Please explain the poem “Porphyria’s Lover” stanza by stanza.
- PORPHYRIA’S LOVER
Please explain the poem “Porphyria’s Lover” stanza by stanza.
In the first five lines it describes the rainy weather outside. The wind picks up as well, and this sets the tone for the poem. The next 10 lines describe her coming inside and warming by the…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” did Mayella actually kiss Tom, or did she just tempt him like Atticus…
There is only one person who has been willing to tell the truth about this matter, and that is Tom Robinson himself. So, we have to look to his testimony to find out exactly what happened. In…
3 educator answers
- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Who is the antagonist in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”?
Well this question really depends on the part of the play. If you’re taking things from the point of view of Lysander and Hermia, it could be Demetrius or Hermia’s father. Both attempt to stand…
2 educator answers
- THE GREAT GATSBY
Why was Nick’s job in The Great Gatsby so different from jobs today?What was different between…
Quite simply, Nick is in the “bond business,” which is just not something that people focus on these days. We learn of Nick’s business (and consequential move to West Egg) very early on in the…
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- RUDYARD KIPLING
In the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, what does “unforgiving minute” suggest?
“If” is filled with advice on how to best spend your time, and best react in each situation that is presented to you, no matter how diverse it is. So, when Kipling states, “If you can fill the…
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- DEATH OF A SALESMAN
To what extent is Death of a Salesman a tragedy?
To best answer this question, one should look to Miller’s essay “Tragedy and the Common Man.” It’s important to understand that prior to the early 20th century, tragedies followed strict classical…
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- THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
In “The Gift of the Magi,” is the plot twist most important element of conclusion?
A good question. Unfortunately, answering it requires hedging. For the plot, the plot twist is definitely the most important element of the story. Without it, there would be no real point to the…
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- THE ODYSSEY
In The Odyssey, why doesn’t Odysseus tell his men the perils of the journey they will be…
There are two very different reasons Odysseus didn’t tell his men about the risks of the voyage. First and most simply, he didn’t know most of them. He didn’t know how magical people like Circe…
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- THE SEA-WOLF
How does Hump describe his love for Maud in Chapter 23 of The Sea-Wolf?
In chapter 23 of “The Sea-Wolf,” Hump is dreaming of how to escape with Ms. Brewster from Wolf Larsen. He wants to leave the hunt and the ship and return home. Near the end of the chapter he…
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- THE SILVER SWORD
I have been asked to find pictures of people to match the characters in The Silver Sword. Where…
Hi, Chips. Completing this assignment means using your imagination to picture in your own mind what the characters look like. After you do that, you will need to write a list of key words that…
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- ARTS
I am trying to find out the meaning behind “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeplin. What is your…
A woman tries to buy her way up the stairway to heaven. In the beginning of the song, Robert Plant sings of a “lady” who apparently is wealthy as she has “hedgerows” and other things. She seems…
3 educator answers
- OTHELLO
In Othello, is there any evidence to support that Othello’s behaviour is natural after what he is…
Which act and scene are you speaking of? I can only attempt a response in general terms since there are many instances of Othello reacting to what the fork tongued Iago says. Othello’s reactions to…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
How is the world of Fahrenheit 451 similar to the world today?How is the world of Fahrenheit 451…
There are many similarities in the book between the society of the book’s time and the society of our time. Clarisse tells Guy, early in the first part, about how everyone wants to go faster. She…
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- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Who killed Shakespeare? Did he die on his birthday?
There’s a conspiracy theory right there! No-one really knows how Shakespeare died, but, as there’s nothing in the civil and legal documents telling us it was a murder, it seems unlikely that he was…
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- THE KITE RUNNER
How does the author potray Assef’s character throughout the novel?
Assef is simply a bully. This is shown through both direct and indirect characterization. Assef carries around his legendary set of brass knuckles, which he uses to pummel anyone weaker or deemed…
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- HISTORY
How did World War II affect the American econmony?How did World War II affect the American econmony?
It is generally agreed that World War 2 provided a major stimulus to the American economy, starting a boom that has continued, with intermittent setbacks, till the beginning of the current…
5 educator answers
- CONSTANTLY RISKING ABSURDITY
What statement does “Constantly Risking Absurdity” make about poetry, truth, and beauty?
