• TWILIGHT

Are the books good or are they just boring?Everybody in my class has read them and they tell me…

The Twilight Saga is an excellent series of books. Each book starts of slowly, in my honest opinion, but suddenly you get to a point where you just can’t put it down. They are quite interesting….

1 educator answer

• THE GIVER

In The Giver, what does it mean they say they are going to release someone from the community?

When someone is released, there are two stories: the community-based lie, and the truth. The community makes its citizens believe that release means you are being let go. They allow people to…

1 educator answer

• THE GIVER

In The Giver, what does it mean when they kick you out of the community?

This question has been answered at the link below.

1 educator answer

• THE GIVER

In The Giver, what pledge must all of Jonas’ family sign?

When Gabe comes to stay with the family for a while, to see if he can mature at an appropriate pace in order to be assigned to a new family, Jonas’s family must sign an agreement. They must pledge…

1 educator answer

• THE LAGOON

In “The Lagoon,” how is it that Arsat and the White Man are friends?

In the story, Arsat is a young Malaysian man who previously fought alongside the English man (Tuan). According to historical sources, the British forces in Malaya traditionally sided with the…

1 educator answer

• A MODEST PROPOSAL

In Jonathan Swift’s essay “A Modest Proposal” could you expand on how Swift uses the word…

I found three references to the word dressing in the essay. The first reference, below has to do with the serving of roasted children, much in the same way that roasted pig is served, and carving…

1 educator answer

• ROMEO AND JULIET

In “Romeo and Juliet” how could Tybalt’s death have been avoided?

There really is no way around Tybalt dying. It is necessary because it sets up the events that turn the play into a tragedy. The fight scene here in act III is the climax of the play. Along with…

1 educator answer

• MONSTER

Who is Osvaldo Cruz in Monster by Walter Dean Myers, and what is his part in the book?

Osvaldo Cruz is a fourteen year old boy the prosecution uses as a witness against King and Harmon in the murder/robbery trial. Cruz, during his testimony, states that his involvement in the trail…

2 educator answers

• ROMEO AND JULIET

In Act 1, scene i of “Romeo and Juliet”, how does Shakespeare create dramatic impact?This must…

Act I, scene i of the play sets the stage for all future actions. Shakespeare provides all of the background information one needs to understand the play. Sampson and Gregory (Capulet’s) are…

1 educator answer

• FENCES

FencesDefine the conflicts between Cory and Troy, showing how they develop. In what ways do they…

Certainly, generational conflicts play a large role in the differences of perception between Cory ans Troy. Troy comes from a time of Plessy v. Ferguson, where distinct boundaries defined…

2 educator answers

• POETRY

In the poem “Homecoming” by Bruce Dawe, what are some of the most effective techiques? Explain…

Bruce Dawe wrote his poem “Homecoming” in 1968 during the Viet Nam war. The poem is an anti-war poem giving the author’s negative view of his home country Australia’s involvement in the…

1 educator answer

• WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Why were women banned from the stage in Shakespeare’s time?

During Shakespeare’s time, acting was considered to be a respectable profession, hince it wasnt really fit for women. In a sense, acting was a bit too “tawdry” for women. For this reason, the…

2 educator answers

• DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Death of A Salesman by Arthur MillerOne of the motifs that is prominent in this play is the…

While they were growing up, Biff and Happy adopted the flawed values of their father. They learned to lie, cheat and steal in order to succeed or to “get ahead.” They grew up believing that making…

2 educator answers

• SOCIAL SCIENCES

How does the community affect current youth?How does the community affect current youth?

There is the ages old question of nature vs. nurture. In this situation, you have the influences of the community upon the child. If a young person lives in an urban environment with a lot of…

2 educator answers

• 1984

What was the Party’s attitude towards controlling the Proles?

The Party has an attitude of careless and contemptuous superiority towards the proles, 85% of the population of Oceania (Part II, Chapter 9) and entirely dismisses any chance that they might…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

What were some inventions during the Civil War?what were some inventions during the civil war?…

This is an interesting question. I will focus on guns. Other inventions were made around this time, but the South was outgunned by the superior weapons available to the Northern soldiers,…

6 educator answers

• SCIENCE

What are the major biological issues associated with the use of biological weapons?

