What are three of the most important events in The Tale of Despereaux?
- SOCIAL SCIENCES
What problems in communities impede the teaching of morals and ethics in schools?
One issue with teaching morals and ethics in schools, at least in public schools, is that many aspects of ethics and morality are culture-specific. What people from some cultures hold to be morally…
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- THE GIVER
In The Giver what are some similarities compared to our society? Explain the similarities.
This is such an interesting question! There certainly are some similarities between the society in The Giver and our society. In both societies, people live mostly in family units, with two…
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- LITERATURE
I need help with the book Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick.
This book is a memoir written by Vivian Gornick about her own life when she was young. In short, Gornick always struggled with her mother in order to gain independence from her. The book is…
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- INVISIBLE MAN
The concept of “boomeranging” is often times mentioned in the Ralph Ellison’s novel “Invisible…
What a great book! I hope you enjoyed it, too. As far as “boomeranging” in this novel, Ellison describes the world moving as a boomerang, instead of moving forward like an arrow. Our individual…
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- HISTORY
Why do we credit Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson with the beginning of our two party system?
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson are credited with beginning our two-party political system because they were the leaders of these parties that had different views on issues. Despite…
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- MACBETH
What does Lady Macbeth say, and what does the doctor think about her condition?
The part of the play that your question is asking about is Act 5, Scene 1. A gentlewoman has come to get a doctor in order to ask him to observe Lady Macbeth’s new habit of sleepwalking. Lady…
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- HISTORY
Why do we credit Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton with the beginning of our two political…
We credit these two men with beginning the two-party system in the United States because the first two political factions (they weren’t really parties as we know them today) formed around them, and…
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- LAW AND POLITICS
Nuisance is a legal term that denotes an action to redress a harm that has arisen from the use of one’s property. There are two types of nuisance, private nuisance and public nuisance. A private…
- HISTORY
What were the major themes of the period known as the Pax Romana?
The Pax Romana is literally translated as the Roman Peace, so it would stand to reason that peace was a major theme during the time period. Peace was celebrated in art and propaganda during the Pax…
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- HISTORY
What events and new economic factors first caused Europeans’ interest in exploration and…
The European political stage was forever altered in 1453 with the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire. This defeat marked the official end of the Roman Empire, as incarnated by their…
- HISTORY
How did the Reformation and the Enlightenment shape the development of Christianity in America?
Two important ways the Reformation and Enlightenment shaped the development of Christianity in America were by emphasizing the role of the individual’s relationship with Christ and legitimizing the…
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- KINDRED
In “The Rope” Chapter of Kindred, what does Rufus want from Dana now that Alice is gone?
Rufus plans to have sex with Dana and make her take Alice’s place. Dana is a descendant of Alice (and Rufus, for that matter) and she resembles Alice greatly. When this episode takes place, Alice…
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- PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
Research and discuss 1 public health issue in the United States today. Explain and discuss the…
The research you are being asked to do is a wonderful assignment because there are so many choices you could make. The return of veterans requiring so much health care is a huge public health…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Why did Atticus want Mr. Ewell to write his name during the trial?
Atticus wanted Bob Ewell to write his name to show if Bob was left or right handed. It was important because Mayella Ewell had a black eye and bruises on the right side of her face. This would…
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- HISTORY
The political alignment that was in place when Andrew Jackson was inaugurated has become known as…
When Andrew Jackson entered office in 1829, he inaugurated the Second Party System. The First Party System traces its roots to the differences between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the…
1 educator answer
- STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING
What does Robert Frost want to convey through the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?”
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” can be read as an allegory. Frost devotes the first three stanzas of the poem to describe the woods he comes across while he was on his way to accomplish some…
1 educator answer
- LORD OF THE FLIES
In Chapter 12 of Lord of the Flies, what does Ralph do when he is confronted by the Lord of the…
After being wounded by Jack, Ralph flees into the forest. Trying to come to terms with Piggy’s death and how the boys could have murdered him, he finds himself face to face with the skull, now…
2 educator answers
- LORD OF THE FLIES
Who was more at fault for both Simon’s and Piggy’s deaths? Jack or Ralph?
I can understand the dilemma in asking about Simon’s death, but not Piggy’s death. Roger killed Piggy. He’s the guy that pushed the huge, heavy rock down the hill that smashed Piggy. He’s a…
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- THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian what happens at Junior’s grandmother’s wake?
