How many tragedies did Shakespeare write, and what are some of the titles?
- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
How many tragedies did Shakespeare write, and what are some of the titles?
There are some plays that don’t neatly fit into categories, or that seem to span categories. For example, “Julius Caesar” could be considered a history or a tragedy. “Pericles” could be…
2 educator answers
- THE GREAT GATSBY
In “The Great Gatsby”, what ever happens to Tom and Daisy after they leave? Do they ever return…
In the last chapter of the book, which occurs two years after the murder of Gatsby, Nick has a chance to look back at the events surrounding Gatsby’s death and the aftermath. Evidently Tom and…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” what is chapter 3 about?
In chapter 3, we find Scout bullying Walter Cunningham on the playground during lunchtime; she blames him for a lot of her difficulties at school that morning. Jem intervenes and all three go back…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
How would you summarize Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird? What is the main idea of the book?
This question has been asked and answered before. Briefly, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is about a young girl, Scout, whose father takes on a controversial court case defending a black man who is…
2 educator answers
- AMONG THE HIDDEN
What is the last name of the protagonist in “Among the Hidden?”
“Hope doesn’t mean anything,” Jen snapped. “Action’s the only thing that counts.” The science fiction novel “Among the Hidden,” by Margaret Peterson Haddix, tells of a young boy named Luke…
1 educator answer
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
In “A Rose for Emily” what is Emily striving to achieve and why?
When her father died, she was traumatized; she had lived for so long with only him as her closest companion, so his death was a shock to her system. In fact, she is in denial about it for quite…
2 educator answers
- WILLIAM FAULKNER
Why did people begin to feel sorry for Miss. Emily after her father’s death?
When Miss. Emily’s father died, she refused to admit it. She was very unstable (emotionally) and wouldn’t let the towns people dispose of his body. She was left all alone, without any money, and…
1 educator answer
- MY ANTONIA
Discuss how Cather’s use of setting moves the novel through its paces and brings the reader’s…
With posting number one, there are two questions regarding essays. Item #2 has been answered. In terms of item #1, Cather uses (masterfully) her descriptions of setting to move the plot along. The…
2 educator answers
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
A Rose For EmilyWhat details from the story lead some readers to consider this a “tragedy with…
Emily struggles under the control of a dominating and demanding father who prevents his daughter from marrying. He rejects all her potential suitors, finding them beneath her. Emily, is…
3 educator answers
- THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS
Explain how Bradbury uses time lapses to develop the plot in the story “There Will Come Soft…
After the occupants of the house are destroyed by nuclear war, the technologically advanced home of the now-destroyed occupants survives them. With mechanical precision it proceeds in its measured…
1 educator answer
- THE AMBITIOUS GUEST
Describe each of the characters in “The Ambitious Guest”.
There is a father, a mother, the 17 year old daughter, and old grandmother, and a young traveler who shows up and makes himself at home with the family. There are other children as well. None are…
2 educator answers
- RICHARD III
In “Richard III”, how might the audience respond to the prince in Act 3, Scene 1?
Well, it depends really, on the audience, and on the production. Shakespeare as ever presents two sides to the Prince, even though he’s only a relatively minor character. And it’s worth remembering…
1 educator answer
- LITERATURE
I need help finding a poem with a certain theme! I need to find a poem of literary merit with the…
I am not sure exactly what you mean by being “okay” with society. There is a song called “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds that mocks the develpment of suburbia and how everyone is the same in…
4 educator answers
- HISTORY
Compare and contrast the Ancient Greeks and Romans. What did they have in common? How were they…
Your question is really beyond the scope of an enotes answer, covering as it does very complex topics over a very broad period of history and a very wide geographical area. While the Greeks shared…
3 educator answers
- SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE
In Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, what evidence is there that Tralfamadore is a product of…
This intriguing novel contains many hints that could be used to support the view that Billy Pilgrim’s experiences, which include becoming “unstuck” in time and also alien abduction, never actually…
1 educator answer
- JUDE THE OBSCURE
What do critics think about “Jude the Obscure”? How can you criticize the story in the new…
I’ll give you a sampling of some of the criticism of this novel. The introduction to the eNotes study guide mentions that when the novel was first published it received negative reviews. The theme…
1 educator answer
- REFERENCE
“We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.” What are your thoughts on…
Take a look at the novel The Kite Runner. There is an instance when the main character, Amir, witnesses the rape of his servant/friend, Hassan. Instead of seeing this as an awful act that…
5 educator answers
- HISTORY
What was the strongest country in the western bloc during the cold war?it is a social studies…
The nations of Western Europe were not commonly referred to as the ‘western block’. The term ‘block’ was used to describe the divide between the nations that fell to Communist domination, post…
4 educator answers
- ROMEO AND JULIET
How would the nurse act towards Paris if they were at the dinner table together (this is act 3)?…
You are on track so far. In ACT III we learn that the Nurse wants Juliet to be happy and she believes Romeo to be the cause of Juliet’s strife. Romeo has been pronounced dead as well as named the…
1 educator answer
- THE YELLOW WALLPAPER
What is the major turning point in the story?
