Hester is considered a scapegoat in The Scarlet Letter, but why?
- THE SCARLET LETTER
In The Scarlet Letter, how does Hester cope with her “situation” as she stands on the scaffold in…
Before emerging from the jail to stand on the scaffold with her three-month-old baby, Hester had prepared herself as best she could for the pain and humiliation of the ordeal facing her. Once upon…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
Hester is considered a scapegoat in The Scarlet Letter, but why?
Hester is surely not the only sinner in the community or the congregation, but to observe her–singled out, shunned, and stigmatized by wearing the scarlet letter–one might think so. Hester is a…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
In The Scarlet Letter, what does the last sentence in Chapter XVII mean? (“Then, all was spoken!”)
The meeting in the forest between Arthur and Hester is both tender and poignant after their years of suffering and separation. Hester attempts to save Arthur’s life–he obviously is failing…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
What does this quote from Chapter 22 (XXII) The Procession mean?Quote: “The sainted minister in…
Even though their reputations are completely differ, Dimmesdale being revered as a saint and Hester being the town adulterer, their sin is the same. They both committed adultery, and they both let…
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- REFERENCE
Can someone explain the rules on transforming simple to compound and simple to complex sentences…
A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb. The simplest sentence would be: Stop. Subject (understood “You”), Verb, stop. Other examples include: I will go….
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- ACROSS FIVE APRILS
How did Mr. Lincoln respond to Jethro’s letter in “Across Five Aprils” by Irene Hunt, in chap. 9?
In chapter 9 of Irene Hunt’s “Across Five Aprils,” President Lincoln wrote to Jethro Creighton in response to a letter that Jethro had written to him concerning the men who had deserted their…
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- WHIRLIGIG
What did Flaco want most in the book Whirligig?
What Flaco wants more than anything is peace. He wants to be like the shearwater, a bird whom he imagines “live(s) alone, far away from land…no other birds around…very peaceful”. Flaco’s whole…
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- THE GREAT GATSBY
What is the theme of the following quote from “The Great Gatsby”:” I know. I’ve been everywhere…
This quote, from the first chapter, is spoken by Daisy to Nick right after she told him about the birth of her daughter and how Daisy cried. Daisy reveals to the reader in this conversation that…
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- THE LOVELY BONES
Use quotations and examples of direct and indirect characterization of one character in The…
Just for fun, I chose Susie’s mother (Abigail) to answer your question. Although almost every character in Sebold’s The Lovely Bones is characterized both directly and indirectly, I feel as though…
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- THE GREAT GATSBY
What is the plot significance of this quote from “The Great Gatsby”: ” …[us whites] who are…
This quote by Tom from the first chapter reveals to the reader what kind of man Tom is. It tells us that he is narrow-minded and prejudiced. He feels that he is the ruler of society; that he is…
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- ENGLISH TEACHERS
Best Plays for “Drama in Literature” ClassI will be teaching a semester long “Drama in…
The Crucible, by Miller A Doll’s House, by Isben The Importance of Being Ernest, by Wilde Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles Pygmalion, by Shaw Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, by Stoppard
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- HAMLET
One can assume that a weak government has been overthrown. What happens next in Denmark?One can…
Ah, what a fun question! Well, assume the basics: there will be considerable confusion among those who were near power, but not in it. (Those who were in power aren’t confused because they are,…
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- THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
What was used as bait in The Old Man and the Sea?
The old man uses a large hook which is inserted into a bait fish. The bait fish is fairly large; on the day he goes after the big fish, he has four lines, two baited with fresh small tunas that…
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- FRANKENSTEIN
How does the setting foreshadow both positive and negative events in Frankenstein?
The initial setting readers are introduced to, in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, is one of ice and isolation. It is through Walton’s letters that the reader comes to learn of the extremely cold…
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- MACBETH
How does Duncan’s use of ‘star’ imagery contrast with Macbeth’s? (see 1.4.39-53)
Well spotted! Duncan, having given out his rewards and prizes, annouces that he will official make Malcolm the heir to his throne: We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we…
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- MACBETH
Is King Duncan in Macbeth a discerning man and a good judge of character?
