• STILL I RISE

How does the figurative language in “Still I Rise” affect the poem’s overall meaning?

In the first stanza, the author uses figurative speech to illustrate oppression, and her response to it. You may trod me in the very dirtBut still, like dust, I’ll rise. The image of someone…

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• THE NECKLACE

What’s the indirect and direct characterization of Madame Forestier in the story “The Necklace”?

Direct characterization happens when the author openly describes the physical and behavioral traits of a character. We get a precise idea of what how the character looks, sounds or behaves….

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• SONNET 18

What is the word that signals a shift in the poem?

In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, it is the word “But” at the start of line 9 that signals a shift in the poem. Prior to that word, Shakespeare sets up the idea that beautiful things ultimately lose…

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• THROUGH THE TUNNEL

In “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, why does Jerry’s mother feel impatient with Jerry and…

In that first paragraph, Jerry’s mother “looked impatient, then smiled.” She assumed he was right behind her, but he was dawdling and stopping to turn and look “toward the bay” instead. Her…

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• THE GIVER

Can you think of any multiple choice questions for The Giver, chapters 17-23?

Here are some suggestions: Chp 16 & 17: Jonas says living like the people in the Christmas memory would be: (A.) dangerous, (B.) exciting, (C.) scary, (D.) none of the above. Why did Jonas find…

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• ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

Is a text-to-speech option available on eNotes?

I doubt the site itself has text-to-speech abilities, but your Windows version should (assuming you have Windows of some sort). In your Windows version: Click Start, click Control Panel, and then…

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• THINGS FALL APART

In Things Fall Apart, why does Chinua Achebe mainly focus on the tribal traditions and beliefs?

I would argue that it is reductive to say that Chinua Achebe focuses mainly on tribal traditions and beliefs. Indeed, Achebe covers a number of interesting subjects in his debut novel, one of the…

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• OF MICE AND MEN

In the novel, Of Mice And Men, by John Steinbeck, who was Whitey, and why is George concerned…

Whitey used to be an extremely neat and meticulous blacksmith who occupied the bunk that George is about to take over. George is very sceptical about the yellow can he finds in the box shelf above…

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• SCIENCE

Why are tropical latitudes warmer than other regions of planet earth?

Latitude measures the distance a location on Earth is from the equator. Latitude is represented as imaginary horizontal lines on a globe or map. Tropical latitudes are near the equator. Earth tilts…

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• JULIUS CAESAR

What are two themes from Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a complex play, with multiple themes running concurrently. One major theme found throughout the text is the theme of “power and leadership.” We see what happens when Caesar’s…

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• A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

In a “Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, why does Buddy´s cousin spend the evening in tears?

In Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory,” Buddy’s cousin spends the evening in tears after relatives find the pair drinking a small bit of leftover whiskey from making the fruitcakes. As…

2 educator answers

• SCIENCE

What are some properties of phospholipids?

Phospholipids are made of two fatty acid chains that are attached to a glycerol “head.” The glycerol of a phospholipid is attached to a phosphate group, hence the name phospholipid. Fatty acid…

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• HISTORY

What roles did the Cold War and superpower rivalry play in world politics? How can I evaluate the…

After World War II the United States and Soviet Union emerged as superpowers. This era would be called the Cold War Era. The United States wanted to maintain and spread its democratic and…

 

• HISTORY

Why did the British policy of alliances at the turn of 20th century become more appropriate to…

At the turn of the century, the British alliance system was very helpful in dealing with the growing threat from Germany. Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary had formed an alliance called the Triple…

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• FEMINIST LITERARY CRITICISM

What are some critical works on feminism?

Many early works of literature and literary criticism address the social roles of women, beginning as early as the Renaissance with Christine de Pizan’s 1405 The Book of the City of Ladies or Le…

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• THE DOUBLE FLAME

In The Double Flame, Octavio Paz writes about the five elements of love 1. Exclusivity 2….

In the book, Paz hypothesizes that the five elements of love can be simplified to three of primary importance. These three are exclusivity, attraction, and the body/soul. Freedom/fate/attraction….

