise for holding such views, but it is not until the end that she appears to ponder these thoughts more closely. For this reason, it is possible to see that through Carrie Dreiser is attempting to convey a convincing human rather than a good or evil main protagonist. Carrie’s desires are recognizable, as is her sense of melancholy when the desires are fulfilled.

I)Social standing
It is suggested in the narrative that Hurstwood’s fall from grace into eventual suicide has partially come about because of his loss of social standing. In a society that overvalues appearance and the appearance of money, he gradually becomes ousted from his position of respectability. Through necessity and apathy he begins to wear his old clothes whilst living with Carrie and this symbolizes his decline into being a nonentity.

As his position weakens, Carrie’s is seen to strengthen as she acquires independence and a level of wealth and is metaphorically accepted back into the fold when Mrs Vance visits her in her dressing room. It is of interest that Carrie is allowed to succeed and achieve such acceptance, as a so-called fallen woman, because such women are traditionally punished in literature (remembering Eve, Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina). This novel may be regarded, therefore, as challenging the moral codes of the late nineteenth century because of she is depicted as rising, rather than declining, in perceived value.

By contrasting Carrie and Hurstwood’s change in fortune, their separate lives become all the more pronounced. Her newly acquired fame is emphasized in relation to his eventual suicide. The novel’s use of contrasts depends on the relativity of meaning, and so employs the same technique of defining by comparison as the city dwellers who are under observation.

After the trial, why does Miss Maudie bake a large cake and only two small ones?How does this make Jem feel?

In chapter 22 when Jem, Scout, and Dill arrive at Miss Maudie's house and there are only two small cakes, at first they believe that Miss Maudie has forgotten Dill. However, they "understand" when "she cut[s] from the big cake and g[ives] the slice to Jem."

Miss Maudie sees that Jem is old enough to grasp the meaning of what has happened at Tom Robinson's trial. She responds to this by serving him from a "grownup" cake and speaking about the trial with him in an adult manner. Jem is deeply discouraged about the outcome, and Miss Maudie explains that not everyone in Maycomb is corrupt--for example, it was "no accident" that Judge Taylor assigned Atticus to the case instead of the unexperienced public defender.

Can you offer any help with regards to symbolism in "The Hiding Place"? The chapter titles provide food for thought. Anything else?

One piece of symbolism is the watch shop itself, where the family works. It literally "houses time," so to speak, and when it is raided and shut down, it is as if time has stopped, in a sense.

Another fine piece of symbolism is the hidden Bible that ten Boom uses in this story. The Bible is always a powerful symbol in literature, and it normally equates to religion, spirituality, Christianity, or faith and belief.

In this case, the fact that the Bible is always hidden serves as a metaphor for the hidden faith or beliefs that accompany this story. It also provides the sense that the work being done by ten Boom and her followers is of a secretive or subversive nature. While many believers proudly display their Bibles in modern society, such was not a convenience in the World War II Nazi regime era.

What warning does Friar Laurence give Romeo foreshadowing future events of Romeo and Juliet?

Friar Lawrence warns Romeo, "Wisely and slow, they that
run fast stumble." He gives this warning after agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet. He is
essentially warning against the hastiness of their union. They have only just met, and
he is cautioning them against moving too
quickly.

Ultimately, his warning foreshadows their doom.
Romeo's tendency to act without thinking first directly leads to the death of both
characters. The friar states:

readability="9">

"These violent delights have violent ends. Which
in their triumph die, like fire and gunpowder, which as they kiss, consume."
(2.6.9-11).

The violent
delights, or the love, of Romeo and Juliet, often have violent ends, in this case death.
While their love may be beautiful and powerful, it is also brief and destructive. Thus,
with his words, the Friar unknowingly foreshadows the passionate but brief love of Romeo
and Juliet, which ends in death. 

What warning does Friar Laurence give Romeo foreshadowing future events of Romeo and Juliet?

Friar Lawrence warns Romeo, "Wisely and slow, they that run fast stumble." He gives this warning after agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet. He is essentially warning against the hastiness of their union. They have only just met, and he is cautioning them against moving too quickly.

Ultimately, his warning foreshadows their doom. Romeo's tendency to act without thinking first directly leads to the death of both characters. The friar states:

"These violent delights have violent ends. Which in their triumph die, like fire and gunpowder, which as they kiss, consume." (2.6.9-11).

The violent delights, or the love, of Romeo and Juliet, often have violent ends, in this case death. While their love may be beautiful and powerful, it is also brief and destructive. Thus, with his words, the Friar unknowingly foreshadows the passionate but brief love of Romeo and Juliet, which ends in death. 

I need an opening, middle, and closing conflict for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

An early conflict could be Tom having to paint the fence.  He resolves his dilemma by making it appear to be fun to the rest of the neighborhood and actually gets the other kids to do the work for him!

A middle conflict deals with witnessing the murder of Dr. Robinson in the graveyard.  Muff Potter gets blamed, but both Huck and Tom know that Injun Joe is the real killer.  The conflict is resolved when Tom reveals what he saw on the witness stand.

A later conflict could be when Tom and Becky are lost in the cave.  They eventually find their way out, but not before running into Injun Joe who has been hiding out there!  Joe accidentally gets sealed inside the cave and dies of starvation.  Both Huck and Tom get a share of Joe's hoard that was hidden in the cavern. 

What are the characteristics and roles of conversations in Pride and Prejudice?

Austen is the queen of detailed, elaborate, flowery,
lengthy conversations between characters.  This is why many people struggle with her
novels, and why others love them.  A conversation can start on one page and ten pages
later still be going.  Consider Austen's background and life herself; living in England
in a time when women were expected to sit around and do practically nothing all day,
what else did they have to do besides talk?

Dialogue helps
relay crucial and important information, shape the characters in the novel, introduce
conflict, and resolve problems.  One major role it plays is in shaping the characters of
the story.  Austen always has a garrulous and excessively chatty character that says
foolish things and is a bore and annoyance to everyone around them (Mr. Collins, as an
example).  She likes to use conversation to shape those types of characters.  Her
heroines (like Elizabeth or Jane) are often more limited and wise in their
conversations, being the listeners as opposed to the
spouters.

Also, consider also how much of the
NON-conversation narration in the novels centers and focuses around conversations that
were just had.  The characters not only have long conversations, but then go home and
sit there and analyze every tiny thing that was said in that conversation for potential
hidden meaning.  So even though they aren't talking constantly, most of the story IS
centered round people talking OR analyzing the talking that has occurred.  It reminds me
of a group of teenage girls talking about a party that a cute boy talked to them at, and
they all analyze and interpret, and read meaning into each and every word that poor boy
said.  That is what the characters do.

So, whether is it
actual talking to shape characters, introduce conflict or resolve it, or if it is the
characters thinking about what was just said, conversation is the main driving force in
Pride and Prejudice.  I hope that helped; good
luck!

What are the characteristics and roles of conversations in Pride and Prejudice?

Austen is the queen of detailed, elaborate, flowery, lengthy conversations between characters.  This is why many people struggle with her novels, and why others love them.  A conversation can start on one page and ten pages later still be going.  Consider Austen's background and life herself; living in England in a time when women were expected to sit around and do practically nothing all day, what else did they have to do besides talk?

Dialogue helps relay crucial and important information, shape the characters in the novel, introduce conflict, and resolve problems.  One major role it plays is in shaping the characters of the story.  Austen always has a garrulous and excessively chatty character that says foolish things and is a bore and annoyance to everyone around them (Mr. Collins, as an example).  She likes to use conversation to shape those types of characters.  Her heroines (like Elizabeth or Jane) are often more limited and wise in their conversations, being the listeners as opposed to the spouters.

Also, consider also how much of the NON-conversation narration in the novels centers and focuses around conversations that were just had.  The characters not only have long conversations, but then go home and sit there and analyze every tiny thing that was said in that conversation for potential hidden meaning.  So even though they aren't talking constantly, most of the story IS centered round people talking OR analyzing the talking that has occurred.  It reminds me of a group of teenage girls talking about a party that a cute boy talked to them at, and they all analyze and interpret, and read meaning into each and every word that poor boy said.  That is what the characters do.

So, whether is it actual talking to shape characters, introduce conflict or resolve it, or if it is the characters thinking about what was just said, conversation is the main driving force in Pride and Prejudice.  I hope that helped; good luck!

How does the ending of "The Necklace" relate to real life?

The final line of the story is as follows: 

"Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste! It was worth at most only five hundred francs!"

 

This relates to real life because Mathilde acted throughout the story on what she thought to be the case, or what she thought should be the case, as people so often do. She mistook appearance for reality. She did this with herself, mistaking youth and beauty for some innate quality, she did this with society, mistaking the pretty show for what is important, and she did this with the necklace. That's why this story is a classic; the irony is deep and true.

Explain how Dickinson contradicts popular ideas in the poems "Much Madnes Is Divinest Sense" and "Success Is Counted Sweetest."

"Success is Counted Sweetest" deals with interpreting analogies.  She compares a thirsty person's appreciation of a drink to a loser's appreciation of victory.  It expresses how those who have failed at anything are "thirsty" for success.  Those who have never succeeded want it worse than those who are accustomed to succeeding and have lost the desire or the desperate taste of it.  The person left dying on the field can define more clearly what "victory" means than the person holding the flag which signifies his side won.  The want of it burns more clearly in the bosom of those who haven't enjoyed it than in the hearts of those to whom "it" has become too familiar.

