• SCIENCE

Is there a greater fundamental difference between plants and animals or between prokaryotes and…

An interesting question! To be honest, this is like comparing apples and oranges, or maybe apples and puppies. Both plant/animal distinctions and prokaryotes/ eukaryotes distinctions are major, and…

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• WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

I have a picture, I think of William Shakespeare, but I cannot find in in Google images. Can…

A new painting was just discovered which is thought to be the only painting of Shakespeare painted during his lifetime. A link to a copy of the painting and a full story about the find is listed…

1 educator answer

• GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Compare the marshes to London and what they symbolize to Pip before his leaving for London. How…

During the novel, Dickens sets up a contrast between the marshes, the town and London. The people in each setting are different and serve to differentiate the various parts of England and…

1 educator answer

• THE LOTTERY

Please help me with my thesis statement on horror.I need a thesis statement on horror as a…

In Jackson’s “The Lottery” amidst laughter and gossip, a cheerful well-dressed business-man directs a ritualist act in which an entire town unthinkingly engages. Like stories such as “The…

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• A TALE OF TWO CITIES

What are the moods for the chapters? What might be good songs that would go along with the moods?

Chapters 21 and 22 of of Book the Second of “A Tale of Two Cities” would be suited for Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as the tone of foreboding and the enactment of evil retribution is carried through…

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• A SEPARATE PEACE

In “A Separate Peace” what reaction does Phineas have to Gene’s telling him that he caused the…

Gene tries telling Finny what had happened pretty soon after the accident; in the infirmary, he tries to gather courage to do it once, but ends up chickening out because “Dr. Stanpole came in…

1 educator answer

• HAMLET

How does the understanding of incest (the motif) in “Hamlet” contribute to the plot,…

In the play, incest is referred to by Hamlet, and by the ghost, in reference to Claudius and Gertrude marrying. That act, although not technically incest because they were not blood relations, was…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

What did Scout find in the Radleys’ yard throughout the story that I could use as mementos in a…

Scout and Jem Finch and neighbor Dill Harris become fascinated by Boo Radley, the Finch’s next door neighbor during the first summer of the novel. He is seen as a “malevolent phantom” by the kids,…

1 educator answer

• OCTOBER SKY

Describe Homer Hickam in detail in October Sky.

I am assuming that you are asking about Homer Hickam, Jr., also known as Sonny. Sonny is the leader of the Rocket Boys, a group of friends from the mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia, who join…

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• 1984

Why are the three superpowers always at war according to the Brotherhood?

As long as there is War (whom it is with is of no concern at all), the people will live in fear of someone and will be dependent on the state they live in for survival. Since no country will ever…

2 educator answers

• ANTIGONE

What are five themes of “Antigone”?

Themes for Antigone: 1) Is the king the law? If the king sets the law, is he above the law? So if Creon sets a law that is wrong, is the law to be applied regardless? 2) Family is a central theme,…

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• HISTORY

In Erasmus’s The Praise of Folly, what does Folly find most praiseworthy about theologians?It’s…

In The Praise of Folly, Erasmus takes the excesses of much of early sixteenth-century society to task. This being said, Erasmus levies his harshest criticism on theologians and monks. He argues…

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• HAMLET

In “Hamlet” does Hamlet think he is mad himself?I know some characters think that Hamlet is mad…

I don’t believe that he thinks he is mad. In fact, he confesses after the ghost appears that he is going to put on an “antic disposition” in order to throw people off. That antic disposition is…

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• THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

What does the clothing Huck and Jim wear on the raft convey about the theme of civilization…

They don’t! Generally they go naked! Remember that they are in the deep south and it is extremely hot and there is intense humidity! In several chapters, Huck says that he and Jim swim and lay out…

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• THE BRONZE BOW

In the novel “The Bronze Bow,” what is Daniel’s character?Anyone describe his characteristics in…

In the beginning of the novel we meet Daniel. He was a slave for a Blacksmith, and because he was treated so badly he ran away. Daniel was an angry teen when the story begins. He hates the…

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• A SEPARATE PEACE

In chapters 5 and 6 of “A Separate Peace”, how and why does Gene change?Chapters 5 and 6 were the…

One of the most significant changes is that he is humbled, and finally realizes that Finny was not out to get him, was not competing with him, and did not hold sinister intentions for him. Gene…

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• THE EDIBLE WOMAN

How is this book similar to our present day lives?