The poem makes a few explicit statements on these themes, and some implicit statements. The explicit statements are found in this section of the poem: For he’s the super realistwho must perforce…
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- THE SHADOW LINES
How might Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh be considered a post colonial novel?
Shadow Lines is an amazing story that transgresses multiple borders, one of the key themes of the story. This is also a concern of postcolonial criticism, that examines and criticises man-made…
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- SOCIAL SCIENCES
Are black grapes considered erotic/sensual in any culture?
Black grapes from the region in Sicily have long been famous for their delicious wines. The Sicilian culture has been known for its sensuality, like many Italian regions. Venus the Goddess of Love…
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- COMPUTER SCIENCE
What is a recently occurring security hole in a computer system program or other operating system?
Popular McAfee anti-virus and malware program company caused security troubles for corporate customers when an automatic update installed instructions to recognize a normal Windows file as a virus….
1 educator answer
- DEATH OF A SALESMAN
In Death of a Salesman, why doesn’t Biff like being at home? What does home remind him of?
Coming home is never a good experience for Biff. His parents’ house is a place of tension and conflict, both spoken and unspoken. When Biff comes home, he must continually lie to his father in an…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Atticus Finch resist gender stereotypes?
Atticus’ lack of gender stereotyping is obvious in how he raises his children. He treats Jem and Scout as equals; when he asks Jem to look after Scout, he does so not because Scout is female but…
2 educator answers
- ON THE ROAD
Explain Dean and Sal’s relationship with women in On the Road.
They refuse any type of relationship conformity. There ideas of marriage completely go against the societal mold; there is no concept of “until death do us part,” it is merely a mutual agreement to…
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- THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
What does Henry Dobbins carry, what does he do with it, and why does he still keep it even after…
Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s pantyhose. He keeps them tied around his neck, supposedly for good luck. Ironically, he continues wearing the pantyhose even after she dumps him, saying that…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
In To Kill a Mockingbird, how is Aunt Alexandra “the last of her kind,” and how is she described…
Aunt Alexandra Finch Hancock, is a strict woman. She loves her family and is very protective of their “status” in Macomb. She is a woman who would not go out the door without a hat and gloves…
3 educator answers
- THE GREAT GATSBY
The Great Gatsby Missing Chapter…Since the events in “The Great Gatsby” take place over the…
I think that I would probably write a chapter on that shows the couples in their more private moments, which would serve to show why the characters are dissatisfied in their marriages–perhaps one…
2 educator answers
- PICTURE BRIDE
What are the different themes in “Picture Bride” ?
One of the major themes of the novel the the clash between cultures that Hana experiences while she is adjusting to life in the United States. Everything she learned from her Japanese upbringing is…
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- A DOLL’S HOUSE
What does Dr. Rank add to the play and our understanding of Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House ?
Dr. Rank serves as dramatic foil to both Torvald and Nora. But more than that, his situation actually directly parallels Nora’s own, which helps to portray the theme of injustice that’s dominant in…
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- THE CRUCIBLE
From what acts in The Crucible do these quotes come from?1. “… there are wheels within wheels…
- Act One. Mrs. Puttnam talking to her husband. 2. Act Two. Procter to Elizabeth. 3. Act Four. Procter. 4. Act One. Parris to Abigail. 5. Act Two. Procter to Elizabeth.
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- JANE EYRE
Contrast Jane’s and Helen’s attitudes towards earthly love in Jane Eyre.
As a result of her own inclinations and experiences, Jane believes that individuals should love those who are good to them, and resist those who are “cruel and unjust”. She feels that if “the…
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- JULIUS CAESAR
He was murdered by a group of senators, including Brutus and Cassius, on March 15th. According to Shakespeare, the crowd was angered until Brutus calmed them down with his reasons for killing…
2 educator answers
- LITERATURE
I cannot find the reviews and critical writing on “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.” Where can…
Well, when dealing with popular authors like Archer, start by remembering that there may not be any well-developed critical writing on a specific work. (It may not exist.) I could not find any in…
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- TWILIGHT
The Host by Stephenie Meyer Okay so a lot of people have read the Twilight series by Stephenie…
I have read both and quite honestly I found “The Host” to be a bit boring. It took a while for it to pick up and even after things started happening, it just wasn’t as good as I had hoped it would…
2 educator answers
- ETHAN FROME
Why was Ethan Frome a strong person (character)?