"Much Madness Is Divinist Sense" is a paradox.  There seems at first glance to be no truth in it, but on deeper examination, we find the truth is there.    Emily suggests that "madness," too, is a gift from the Divine.  How often have we heard that there is a fine line between genius and insanity?  She goes on to say that those who go against the majority are often thought of as being crazy and are shunned.  To the speaker, such madness is actually divine inspiration.  Sometimes the ones who seem the craziest are making the most sense--if you are able to have a "discerning Eye" to detect it.  She also warns that society is quick to judge those who do not conform to expectations and they will be treated as dogs...with chains.

I am having trouble finding a boyfriend. What should I do?I want a boy that is friendly, nice, loyal, and that is not a bully.

Stop looking and start taking a good look at who you are
and who you want to become; please spend some time on this.  Because in doing this he
will come to you rather than you finding him or at least it will be a mutual thing.  If
you allow him to start looking for you, someone who is a deep thinker and more of a
human being than a human doer.  You will be happy you did, unless you want to simply go
through the motions.  I admire you for asking the
question.

Here are a couple of books that will help you
along the way:

The Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet, by
Benjamin Huff spent 46 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List when they debuted in
1992.  It is a two volume set at about 240 paperback pages each.  I just love the way
that Pooh and Huff exchange their thoughts about Taoism.  This is a very easy read that
sheds some light on being while along the way it teaches Taoism, what some call the Way
of Nature.  No need to worry, it is not to replace your faith, but add dimension to
yourself.

The other is a book called Being and Caring. 
This one is a college level psychology book, but it was so good, I purchased it and have
always kept it near just in case I find myself Caring too much for someone that I lose
track of who I am and the importance of my own healthy self
esteem. 

So what I am saying is in your freshman year in
college is if you take the time to spend on yourself and your own healthy self-esteem;
growing more into yourself that soon, you won't be looking for a boyfriend, he will be
looking for you.  You will have developed into a woman with more substance and with
healthy boundaries.  This is so important to learn now instead of by default,
later.

If I could have read one book or met one person
before I became an adult, it would have been Virginia Satir.  A loving woman, she wrote
many books on psychological matters, primarily family systems theory and books on
self-esteem.  She died the year after she wrote my favorite book, "The
Newpeoplemaking".  She had grown up in some tough times where there was a lot of family
dysfunction and so had I, but she had a way of learning how to deal with it and live
past it, that it actually became a virtue of who I am today.  I hope that you will at
least have a look at her book.  It's an easy read with cartoons, I laughed and then I
cried but when I was done, I knew more about who I was and from where I had come and now
where I could go; there was no longer any fear, false expectations appearing real.  I
began diving with sharks and traveling to many untraveled places.  I hope she does this
for you too.  And like I said, it's more important to be wanted than to want someone
else. 

I wish you well and more importantly I wish you a
college career that helps you reach past your fears and into places you never dreamed
you'd have the opportunities to explore.

I am having trouble finding a boyfriend. What should I do?I want a boy that is friendly, nice, loyal, and that is not a bully.

Stop looking and start taking a good look at who you are and who you want to become; please spend some time on this.  Because in doing this he will come to you rather than you finding him or at least it will be a mutual thing.  If you allow him to start looking for you, someone who is a deep thinker and more of a human being than a human doer.  You will be happy you did, unless you want to simply go through the motions.  I admire you for asking the question.

Here are a couple of books that will help you along the way:

The Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Huff spent 46 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List when they debuted in 1992.  It is a two volume set at about 240 paperback pages each.  I just love the way that Pooh and Huff exchange their thoughts about Taoism.  This is a very easy read that sheds some light on being while along the way it teaches Taoism, what some call the Way of Nature.  No need to worry, it is not to replace your faith, but add dimension to yourself.

The other is a book called Being and Caring.  This one is a college level psychology book, but it was so good, I purchased it and have always kept it near just in case I find myself Caring too much for someone that I lose track of who I am and the importance of my own healthy self esteem. 

So what I am saying is in your freshman year in college is if you take the time to spend on yourself and your own healthy self-esteem; growing more into yourself that soon, you won't be looking for a boyfriend, he will be looking for you.  You will have developed into a woman with more substance and with healthy boundaries.  This is so important to learn now instead of by default, later.

If I could have read one book or met one person before I became an adult, it would have been Virginia Satir.  A loving woman, she wrote many books on psychological matters, primarily family systems theory and books on self-esteem.  She died the year after she wrote my favorite book, "The Newpeoplemaking".  She had grown up in some tough times where there was a lot of family dysfunction and so had I, but she had a way of learning how to deal with it and live past it, that it actually became a virtue of who I am today.  I hope that you will at least have a look at her book.  It's an easy read with cartoons, I laughed and then I cried but when I was done, I knew more about who I was and from where I had come and now where I could go; there was no longer any fear, false expectations appearing real.  I began diving with sharks and traveling to many untraveled places.  I hope she does this for you too.  And like I said, it's more important to be wanted than to want someone else. 

I wish you well and more importantly I wish you a college career that helps you reach past your fears and into places you never dreamed you'd have the opportunities to explore.

If there is collision between the president and congress, can congress restrain the President in foreign policy making?The president is the foreign...

I agree with both of the above questions, as they have
great specific examples of the power struggle between the two branches.  I wish to add,
however, what is really in my opinion the most effective tool Congress has to restrain
foreign policy: the power of the purse, or the
budget.

While the Constitution designates foreign policy as
an area of the Executive, when we say foreign policy we often mean wars, or foreign aid,
military aid, etc.  In the case of the Iraq or Vietnam Wars, for example, Congress could
end those wars immediately simply by refusing to write any more checks to fund them. 
The President has a very limited amount of discretionary funding to spend as he sees
fit, and certainly not enough to wage a major war, so he depends on Congress to keep
paying the bills, and there is no Constitutional requirement that they continue to do
so.

If there is collision between the president and congress, can congress restrain the President in foreign policy making?The president is the foreign...

I agree with both of the above questions, as they have great specific examples of the power struggle between the two branches.  I wish to add, however, what is really in my opinion the most effective tool Congress has to restrain foreign policy: the power of the purse, or the budget.

While the Constitution designates foreign policy as an area of the Executive, when we say foreign policy we often mean wars, or foreign aid, military aid, etc.  In the case of the Iraq or Vietnam Wars, for example, Congress could end those wars immediately simply by refusing to write any more checks to fund them.  The President has a very limited amount of discretionary funding to spend as he sees fit, and certainly not enough to wage a major war, so he depends on Congress to keep paying the bills, and there is no Constitutional requirement that they continue to do so.

What is the symbol and irony in the story "The Black Cat" and how is it being used in the story? I'm having trouble getting this essay together,...

The black cat symbolizes the state of the narrator's soul-which is black, mutilated, and decaying. The black cat is symbolic because it is the cat's meowing that draws attention to the wall, and the perverse pleasure the black soul of the narrator takes in believing he has gotten away from it.

There are many ironies in this story. One is the way the narrator worries that after he relates his story, others will not give it much thought-it is just an ordinary event. Yet, the narrator is telling the story from his prison cell awaiting his death-and his tale is of his murderous rage. This seems very far from ordinary.

Other ironies include his description of the torture and mutilation of the cat as a "silly action" done for no real reason, and also the clam retelling of the murders of both his wife and the cat, and then going calmly on with his life.

The major irony is that his pompous arrogance is really what led to his being apprehended. He was so sure they would never discover his secret, and his nonchalant tapping of the wall leads the cat to wailing, and ultimately to his being caught.

In "The Lord of the Flies," what does Percival's inarticulation say about their experience? From what danger does the officer rescue the boys?

In "Lord of the Flies", Golding uses symbolism to explain different aspects of his story.  The fact that one of the boys is inarticulate could mean that the boys are losing their civility.  Language is one of the key aspects needed in a growing society.  It helps make people civil and live together in a civilization.  To lose that language, symbolically it shows that there is a regression of civilization, which is exactly what is going on in "Lord of the Flies". The fact that the boys are living in an extreme situation of survival of the fittest, willing to kill anyone they view as weaker, only reinforces this point further. As for the naval officer saving the boys, this is more concrete than symbolic. The officer rescues the boys not only from the long term harm of living by themselves and trying to survive on the island, but also from the imminent danger the fire holds. The fire is traveling and will probably destroy much of the island,along with many lives. The officer is there just in time to help the boys escape that fate.

In what style is the book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" written?

This book is written in the style of an autobiography.  It is in the first person point of view and tells the story of her life in chronological order.  However, ever the poet, Angelou uses many stylistic devices to enhance the retelling of her life. 

She uses regional dialect in portraying character - Naw, Helen, you ain't standing like her. This here's it.

She uses biblical allusions - My pretty Black brother was my Kingdom Come.

She uses literary allusions - During these years in Stamps, I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare. He was my first white love.

She uses alliteration - I mastered the art of crocheting and tatting, and there was a lifetime's supply of dainty doilies that would never be used in sacheted dresser drawers.

She uses personification - Just my breath, carrying my words out, might poison people and they'd curl up and die like the black fat slugs that only pretended. I had to stop talking.

In "Paul's Case," does Paul regret taking his actions in the end? How do you know?

