• CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

What are the reasons for Rodion killing the pawnbroker?

The pawnbroker is an unattrative and unpleasant woman who is perceived by him as being rude. He visits the pawnshop 1)to pawn his watch, and 2)to make plans for robbing the pawnshop. He knows she…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Why is the Iron Age called the Iron Age?

The organization of history into the Three-Age System was proposed originally by a 19th-century Danish archaeologist Christian Thomsen. While Thomsen was organizing artifacts for the National…

1 educator answer

• WALK TWO MOONS

What good news did did Ben give to Sal after he read her palm in Walk Two Moons?

The good news Ben gives to Sal after he reads her palm is that she has let him hold her hand “for almost five minutes and…didn’t flinch once”. When Sal meets Ben, she finds him to be much more…

1 educator answer

• THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER

In “The Devil and Tom Walker,” as Tom ages, he becomes “a violent churchgoer.” Is Tom’s…

Within Irving’s attempt to create divergent and distinctive characters in his literature, the notion of hypocrisy is one that is explored in The Devil and Tom Walker. One could surmise that Tom…

1 educator answer

• WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS

Comment on the relationship between a barbarian girl and the magistrate in Waiting for the…

The magistrate’s relationship with the barbarian girl is complex, symbolic and troubling. This relationship also provides the magistrate with an opportunity for catharsis and expiation. In his…

1 educator answer

• THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

What is meant by the quote “is like the sorcerer who is no longer able to control the power of…

At this stage in the Marx/ Engels work, the assertion being made is that capitalism is similar to a “runaway train.” Marx and Engels argue that at a certain point, capitalism’s emphasis on money…

1 educator answer

• IMMANUEL KANT

Do you agree with Kant in his use of the Formula of Humanity to prove his doctrine of Categorical…

Immanuel Kant maintains that humanity–defined as uniquely human characteristics of rationality, elevated understanding, pursuit of plans and ambitions, and autonomy of thought and action–is an…

1 educator answer

• A&P

In John Updike’s story “A&P,” how is Sammy romantic?

Despite his hard-edged dialogue, Sammy reveals his romantic nature at the end of “A&P.” When the store’s manager reprimands a pretty young girl, who Sammy calls “Queenie,” for being improperly…

1 educator answer

• LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

In “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, why did Mary Maloney kill her husband?

This question can be answered through a close reading of the text; Dahl doesn’t directly state the reason, but it can be inferred from clues given. If you look carefully at the story, it indicates…

1 educator answer

• THE KILLER ANGELS

What are the differences between the book The Killer Angels and the actual battle of Gettysburg?

Since author Michael Shaara went to great lengths to make his 1975 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels as accurate as possible, coming up with actual differences between the book and the…

1 educator answer

• NORTH

What is a good theme for North by Donna Jo Napoli?

“North” explores themes of freedom, independence, and confidence. As Alvin learns how to survive in the Canadian Arctic, he has to overcome challenges that teach him the skills needed to survive,…

1 educator answer

• DEATH OF A SALESMAN

What is Willy’s philosophy in “Death of a Salesman”?

Miller creates the character of Willy as the embodiment of the failure within the American Dream. Willy is presented as a prototypical American male of the post World War II era who was taught…

1 educator answer

• A SEPARATE PEACE

What are the ages of the boys in A Separate Peace?In the opening flashback, Gene says that “We…

I do not know all that much about private boys’ schools in that time and place, but I am wondering whether the school followed a British system that had boys starting much younger than ninth grade….

1 educator answer

• SUITE FRANCAISE

What is the major theme in Suite Francaise?If anyone has any good quotes to back it up that would…

In regards to a simple theme, there is no doubt that the major theme in Suite Francaiseis is war. Set in Paris (and other towns in France) in the very early 1940s, there is no way to escape this…

1 educator answer

• MATH

The curve y=2x²-3x-4 crosses the x-axis at P and Q.The tangents to the curve at P and Q meet at…

First, find where the curve crosses the x-axis by factoring: y = 2x² – 3x – 4 = (2x + 1)(x – 2). So the points P and Q are at (-1/2,0) and (2,0). Next, we need to know the slope of the curve at…

1 educator answer

• OEDIPUS REX

What are the psychological interpretations of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles?