The nature of Duncan’s murder and the events leading up to it suggest that he was neither a discerning man nor a good judge of character. Duncan was an honorable and trusting man. When he comes to…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What would be two items to put into a memory box for Dill in part 1?What would be two items to…
I would consider perhaps some movie tickets. He did, after all, use a the five dollars he won in the Beautiful Child contest in Meridian on going to the theatre quite often. You might also…
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- AFTER APPLE-PICKING
What are some examples of alliteration, personification, consonance, and assonance in the poem…
Assonance is “stem, end, and blossom end” with the repetition of the short “e” vowel sound. Alliteration is “one can see what will trouble” with the repetition of the “w” sound beginning the…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
In “Fahrenheit 451” how is Montag going to try and escape?
He goes to Faber’s house, and Faber helps out quite a bit. He tells Montag to head for the river and try to find the tracks; he’s heard of people, “old Harvard degrees on the tracks” that are…
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- MACBETH
In Macbeth, how does Banquo explain Macbeth’s distraction at the witches prediction?…
The quotation you cite is a comparison to help the reader understand why Macbeth seems entranced. Shakespeare actually uses figurative language in the form of the simile to make the comparison….
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- INTO THE WILD
How does the Doctor Zhivago quote that opens the chapter foreshadow McCandless’ actions and…
McCandless went into the wild having forsaken human relationships. We are lead to believe that he hasn’t been intimate with a woman; he severs ties with his parents, and he encourages Ron Franz to…
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- OEDIPUS REX
Did “Oedipus Rex” exist or is he just a legend?
There’s no evidence that Oediups ever existed beyond myth, legend and drama: so it’s unlikely that he ever actually existed. He pops up in a variety of texts from about the early 6th century…
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- BRAVE NEW WORLD
In Brave New World, what is each caste’s designated color?
Each caste was taught to like its own color and despise the colors of other castes; Alphas wore gray, Betas wore Mulberry, Deltas wore Khaki, Gammas wore green. Class consciousness was a very…
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- THE CRUCIBLE
Who represents whom in “The Crucible”, and why?
Arthur Miller wrote this play as a commentary on the Red Scare that happened in the United States where people engaged in a “witch hunt” of communists. Many people were brought before the…
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- MACBETH
What kind of man is Macbeth shown to be at the beginning of the play? With quotes to support answer
At the beginning of the play, specifically Act 1, sc. 2, Macbeth is shown to be a brave soldier, valiant and successful in battle. The Captain, when talking to Malcolm and Duncan about the battle…
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- DAVID COPPERFIELD
what one question would you like to ask the author or character about chapter 3 and 4 from David…
I would ask David why he felt guilty for biting Mr. Murdstone, even though Murdstone was cruel to his mother and was planning to beat David before he bit him. David regrets his actions not because…
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- THROUGH THE TUNNEL
What breakthroughs has Jerry acheived by the story’s end?Consider: the tunnel, his feelings about…
By the end of the story Jerry has gone through a journey from childhood to manhood, symbolised most stridently in his journey through the tunnel. At the beginning of the story we are introduced to…
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- LAW AND POLITICS
We brought in a roommate with the verbal agreement that one month’s notice would be given upon…
Of course, technically, the roommate is supposed to pay for the time he lived in the house. However, making him pay may be more trouble than it’s worth! Your best bet, if you are serious about…
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- INTO THE WILD
Why did so many condemn Chris and feel he caused his own death?
Some feel no pity for McCandless because, after all, he did head into one of the most harsh climates on earth severely unprepared. When Chris headed into the wild he did not have a compass or an…
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- HISTORY
What led to the growth of the automobile industry?
The assembly line and mass production techniques improved by Henry Ford increased productivity in the automobile industry. The assembly line allowed an automobile to be produced by using many…
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- RAPPACCINI’S DAUGHTER
What are some examples of Hawthorne’s symbolism in “Rappaccini’s Daughter”?
Hawthorne is a very symbolic writer, and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is no exception. There’s one overwhelming symbol in this short story, and it’s carried throughout the work–the purple plant as…
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- MATH
How many sides and angles are on a square, circle, triangle, and rectangle?
A square and a rectangle each have 4 sides and 4 angles. The only difference between them is that a square is a rectangle with equal sides. Both have 4 90 degree (right) angles. A triangle has 3…
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- SOCIAL SCIENCES
What are some questions about abortion that have answers that need to have research?
I think what you are looking for is a list of questions that can be answered through research…i hope? Here goes: 1-What are the legal limitations on when a woman can elect to have an abortion?…
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- THE FLEA
What seems to be the speaker’s purpose in “The Flea”?