It depends on how you're defining the end. The next to the last paragraph includes this line: "As he fell, the folly of his haste occurred to him with merciless clearness, the vastness of what he had left undone. There flashed through his brain, clearer than ever before, the blue of Adriatic water, the yellow of Algerian sands."

That's regret, pure and simple. To think of folly and things left undone is regret. However, look at the very last line of the story: "Then, because the picture-making mechanism was crushed, the disturbing visions flashed into black, and Paul dropped back into the immense design of things."

I'd say he regrets, and then, as he dies, so do his regrets.

What does Frederick Douglass mean when he says "Bread of Knowledge"?

Douglass' use of the word "bread" suggests that knowledge
is as necessary to human life as is food.

Furthermore,
Douglass is clearly playing upon his readers' knowledge of the Bible. (His memoir was
intended as an argument against slavery.) In the Bible, references to bread in the New
Testament are numerous, and Jesus' body itself is equated with bread, among other
things.

The Lord's Prayer is Jesus' own words in which he
asks for "our daily bread"--the stuff of life here are again directly equated to our
spiritual well-being.

Therefore, bread, and by metaphor,
knowledge, take on a sacramental, holy quality for Douglass, and, he hopes, in the minds
of his readers.

Knowledge, for Douglass and his audience,
is not merely a matter of literacy, it is also about becoming fully human, and fully
capable of developing spiritually, morally and emotionally.

What does Frederick Douglass mean when he says "Bread of Knowledge"?

Douglass' use of the word "bread" suggests that knowledge is as necessary to human life as is food.

Furthermore, Douglass is clearly playing upon his readers' knowledge of the Bible. (His memoir was intended as an argument against slavery.) In the Bible, references to bread in the New Testament are numerous, and Jesus' body itself is equated with bread, among other things.

The Lord's Prayer is Jesus' own words in which he asks for "our daily bread"--the stuff of life here are again directly equated to our spiritual well-being.

Therefore, bread, and by metaphor, knowledge, take on a sacramental, holy quality for Douglass, and, he hopes, in the minds of his readers.

Knowledge, for Douglass and his audience, is not merely a matter of literacy, it is also about becoming fully human, and fully capable of developing spiritually, morally and emotionally.

What do you think is the motivation of Odysseus' crew to stick through all the hardships and challenges?I have more of an understanding regarding...

Yes, it is partially due to their culture, these were men who defined who they were by the kind of warriors they had become so if they deserted Odysseus they would have been marked men, they would not have been able to go home with their head held high. Part of their motivation certainly had to do with glory, leaving a legacy behind that they were known to be great warriors. It was an honor to die fighting in battle. I think, based on their actions, that they were motivated mostly by the spoils that war brought to them. They got to raid whatever village was conquered and they became rich men fast. It was a risky business, but those who survived were wealthy and therefore prestigious men. When the men raided the Cicones it was purely because they were so heady from their victory over Troy. They got greedy. Odysseus pleaded with his men to go back to the ships, but as Odysseus tells us, "My men were mutinous fools, on stores of wine," Book 9.They kept taking and taking and by the time the Cicones army on horseback arrived they cleaned Odysseus fleet of six benches of men. The same greed drove them when they went to Circe and greedily drank her pramnian wine. Again, in Thrinakia when they slaughtered Helios' cattle. They were motivated more by what they could get than anything else, glory and wealth galore. The fewer men that returned the wider the wealth could be spread between the remaining men.

In Romeo and Juliet, who has sent Romeo a challenge for a duel?

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Tybalt functions as a catalyst for a conflict that helps move the play’s action along. After encountering the masked Romeo at the Capulet’s ball, the hot-headed Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel by sending a letter to “his father’s house.”

The audience is not entirely surprised by this development because the play actually opened with a conflict between the houses of Capulet and Montague when they encounter each other in the streets of Verona. During this exchange, which almost comes to swordplay, Benvolio of the house of Montague asks Tybalt to help him keep the peace. Tybalt, however, cannot see past his anger and responds with:

What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the

word

As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.

Have at thee, coward!

Tybalt would rather fight than try to calm the others down. So when he sees Romeo of the hated Montague's at the ball, he is not able to respond calmly.

The ensuing duel between Tybalt and Romeo results in Tybalt’s death and makes it impossible for Romeo and Juliet to be together in Verona. One event leads to another and they both dies tragically at the end of the story.

How do you find the length of an arc in a circle?

To calculate the length of an arc in the circle you need
to measure the radius (r ), and the central angle (a)

The
central angle is the angle subtended at the center of a circle by two given points on
the circle.

or, the central angle is the ratio of the arc
to the radius.

The length of the arc = radius X central
angle

                  or s= r *
a

Example: in a circle whose radius is 10 cm, and the
central angle is 4/5 ... find the length of the arc

    s =
r * a = 10 * 4/5 = 8 cm

How do you find the length of an arc in a circle?

To calculate the length of an arc in the circle you need to measure the radius (r ), and the central angle (a)

The central angle is the angle subtended at the center of a circle by two given points on the circle.

or, the central angle is the ratio of the arc to the radius.

The length of the arc = radius X central angle

                  or s= r * a

Example: in a circle whose radius is 10 cm, and the central angle is 4/5 ... find the length of the arc

    s = r * a = 10 * 4/5 = 8 cm

In "To Kill a Mockingbird", what lesson does Scout learn from Burris Ewell was in the classroom?What lesson did Jem learn when the knot-hole was...

Scout becomes confused during school because she does not understand why the Ewells are "allowed" to miss school, breaking the rules, while she "must" attend school and follow the rules. Scout feels an injustice has been done to her. The lesson she learns has meaning on several levels. Through her father's explanation she realizes that school is the right place for children to be. She will also come to understand that the Ewell children are not getting away with anything. It is obvious that their family life puts little value on education, as well as other social morals. She ultimately learns that some people do not respect themselves, that being the case the concept of right and wrong mean nothing to them.

When the knot-hole was cemented up Jem learned just how cruel human beings could be. Mr. Nathan sealed up the hole knowing that Boo was leaving small gifts for the children, and deliberately cut off Boo's attempts to connect and forge a relationship with others. Jem also realizes how wrong he was in his opinion of Boo Radley. The experience, although sad for Boo actually allowed Jem to see a life experience from another point of view. It humbled him to the plight of others.

What is Romeo's motivation for killing Tybalt? What are the consequences of this action in Romeo and Juliet?

Concerning Romeo and Juliet, I won't
write the paragraph for you--that's your job.  I'll help you with the information you
need.

Tybalt kills Mercutio, though it is in part,
accidental.  Tybalt and Mercutio are playing around, but it is a dangerous game they're
playing.  They're sword fighting, with "live" swords, swords that aren't blunted or
tipped.  There's anymosity between the two, but they're not really trying to kill each
other.

Romeo, in an attempt to make peace and get them to
stop fighting, gets in between them and inadvertantly causes a thrust by Tybalt to be
missed by Mercutio, and the thrust mortally wounds
Mercutio.

Romeo avenges Mercutio and kills Tybalt.  The
consequence is the banishment of Romeo, which of course leads, eventually, to the
tragedy at the conclusion of the play. 

I'll leave it to
you whether or not the killing of Tybalt is justified. 

What is Romeo's motivation for killing Tybalt? What are the consequences of this action in Romeo and Juliet?

Concerning Romeo and Juliet, I won't write the paragraph for you--that's your job.  I'll help you with the information you need.

Tybalt kills Mercutio, though it is in part, accidental.  Tybalt and Mercutio are playing around, but it is a dangerous game they're playing.  They're sword fighting, with "live" swords, swords that aren't blunted or tipped.  There's anymosity between the two, but they're not really trying to kill each other.

Romeo, in an attempt to make peace and get them to stop fighting, gets in between them and inadvertantly causes a thrust by Tybalt to be missed by Mercutio, and the thrust mortally wounds Mercutio.

Romeo avenges Mercutio and kills Tybalt.  The consequence is the banishment of Romeo, which of course leads, eventually, to the tragedy at the conclusion of the play. 

I'll leave it to you whether or not the killing of Tybalt is justified. 

Can someone please help me to write Civil Rights poetry? It must includes the following:( Martin Luther King, Brown vs. Board, Montgomery bus...

Try this, think of what you want you want to write for your poem, what characters you want to portray in the civil right movement. Try and make a mind-map of these characters, stating its good qualities (using words or phrases) or bad qualities if there is one. Try to flesh out the character, give it a tint of emotion or realism into it, maybe use some literary techniques like personification or metaphor to bring them to life. Try planning out the structure of your poem, how many stanzas, how many lines to fit into the poem. For Martin Luther King case, you can say he is very passionate, a good public speaker, or he is the savior of the world. Brainstorm the qualities of his and other characters you are writing about and jot it down.

Or, are you trying to write a conventional structure like a sonnet or an ode to a character. Language is also very important. it must be vivid and striking and effective in bringing out the main point of the poem, and not being colorless and predictable.

Maybe using some sound techniques like onomatopoeia, assonance or alliteration can help you. Using rhyming words to the best effect. Treat as a smooth-sailing music, just play around with the possible literary techniques and words and let your imagination run wild. Ideas that you never imagine may come up in a nick of time.

Then, just cross out what things you don't want to put into your poem and just jot down your idea of the poem you are going to write about.