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• HISTORY

What were the key events that lead Germany to communist and fascist totalitarianism in Russia and…

Fascism developed from right wing extremism while communism originated from left wing extremism. The right wing was supported by the middle class who sought to maintain the status quo while the…

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• THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER

Describe Tom’s reaction upon seeing the Devil. What does this tell us about his character?

Tom encounters the Devil (who he names as “Old Scratch”, an outdated slang term for the Devil) while taking a shortcut through the woods, and resting for a moment near a ruined “Indian fort” -…

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• SCIENCE

How does the government influence science research?

The biggest weapons that the government has are funding and policy. Scientific research requires resources and in turn, money. Governments spend billions of dollar each year on research, in various…

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• MATH

Does percent and percentage different from each other? If yes, WHY? If no, WHY?

Percent and percentage are closely related. The difference is in their use: Use percent when you know or are looking for or using a specific number. For example the solution is 15% chlorine, the…

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• WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS

In “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,” what does “awake tingling near the edge of the sea” mean?

Williams’ poem is meant to evoke a famous painting, Pieter Breugel the Elder’s “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.” The painting in turn refers to the mythic story of Icarus, who, using a set of…

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• ROMEO AND JULIET

In Romeo and Juliet, what quote best proves that Friar Lawrence came up with the plan to fake…

The plan comes together in Act 4, Scene 1. There are two blocks of quotes within that scene that serve to hatch the plan. In the first, which spans from line 70-78, the Friar gives a more general…

3 educator answers

• LITERATURE

How did Scrooge feel when he saw Belle with her family?

As the first “Spirit” takes Scrooge on a journey through experiences from his past life, he becomes increasingly agitated. The ghost takes him from lonely boyhood images through young adulthood…

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• REFERENCE

How do you parse a sentence? For example, parse this sentence: “When I married my wife, she was a…

When you parse a sentence, you are examining the grammatical construction of the words the sentence contains, naming the parts, and describing how the parts relate to each other. The first step is…

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• THE INTERLOPERS

What is Ulrich’s initial reaction to the new situation in “The Interlopers”?

Ulrich is initially thankful to be alive but also completely frustrated at being in this position. George laughs when Ulrich mumbles these contradictory feelings of thankfulness and exasperation….

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• HISTORY

How did England get China to trade with them?

England’s first attempt at trading with China failed miserably when Captain Weddell met resistance from the locals. England sought to engage China through the East India Company, but due to…

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• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what was the role of fear in the novel?

In To Kill a Mockingbird, fear is a central theme especially in the way Harper Lee shows race relations in the town of Maycomb. The white society of Maycomb are holding onto old values of…

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• LAW AND POLITICS

Prior to the health care reform that was passed in 2010, what was government’s role in health…

1. Medicare and Medicaid. These are the two basic government health care programs that existed before the passage of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Medicare is the program that gives health…

 

• TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST

What are the main differences between the two voyages included Two Years Before the Mast by…

The first voyage that Richard Henry Dana, Jr. takes is aboard the Pilgrim, which leaves from Boston en route to California via Cape Horn. He immediately swops his fine clothes for the trousers and…

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• HISTORY

What is the main idea and theme of the Jourdon Anderson letter? 1 image

“Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages…

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• LITERATURE

How can I summarize the plot of the movie “Monster House” in one paragraph?

Whenever you have to review a movie, which is more or less what you’re assigned to do here, it’s a good idea to read the movie reviews in some of the journals that cover most movies. Weekly Variety…

 

• THE HOBBIT

Describe the treatment of the hobbits & dwarves by the men of Laketown & The Master of…

Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf compatriots are relieved to have finally escaped the dungeons of the Wood Elves in Mirkwood. With each dwarf encased in an empty barrel and Bilbo hanging on as best he…

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• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

In Chapter 13, what is Atticus’ dilemma regarding his children?

In Chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch residence so that she can be a positive female role-model for Scout. Aunt Alexandra is the prototypical “Southern Bell,” who has a fascination…

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• THE POSSIBILITY OF EVIL

What effect does the anonymity have on the people who receive Miss Strangeworth’s letters?