Not in my opinion! He basically does whatever the women in his life tell him to do…including to attempt suicide! People generally consider him to be spineless and weak–he basically wants to…
7 educator answers
- A DOLL’S HOUSE
In A Doll’s House, why is honour more important than love for Torvald?Why does Nora reject his…
HELMERI would gladly work night and day for you, Nora – bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves. NORAThousands of women have done it….
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- TWO KINDS
What are your impressions of the two main characters?
We are made to feel both pity for and resentment at Jing Mei’s mother. We are given brief details about her difficult past in China and how she viewed her coming to America as representing being…
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- BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
In “By the Waters of Babylon,” after John’s journey, what key insight does he have about the gods?
On the journey itself, near the end, he comes across a man, sitting in a chair in one of the buildings. From this, and all of the other clues that he picks up on his journey, John learns that the…
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- TWO KINDS
In “Two Kinds”, does the mother want her daughter to be a prodigy, or simply the best she can be?
I think she definitely wants her to be a prodigy, as she is not willing to allow Jing-Mei to be simply the best that she can be. She never settles for less than perfection throughout the story….
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- HAMLET
In Hamlet, how do Claudius and Polonius define their ideas about honour in this play?
Well, it’s not a concept that ever gets very clear definition in “Hamlet”. But you can figure a little bit out. Honour seems to have something to do with seeming noble and honourable, as Polonius…
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- THE GREY KING
Is there any symbolism technique in The Grey King? If there is any, would you give me some…
Most of the symbolism in this novel is quite obvious and unambiguously Arthurian. Since one of the stated saviors of the light is Arthur, the once and future king, much of the symbolism attached…
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- LORD OF THE FLIES
In Lord of the Flies, how can you tell Ralph’s life has not always been easy?
It’s only a subtle mention that comes as one of Ralph’s extended thought monologues. We know already that Ralph’s father is in the navy: and that information plays out in the passage. Once,…
1 educator answer
- THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
What do the sharks symbolize and what is the purpose/ effect of the conclusion?
In the novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” by Ernest Hemingway, Santiago goes out to fish. It has been 84 days since he last caught a fish, and everyone thinks he is unlucky. On this day he does…
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- TISHA
Who is Anne’s love in the book Tisha?
Anne’s love is Fred Purdy, a young man whom she meets when she first arrives in the gold-mining community of Chicken at the age of nineteen. Fred is a little older than Anne is, dark-skinned, with…
1 educator answer
- ROMEO AND JULIET
In Act 1, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet, why does Romeo want to go to the Capulet’s party and why…
Romeo wants to go precisely because Rosaline (his latest love) is going to be there, but Benvolio wants to go so that both of them can indulge in other beauties. In regards to Benvolio, he spends…
4 educator answers
- ROMEO AND JULIET
In Act 1, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, how does Benvolio and Montague describe Romeo’s mood?…
Benvolio and Lord Montague describe Romeo’s mood as a mixture of crying and pining in solitude while Romeo finally admits that he is lovesick for Rosaline. Benvolio admits that he sees Romeo at…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What three initiatives did President Hoover take to try to help the economy of the United States?
Although President Herbert Hoover is generally known for doing little to help the U.S. economy during his presidency, he did implement several programs. These are three examples:1) The creation of…
2 educator answers
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
Why does Emily’s servant in “A Rose for Emily” stay knowing Emily keeps a dead body in her home?
We aren’t sure why; the limited perspective of the collective townspeople that narrate the story doesn’t give us a close look at the servant. There are only brief mentions of him, and no clues to…
1 educator answer
- BUSINESS
How does a leader use body language to reinforce his/her leadership skills and qualities?
A good leader must demonstrate characteristics such as strength, courage, empathy, realism, idealism, listening abilities, as well as many others. However, a good leader can reinforce those…
1 educator answer
- THE BREAST
I am really confused about the purpose of The Breast. What are its themes and what are the main…
One way to understand The Breast is to look at other texts. Most importantly, one should read and study The Metamorphosis. Knowing Kafka’s influence on Philip Roth, and comparing David Kapesh’s…
1 educator answer
- ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY
What main events happened in chapter 8 of the book “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry?”
In chapter 8 of “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry,” Cassie Logan has a plan and she works it to perfection. She finally gets even with Lillian Simms for the insult in Strawberry. She sucks her in,…
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