It is interesting to note that the earliest forms of biological warfare were used in China and the Mid-East. The throwing of plague infected bodies over the walls of cities under seige was probably…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Which is more effective? Communism, capitalism or socialism in its ideal form? and why?please…

This is a difficult question for me to answer because my practical sense tells me the answer is capitalism, but you ask for the “ideal” form. In that case it has to be socialism. Summarized…

1 educator answer

• THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER

In Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” what is the effect that the character of the…

“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” has a great deal to do with the character of the mariner. The poem doesn’t tell us how old the mariner is when he kills the albatross, but certainly he is a much…

1 educator answer

• FRANKENSTEIN

What is unusual about the first words spoken by the stranger Walton tells about in Letter 4 of…

Walton’s ship had been in a very dangerous situation, stranded in the water, “nearly surrounded by ice which closed in…on all sides, scarcely leaving (the ship) the sea-room in which she…

1 educator answer

• FENCES

From what does Troy want to protect Cory in Fences?

I think that this is a fairly powerful element in the drama. Much of it is going to be dependent on how one sees Troy, as a father. If one wanted to see him in a sympathetic light, then Troy…

1 educator answer

• LI-YOUNG LEE

Li-Young Lee writes often about his father. What is his father like and what do you think he…

Li-Young Lee was born in Jakarta in Indonesia. His parents were Chinese and political refugees. His father in fact spent nineteen months in an Indonesian jail as a political prisoner. After fleeing…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Was the foundation of America Christian or secular?We are having a debate in school and I need…

The first settlers came to America in search of religious freedom. The Pilgrims who traveled to America on the Mayflower were fleeing England and the inability to practice their religion which is…

10 educator answers

• HEAVEN

What is the meaning of Cathy Song’s “Heaven”?

The poem “Heaven” is about the longing for home, for one’s homeland. In the first line, we know that the speaker is Chinese American: “He thinks when we die we’ll go to China.” To the speaker’s…

2 educator answers

• MISS BRILL

Does Miss Brill experience an epiphany in “Miss Brill” by Katherine Mansfield? Explain.

No, Miss Brill does not, properly speaking, experience an epiphany at the end of “Miss Brill.” Epiphany, according to standard definitions, is a “sudden revelation of the whatness of a thing.” The…

1 educator answer

• FRANKENSTEIN

Which is not a reason Walton writes to his sister in “Frankenstein”?

I can only guess that you are thinking of Walton’s letters from Frankenstein. I also think this should be a multiple choice question since there are hundreds of things that could be the reason he…

1 educator answer

• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

The play does this is by humorous turns of phrase. What are examples of the play’s excellent use…

I’m quoting these from memory, after having been involved in two productions of the show (one for an entire summer), so they may not be word for word. However, you can point to any of Algernon’s…

1 educator answer

• WHIRLIGIG

In the novel, Whirligig, has anyone had good discussions about the spirituality of this novel?In…

I think there is a lot of spirituality and thoughts of spirituality in this novel. There is real argument against materialism (Brent’s preoccupation before the accident) and for living a more…

1 educator answer

• 1984

Discuss the role of Big Brother in Oceania and in Winston’s life. Does the phrase “Big Brother is…

Big Brother is many things in their world. The most important thing he is is the provider of all good things to the citizens of Oceania. Of course, he might not even exist, but that is not…

1 educator answer

• SOCIAL SCIENCES

What is Wrong with euthanasia?

My opinion is that euthanasia per se is not wrong. However, it involves the taking of a human life and therefore raises profound moral, ethical, and legal questions. Pro-life people would argue…

6 educator answers

• THE OUTSIDERS

What were two results for Hinton after publishing “The Outsiders?”What research did Hinton do for…

Susan E. Hinton, S.E. Hinton was 16 when she wrote “The Outsiders.” She did not do “research” as we think of it. She simply wrote about her life in Tulsa,OK. She admired the “Greasers” and wrote…

1 educator answer

• REFERENCE

Is it better to write a character sketch by posting the person’s picture on it or not?Is it…

Generally, it is probably best not to include a picture. If you are assigned to write a character sketch, you are expected to “sketch” a picture with your words! When you are describing a person…

5 educator answers

• ANIMAL FARM

Write a dialogue on an imaginary coversation that might have taken place between Napolean and…

An imaginary dialogue between Squealer and Napoleon might go like this: Squealer: He’s gone, the dogs ran him off the farm. I don’t think he will come back. Napoleon: What was the reaction of the…

2 educator answers

• LET THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN

When and where does the novel “Let The Circle Be Unbroken” begin?no thanks

This novel by Mildred D. Taylor begins during the Depression era of the 1930’s, in Mississippi. The novel is a follow-up on Taylor’s “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.” It is about the Logan Family…