The psychological implications of Oedipus have been debated with much intensity. The validity of such claims will have to be analyzed elsewhere. Some of the psychology revolves around the…

1 educator answer

• ATLAS SHRUGGED

In Atlas Shrugged, how does Hank’s contradictions in his philosophy harm him psychologically and…

Henry Rearden is a man’s man. He works hard, is honest, and has integrity. Henry’s friends call him “Hank” and respect him as a good businessman. Hank insists on perfection in his work and from…

2 educator answers

• THE KITE RUNNER

How is the Afgan culture or traditions shown in The Kite Runner?

There are many examples of Afghan culture and tradition in this story. Part of the sadness of the story is that we see how the culture has suffered from the disruptions of war and politics, and…

2 educator answers

• LAW AND POLITICS

What makes a legal system fair or unfair? I am trying to narrow down to a few key points….

In my opinion, equality and due process are the most important elements of fairness in a legal system, and these are provided in the document that created our legal system, the Constitution and its…

6 educator answers

• THE CRUCIBLE

In “The Crucible” what news does Mary Warren reveal to John and Elizabeth about the trials?

Mary Warren brings home first-hand accounts of what has been going on in the courts for the past few weeks. When we last left the girls, they had just hysterically started calling out random names…

2 educator answers

• THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Bearing in mind that racism is a learned behavior and considering the setting of Huckleberry…

This is a good question! Given that racism is a learned behavior, I could support a response that Huck is racist. However, I will not because of the time and place in which the novel takes place….

8 educator answers

• THE POISONWOOD BIBLE

The Poisonwood Bible abounds in irony. What is the irony in Kinsolver’s novel and how does it…

The ultimate irony in The Poisonwood Bible revolves around the death of the youngest daughter Ruth May. The village in which the Price family lives is plagued by ants and two of the daughters run…

2 educator answers

• REFERENCE

what type of medication should be recorded on a medication record form

Any medication that you take orally or apply topically should be recorded on a medication record form. It is important for your school to know what you are taking in case there is an emergency of…

1 educator answer

• GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL

Where do scientists think that the first humans came from?

In the part of Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel,” which is entitled, “From Eden to Cajamarca,” the author addresses this question. The first chapter of part one is “Up to The Starting Line.”…

2 educator answers

• JANE EYRE

What are some of the symbols that relate to Jane Eyre?

One of the most prevalent symbols in the novel is the use of the pathetic fallacy, where the weather/setting reflects the emotions or mood of the characters. This is often seen in storms, which…

1 educator answer

• THE BEST OF O. HENRY

In the story “A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry, what are the defining characteristics of Ben…

Ben Price is the law-man that persistently hunts down the infamous Jimmy Valentine. And, persistence is one of his defining characteristics. He knows Valentine’s style and habits, so when he…

1 educator answer

• LAW AND POLITICS

What are the 5 principles of American Democracy?

Technically there are more than five principles of American Democracy. According to online research and my US Government textbook, one of the principles is that we have free elections which are…

1 educator answer

• BUSINESS

What is socialism?I think socialism is just bogus.

There might be some validity to your beliefs. However, I will throw out the other side. There is a compelling argument to be made that the tenets of socialism actually serve to strengthen…

2 educator answers

• BIOLOGY

What is the difference between archaebacteria and eubacteria?They both are prokaryotes… but…

Archaea are very primitive prokaryotic cells that live in extreme habitats such as hot springs, extremely salty areas, etc. However, they have a much broader range of habitats than previously…

1 educator answer

• 1984

What is the meaning of the three slogans, “War is peace”, “Freedom is slavery”, and “Ignorance is…

Each of these sayings seems contradictory and that feeds into the themes of the novel: freedom and enslavement, loyalty and betrayal, appearances and reality. All of those are somewhat…

1 educator answer

• BUSINESS

What are measures to stop/impediment chornic capitalism and corruption in real world?I really…

This is going to evoke a great deal of debate. One measure to remedy corruption in capitalism features an increase in the role of government and regulatory bodies. These forces can help remedy…

2 educator answers

• BEYOND THE MANGO TREE

Is “Beyond the Mango Tree” non fiction or fiction?Is the story real or not real

Beyond the Mango Tree is classified as a work of fiction, but it is based on the author’s childhood in Africa. The fact that the book is narrated in the first person, meaning the narrator herself…

1 educator answer

• THE CAY

Why did the Germans form an embargo around Curacao in The Cay?What did Phillip’s mother do when…

The Germans form an embargo around Curacao to prevent petroleum products from being sent from the island to Allied forces fighting in England and Africa. Crude oil from Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela…

1 educator answer

• THE HIDING PLACE

In the book The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, despite the miserable living conditions, what is…

One of the things Corrie ten Boom learned well from her sister, Betsie, was a attitude of gratitude and a heart of forgiveness. Ravensbruck was indeed the vilest of the camps in which Corrie spent…

1 educator answer

• THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL

In The Scarlet Pimpernel why is it ironic that Bibot thinks he will be the one to capture the…

The irony in the expectations that Bibot has of catching The Scarlet Pimpernel is that despite his intense efforts and close eye, the Scarlet Pimpernel escapes, right underneath his very nose….