The woman in “The Yellow Wallpaper” is slowly losing a grip on reality. Because of her constant confinement, she feels trapped and begins to see various patterns in the wallpaper. The major turning…
1 educator answer
- CALL IT COURAGE
What did Tavana Nui announce to his people in “Call It Courage”?
Tavana Nui announced to his people, “Here is my son come home from the sea. Mafatu, Stout Heart. A brave name for a brave boy!” Because of a traumatic experience with the sea when he was…
1 educator answer
- DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT
What do “night” and “light” represent in “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”? What clues do…
Night represents death, or dying. The poem is written about Dylan Thomas’s father, who is dying at the time, and the opening line implores him to “not go gentle into that good night”, or to not…
1 educator answer
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
In “A Rose for Emily” what are some traits or actions of Miss Emily that may seem scandalous?I’m…
The narrator, who represents the voice of the townspeople brings up the fact that she refused to pay taxes; not only this, but she kicked the men out of her house that had come to collect them….
2 educator answers
- SCIENCE
When a high velocity bullet is fired and the bullet hits a hard substance and splits can the…
Yes they can. Imagine throwing a golf ball at a solid wall. It will bounce straight back at you. Bullets, and pieces of bullets can do just the same thing.
1 educator answer
- LE MORTE D’ARTHUR
Who are the characters in “Le Morte D’Arthur?” And please give me or show the summary of the story.
There are a large number of characters in this story. Some of the main characters are: “Arthur the ruler of Camelot Launcelot a friend and special knight in the court. Merlin a great…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What are some of the literary elements found in To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men?…
There are numerous examples of these literary techniques in the two works. Here are a few. Foreshadowing: Bob Ewell threatens to “get” Atticus no matter how long it takes. His threat foreshadows…
1 educator answer
- GUIDE TO LITERARY TERMS
What are the figures of speech and each meaning?The figures of speech and their meaning and give…
There are many many figures of speech and literary terms. Most high school literature textbooks have a whole glossary in the back listing all of them. Some of the main ones are: Allegory – a…
1 educator answer
- THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL
What is the theme of the book “Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl?’
There are several themes in the novel “Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl.” One of the themes is the sacrifice of one human being for another. The act of hiding people at the risk of your own…
2 educator answers
- OF MICE AND MEN
How much of the failure of the dream is George’s fault and how much is beyond his control?It’s…
If you were to identify George in any way with Lennie, it would be as parent to child. It must be this way because Lennie is much like a child, with a giant’s strength. George does the very best…
1 educator answer
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
In “A Rose for Emily” what details from the story lead some people to believe that this is a…
Faulkener was a master at manipulating time. One can see this in some of his other stories and novel, especially “As I Lay Dying” and “The Bear”, among others. As for “A Rose for Emily”, Faulkner…
2 educator answers
- THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD
Where are the answers to questions 19 and 20 under the Their Eyes are Watching God group?
As long as you are already a member of enotes, simply click on the enotes “groups” tab, type in Their Eyes are Watching God into the group search box, scroll down to the question that you’d like to…
1 educator answer
- 1984
What is the book Winston reads about in “1984”? What does he realize after?Goldstein’s “The…
Throughout George Orwell’s 1984, the semi-mythical figure of Emmanuel Goldstein runs like a thread throughout Orwell’s narrative. A one-time highly-revered figure in the Party, he is now…
2 educator answers
- TWILIGHT
What is the true summary of chapter 7 in “Twilight?” I have gotten several different and…
Chapter Seven in “Twilight” is entitled “Nightmare” it is located on pages 129-151. Bella comes home after her trip to LA Push and goes up to her bedroom. Bella falls asleep and has a…
2 educator answers
- LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA
Who is a better man for Fermina, Florentino or Dr. Urbino in Love in the Time of Cholera?
Dr. Urbino is the better man for Fermina. Dr. Urbino is relatively stable, educated, wealthy, and highly respected. Dr. Urbino does have several flaws; he lacks passion, emotion, does not defend…
1 educator answer
- HAMLET
Is Hamlet’s revenge worth it?what do you think?