Hope it helps. You can produce a draft copy for your teacher to see and review. Your teacher knows best.

How does this quote from "To Kill a Mockingbird" connect with the theme "courage"?How does the following quote connect with the theme "Courage":...

This section is definitely saying that Bob Ewell's courage came from alcohol. It also shows a great deal about Atticus' character. For him, to attack children means a man is insane. For Tate, it's a measure not of Ewell's sanity, but of his cowardice. He would never face a threat directly, like Atticus did when shooting the rabid dog or standing up in the courtroom. Instead, he'd strike back from behind, at those who were too weak, as he did to his daughter.

What is the readability rate of "Animal Farm"? For which level you think is suitable? Why?

George Orwell's Animal Farm is typically studied on the honors 10th or regular 12th level of high school.  It is appropriate for any student 8th or up who has a great grasp of the English language and a decent vocabulary.

Owell's topics include big government, conspiracy, communism, control through manipulation, etc.  These are topics that interest and encourage discussion from higher level and mature thinkers--another reason for gifted or honors students from middle to 10th grade and regular 12th grade students. 

Since Orwell is a British author, the book is typically not read on the 11th grade level in school since the junior year is usually reserved for American literature.  This is not to say that juniors should not read the book on their own for pleasure and advancement.

As far as the readability rate, Animal Farm is a book that requires deep processing and questioning.  It is not a book that is devoured in just a few hours.  In order to get the most out of the message, the reader must question himself-- the characters, and the author's ideas--to see where it all fits into the big picuture on his own terms.

Word Count: 88,942 Reading Level: 8.9 Interest Level: 9+ Accelerated Reader: reading level: 8.9 / points: 17.0 / quiz: 5976 / grade: UG Reading Counts!: reading level: 8.2 / points:25.0 Lexile: 1090

Why is it ironic that Pyramus and Thisbe is a lamentable comedy?

In ActI sc.2. Quince declares that they are going to stage: "The most lamentable comedy, and/ most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisby."

Situational Irony: 'Lamentable comedy' is an oxymoron and clearly underscores the incongruity of the choice of a tragedy to be staged during the wedding celebrations of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Verbal Irony: results when Bottom suggests that he play both the roles of Pyramus and Thisby simultaneously:"let me play Thisby too I'll/ speak in a monstrous little voice. 'Thisne,/ Thisne; Ah pyramus lover dear! thy Thisby dear, and lover dear." Act I Sc.2. The humour results not just because Bottom is ready to play both the roles but also because of the nasal twang when he pronounces 'Thisby' as 'Thisne'.

Dramatic Irony: The intertext from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" would have been familiar to a Shkespearean audience. They would have enjoyed Shakespeare's hilarious parody, even as they would have  straightaway recognized the parallels between the Pyramus Thisby story and the stories of the lovers of the main play.

What is the overall theme in the story "The Picture of Dorian Gray"?

Good vs. Evil is a prominent theme.  Dorian is an innocent, pure soul before Henry meets and influences him.  Basil, Dorian's true friend and artist, did not want Henry to meet Dorian to meet Henry for the very reason that Basil knows that Henry enjoys toying with people as a life-long psychology experiment. 

Because of Henry's influence and his philosophies on Beauty, Indulgence, Art, and life in general, Dorian makes a deal with the Devil and only the picture shows the extent of his sinful behaviors while his physical appearance remains untarnished and beautiful.

Beauty, Art, and Indulgence are three other good themes, as well as the supernatural aspect of dealing with the Devil and remaining young forever because of the deal.

Could you help me begin two letters from Gene in A Separate Peace in which he apologizes?I have to write two letters of apology (pretending to be...

What if you wrote to Finny and then to the other boys at
the school who are close to Finny?  Gene hurts this group the
most.

I would not say "Dear Phineas" because Gene almost
always refers to Finny by his nickname. So after you address him as "Dear Finny," you
could use your first paragraph to discuss what Finny means to Gene and how much he
misses him as his roommate and friend at Devon.  After that, it would be appropriate to
get into the apology--what exactly Gene did, why he thinks he did it, and a petition for
Finny's forgiveness.

In regards to writing the other boys,
Gene could address it to the Super Suicide Members.  This letter should be similar to
the letter to Finny in that Gene admits to what he did, discusses how he realizes that
by causing Finny's injury, he took away someone who was a true friend to all the boys at
Devon, and again ask for their forgiveness.  Since Brinker seems to enjoy formal
processes, Gene could make this letter almost like a resolution listing steps that he is
willing to take in order to make everything right.

Good
luck--it sounds like an interesting assignment.  You might want to use the link below to
get a better understanding of Gene.

Could you help me begin two letters from Gene in A Separate Peace in which he apologizes?I have to write two letters of apology (pretending to be...

What if you wrote to Finny and then to the other boys at the school who are close to Finny?  Gene hurts this group the most.

I would not say "Dear Phineas" because Gene almost always refers to Finny by his nickname. So after you address him as "Dear Finny," you could use your first paragraph to discuss what Finny means to Gene and how much he misses him as his roommate and friend at Devon.  After that, it would be appropriate to get into the apology--what exactly Gene did, why he thinks he did it, and a petition for Finny's forgiveness.

In regards to writing the other boys, Gene could address it to the Super Suicide Members.  This letter should be similar to the letter to Finny in that Gene admits to what he did, discusses how he realizes that by causing Finny's injury, he took away someone who was a true friend to all the boys at Devon, and again ask for their forgiveness.  Since Brinker seems to enjoy formal processes, Gene could make this letter almost like a resolution listing steps that he is willing to take in order to make everything right.

Good luck--it sounds like an interesting assignment.  You might want to use the link below to get a better understanding of Gene.

How is the first "Green Revolution" similar or different from the current "Green Movement"?

The two terms, "Green revolution" and "green movement"
refer to two very different things. Green revolution refers to rapid increase in
agricultural production in countries like India that took place in second half of the
twentieth century by adoption of advanced farming technology and new varieties of
crops.

Green movement on the other hand refers to a wide
ranging initiatives undertaken around the globe to protect the environment, particularly
the natural resources such as green cover of forests and other flora and fauna of the
world. The word green in both the term is derived from the predominantly green colour of
all kind of vegetation, which is closely identified with agriculture as well as the
natural flora of the world.

I do not think that there is
much of similarities between the two programs. As a matter of fact the two can be
opposed to each other in some areas. For example, increased use of insecticides promoted
in green revolution conflicts directly with the need reduce environmental pollution due
to use of insecticide. Also usually increase in agricultural production may involve
clearing some of the current forest land and other sites of natural vegetation and
converting them in farm lands. This is also directly in conflict with green
movement.

However perhaps there is considerable scope for
collaboration between green revolution programs and green movement to find ways of
developing programs that achieve objectives of both
simultaneously.

How is the first "Green Revolution" similar or different from the current "Green Movement"?

The two terms, "Green revolution" and "green movement" refer to two very different things. Green revolution refers to rapid increase in agricultural production in countries like India that took place in second half of the twentieth century by adoption of advanced farming technology and new varieties of crops.

Green movement on the other hand refers to a wide ranging initiatives undertaken around the globe to protect the environment, particularly the natural resources such as green cover of forests and other flora and fauna of the world. The word green in both the term is derived from the predominantly green colour of all kind of vegetation, which is closely identified with agriculture as well as the natural flora of the world.

I do not think that there is much of similarities between the two programs. As a matter of fact the two can be opposed to each other in some areas. For example, increased use of insecticides promoted in green revolution conflicts directly with the need reduce environmental pollution due to use of insecticide. Also usually increase in agricultural production may involve clearing some of the current forest land and other sites of natural vegetation and converting them in farm lands. This is also directly in conflict with green movement.

However perhaps there is considerable scope for collaboration between green revolution programs and green movement to find ways of developing programs that achieve objectives of both simultaneously.

What is the importance of parenting in "To Kill a Mockingbird"? I know that this is similar to my question on families, however, I wanted to know...

You could definitely contrast the parenting of Atticus and Ewell. Atticus is a single parent, but does not rely on others to raise his children. He does rely on help from Aunt Alexandria and Calpurnia, but it is never to replace his own parental duties. The care and attention that Atticus gives his children is in sharp contrast to the obvious lack of attention that Bob Ewell gives to his own children. The Ewell children are not only unkempt, but unschooled in social behavior and expectations.

The role of parenting is important in this novel, as we see Scout and Jem evolve into young people who have been taught to respect authority and think of the plight of others before passing judgement. Ewell's daughter is a product of her environment, and has had no guidance in being a respected member of society. Her behavior in court would normally have warranted a contempt charge, but the lack of real parental role models gives her a bit of charity.

Boo Radley is also a product of parenting. His father's harsh punishment lead to Boo being a social pariah and the subject of public scrutiny.

Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick's house in The Great Gatsby?

Gatsby knows that the only way to Daisy's heart is through
money and objects. He begins his seduction at Nick's, and to do so effectively he must
be sure that the stage is set. It would not so to go back to courting Daisy as a
commoner. He was once at Nick's level financially and Daisy discarded him because of it.
Now, he wants to prove to her that he has all that she desires and can give her all that
she wants. He starts his seduction at Nick's, then brings her to his own home where he
shows her all of his expensive things (think about the scene in the bedroom with the
expensive shirts). Gatsby hopes that, by showing Daisy that he has more than even Tom
has in terms of money and possessions, that Daisy will remember that she was once,
supposedly, in love with him and will return to him.

Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick's house in The Great Gatsby?

Gatsby knows that the only way to Daisy's heart is through money and objects. He begins his seduction at Nick's, and to do so effectively he must be sure that the stage is set. It would not so to go back to courting Daisy as a commoner. He was once at Nick's level financially and Daisy discarded him because of it. Now, he wants to prove to her that he has all that she desires and can give her all that she wants. He starts his seduction at Nick's, then brings her to his own home where he shows her all of his expensive things (think about the scene in the bedroom with the expensive shirts). Gatsby hopes that, by showing Daisy that he has more than even Tom has in terms of money and possessions, that Daisy will remember that she was once, supposedly, in love with him and will return to him.

What is the basic plot of "The Kite Runner" in a paragraph? Are there any subplots?I am having trouble putting this story's plot into a paragraph...

The Kite Runner is centered on a young boy named Amir who lives in Afghanistan and his friend Hassan. Hassan is the son of Amir's family servant. Amir makes a terrible mistake when he stands by while Hassan is sexually assaulted by a bully in their town. He strives for the rest of his life to make up for this mistake, which haunts him all the way to America, where he and his father flee following the revolution. He eventually works to right his wrongs by helping Hassan's son back in Afghanistan.

Subplots? Well, there's the fact that Amir is jealous that his father seems to care for Hassan and there is some history with Hassan's mother. In America several things happen in Amir's life including his father's sickness and death and Amir's marriage.

Identify and describe the protagonist and the antagonist in the play, "Hamlet."

Shakespeare’s Hamlet makes better sense when Claudius is taken as the protagonist rather than Hamlet. A protagonist must be a character who not only starts the conflict but is strongly motivated to continue. Hamlet makes a poor protagonist. In fact, he is not even a good antagonist because everyone agrees that he is indecisive. He rejects people. He retreats into his own thoughts and rarely takes positive action.

It is Claudius who starts the conflict by murdering his brother. It is Claudius who persuades Gertrude to marry him. Hamlet returns to Elsinore only to attend his father’s funeral. He finds he has been blindsided by his uncle, but his only motive is to return to Wittenberg and resume his interminable studies. Claudius, however, keeps him at home where he can watch him. If Hamlet had returned to the Wittenberg he might never have encountered his father’s ghost.

Then it is Claudius who sends for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, hoping these schoolfellows can find out why Hamlet is acting so strangely. It is Claudius who encourages Polonius to spy on Hamlet, and it is in Claudius’ service that Polonius has Ophelia attempt to sound Hamlet out. Even Gertrude is acting as her husband’s agent when she provokes that violent confrontation with her son.

Claudius does not believe that Hamlet is mad. He tells Polonius:

Love? His affections do not that way tend,
Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,
Was not like madness. There's something in his soul,
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood,
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger . . .

When Hamlet finds out that Claudius murdered his father he decides to pretend to be mad. He knows the King is going to continue prying into his soul, and he is afraid that, through facial expressions, body language, or slips of the tongue, he might betray his heavy secrets—that his father’s ghost is haunting the castle, that he knows Claudius is a murderer and a usurper, that he is pledged to assassinate the King, and that he suspects his mother at least had foreknowledge of Claudius’ intentions. Hamlet hopes to create a false persona which Claudius cannot penetrate.

Then it is Claudius who sends Hamlet off to England. When Hamlet manages to escape getting beheaded and returns to Denmark, it is Claudius who conspires with Laertes to have Hamlet killed with a poisoned foil, and it is Claudius who prepares a lethal drink for his stepson in case Laertes’ foil doesn’t do the job.

About the only positive action Hamlet ever takes against his wicked uncle is to produce a play called “The Mousetrap.” Characteristically, this only comes about accidentally because the traveling players just happen to show up. Everything that happens to Hamlet is an accident, including the killing of Polonius, the discovery of Claudius’ letters to the English, his capture by pirates, the death of Ophelia, the duel with Laertes, and the accidental death of his mother. How can Hamlet be said to be the protagonist in the play when he does so little while Claudius is actively involved in everything from beginning to end?

If Claudius hadn’t killed his brother, he couldn’t have married Gertrude, Hamlet would have stayed in school, and there would have been no story.

Why is it significant that the main character has no name in "To Build a Fire"?

The short story "To Build a Fire" has as its main theme
Man vs. Nature.  In this story, the juxtaposition of the man with the dog points to the
strength of animal instinct against the rationality of man.  So, the absence of a name
for the character extends him from the particular to the general--Jack London's intent
in this naturalistic story in which a human being is subject to natural forces beyond
his control.

Against the advice of the "old-timer," the
man, whose "trouble...was that he was without imagination," ventures out on a nine-hour
trek across the Klondike.  With him trots a dog,

readability="10">

a big native husky, the proper wolf dog,
gray-coated and without any visible or teperamental difference from its brother, the
wild wolf....Its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by
the man's
judgment.

Clearly,
the natural forces, ones that the man ignores, win out against the human who ignores an
intuitive sense that he may have. 

As a naturalist, Jack
London was among a group of writers who went beyond realism in an attempt to portray
life exactly as it is. Naturalists were infuenced by Charles Darwin's theories of
natural selection and suvival of the fittest which held that huan behavior is determined
by heredity and environment.  Relying on new theories in sociology and psychology, the
naturalists dissected human behavior with detachment and objectivity, like scientists
dissecting laboratory specimens.  "To Build a Fire" is the recording of such an
"experiment."  And, as such, there is no need to give the man a name, since he
represents any man who behaves as he did, any man who does not understand that fur and
instinct are necessary for survival in the Klondike in the
winter.

Why is it significant that the main character has no name in "To Build a Fire"?

The short story "To Build a Fire" has as its main theme Man vs. Nature.  In this story, the juxtaposition of the man with the dog points to the strength of animal instinct against the rationality of man.  So, the absence of a name for the character extends him from the particular to the general--Jack London's intent in this naturalistic story in which a human being is subject to natural forces beyond his control.

Against the advice of the "old-timer," the man, whose "trouble...was that he was without imagination," ventures out on a nine-hour trek across the Klondike.  With him trots a dog,

a big native husky, the proper wolf dog, gray-coated and without any visible or teperamental difference from its brother, the wild wolf....Its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man's judgment.

Clearly, the natural forces, ones that the man ignores, win out against the human who ignores an intuitive sense that he may have. 

As a naturalist, Jack London was among a group of writers who went beyond realism in an attempt to portray life exactly as it is. Naturalists were infuenced by Charles Darwin's theories of natural selection and suvival of the fittest which held that huan behavior is determined by heredity and environment.  Relying on new theories in sociology and psychology, the naturalists dissected human behavior with detachment and objectivity, like scientists dissecting laboratory specimens.  "To Build a Fire" is the recording of such an "experiment."  And, as such, there is no need to give the man a name, since he represents any man who behaves as he did, any man who does not understand that fur and instinct are necessary for survival in the Klondike in the winter.

Why should the Department of Education extend the school hour? (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.--8

A longer day at school does not mean that the students
have learned any better, nor any more.

What defines quality
education is not quantity. In fact, the best moment of the day to actually acquire
information is the morning hours. Most students are already tired, their medication
gone, or just not motivated enough in the afternoon.

What
they need to do is shorten the day to 5 full hours of learning, and then take 3 hours of
diverse enrichment and re-teaching if needed, plus good activities for incidental
learning.

Why should the Department of Education extend the school hour? (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.--8

A longer day at school does not mean that the students have learned any better, nor any more.

What defines quality education is not quantity. In fact, the best moment of the day to actually acquire information is the morning hours. Most students are already tired, their medication gone, or just not motivated enough in the afternoon.

What they need to do is shorten the day to 5 full hours of learning, and then take 3 hours of diverse enrichment and re-teaching if needed, plus good activities for incidental learning.

"Most of the characters in The Great Gatsby are involved in deception or self deception depending on their perception of what constitutes...

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby is at times a
snapshot of The Jazz Age, and, as such the characters reflect the dissolute and the
disembling of this era.  In many ways, they have chosen to create their own realities,
much as people of modern times
do.

Gatsby is certainly
involved in both deception and self-deception as he displays his new wealth in material
possessions and evening gayla with friends whose names he does not know.  Yet, he
himself is deceived in his pursuance of an illusionary "American Dream" of wealth and
love, both of which prove false.  Daisy, whose voice "sounds like money" is impressed
with this many colored shirts and his car, but vacillates in her profession of love for
him.  But, Gatsby, who does have real books inside the leather covers in his library, as
Owl Eyes has discovered, is basically genuine; he chooses the deceptive life in order to
reach the illusionary green light at the end of Daisy's pier, in order to attain
her.

Daisy, like her name
appears pure and sweet in her white dresses that mirror the flower whose name she
bears.  Yet, as the "golden girl" and one who loves money and is materialistic and
shallow, she is much like the center of her flower--yellow, the color of corruption and
gold.

Tom Buchanan involves
himself with deceiving Mrytle Wilson into believing that he actually cares for her and
thinks of her as an equal, but when she dares to criticize his class, he blackens her
eye.  He attempts to deceive his wife with this tryst with Mrytle, of course, while
adding to his deception of others by dressing like the country gentleman in riding
attire. Perhaps, his most villainous deception is that of leading Mrytle's husband to
believe that Gatsby has driven "the death car."  Tom's concept of reality is that it can
be manipulated by those who are most powerful, an idea he certainly suggests in his
promotion of his own race to maintain control of
society.