1 educator answer

• THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL

What objects does Mr. Frank find in the secret rooms in Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl?No

I am assuming that you are asking what objects Mr. Frank finds in the secret rooms when he returns at the end of the war. The only survivor in his family, Otto Frank returns to Amsterdam months…

1 educator answer

• HAMLET

What is the tone and how is it delivered in Act 1, Scene 1.Isolation, having nobody to count on…

The tone in the opening scene of the play is mysterious. It begins with one guard challenging the approaching person so that immediately the audience gets set up for a story with lots of drama and…

2 educator answers

• SOCIAL SCIENCES

Which of these holidays is the most important Jewish holiday? A. Rosh Hoshanna B. Yom Kippur C….

Rosh Hoshanna and Yom Kippur are called the High Holy Days in Judaism. Rosh Hoshanna is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated on the first and second days of Tishri, which is the seventh month on…

3 educator answers

• HAMLET

If the setting were to change in Hamlet, say from Denmark to England, would anything be lost in…

In terms of the words, somewhat. Going from one language to another will have an impact on the work. The impact may sometimes be small, but there is a chance that the original meeting and intent…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie’s oak rocking chair?

One of the important events in chapter 8 of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” is when Miss Maudie’s house catches on fire. Atticus gets Jem and Scout out of their house until he is sure the wind won’t…

1 educator answer

• THEODORE ROETHKE

what is Theodore Roethke’s most famous poem?what is Theodore Roethke’s most famous poem?

1. Roethke is one of America’s best known poets. Many of his works are well known. However The Waking is once of his most celebrated poems. However, he has written several “great” poems. I Knew a…

1 educator answer

• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

What are some incidents and comments in the play that support the central theme of being true to…

The entire plot of the play would be non-existent if Jack/Ernest knew who he truly was. All of the lies and deceptions come from the men pretending to be other people: Jack pretending to be…

1 educator answer

• KAFFIR BOY: THE TRUE STORY OF A BLACK YOUTH’S COMING OF AGE IN APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

What adjectives would you use to describe the author as a young boy? What proof do you have that…

As a young boy, Johannes (also Mark) Mathabane is both fearful and determined. He bears a great deal of abuse from the police and from his father, so his fear seems justified. His determination is…

1 educator answer

• THE ROAD

What would be a good thesis for an essay on The Road by Cormac McCarthy?

This is a good question for the discussion board. One of the things that struck me when I began reading this book is that nowhere does the author explain what has happened to the world and why it…

4 educator answers

• MACBETH

What is the fourth vision that the witches show Macbeth? How does it confirm Macbeth’s worst fears?

The fourth apparition is a “show of eight kings.” A procession of eight men, all of whom are wearing crowns and some carrying scepters, reveals that Banquo’s descendants will become kings because…

3 educator answers

• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

To what degree is the play’s satire still relevant?In other words, does the hypocrisy made fun…

The satire Wilde presents in his play seem all too relevant to society today. Wilde pokes fun at the morals of the upper class. While it’s true that there are many philanthropic millionaire and…

2 educator answers

• THE CANTERBURY TALES

Where had Chacuer gotten his idea for The Canterbury Tales?Where did Chaucer get the idea for The…

Chaucer used a number of familiar stories and familiar characters in this work, but tweaked them to make them seen new and put a couple of unique spins on the whole process of story-telling. The…

1 educator answer

• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

What is an example of how the play punctures upper-class phoniness?

At the beginning of the play, we quickly realize that Algernon, though a so-called upper class “gentleman” is actually living above his means. He only gets calls from “family and creditors” and he…

1 educator answer

• MACBETH

What are the ingredients in what the witches are preparing and how does it reflect the disorder…

In Act IV of “Macbeth,” the witches brew a mixture of organs in their evil cauldron. For instance, there are cut-off human lips, a nose of a non-Christian, the finger of a “birth-strangled babe,”…

1 educator answer

• ANIMAL FARM

What maxim does Snowball use to simplify the seven commandments? Why is this maxim a good…

Snowball tells the animals to remember “Two legs bad; four legs good.” This is an example of several propaganda techniques. First, it represents simplification–taking a complex situation and…

2 educator answers

• MACBETH

Who is blamed for Banquo’s death [3.6.16ff], and how is it like Duncan’s?

Macbeth’s cover story for the death of Banquo is that he was killed by his son Fleance. We do not know if Macbeth spread this story directly, but in Act III Scene 6 Lennox makes a sarcastic…