Miss Strangeworth’s anonymous letters seem intended to create the impression in the recipients’ minds that the matter is common knowledge and that one member of the community has decided to take…

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• BUSINESS

What actions could be recommended that Walt Disney Company’s management might take to improve…

The Walt Disney Company was founded on October 16, 1923, and has managed to thrive for over ninety years by producing family entertainment, focusing mainly on films and theme parks. To improve the…

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• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Why does Snug, who plays the lion’s part, make a fuss about proclaiming his true identity in A…

In Act 1 Scene 2 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream a group of tradesmen from Athens decide to put on a play for Duke Theseus to celebrate his wedding. The play they choose is Pyramus and Thisbe, a…

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• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

How does Harper Lee symbolize family in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

Authors create symbolism by referring to objects in such a way that the objects take on more than their literal meaning. Beyond objects, authors will often create symbolism by choosing names for…

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• ANTHEM

What are the symbols in Anthem?

There are several symbols in the novel, Anthem, by Ayn Rand. Here is a list of some of the dominant ones: Light: Light symbolizes knowledge, and it’s no accident that Equality discovers…

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• OF MICE AND MEN

What do George and Lennie have that other working men do not have?

This story is set during the Great Depression (1929-39). It was difficult to find and secure work, so men had to travel or do what they could to get jobs. George and Lennie are migrant workers….

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• JULIUS CAESAR

Was Brutus a hero for assassinating Julius Caesar?

The nature of Brutus as either a hero or villain is open to differing opinions and this is based on the man’s character and his actions. Those who viewed Caesar as a hero would definitely view…

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• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

What new gifts do Scout and Jem find in the knothole?

Since I’m not sure where you are in the novel, I will give you a list of all the things Scout and Jem find in the knothole. The first thing Scout finds is two pieces of chewing gum, a real treat…

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• HISTORY

Why was trade vital to Pax Romana

Pax Romana was a period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. The period followed the fall of the second triumvirate and the sole leadership of Octavian, Julius Caesar’s nephew. Octavian…

1 educator answer

• ANIMAL FARM

How can I explain Internet propaganda using an example from Animal Farm?

When you break it down, propaganda is simply the dissemination of information. Typically speaking, propaganda is used to further a specific political agenda, and may not be strictly reliable…

 

• OF MICE AND MEN

In Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice And Men, what are George and Lennie’s plans for the future?

We learn from chapter one that George and Lennie are different from other ranch hands, as George states: “With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. Other ranch hands do not have anyone to talk…

1 educator answer

• LITERATURE

What is the theme of this quote and what would be a reflective paper for it? In the world of the…

The short answer to your question is that the theme of this quote is the psychological destruction of the people confined in concentration camps. However, this is quite a difficult question for a…

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• SCIENCE

The element chlorine (Cl) has two isotopes: chlorine-35 and chlorine-37. 75.8% of chlorine atoms…

The atomic mass of an atom is the sum of number of protons and neutrons. For example, if there are 18 neutrons and 17 prorons, the atomic mass is 35 g/mole. Similarly, the atom with 20 neutrons and…

1 educator answer

• A CHRISTMAS CAROL

In A Christmas Carol, what is the fair young girl in the mourning dress saying to Scrooge?

In The Christmas Carol, the fair young woman in the mourning dress is Belle, Scrooge’s former fiance. Scrooge receives a glimpse of the past when the ghost of Christmas Past leads him through many…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Why are the colonists’ complaints about “taxation without representation” unjustified?

There are several reasons why some people believed the colonists complaint of “taxation without representation” was unjustified. One reason was that some people believed the British were free…

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• MACBETH

What are the literary devices used in Macbeth’s dagger speech?

We can find Macbeth’s famous dagger speech in Act 2 Scene I. Macbeth starts out his speech by referencing a dagger, which he sees in the confused recesses of his tortured mind. He addresses this…

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• MACBETH

Explain the concept of fate and free will in Macbeth. Is there a way that Macbeth acted on both?

Macbeth did indeed act on both fate and free will. Think of fate as limiting free will only inasmuch as its parameters determine. That is, if you are fated to die in a car accident, then you will,…

1 educator answer