In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God, why did Jody buy Matt’s mule?
- THE ODYSSEY
Since Odysseus abandoned his disguise, why does Penelope still need to test him?
This incident in Book 23 occurs because Penelope, after all she has gone through, finds it hard to believe that it is her husband who has returned. We are told she worries that it might be some God…
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- THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD
In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God, why did Jody buy Matt’s mule?
It is impossible to say why exactly Jody purchases Matt’s mule, as that information is never presented to us, but there are two theories which seem to make the most sense. It is possible that Jody…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
Why does beatty love fire? How does fire act as a metaphor to describe how society treats…
Beatty’s love of fire is a self-contradiction. As a fireman who seems to enjoy the burning, he also has a great appreciation of literature which means he must be a learned man who has read many…
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- JULIUS CAESAR
Who is the originator of the conspiracy?
Cassius is the one behind the conspiracy. He is jealous of Caesar’s rise to power, especially since Caesar is physically weaker than Cassius. Cassius explains to Brutus that several times he had to…
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
Can you explain to me how Golding’s life influenced him to write Lord of the Flies?
William Golding had two life experiences that probably influenced Lord of the Flies. He was a schoolmaster, which certainly gave him a good understanding of how a group of boys, left to their own…
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- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Who is Pip’s benefactor? In what way does knowing his benefactor change Pip’s thinking about…
Magwitch is Pip’s benefactor. He is also referred to as Provis near the end for security reasons. After he finds out this information, he also finds out that Estella is his daughter (Molly is the…
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- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Why does Pip want to go back home? What does he find when he visits Satis House?
I assume you are talking about the end of the book. Pip wants to go home and talk to Joe. He wants to ask him for forgiveness for how he’s treated him. He also wants to repay Joe for all of his…
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- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
What part has Compeyson played so far in the lives of Pip, Magwitch, and Miss Havisham?
I’m not sure how far you are in the novel but Compeyson plays a direct role in the lives of Miss Havisham and Magwitch and these roles then affect the life of Pip. Compeyson was the man who left…
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- HAMLET
When Polonius announces his theory of Hamlet’s madness to the King, what does his performance…
Polonius loves to be the centre of attention and is not the “wisest” character in this play. While “performing” for the King, he allows the audience to become better acquainted with his character….
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- THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
In the book The Old Man and the Sea why does Santiago declare he will never go in a boat again…
On the second day of his marathon battle with the big fish, the old man realizes that he must provide sustenance for his body if he is to continue the fight. He eats half of a fillet of a dolphin…
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- BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
What are the main points of By the Waters of Babylon?
This masterful dystopian short story is used a lot in English teaching to give an excellent example of 1st person narration, where a character is telling you the story directly, and you can only…
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
What is an alternate ending for Lord of the Flies?The ending needs to be plausible
An alternate ending could be that when Ralph stumbled on the beach, he didn’t find a British officer who saved him. Instead, the boys chasing him caught up to him and formed a circle as they…
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- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
In Great Expectations, describe Pip’s plan for Herbert.
Pip takes the money he receives at the age of 21 and invests it in Herbert. He pays Clerriker (a man looking for a partner) and has Herbert placed there with Clerriker. Pip will continue to make…
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- THE NEW ATLANTIS
Where was Francis Bacon’s “The New Atlantis” first published?I’m looking for a specific location…
According to the web site sirbacon.org, Bacon’s version of Utopia was published in 1627 as The New Atlantis. Although the place of publication is not given, it is probably London, since the major…
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- ANGELA’S ASHES
What eles did Frank McCourt do in his life?
Frank McCourt was a public school teacher, he taught in the NYC public schools for 27 years. He was a creative writing teacher and he chronicles his experiences as a teacher in his book “Teacher…
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- HARVEY
What is the name of the museum in Indiana, PA that has Harvey the rabbit sitting on a bench.