The speaker in this poem is trying to seduce a young woman to have sex with him, and he is using the flea to bolster his argument. While this may seem like a rather unconventional choice for a…
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
What is the significance of the jungle in Lord of the Flies? Include references to the book.
In “Lord of the Flies” the jungle is the antithesis of the beach with regard to the fire. While the fire runs rampant in the jungle and destorys everything in its path, Ralph urges the boys to…
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- ANTIGONE
In Antigone, what does Creon’s exchange with Teiresias reveal about Creon’s view of himself and…
In his conversation with Teiresias, Creon reveals himself to be arrogant, stubborn, and cynical. Because the prophet advises him to reverse himself, bury Polyneices, and free Antigone, Creon…
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- SCIENCE
What are the three things affected by the Coriolis effect?
The Coriolis effect occurs because of Earth’s rotation and the fact that the atmosphere and oceans are not “connected” to the solid part of the planet.1. Atmospheric Circulation PatternsEarth…
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- THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Who is Bassanio more bound to: Antonio or Portia?
Bond/bound/binding – all key words and key concepts in “The Merchant of Venice”. And by comparing Bassanio’s double bond, to Portia and Antonio, you draw out the unusual financial/emotional natures…
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- THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL
Why does Helen hide her painting and journal from her husband?
Helen has good reason to hide her paintings and her journal from her husband Mr. Huntington. Her painting is a means for her to support herself, and anything that might effect her independence…
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- JULIUS CAESAR
What is one way Cassius flatters Brutus in Act 1, Scene 2 of “Julius Caesar”?
Cassius flatters Brutus in “Julius Caesar” by showing concern that Brutus has not shown him love as he was wont to have;/You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand/Over your friend that loves…
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- BLACK SELF-ESTEEM
In this year of 2009, are darker-skinned or shorter/natural haired African Americans portrayed as…
Beauty is relevant. 95% of beauty is self-confidence. Look at Tracy Chapman. She isn’t necessarily gorgeous by society’s standards, but she is definitely beautiful in her confidence and musical…
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- RUPERT BROOKE
How do I have to write a four-page paper on Rupert Brooke for my English class?My teacher wasn’t…
Writing a 4 page paper can be quite daunting. The best way to write the paper is to break it down into small bite-sized pieces. The best way to do this is by creating a planning and research sheet….
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
Why does Chillingworth become the greatest sinner in violating the human heart?
Chillingworth sets out to torture Dimmesdale and get his own revenge. His actions are premeditative and precise, looking only for his own personal vengeance. Hawthorne labels him as the worst…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
Write a paragraph explaning how the novel Fahrenheit 451 fits the definition of science fiction?…
Fahrenheit 451 deals with the future of American society. In the future painted by Bradbury, firemen create fires to destroy books. They are destroying books in order to remove anything that could…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
Who approaches Dimmesdale as he invites Pearl and Hester to join him near the scaffold? Does this…
Chillingworth approaches Dimmesdale as moves towards the scaffold. Dimmesdale is moving to confess, but Chillingworth tries to stop him. Chillingworth knows that if Dimmesdale confesses, then his…
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- THE CRUCIBLE
What unexpected action does Abigail take in act four?
Abigail doesn’t actually show up in Act IV, but it is because she has run away. Parris admits to Danforth and Hathorne that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have disappeared along with all the savings he…
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- HISTORY
What is the religion for Colonel Charles Young?
Colonel Charles Young appears to have been Christian: The 10th Cavalry chaplain, Major O. J. W. Scott, noted that Young used to play the organ in religious services while the regiment was…
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- MATH
The formula used to convert degrees celsius to degrees fahrenheit is f=9/5 c+32. What is the…
15 degrees Celsius is equal to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. 15 x 9/5 = 135/5 = 27 27 + 32 = 59 It works! 🙂
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- ANIMAL FARM
What purpose is served by Squealer reading the production figures to the animals in Chapter VIII…
By Chapter VIII, Napoleon has begun involving the farm in trade with other farms, and as a result he demands much higher production of food from the animals on the farm. During the course of…
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- THE GREAT GATSBY
In The Great Gatsby what is significant in Jordan’s remark that Daisy’s voice has an amorous…
This is significant because Jordan is beginning to suspect that Daisy has developed feelings for Gatsby yet again. As Daisy is married to Tom, this makes for a sticky situation, as it would be an…
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