Considering the time and the beliefs of the Elizabethans, quite probably not. In the first instance the ghost shouldn’t be trusted as he could be evil and what he asks Hamlet to do is unreasonable….
5 educator answers
- HENRY VI, PART 1
What is the real purpose of Shakespeare of writing this play?
Henry VI was a historical play written by Shakespeare. He wrote several but the main thrust of the play and what should be taken from the play is that history is the result of human choices and…
2 educator answers
- THE CANTERBURY TALES
How many layers of irony can you identify in “The Pardoner’s Tale”?
Irony permeates Chaucer’s tale here. First, the prologue to the tale basically sets up one of the greatest ironies – the Pardoner’s hypocrisy. As a high-ranking member of the church, the Pardoner…
2 educator answers
- THE NECKLACE
How does Madame Loisel change as a result of her experience in “The Necklace”?
She learns how to work hard and to be proud of what you can earn from that hard work. At the beginning of the story, we see a petulant, whiny woman who is dissatisfied with everything around her,…
2 educator answers
- THE GREAT GATSBY
What is significant about Myrtle’s questioning whether the dog is a boy or a girl?
In this part of Chapter 2 of “The Great Gatsby,” the author is using a simple exchange between Myrtle and Tom to demonstrate the intelligence level of Myrtle. When Tom buys the dog for Myrtle and…
2 educator answers
- THE KITE RUNNER
Amir realises that Rahim Khan has summoned him to Kabul for two reasons. What are they?
Rahim Khan has called Amir and requested that he come home. He wants to see Amir once more because he is old and dying. He also wants Amir to go and rescue Hassan’s son. Rahim tells Amir that…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What do Jem and Scout find different about their visit to First Purchase Church in Chapter 12 of…
This chapter is crucial to the development of Jem and Scout in their recognition of prejudice. When they enter Calpurnia’s church, they are immediately accosted by a parishioner, Lulu. She…
1 educator answer
- ROMEO AND JULIET
Was unblessed marriage and forbidden love common in Elizabethan times?
The Elizabethan times was a time when all marriages were arranged. This link goes through all of the customs, ages of men/women (or should I say boys and girls!) and the rules that were a part of…
1 educator answer
- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Which was the last play to be written by Shakespeare?When was it written? And what unusual…
The last play to be written by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher was, “The Two Noble Kinsmen” It was published in 1634. However, there were links between “The Two Noble Kinsmen” and…
2 educator answers
- MATH
Put in algebraic equation: The difference of 3 times a number y and 2 equals 19. I can’t figure…
3y-19=2 It is worded a little strangely, but what they are saying is that 3 times the unknown number is 19 more than 2. Add 19 to each side of the equation; you then have 3y=21. Divide each side…
3 educator answers
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In chapter 14 of “To Kill a Mockingbird” what is something that Atticus and Aunt Alexandra…
After Alexandra finds out the Scout and Jem went to Calpurnia’s church, she is pretty upset. She also thinks that Scout is out-of-control, and needs some better influences in her life. So, she…
1 educator answer
- THE OPEN WINDOW
In “The Open Window”, did Mr. Nuttel lose a loved one also? It seems as if someone close to him…
Although the cause for Nuttel’s nervous condition is never directly stated, I doubt if his problems were caused by a loss of a loved one. The first clue Saki gives is his name, “Nuttel” which is…
1 educator answer
- THE MINISTER’S BLACK VEIL
In “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Hawthorne, why do the townspeople react so strongly to the…
While they are unable to pinpoint their exact reason for uneasiness, Minister Hooper finds himself in a self imposed exile from the company of his fellow man once he assumes the veil. It seems at…
2 educator answers
- ROMEO AND JULIET
Where is an example of moderation in Act 3 of “Romeo and Juliet”?
In Act III, scene I, Tybalt challenges Romeo, saying Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries/That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw(ll.54-55) However, since Romeo has married Juliet,…
1 educator answer
- THE BEST OF O. HENRY
What is the exposition, conflict, inciting incident, climax, conclusion/resolution and denouement…
The exposition (or background information) of the story is that there is a very wealthy cattle rancher who has a daughter, Josefa, who is very skilled at riding and shooting. Rising action occurs…
1 educator answer
- THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Does anyone have a good quote from Huckleberry Finn about Widow Douglass’s or Miss Watson’s of…
Miss Watson give Huck a lecture about hell in the very first chapter. Huck summarizes as such: “Then she told me all about the bad place…she was going to live so as so go to the good…
3 educator answers