The themes in the story are very present today. Women have always been given a role to play in society: That of mothers, wives, nurturers. Yet, women have throughout the years fought those pre-set…

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• FAHRENHEIT 451

BeattyWhy do you think Beatty would want to die?

Well, doesn’t Beatty know an awful lot about the banned world? Doesn’t he quote an enormous amount of literary material to Montag, in order to say how the books contradict one another and betray…

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• DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Why did Willy expect Biff to amount to so much more than he has?

Willy based his expectations of Biff on Biff’s “personal attractiveness.” In Willy’s view of the world, personality is the key to success, and Biff’s early success in life as an athlete and a…

2 educator answers

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what does Atticus explain to Scout about the jury finding Tom guilty?…

Tom Robinson, a young black husband and father in Maycomb, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a poor young white woman. Tom’s trial becomes the major story line of the novel. Atticus agrees to…

1 educator answer

• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

I need 5 ways in which Puck’s interference affects what happens in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.I…

Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream is an agent of change, but it is important to remember that he is directed to make these changes by his master, Oberon, and although therefore he could be played as…

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• THE CANTERBURY TALES

Explain how the Reeve and the Pardoner from Canterbury Tales are the same and how they are…

They are different in terms of social standing: The pardoner works for the Pope (remember the time of the story and the importance of the clergy) whereas the Reeve would be deemed a “commoner” b/c…

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• GREAT EXPECTATIONS

I must write an analysis on “Great Expectations” and need an argumentative thesis. I’d like to…

Perhaps you could base your premise on the psychological experiences of Pip. That is, the false appearances of Pip’s expectations about his new life and benefactor, his false idea of what it is to…

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• HAMLET

Where is disease imagery used in Act IV? Find four examples. How is the meaning of this imagery…

Act IV is full of imagery of diseases and illnesses. Here are some examples: Mad as the sea and wind when both contend Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit, Behind the arras hearing…

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• MATH

A cube measures 4 inches on all of its sides. What is the volume of the cube in inches?

The formula for finding the volume of a cube is Length x Width x Height. Since each side of a cube has the same measurement, the formula can also be stated “Side Cubed”, or Side x Side x Side….

1 educator answer

• THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Does Huckleberry Finn believe the king and duke’s story in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?…

There is no doubt that both Huck and Jim fell for the stories about the Duke of Bridgewater and the late Dauphin, Louis the 17th, in Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. When the…

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• STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

I need the central theme, setting, interpretation, symbolism, and biographical/historical context…

Central theme: Attraction versus fixation. Something draws you to lose focus, but you cannot get fixated. You must get moving. Sorta like doing homework, vs. checking your email. The email would be…

1 educator answer

• AN INSPECTOR CALLS

How do Mr. Birling’s opinions and views change in “An Inspector Calls”?

Well, they don’t really. Birling is a strong traditional, conservative, British capitalist, and he has a lot in common with Margaret Thatcher, who believed there was no such thing as society. J. B….

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• OF MICE AND MEN

What are four quotes from Of Mice and Men that have to do with abuse/use of power?

One relationship you will definitely want to examine is that of the boss and his workers. The first time the boss meets George and Lennie it is clear he has power over his workers, as they need…

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• ROMEO AND JULIET

In Act V scene iii, why does Paris visit Juliet’s tomb? Why does he challenge Romeo? What is his…

Paris was betrothed to Juliet, and fully expected (and wanted) to marry her. He is taking the news of her “death” very hard, and he goes to the tomb to place flowers on her grave. He is weeping…

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• ROMEO AND JULIET

According to Act V, Scene ii, why is Friar John unable to deliver Friar Lawrence’s letter to Romeo?

Going to find a barefoot brother out,(5) One of our order, to associate me Here in this city visiting the sick, And finding him, the searchers of the town, Suspecting that we both were in a house…

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• ROMEO AND JULIET

In Act V, Scene i, what news does Balthasar bring to Romeo in Mantua? What does Romeo plan to do…

(Balthasar) Then she is well, and nothing can be ill. Her body sleeps in Capels’ monument, (Capulet’s)And her immortal part with angels lives. I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault(20) And…

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• ROMEO AND JULIET

During Act 4, what information does the audience have that various characters do not have?

The situational irony that exists in Act IV is first of all, that Juliet cannot morally or legally marry Paris since she is already married to Romeo. To seek a solution to her personal dilemma,…

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• THE CRUCIBLE

What threat does Abigail make to the other girls?