2 educator answers

• THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME

What is the setting, conflict, resolution, author’s theme in “The Most Dangerous Game”?

These questions has been previously asked and answered. Just follow the links to setting, more about setting, conflict, more about conflict, resolution, more about resolution, theme, and more…

1 educator answer

• ANITA DESAI

In the story “Games at Twilight,” what are the internal and external conflicts?

A lot of the external conflict arises from the situations that the characters find themselves in, and from the main bully of the story, Raghu. At the beginning of the story, the children are bored…

2 educator answers

• SCIENCE

What causes sea breeze?A) The difference in cloud cover between land and water. B) The difference…

The correct answer to your question is B. In the daytime the land surfaces become warmer than the connected water surfaces. Due to the warmer surfaces the air over the land expands and therefore…

3 educator answers

• THE CRUCIBLE

In “The Crucible” why does Elizabeth want John to go to Salem?

In the beginning of Act Two, we see a very strained and awkward Elizabeth and John communicating. It is obvious that they are still trying very hard to put their marriage back together after…

1 educator answer

• LAW AND POLITICS

In the state of Colorado is it legal to ask a tenant for both the first month and last month…

In searching the database for Colorado laws concerning renter and tenant laws there is nothing preventing a Landlord from asking any amount rent or security deposit. The owner of the property can…

1 educator answer

• THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET

In terms of family and friends, which aspect does Esperanza find most frustrating in The House on…

With regard to family and friends, Esperenza finds two things frustrating in The House on Mango Street. First is her command of the English language. Esperenza quickly realizes that knowing English…

1 educator answer

• THE LOTTERY

Who was the narrator and what was the climax in “The Lottery”?

These questions have been previously asked and answered. Please see the links below, and thank you for using eNotes.

1 educator answer

• THE ROAD

I have an essay to do for school on the book “The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy. I can’t answer this…

At the end of the novel the boy and the father raid an abandoned boat. The boy becomes very ill and the father is terrified that the boy will die. He cares for the boy and does everything he can…

1 educator answer

• THE LOTTERY

What are the complications and the crisis in the “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?

One of the major complications in the story is the idea of the tyranny of the majority. The most horrifying aspect of Jackson’s work is that this peaceful and very civilized community can engage…

1 educator answer

• THE SCARLET LETTER

How did Puritan ideas about crime and punishment differ from our ideas today?

In Chapter XIII of “The Scarlet Letter” the narrator remarks that “the scarlet letter had not done its office,” for although Hester has lost much of the passion of her life and turned to thought,…

1 educator answer

• A&P

In the story “A&P” what are some traits and characteristics of Sammy?

Sammy, the narrator of Updike’s “A&P” is not untypical for a nineteen-year-old, for he is both cynical and romantic. He notes that A couple customers that had been heading for my slot begin…

1 educator answer

• ETHAN FROME

Who could be considered a character foil in Ethan Frome?

The most obvious example is shown through Zeena and Mattie Silver. Mattie serves as a character foil for Zeena. Side by side, their differences, at least before the accident, are stark. Zeena is…

1 educator answer

• THE NAME OF THE ROSE

In the movie The Name of the Rose, who is Severinus and what does he do?

Severinus of Sankt Wendel is known as the herbalist at the abbey. An herbalist, of course, is a person who is skilled in the harvesting and collection of medicinal plants. Severinus is no…

1 educator answer

• THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND

What quotes are important in the beginning of The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

Clearly there are a number of quotes that you could look at, and in a sense, there are no “wasted words” in a novel, as everything is carefully chosen to establish character, themes and conflict;…

1 educator answer

• THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

What is the significance of the quote “Proletarians of the world unite!”

The closing line of Marx and Engels’ work represents the embodiment of the call to action. The demand to the Proletarians to accept and change the reality in which they are immersed, and not to be…