• GUY DE MAUPASSANT

How could you describe the setting in the story “The Piece of String”?

The Guy de Maupassant short story, “The Piece of String,” tells the story of an old peasant, Maitre Hauchecorne, whose decision to pick up a useless article in the street one day will haunt him for…

1 educator answer

• FRANKENSTEIN

Is the monster in Frankenstein human?Any quotes from the book to back up your answer would also…

Physically, the monster is not quite human; he is made up if body parts, and his living essence is drawn from electricity. These two facts contribute to his ‘monstrousness’ and the notion that he…

3 educator answers

• BUSINESS

What is the difference between management and administration?

There are differences between management and administration, but sometimes we refer to “manager” and “administrators” interchangeably. Strictly speaking, management involves the making of…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Concept of modernization, and whether this had an affect on a city such as…

Indeed, modernization did possess a great impact on Anytown, USA. The fact that the town was able to stake its claim on the production of glass and manufacturing proves this. The time period of…

1 educator answer

• SPEAK

Please share some quotes that describe Melinda’s character.

There are quite lots of quotes in the novel that show Melinda to be a young high school student whose life is dominated by silence and pain. Melinda is incredibly unhappy and, ostracised, decides…

1 educator answer

• SOPHIE’S CHOICE

In Sophie’s Choice, why does Nathan lie about his occupation as a research biologist? Is it…

Nathan is a narcissistic personality who also has delusions of grandeur. He is also very paranoid and has an explosive temper. He lies about who he is in order to affect others’ opinion of him. He…

1 educator answer

• SOPHIE’S CHOICE

Does Sophie’s Choice tell us that it’s easier to deceive others more than yourself? Or vica…

I think that you have sketched out some very good points here. Indeed, self deception is a powerfully resonant theme in Styron’s work. Sophie’s character has been built on deception in order to…

1 educator answer

• THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

Do couples behave in such way these days as Jim and Della in “The Gift of the Magi”?no

Your question is a matter of opinion. The special love that Jim and Della have for each other which is founded on their willingness to sacrifice their most precious and treasured material…

1 educator answer

• THE SCARLET LETTER

Describe what Pearl’s actions upon Dimmesdale were and what do you think it means?

The only time Pearl’s actions really affect Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter is right at the end when Arthur dies. I assume that’s the event to which you’re referring. Pearl intuitively…

1 educator answer

• TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES

Was Tess raped or seduced by Alec D’Urberville?

This remains a gray area because Hardy delicately draws a veil over it and does not describe the rape/ seduction. One reason, of course, is that in a nineteenth century novel it would not be…

1 educator answer

• MANIAC MAGEE

Why couldn’t Maniac go up on the trestle to save Russell?

This is what Mars Bar wants to know at the end of the story. Maniac’s fearlessness has reached mythic proportion, so it’s quite a mystery why he didn’t rescue Russell from the train trestle. As…

1 educator answer

• THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE

In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, what is the role played by Mr. Utterson?

Mr. Utterson plays a singularly important role in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As the one through whom Stevenson focuses the reader’s attention on this strange case, Utterson’s…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

How did America become involved in Viet Nam?I’d also like for you to make a point with russians

The growth of the United States’ involvement with Vietnam can be traced as far back as the 1950s, under the Administration of President Eisenhower. In order to receive French support during post…

1 educator answer

• SCIENCE

What are antibiotics and how do they work?Please explain the sources and role of antibiotics.

They are drugs (usually prescription) that are used to treat diseases and infections caused by bacteria. They work one of two ways they either kill the bacteria or stop it form multiplying. They…

1 educator answer

• LORD OF THE FLIES

How does the failure to express himself in Chapter 9 by the symbolic Simon relate to the…

In “Lord of the Flies,” Simon represents the intuitive, spiritual part of man if perceived as an allegorical character. It is Simon who is helpful to Ralph, assisting him with the shelter…

1 educator answer

• A THOUSAND ACRES

In “A Thousand Acres”, why do feminists claim Smiley’s novel as a statement about the diminution…

In this novel, the central focus is on the sisters, Ginny and Rose, with an emphasis on Ginny and all of the unsettling realizations that she discovers about the calm, steady life that she thought…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

How many years was Isreal kept slavery in Babylon?