The episode of dancing in the woods, with Tituba, is highlighted with the conjuring of spirits, the illicit behavior of Mercy Lewis, who danced naked, and Abigail Williams drinking blood as a charm…

1 educator answer

• THE OPEN BOAT

Where in “The Open Boat,” by Stephen Crane, is it shown that the correspondent is the initiate?kplh

The concept in literary criticism of the initiation story is still a contentious one with many divergent ideas of what an initiation is or is not. Applying the critical label ‘initiation story” to…

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• THE KITE RUNNER

How did the Russians, the Northern Alliance and especially the Taliban treat the people in…

In some ways, the treatment descended in decency and goodness as you go down your list. The soviet regime was repressive and not one that encouraged individual freedoms but because they allowed…

1 educator answer

• ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE

What are some examples of solitude in the book “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?

First, there is Macondo. The town has been on its own, hardly ever visited, but you feel its almost trapped in some foreign dimension, alone in a bracket of time where nobody had even died yet,…

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• THE SCARLET LETTER

In The Scarlet Letter, what was the purpose of Hester Prynne’s punishment?

Hester’s punishment serves one purpose in the village: deterrence. By holding her up to condemnation and public ridicule, her society hopes to prevent others from breaking the stern moral code of…

2 educator answers

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

In Chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Aunt Alexandra not approve of Scout?

Alexandra’s disapproval of Scout is seen in Chapter 9, rather than in Chapter 8, during the family visit to Finch’s Landing at Christmas. Scout recalls that she heard her father “speak sharply” to…

3 educator answers

• HAMLET

In Act 4, Scene 7, what is one or more reasons Claudius may have to not punish Hamlet for killing…

Claudius knows that Hamlet suspects what really happened to King Hamlet. The play in Act 3, sc. 2, demonstrated that. He knows that it is important that he get rid of Hamlet, yet keep his own…

1 educator answer

• BLESS ME, ULTIMA

Is Antonio more of a Marez or Luna?

The first poster is correct in that he is both. Neither side dominates his personality; that’s why he struggles so much with his identity. Tony’s mother’s family are farmers, and the founder…

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• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

What have dreams to do with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”?

It’s a fascinating title which provokes several questions. Is the whole play a dream? Is any part of it supposed to be read as a dream? Who is doing the dreaming? Many productions and critics,…

1 educator answer

• THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

What connection does Huck see between the duke and the king and real royalty?What do you think…

If you are asking under what framework does Huck accept the lie at first, then the answer might be Huck’s fixation with the supposed story of King Louis XVI’s (husband of Marie Antoinette) heir,…

1 educator answer

• THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Why, in your opinion, does Twain include a description of the circus in Chapter 22 of The…

The two separate questions you ask here are intricately connected: the circus description is included expressly to compare with the entertainment provided by the duke and the king. Huck is…

1 educator answer

• THE GREAT GATSBY

How does Nick’s statement “You’re worth the whole bunch put together” show a change in Nick from…

I would say yes, in that in the beginning of the novel, Nick is very careful to state how he reserves judgment. His father reminds him that not everyone was brought up with the advantages that he…

2 educator answers

• 1984

What does “Ignorance is Strength” really mean?

This quote, “Ignorance is Strength”, is part of the larger slogan that Winston sees emblazoned on the pyramid of the Ministry of Truth. The complete slogan, which we need to examine to understand…

1 educator answer

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Who is the true hero in “To Kill a Mockingbird”?Please provide a thorough explaination as to who…

There are many characters who arguably have heroic qualities. For example, Mrs. Dubose shows great heroic spirit in her efforts to wean herself of morphine. However, overall, the hero of this novel…

2 educator answers

• FRANKENSTEIN

In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, how do the monster and Victor Frankenstein cope with their great…

One of the key themes of Frankenstein is that of loneliness and alienation. It is clear that not only Frankenstein, but also the Monster and Walton experience great alienation and loneliness. This…

2 educator answers

• FEMINIST CRITICISM – POETRY

How is feminist criticism used, and what are its characteristics and weaknesses?

Feminist criticism can be used in two ways. The first, called “feminist critique” by some, views the ways that male authors describe and represent female characters in their works. This type of…

1 educator answer

• THE OPEN BOAT

In the first para of section VI it speaks about “mad gods” and “scared cheese” How does this…

One of the basic themes of this and other works by Crane is that the lack of control that man seems to be able to exert over his own life. The men in the small boat have been desperately fighting…