Meyer Wolfsheim's
name indicates much about him.  He is a predatory man who uses Gatsby to further his own
wealth, caring nothing for the dreamy Jay Gatsby.  As a foil to Gatsby who is loyal to
Daisy, Woflsheim has no deceptions of honor or the like in his morally corrupt soul. His
main deception is in his creation of a business that is outside the parameters of
legitimacy and the real business world, but he knows himself and is wary of others. 
Wofsheim's perception of reality is at its most sordid; he is paranoid as he knows there
are others wolves waiting to devour him.  His cuff links, two molars, suggest this
idea.

"Most of the characters in The Great Gatsby are involved in deception or self deception depending on their perception of what constitutes...

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby is at times a snapshot of The Jazz Age, and, as such the characters reflect the dissolute and the disembling of this era.  In many ways, they have chosen to create their own realities, much as people of modern times do.

Gatsby is certainly involved in both deception and self-deception as he displays his new wealth in material possessions and evening gayla with friends whose names he does not know.  Yet, he himself is deceived in his pursuance of an illusionary "American Dream" of wealth and love, both of which prove false.  Daisy, whose voice "sounds like money" is impressed with this many colored shirts and his car, but vacillates in her profession of love for him.  But, Gatsby, who does have real books inside the leather covers in his library, as Owl Eyes has discovered, is basically genuine; he chooses the deceptive life in order to reach the illusionary green light at the end of Daisy's pier, in order to attain her.

Daisy, like her name appears pure and sweet in her white dresses that mirror the flower whose name she bears.  Yet, as the "golden girl" and one who loves money and is materialistic and shallow, she is much like the center of her flower--yellow, the color of corruption and gold.

Tom Buchanan involves himself with deceiving Mrytle Wilson into believing that he actually cares for her and thinks of her as an equal, but when she dares to criticize his class, he blackens her eye.  He attempts to deceive his wife with this tryst with Mrytle, of course, while adding to his deception of others by dressing like the country gentleman in riding attire. Perhaps, his most villainous deception is that of leading Mrytle's husband to believe that Gatsby has driven "the death car."  Tom's concept of reality is that it can be manipulated by those who are most powerful, an idea he certainly suggests in his promotion of his own race to maintain control of society.

Meyer Wolfsheim's name indicates much about him.  He is a predatory man who uses Gatsby to further his own wealth, caring nothing for the dreamy Jay Gatsby.  As a foil to Gatsby who is loyal to Daisy, Woflsheim has no deceptions of honor or the like in his morally corrupt soul. His main deception is in his creation of a business that is outside the parameters of legitimacy and the real business world, but he knows himself and is wary of others.  Wofsheim's perception of reality is at its most sordid; he is paranoid as he knows there are others wolves waiting to devour him.  His cuff links, two molars, suggest this idea.

In "To Kill a Mockingbird", why did Aunt Alexandra come to stay with the Finches?

Aunt Alexandra decides to stay with the Finches to give Scout "some feminine influence" (Chap 13). However, it has become apparent that there is more to the reason than that as Atticus lets Scout know that he will be very busy during the summer, he has the trial, and Aunt Alexandra is really "doing me [Atticus] a favor as well as you all" (Chap. 13). Aunt Alexandra's discipline becomes a difficult barrier for Scout and places a wedge between Scout and her father, Atticus, for a short while.

In Ode to a Nightingale, what qualities does the bird possess that narrator seeks and how do we see this in the poem?

To know the mind of a bird , one should at least be a
bird. Keats attributes the state of aesthetic -delight on the nightingale .It is
forgetful of the world of suffering , betrayal , and death .It lives in its ecstasy .As
the bird signifies Keats' concept of art and immortality , so does it possesses the
beauty of life .

In the poem no hungry generations tread it
down .From remotest past to the times of the poet , and further , it continues on its
glory of joy .The Biblical Ruth , medieval -emperors , maidens captivated by wicked
magicians , - got soothed and delighted with the bird's music .Certainly , the poet does
not mean an individual bird .From age to age the same trend of music perpetuates .This
implies that the stage of art achieved by an artist remains the same
.

The poet for achieving the state of the bird , tries to
send his senses into sleep .With the wings of imagination , he stations himself to the
bower of the bliss where the bird is singing with full-throated -ease
.

In Ode to a Nightingale, what qualities does the bird possess that narrator seeks and how do we see this in the poem?

To know the mind of a bird , one should at least be a bird. Keats attributes the state of aesthetic -delight on the nightingale .It is forgetful of the world of suffering , betrayal , and death .It lives in its ecstasy .As the bird signifies Keats' concept of art and immortality , so does it possesses the beauty of life .

In the poem no hungry generations tread it down .From remotest past to the times of the poet , and further , it continues on its glory of joy .The Biblical Ruth , medieval -emperors , maidens captivated by wicked magicians , - got soothed and delighted with the bird's music .Certainly , the poet does not mean an individual bird .From age to age the same trend of music perpetuates .This implies that the stage of art achieved by an artist remains the same .

The poet for achieving the state of the bird , tries to send his senses into sleep .With the wings of imagination , he stations himself to the bower of the bliss where the bird is singing with full-throated -ease .

In chapter 3, what is the reason for Nick's breaking the story at this point?

There are a couple of things that could be pointed out as
the cause, but it is difficult to know exactly why without perhaps being able to consult
with Fitzgerald himself, who apparently made all the decisions about the narrative!  In
some ways you might also argue that Nick hasn't entirely broken the story at this
point.

But he does begin to realize that Gatsby isn't
everything he is cracked up to be, given that he remembers him from the war and
previously and knows that his background could be fleshed out but isn't.  Gatsby allows
the rumors to fly.

Perhaps the reason why Nick begins to
flesh things out is that he cannot wait much longer if there is to be a dramatic build
up until everyone else finds out the whole story.  It also helps to set up the reasoning
for why Daisy won't actually totally fall for Gatsby as there has to be a connection to
his less than high-class past for that to become the strong theme that it
does.

In chapter 3, what is the reason for Nick's breaking the story at this point?

There are a couple of things that could be pointed out as the cause, but it is difficult to know exactly why without perhaps being able to consult with Fitzgerald himself, who apparently made all the decisions about the narrative!  In some ways you might also argue that Nick hasn't entirely broken the story at this point.

But he does begin to realize that Gatsby isn't everything he is cracked up to be, given that he remembers him from the war and previously and knows that his background could be fleshed out but isn't.  Gatsby allows the rumors to fly.

Perhaps the reason why Nick begins to flesh things out is that he cannot wait much longer if there is to be a dramatic build up until everyone else finds out the whole story.  It also helps to set up the reasoning for why Daisy won't actually totally fall for Gatsby as there has to be a connection to his less than high-class past for that to become the strong theme that it does.

What are the characteristics of "The Crucible" which make its story timeless and universal?

Its themes make it universal and timeless. There is fear,
racism, prejudice, superstition, betrayal, love, hatred, lust, loyalty, and power.  All
of these themes are still around today, and play a large role in all of our lives. It
tells a story where a bunch of people, who are afraid of getting in trouble, blame
someone else.  That is something that happens all of the time, that all of us have
done.  Others, who are upset because of their life circumstances, look for answers and
other sources for their pain.  We do that too.

Another
things that makes this play universal is the characters.  They seem like real,
well-rounded characters with strengths and weaknesses that we all can relate to.  John
is a stubborn, proud man who is trying to fix mistakes that he has made and do the right
thing.  He is real, grounded, and relatable.  Abby is a very dynamic and dividing
character, easy to hate and a perfect villian on which to fix our
frustration.

A last way that this story is timeless is that
its major theme, that of a witchhunt, is still applicable today.  In the 1950's, we had
the red scare, in the 1980's we had the cold war, and even today in underdveloped parts
of the world, actual witch hunts are still happening.  Mass hysteria continues to
ransack towns hit by disaster, and even sporting
events.

Because of its applicable themes, great characters,
and recurring situations, this play is timeless, and a great tool for discussion and
connections in classrooms.

What are the characteristics of "The Crucible" which make its story timeless and universal?

Its themes make it universal and timeless. There is fear, racism, prejudice, superstition, betrayal, love, hatred, lust, loyalty, and power.  All of these themes are still around today, and play a large role in all of our lives. It tells a story where a bunch of people, who are afraid of getting in trouble, blame someone else.  That is something that happens all of the time, that all of us have done.  Others, who are upset because of their life circumstances, look for answers and other sources for their pain.  We do that too.

Another things that makes this play universal is the characters.  They seem like real, well-rounded characters with strengths and weaknesses that we all can relate to.  John is a stubborn, proud man who is trying to fix mistakes that he has made and do the right thing.  He is real, grounded, and relatable.  Abby is a very dynamic and dividing character, easy to hate and a perfect villian on which to fix our frustration.

A last way that this story is timeless is that its major theme, that of a witchhunt, is still applicable today.  In the 1950's, we had the red scare, in the 1980's we had the cold war, and even today in underdveloped parts of the world, actual witch hunts are still happening.  Mass hysteria continues to ransack towns hit by disaster, and even sporting events.