Surely you mean Judah, as they were taken prisoner by the Babylonians. In 586 BC King Zedekiah of Judah rebelled against the overlordship of Babylon. Jerusalem was sacked and he was blinded and…

1 educator answer

• BUSINESS

The difference between two cooperative learning styles: Jigsaw and Competitive.explain between them

Both methods of teaching and learning have distinct settings and should be implemented when the student comfort level and teacher comfort level prove to be appropriate. The competitive learning…

2 educator answers

• A SEPARATE PEACE

What is revealed as each boy assumes that the attention he attracts is meant for the other one?

Very interesting question, though be careful of readings that might be too deep on this one! This section comes in Chapter 3 as you specify, when Finny has pretty much dragged Gene off to the beach…

1 educator answer

• A SEPARATE PEACE

In Chapter 3 of A Separate Peace, why is Finny described as being like the weather?

In Chapter 3, Gene says, “Although he was rarely conscious of it, Phineas was always being watched, like the weather”. Finny has a way about him which attracts the attention of others. His…

1 educator answer

• A SEPARATE PEACE

What is significant in the doctor’s remark about “facing things” in Chapter 5 of A Separate Peace?

The doctor’s remark about “facing things” is significant because, in the story, it has to do with so much more than just the fact that Finny will no longer be able to play sports. Not only will…

1 educator answer

• PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

What is the final message of Pride and Prejudice leaves, and what is the significance of the…

The final message that Pride and Prejudice gives us is that love conquers all. A message that Jane Austen was determined to write into her novels since she observed that it was impossible to…

3 educator answers

• MACBETH

How do Duncan and Macbeth fit the role of a king?

It is interesting to note that when Shakespeare wrote this play, he changed several items. According to his version, Macbeth had no rightful claim to the throne and Duncan is portrayed as the just…

1 educator answer

• FAHRENHEIT 451

In part three of “Fahrenheit 451” what does “Burning Bright” stand for, or mean?

There are four or five possible direct correlations between the title of section three, and events that occur in that section. They are of Montag’s house “burning bright” as it is torched, of…

2 educator answers

• ANIMAL FARM

How long does it take for chicken eggs to hatch?just started a real farm and have questions

It takes chicken eggs twenty-one days to hatch. The eggs will hatch within forty-eight hours of each other. Don’t let a hen sit on more than six eggs – she can only take care of six at a time.

1 educator answer

• A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA

What causes the conflict between Ged and Jasper in chapter 4 of A Wizard of Earthsea?

I think you have to be careful to distinguish between the apparent “spark” that triggered off Ged’s decision to prove himself to Jasper by raising the dead and then the underlying feelings of pride…

1 educator answer

• CHIEF JOSEPH

In at least three sentences discuss the tone of “an indians view of indian affairs

The tone of Chief Joseph’s work strikes at the very heart of the challenges in the relationship between Native Americans and the government establishment. In three sentences, I would suggest that…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Where does Scout receive the majority of her education?

Scout gets most of her education at home. Atticus teaches her to read. Scout can’t remember a time when she couldn’t read, and reading is important to her. When Scout goes to school, her…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Why does Atticus emphasize the lack of a medical examination for Mayella Ewell after she is beaten?

Mayella has accused Tom Robinson of raping her. In emphasizing the lack of a medical examination of Mayella, Atticus is raising doubts as to whether the rape ever really occurred, which it did not….

1 educator answer

• CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD

What duties does Crispin do for Bear?

At first, Crispin just carries Bear’s bag. Then he collects firewood and water, though Bear will not allow him to hunt because he will scare the game away. Later, Bear begins to teach Crispin…

1 educator answer

• THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW

How is the main problem solved in That Was Then, This Is Now?

The primary conflict of Susan E. Hinton’s novel, That Was Then, This Is Now, eventually comes down to the changes that are occurring between the inseparable friends, Bryon Douglas and his foster…

1 educator answer

• THE GOOD EARTH

What impact did life in Kiangsu have on Wang Lung’s sons in The Good Earth?

City life is very different from the rural life that Wang Lung and his family knew before they moved to Kiangsu out of need and desperation. In particular, what disturbs Wang Lung greatly is the…

1 educator answer

• THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW

What event starts the actions in That Was Then, This Is Now?

Although your question is not very specific, one of the first major acts of violence in Susan E. Hinton’s novel, That Was Then, This Is Now, takes place in Chapter 3. Bryon has borrowed Charlie’s…

1 educator answer

• ETHAN FROME

What is Ethan Frome’s greatest accomplishment?