Harvey the Rabbit, one of the most famous characters of film, resides at the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA. The museum was created during Stewart’s lifetime, but because he was such a modest…
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- JULIUS CAESAR
Julius Caesar (Act 2, Scene 3) What is the theatrical effect of this scene?It is the scene when…
The theatrical effect of this scene is to increase the level of suspense surrounding the plot to assassinate Caesar. If Artemidorus indeed succeeds in getting his message to Caesar, the plotters…
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- THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
What is a character sketch of Donald Farfrae in The Mayor of Casterbridge?
Donald Farfrae is a man small in stature yet large on principles and self-control. He acts according to high moral and ethical principles in all things, so that when he is impelled into…
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- MATH
2x + a = 4 2x = 4 – a x = (4 – a) / 2 You can simplify this further to: x = 2 – a/2
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- EVERYDAY USE
Contrast Dee’s and Maggie’s views on heritage.
It is difficult to imagine sisters with more different views than Maggie and Dee, isn’t it? What does the story tell us about Dee? She left, she changed her name, and she changed her hair. All of…
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- TWELFTH NIGHT
What misunderstanding do Viola and Antonio have in “Twelfth Night?”
In Act III, scene iv, Antonio mistakes Viola (Cesario) for Sebastian. He enters the scene as Sir Toby is ready to duel with Viola (Cesario) and offers to take her place. As he is arrested by the…
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- SONG OF MYSELF
How did nature influence Whitman to write the poem “Song of Myself”?
As a Transcendentalist writer, Walt Whitman believed in the idea (akin to the Unitarian belief today) that God, nature, and humans are all connected. “Song of Myself,” as a long poem comprised of…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
What’s the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale?
Chillingworth pretends to be a concerned doctor, caring for Dimmesdale. He becomes Dimmesdale’s friend and confidant, using that position to find out that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father and is…
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- PICTURE BRIDE
Is there a quiz on Picture Bride available to ensure that a person understood everything?
I have used the following study guide and quiz in the past with my students. I hope that you find this helpful. Do you have any specific questions in regards to this novel?
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- NIGHT
Why was Eliezer’s father almost thrown from the train in “Night”?it has to do with Night by Elie…
As the book progresses, the reader is given clues of Elie’s father’s failing health. Several times in the last few sections, Elie becomse responsible for his father’s life. This excerpt is an…
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- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
In Great Expectations where has Magwitch been and how has he make his money?Does he take a risk…
In chapter 39, Magwitch approaches Pip and reveals that he was in fact his benefactor. Pip is too stunned at first to believe it, but Magwitch lets him know that he has been working very hard in…
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- THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER
What are three supernatural elements in “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving?
The first supernatural element in the story would be the devil, himself. His image cannot be explained with any scientific accounts, and his presence conjures up the image of “the other side.”…
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- LUCILLE CLIFTON
I need help with “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton.How many lines, how many syllables in…
I’m not sure why you need to know how many lines and how many syllables are in each line of the poem, but the answer is 15 lines, and you can count the syllables. The tone of the poem is joyous….
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- LAW AND POLITICS
Does my ex husband have the right to know my medical information?We have joint custody of a 5 yr…
No, he has no legal right to know your medical history or present information. You are protected under medical privacy laws at the federal level, and while he does have a legal right to obtain up…
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- THE SCARLET LETTER
What does Pearl want from Dimmesdale in chapters 17-21?Describe Dimmesdale’s walk back to town….
Pearl questions Dimmesdale’s love for Hester and her by asking if he loves them enough to walk back to town with them hand in hand. In this allegorical novel, Pearl functions as the symbol of…
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- SONNET 43
What are some examples of personification and simile in Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning…
Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 is the famous “How Do I Love Thee?” poem. She uses several literary devices in this sonnet, including rhythm, meter, and alliteration. As for personification…
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
Lord of the Flies Chapter 1: How did Ralph call the first meeting?
The conch is a type of shell that Ralph spots lying in the lagoon. He recognises that it is a shell, but it is Piggy who identifies it as a conch. Piggy tells Ralph that the are very valuable…
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- HEDDA GABLER
What is Aunt Juliana’s importance within the context of the play and importance in the…
Very interesting question. What I like about it is that it seeks to explore the role and purpose of minor characters in relation to the whole work – something that we often forget. Juliana Tesman…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
Why did Bradbury choose to put Gullivers Travels, Hamlet, Dover Beach, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The…
Bradbury includes references to all of these works for a number of purposes. Firstly, these allusions highlight what life in this society would be like, for all of these works that are so essential…
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- ROMEO AND JULIET
What fears does Juliet reveal in her soliloquy (speech) in Act IV Scene iii?