Because of its applicable themes, great characters, and recurring situations, this play is timeless, and a great tool for discussion and connections in classrooms.

Why does Chapter III of The Stranger end with "the blood pounding" in Meursault's ears and "the dog whimper[ing] softly"?Different translations may...

The answer to this question is a complex one partly
because of Camus' innovative psychological style and partly because of symbolism and
foreshadowing. Firstly, Camus believed that the psychological aspects of a psychological
novel were revealed in action, which ran contrary to the popular psychological literary
convention of his day that built psychological development through first-person
introspection and monologues of self-examination. What this means is that in order to
show Meursault's psychology and psychological development, Camus develops actions, which
includes dialogue and first-person descriptions of passing moments--but not passing
thoughts.

Secondly, at least one recurring symbolic motif
is present in the passage you ask about:

readability="14">

The whole building was as quiet as the grave, a
dank, dark smell rising from the well hole of the stairs. I could hear nothing but the
blood throbbing in my ears, and for a while I stood still, listening to it. Then the dog
began to moan in old Salamano’s room, and through the sleep-bound house the little
plaintive sound rose slowly, like a flower growing out of
the silence and the
darkness.

The symbolic motif
I'm thinking of is flower. There are
at least four places in which Camus likens something to a flower, including Marie's
face: "her sun-tanned face was like a velvety brown
flower." The first use of
flower is when Meursault sits in vigil
at his mother's coffin:

readability="6">

through the open door came scents of
flowers and breaths of cool night air. I think I dozed off
for a while.
I was wakened by an odd rustling in my
ears.

The
flower symbolizes the existential
absurdity in life, the flower appearing as it does in a completely random and valueless
fashion (1) at the side of death, (2) in a poorly lit and ill-smelling stairwell and (3)
in a beautiful woman's face. When, as in the first two uses (vigil, stairwell),
flower appears with the symbolic motif
of sound rushing in Meursault's ears ("odd rustling in my ears";
blood throbbing in my ears"),
existential absurdity is linked directly to Meursault's life, which leads to the next
consideration, that of foreshadowing.

Thirdly, the scene
set by Camus in the ill-lit stairwell--

readability="10">

"quiet as the grave, a dank, dark smell ... 
blood throbbing in my ears ... dog began to moan ... through the sleep-bound house the
little plaintive sound rose, like a flower growing out of
the silence and the
darkness"

reflects back on
the earlier scene of the vigil at the coffin echoing the funereal motif of death and
decay, with the dog moaning as mourners may do and as Meursault perhaps ought to have
done at the vigil. This foreshadows what will eventually happen to Meursault largely as
a result of the overwhelming influence of his behavior (or lack of behavior) at the
funeral vigil.

So why does Chapter III of The
Stranger end with the "blood throbbing" and the "dog moaning"? It ends thusly
to express Camus' existential views; to tie random meaninglessness with Meursault's
life; and to prepare the reader for--to foreshadow--the events that will ultimately
follow; and to prepare for the great and significant influence the funeral vigil has on
Meursault's ultimate end.

Why does Chapter III of The Stranger end with "the blood pounding" in Meursault's ears and "the dog whimper[ing] softly"?Different translations may...

The answer to this question is a complex one partly because of Camus' innovative psychological style and partly because of symbolism and foreshadowing. Firstly, Camus believed that the psychological aspects of a psychological novel were revealed in action, which ran contrary to the popular psychological literary convention of his day that built psychological development through first-person introspection and monologues of self-examination. What this means is that in order to show Meursault's psychology and psychological development, Camus develops actions, which includes dialogue and first-person descriptions of passing moments--but not passing thoughts.

Secondly, at least one recurring symbolic motif is present in the passage you ask about:

The whole building was as quiet as the grave, a dank, dark smell rising from the well hole of the stairs. I could hear nothing but the blood throbbing in my ears, and for a while I stood still, listening to it. Then the dog began to moan in old Salamano’s room, and through the sleep-bound house the little plaintive sound rose slowly, like a flower growing out of the silence and the darkness.

The symbolic motif I'm thinking of is flower. There are at least four places in which Camus likens something to a flower, including Marie's face: "her sun-tanned face was like a velvety brown flower." The first use of flower is when Meursault sits in vigil at his mother's coffin:

through the open door came scents of flowers and breaths of cool night air. I think I dozed off for a while.
I was wakened by an odd rustling in my ears.

The flower symbolizes the existential absurdity in life, the flower appearing as it does in a completely random and valueless fashion (1) at the side of death, (2) in a poorly lit and ill-smelling stairwell and (3) in a beautiful woman's face. When, as in the first two uses (vigil, stairwell), flower appears with the symbolic motif of sound rushing in Meursault's ears ("odd rustling in my ears"; blood throbbing in my ears"), existential absurdity is linked directly to Meursault's life, which leads to the next consideration, that of foreshadowing.

Thirdly, the scene set by Camus in the ill-lit stairwell--

"quiet as the grave, a dank, dark smell ...  blood throbbing in my ears ... dog began to moan ... through the sleep-bound house the little plaintive sound rose, like a flower growing out of the silence and the darkness"

reflects back on the earlier scene of the vigil at the coffin echoing the funereal motif of death and decay, with the dog moaning as mourners may do and as Meursault perhaps ought to have done at the vigil. This foreshadows what will eventually happen to Meursault largely as a result of the overwhelming influence of his behavior (or lack of behavior) at the funeral vigil.

So why does Chapter III of The Stranger end with the "blood throbbing" and the "dog moaning"? It ends thusly to express Camus' existential views; to tie random meaninglessness with Meursault's life; and to prepare the reader for--to foreshadow--the events that will ultimately follow; and to prepare for the great and significant influence the funeral vigil has on Meursault's ultimate end.

What did Benjamin Franklin mean when he said, "One who gives up a little bit of freedom for a little bit of safety, deserves neither"?

Ben Franklin, our most charismatic forefather and a very
true American to boot, originated the gist behind the phrase "freedom is NOT
free".

This being said, what he meant by "one who gives up
a little bit of freedom for a little bit of safety" was a way to reinstate that, in
order for any community, group, country, or nation to be given the benefit of safety and
peace, one must have the heart and soul to be willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to produce
it, and keep it.

Freedom is not free. And half freedoms or
half safety is simply put a 50% that gives space to another 50% of lack of safety and
lack of freedom. In the times of Ben Franklin things were quite rough and shaky. There
was no way that the new Americans could have given that little to attain something so
great as freedom of speech, religion, creed, and activity- something they never saw in
England.

So, if you take yourself back to the origins of
this message, it was basically a call for action to people who had never experienced the
possibility of being TRULY and RIGHTFULLY free to be who they were without the paradigms
and limitations of a government that did not understand
them.

Therefore, his message was a strong appeal to those
who were still doubtful as to the importance of what was about to happen: The complete
separation from an Empire, and the amazing risk it will take to begin a new one on
nearly no foundation.

I believe that his words are still
valid in the 21st century. For, if this world shall ever again experience the
ruthlessness of a world leader that wants to enslave a certain race or ethnicity, those
affected  MUST step up to the plate and be willing to give up their lives even, iif they
must, to ensure that their dignity , freedom (and those of their families) are preserved
. Most importantly, that the strength of their character is forever marked in the pages
of history as warriors in search of defending what is humanly due to are, which is
freedom and safety.

What did Benjamin Franklin mean when he said, "One who gives up a little bit of freedom for a little bit of safety, deserves neither"?

Ben Franklin, our most charismatic forefather and a very true American to boot, originated the gist behind the phrase "freedom is NOT free".

This being said, what he meant by "one who gives up a little bit of freedom for a little bit of safety" was a way to reinstate that, in order for any community, group, country, or nation to be given the benefit of safety and peace, one must have the heart and soul to be willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to produce it, and keep it.

Freedom is not free. And half freedoms or half safety is simply put a 50% that gives space to another 50% of lack of safety and lack of freedom. In the times of Ben Franklin things were quite rough and shaky. There was no way that the new Americans could have given that little to attain something so great as freedom of speech, religion, creed, and activity- something they never saw in England.

So, if you take yourself back to the origins of this message, it was basically a call for action to people who had never experienced the possibility of being TRULY and RIGHTFULLY free to be who they were without the paradigms and limitations of a government that did not understand them.

Therefore, his message was a strong appeal to those who were still doubtful as to the importance of what was about to happen: The complete separation from an Empire, and the amazing risk it will take to begin a new one on nearly no foundation.

I believe that his words are still valid in the 21st century. For, if this world shall ever again experience the ruthlessness of a world leader that wants to enslave a certain race or ethnicity, those affected  MUST step up to the plate and be willing to give up their lives even, iif they must, to ensure that their dignity , freedom (and those of their families) are preserved . Most importantly, that the strength of their character is forever marked in the pages of history as warriors in search of defending what is humanly due to are, which is freedom and safety.

In "The Lottery", explain the role of mass psychology in the decision of the townspeople to participate in the stoning.

First of all, the mindset of the townspeople is extreme conservatism, in a basic sense.  They submit to the Lottery because their ancestors did.  It had always been done.  In a sense, it's a tradition. 

Also, they saw some economic benefit in it.  Without it, there was no assurance that crops would grow.  It was purely self-interest in this respect.

They were aware that other communities had altered their practice of the Lottery, but as a whole, were not willing to alter their own.