This is an unusual question because Ethan is not generally assessed in terms of personal accomplishment. His life is developed in the novel as one of struggle and loss as it is methodically…

1 educator answer

• A SEPARATE PEACE

In A Separate Peace, how does Brinker get Gene and Finny to attend the mock trial? Why is Brinker…

After Brinker had set up the mock trial and had everything in place in the First Academy Building, he and three other students came to Gene and Finny’s room to get them. Brinker declared, “We’re…

1 educator answer

• FRANKENSTEIN

In Chapter 13, what practical purpose does the beautiful stranger serve in Frankenstein?

It is important to realise how Shelley uses the chapters that the monster spends with the De Laceys to present him and us with the companionship, warmth and love that is part of human nature. Of…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

What are the advantages of using Scout as a narrator?

The novel is told from a child’s perspective. Children are a model of innocence, therefore, using Scout’s voice calls much stronger attention to the character defects of the adults involved. The…

3 educator answers

• THE KITE RUNNER

Can Amir be called a hero? How does he (or does he not) fit this role? Chapter 19- 25

A hero is a person who displays courage or makes a sacrifice. Initially, Amir doesn’t appear to be a hero. He doesn’t defend Hassan when he is being attacked by Assef and his thugs. And, he even…

2 educator answers

• FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON

When he learned that the regression would come, why did Charlie decide to return to work at the…

Charlie’s situation at this point in the story is tragic. The experiment that gave him superior intelligence has allowed him to discover the Algernon-Gordon effect, which predicts he will continue…

1 educator answer

• BEOWULF

If evil could be eradicated from our world, why would it be such a difficult procedure for mankind?

The most important word in your question is “if.” In Beowulf, evil exists in the form of monsters, like Grendel and the dragon, that can be slain by the very brave and strong. Slay the monsters and…

1 educator answer

• ENOTES HELP

How do you reference material found on enotes.com using in-text parentheticals and a Works Cited…

Great question! eNotes can be cited as a “web publication.” Discussion groups, blog postings and the like have been designated their own guidelines in the MLA handbook. You would cite an answer…

1 educator answer

• HARPER LEE

What issues and causes are important to Atticus?Please give specific detail.

Atticus is a man of integrity. He is a man who believes in fairness, truth, and justice. When dealing with Scout and Jem, Atticus impresses on them the right way to live. He corrects Jem and…

1 educator answer

• SCIENCE

Teaching Anatony & PhysiologyI have never taught A & P before. I might have a few students…

You can also use smaller animals if you don’t want to go the cat route – frogs, rats, etc. If the objection is to general dissection, then you can certainly do virtual dissection – there are many…

3 educator answers

• BLESS ME, ULTIMA

Why are Lupito and Narciso’s deaths inevitable? From Bless Me, UtlimaI understand why Tenorio’s…

The setting for this novel is in the 1940s American southwest, which is rural, traditional Latino country at that time. Lupito is suffering from his service in World War II, and has returned with…

1 educator answer

• A SEPARATE PEACE

In chapter 10, what does the dining room symbolize to Leper after he is dismissed from the army?

After Leper goes AWOL (Absent Without Leave) from the army, Gene goes to see him at his family’s home in Vermont. Somewhat strangely, Leper insists they sit in the dining room to have their visit….

1 educator answer

• THE PORTABLE PHONOGRAPH

Why was the value Art important to the men?In the time this book took place, was Art something…

In the wake of the desolation and emptiness of the world presented to the reader, the value of art is a powerful one. The role of art in this story is one that soothes and provides entertainment….

1 educator answer

• THE HIDING PLACE

In Chapter 12, of “The Hiding Place,” to what does the “thick clouds” refer?

In chapter 12, of “The Hiding Place,” Corrie is being moved from one camp tho another. When she and Bessie arrive at Vught they are given separate work assignments. Corrie is put to work in the…

1 educator answer

• CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

Can anybody tell me the plot of the novel, Circle of Friends (in 2 paragraphs)?

Maeve Binchy’s novel, Circle of Friends, tells the story of two friends who grow up in the small town of Knockglen, Ireland. Benny and Eve, who each have very different family issues, both…

2 educator answers

• LAW AND POLITICS

School UniformsShould public school students in Hawaii wear uniforms?

I don’t think this particular question only pertains to Hawaiian public school students. Our school district just went through this–we had a vote by parents and educators and the decision was…

3 educator answers

• THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Why does the Grapes of Wrath have such a wide spread appeal?

Part of the reason why Steinbeck’s work had such a wide appeal was because it spoke to a predicament that was not publicized in a broad manner. In the wake of the Great Depression, the nation’s…