I am assuming you mean Act IV scene 3 as you didn’t state the Act in your question. I have edited your question for you. This soliloquy of Juliet comes as she is just about to take the potion that…
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- LAW AND POLITICS
Improving Law School EducationHow do you think law schools can improve education of students in…
I think law school should involve mandatory pro bono work, so that, in the course of learning about paper law and even trial law, prospective attorneys have some kind of formal connection to the…
2 educator answers
- LAW AND POLITICS
How do we teach law students to reason effectively when they come to law school unable to engage…
This is a really good question I have pondered my self quite often. I went to school in Europe where latin, ethics, and logic are standard fare. I am raising two children here who seem to be doing…
3 educator answers
- LORD OF THE FLIES
What do the chapter titles mean: “Fire on the Mountain”, “Hunts on the Beach”, “Shadows and Tall…
Each chapter title reflects a large part of that chapter. In chapter 2, “Fire on the Mountain”, the boys accidentally let their signal fire get out of control and they burn part of the mountain….
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
Golding’s notion is that good intention often bring bad results. How do Ralph’s good intention…
Ralph’s good intentions are to guide the boys with reason and logic so that they can survive peacefully until they are rescued. In the first chapter, he is elected to be chief because he is the…
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- 1984
What would the final 6 Newspeak words be?
I will assume that you are asking about Syme’s statement in chapter 5 of the novel that “the whole notion of goodness and badness will be covered by only six words” (51). What those six words may…
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- THE GREAT GATSBY
How was Gatsby trying to stop time?
Gastby was not trying to stop time but to turn time back. He wanted to return to the time when Daisy loved him. He never understands that she rejected him, not because he was poor, but because he…
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- THE PRINCE
Why was Machiavelli cruel in his writing of The Prince?
He wasn’t necessarily cruel but he did address that cruelty is a form of fear-causing strategy that would help a Principality maintain its power without drawing hatred from the people, which would…
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- HISTORY
How was 1968 a turning point in the Vietnam War and civil rights?
Since that was the year I graduated from high school, I remember quite well all of the turning points in American history. In National Politics and the Vietnam War along with the youth revolution…
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- HISTORY
In what present day land do archaeologist believe the first americans built an advanced…
The correct answer would be Mexico. The Aztec empire was located on an island in what is now present day Mexico City. They had sophisticated gardens which were grown on reed mats. They had a canal…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What is Harper Lee’s message about inequality?i need this answered now i have to do an essay on it
Here’s some questions to consider as you think about this topic. Which characters in the book were the “good” guys? If you think about it, the answer will probably be Atticus, Calpurnia, and Boo…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
In Fahrenheit 451, how is individualism a danger to society?
The future society of the novel is based on collective thinking, as promoted by the enormous television screens that make up entire walls of houses. Because everyone thinks what they are told to…
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- ROMEO AND JULIET
In act 11 the chorus, what do the first 4 lines mean?I just dont understand it
Act II begins with “Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie,And young affection gapes to be his heir;That fair for which love groan’d for and would die,With tender Juliet match’d, is now not…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
What is contributing to Montag’s growing sense of alienation? Explain at least 3 things. Also,…
I am afraid you are asking two questions – you are only allowed to ask one question each day, so I will deal with the first one. In many ways, this novel is a study of how an individual can feel…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” does Mrs. Dubose ever change?
It depends on what aspect of her you are talking about. There is one thing that she definitely does change, and that is her addiction to morphine. So whatever weakness of character or body that…
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- HISTORY
What is John Wesley Powell’s contribution to American History?I know he was a Civil War veteran…
John Wesley Powell made a great contribution to American History. Throughout his adult life, he had been fascinated by natural phenomena. In 1869, he and nine other men set out to explore the…