And at the most elemental level, violence breeds violence.  They wer caught up in the mass hysteria of the stoning.  It gave them a sense of participation in the community and in insuring the community's survival.

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, what are the "ethics" behind having to wear the scarlet letter?

If we define ethics as the study or performance of the morally correct, then we will see that Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is not really a novel about “ethics.” In fact, for the most part, Hawthorne makes the enforcers of law and justice in seventeenth century Puritan society look out of touch with human nature and sometimes just plain silly.

Early in the novel, as Hester Prynne emerges from prison with the letter “A” on her breast, she is closely watched by several of the older women.  Hester is on her way to the scaffold to be made a public spectacle before she is given her freedom. Several of the women believe that her punishment is too lenient. In their opinion, the community’s ethical standards are too lax:

The magistrates are God-fearing gentlemen, but merciful overmuch—that is a truth . . . at the very least they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead.

Another woman, also in favor of a more severe brand of ethical retribution, interprets Hester’s crime in terms of how it makes the town look:

This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it?

So, ethically speaking, the colonial, Puritan Boston is not of one mind regarding the appropriate punishment of Hester Prynne. However, the town has made a public event of Hester’s punishment. A procession of citizens follows her from the prison to the scaffold. Kids have even been let out of school. It’s interesting to note, however, that the students do not really know what is going on.

A crowd of eager and curious schoolboys, understanding little of the matter in hand except that it gave them a half-holiday, ran before her progress, turning their heads continually to stare into her face.

For such a supposedly egregious violation of ethics, one might expect schoolboys to know what the cause of all the fuss was about. The fact that they do not undermines the idea that Hester Prynne is such a danger to society.

Finally, later in the novel, we see that Hester has, by virtue of her kind and sympathetic service to the sick and needy in the community, transformed the meaning of the scarlet letter:

Such helpfulness was found in her—so much power to do and power to sympathize—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet “A” by its original signification. They said that it meant “Able”; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.

By reversing the meaning of the letter A to something positive, Hawthorne has cast doubt on the ethical judgment of the town leaders. In the end it Hester who is good and kind, and yes, perhaps even ethically righteous in her own way.

Is it necessary to apply lotion to your hands after washing each time?

If you are talking about applying antibacterial lotion
after following proper handwashing procedures then I would say no. The skin has natural
oils that help to keep the skin moisturized.

The CDC has a
procedure that should be followed when washing your hands. They recommend applying soap
to the hands and working up a lather, using warm water if possible. Hands should be
scrubbed for at least 15-20 seconds. Dry hands with a paper towel or hand dryer. Also,
use the towel to turn off the faucet to prevent the spread of
germs.

If you are talking about applying lotion in general
then it depends on whether your skin is dry or not. I find that I need to apply more
lotion in the colder months. Otherwise my hands tend to get very
dry.

Is it necessary to apply lotion to your hands after washing each time?

If you are talking about applying antibacterial lotion after following proper handwashing procedures then I would say no. The skin has natural oils that help to keep the skin moisturized.

The CDC has a procedure that should be followed when washing your hands. They recommend applying soap to the hands and working up a lather, using warm water if possible. Hands should be scrubbed for at least 15-20 seconds. Dry hands with a paper towel or hand dryer. Also, use the towel to turn off the faucet to prevent the spread of germs.

If you are talking about applying lotion in general then it depends on whether your skin is dry or not. I find that I need to apply more lotion in the colder months. Otherwise my hands tend to get very dry.

In Into the Wild, what did Chris learn about his family on his first trip across the country and how did this knowledge affect him?

During his first trip across the country, Chris visited the Southern California neighborhood where he grew up and met up with some old family friends.  From these friends he learned the details of his father Walt's messy divorce from his first wife Marcia.  Walt had continued his relationship with Marcia long after he began his relationship with Billie, Chris's mother.  Walt had led a secret double life for a time, going back and forth between two households, and had fathered a child with Marcia two years after Chris was born.

Although he never let on to his parents that he knew the truth, Chris brooded over what he considered to be his father's duplicity and betrayal for years.  He told his sister Carine that this knowledge made "his entire childhood seem like a fiction".  There is little doubt that Chris's discovery about his father's secret life festered inside him, fueling the otherwise seemingly inexplicable rage and resentment he felt toward his family, and leading to his finally shutting them out completely from his life (Chapter 12).

In "Sonny's Blues", how does music express Sonny's history? How does teaching express his brother's history?

Sonny always used music as a way to escape. It is the only thing that gave him hope and kept him dreaming for a better life.  His music inspired him and gave him hope for the future.  His brother had the role of a teacher to his brother and always felt a need to protect him, I think, but he realized he couldn't do that, that Sonny had to make his own way.  When he went to see Sonny at the club at the end of the story, he saw why Sonny loved his music so much.

What is the religion and culture of Garoghlanian tribe in "The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse"?

The Garoghlanian tribe is Armenian.  The culture of these people, known for their honesty, is at the heart of the story.  Hospitality is also an important function in the Armenian culture.  Social gatherings revolve around large amounts of food.

The religion of most Armenian people is Christianity, which is structured around forgiveness of sins and, in this story focuses on tolerance.  So therefore, when the horse is returned, the farmer does not tell the Gargohlanian family that the two boys had the horse all along.      

"Faced with a situation in which the first impulse of most people would be to punish the thieves, the people of this slow-moving, rural Armenian community (which undoubtedly was modeled on the author's hometown, Fresno, California) do more than recognize that boys will be boys."  

"To insult the honor of the Garoghlanian family would cause much more trouble than the loss of a horse, disrupting the peace of the community."

Why does Fitzgerald focus so much on Gatsby's past in Ch. 6 of The Great Gatsby? Why is there so much background?What is the meaning of the...

In The Great Gatsby, the history of
Gatsby's relationship with Daisy, and the origins of that relationship, are vital to
understanding Gatsby's dream and illusion--what he is trying to
recapture.

The history in chapter six reveals Gatsby's
naivete and lack of experience--he is enchanted by Daisy's home--Nick tells the reader
that Gatsby had never experienced anything like it, and the home alone suggested
romantic tales and mysteries inside, to Gatsby.

Chapter six
reveals that Daisy is somewhat of a trophy or goal for Gatsby--the fact that numerous
soldiers had sought Daisy's company is a plus for Gatsby, not a
detriment.

The kiss in chapter six makes Gatsby's dream
more concrete, in the way any image makes ideas more concrete.  It shows the reader what
Gatsby experienced, and what he is trying to recapture.  The kiss provides Gatsby's
dream with romance.

Unfortunately, chapter six also
establishes that Gatsby is "out of his league" with Daisy.  And five years and the story
that's narrated in the novel do not change that. 

Why does Fitzgerald focus so much on Gatsby's past in Ch. 6 of The Great Gatsby? Why is there so much background?What is the meaning of the...

In The Great Gatsby, the history of Gatsby's relationship with Daisy, and the origins of that relationship, are vital to understanding Gatsby's dream and illusion--what he is trying to recapture.

The history in chapter six reveals Gatsby's naivete and lack of experience--he is enchanted by Daisy's home--Nick tells the reader that Gatsby had never experienced anything like it, and the home alone suggested romantic tales and mysteries inside, to Gatsby.

Chapter six reveals that Daisy is somewhat of a trophy or goal for Gatsby--the fact that numerous soldiers had sought Daisy's company is a plus for Gatsby, not a detriment.

The kiss in chapter six makes Gatsby's dream more concrete, in the way any image makes ideas more concrete.  It shows the reader what Gatsby experienced, and what he is trying to recapture.  The kiss provides Gatsby's dream with romance.

Unfortunately, chapter six also establishes that Gatsby is "out of his league" with Daisy.  And five years and the story that's narrated in the novel do not change that. 

What are the conflicts faced by the narrator in "Araby"?

It is clear from this excellent short story that the conflict lies in the fact that the boy's ideas about Mangan's sister and about Araby are sheer illusions. Neither the relationship as the boy imagines it nor Araby as a place of mystical enchantment actually exists in reality. Consider the following quote about how the narrator himself imagines his "quest":

I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes. Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I myself did not understand.

Here we can see clearly that the narrator is placing himself in the role of knight errant, on a Romantic quest to gain something for his lady. Consider how the description of the bazaar at the end of the story shows reality crushing in upon the narrator. He travels there in a "bare carriage" and disembarks on an "improvised platform". The bazaar, far from being a place full of Eastern mysticism, contains nothing more exciting than vases and tea sets and people engaged in mundane conversation. This is where the conflict ends as the narrator realises his own foolishness in a moving moment of epiphany when he grows up:

Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.

The narrator sees the truth in a crushing moment of self-realisation and recognises that the reality of his relationship with Mangan's sister and the reality about Araby.

A sled is being pulled to the left by 5 dogs, each dog pulling with 6 Newtons of force. Find the net force.Is the net force 30N to the left?

No, the answer would not be 30, it would not be
multiplied. In this equation, each dog is independent of the others. If each dog pushes
the sled at  6 Newtons, you would merely add the forces together. (Five dogs, 6 Newtons
each is 5+6=11) In this case, it would be 11 Newtons. The link below should help explain
it a bit. Because all dogs are moving in the same direction, they complement each other.
If any of the dogs were moving in the other direction, you would have to cancel out and
subract.