A few important events happen at Junior’s grandmother’s wake. First, her wake is a testament to how beloved she was, as almost 2,000 Indians attend, so many that they had to move the wake from the…
1 educator answer
- LAW AND POLITICS
Does NAFTA mean I do not pay duties and customs when importing leather goods from Mexico?
The short answer is yes; due to NAFTA, you probably do not have to pay any duties on importing leather from Mexico to the US. The long answer is surprisingly complicated; while in theory NAFTA…
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- THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
What does description of the apartment tell us about the economic situation of the couple in “The…
- Henry states specifically that the Youngs live in a cheap furnished flat and that the rent is eight dollars a week. While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What are some quotes from the novel To Kill A Mockingbird that describe what the courtroom looks…
In Chapter 16, Scout gives a description of what it is like in the courtroom. The courtroom was on the second floor of the Maycomb County Courthouse which resembled a Victorian building. The…
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- SCIENCE
Can anyone explain how the excretory system works step by step?
Excretory system is the bodily system (composed of organs) needed to regulate the chemical composition of the body, by removal of excess metabolic wastes in the bodily fluids. Prokaryotes have a…
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- FAHRENHEIT 451
How is the mechanical hound used by firefighters in Fahrenheit 451?
The mechanical hound is a modern, robotic version of the old fire mascot, the Dalmatian. Dalmatians have been used in fire houses not only as a mascot but as dogs that run alongside horse-drawn…
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- BUSINESS
In the market for automobiles, assume that there is only one firm with 100% market power, and…
The key here is recognizing that we have a monopoly on our hands, and under a monopoly, the price will not be set equal to the marginal cost. Instead, marginal cost will be equal to marginal…
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- SCIENCE
Halite is rock salt composed of sodium chloride. The reason it is crystalline in structure is related to the type of bonding that occurs between sodium atoms and chlorine atoms. The type of bond…
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- HISTORY
What was Madison’s argument for the right of government to tax people?
In 1788, James Madison authored the Federalist Paper 45, one of 85 essays designed to urge the people of New York to ratify the United States Constitution. In this essay, Madison (writing under…
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- THE EGG
What is the tone in “The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson?
The tone of a piece of literature is the author’s attitude toward the subject of the story. In “The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson, the narrator describes a childhood memory of his parents and…
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- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What does Scout learn in Chapter 11?
In Chapter 11, as Jem and Scout pass Mrs. Dubose’s house, she hurls insults at them. Mrs. Dubose says, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (Lee 135) Jem is upset and…
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- THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
In The Catcher in the Rye, why does Holden like Mercutio (from Romeo and Juliet) so much? What…
Holden likes Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet, because Holden most likely identifies with Mercutio more than any other character from the play. Holden feels that he is often mistreated and the…
2 educator answers
- STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING
What seems strange to the horse in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?”
Robert Frost has been quoted as saying: Everything written is as good as it is dramatic. It need not declare itself in form, but it is drama or nothing. This explains a lot about his poetry. In…
1 educator answer
- GATHERING BLUE
What is the significance of the robe, and the annual Song to the social stability of this society?
In Gathering Blue both the robe and the Song are methods by which the Council keeps control of society. Gathering Blue is a “companion” book of The Giver; both are set in the future after an…
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- MACBETH
How are Macbeth and Macduff similar? How are they different?
At the start of the play, both Macduff and Macbeth are similar in that they display great courage and skill on the battlefield. They also share a similar loyalty to king Duncan and their beloved…
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- OEDIPUS REX
What is a good thesis sentence for an essay about fate versus free will in Oedipus Rex?
Thesis: Oedipus and his birth parents exercise free will in trying to avoid fate, which ultimately leads to their downfall. The Greeks believed that people could not escape fate. However, they also…
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- ADAM OF THE ROAD
Can you name and describe the main characters of Adam of the Road?
You’re in luck! eNotes has study guides for lots of the books you might be reading for school or leisure, and Adam of the Road is one of them. Here is a link to our page with information about the…
- LAW AND POLITICS
What are the two different types of lobbying methods and what is considered direct lobbying…
The two different kinds of lobbying are direct and indirect lobbying. Indirect lobbying occurs when the interest group communicates with the people who then get in touch with the people who make…
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- GAMES AT TWILIGHT
In the beginning of “Games At Twilight,” why are the children so eager to go outside and play?
The children in the story “Games at Twilight” are super eager to play outside, because they have been cooped up inside all day. On top of being imprisoned inside all day, the house that they are…
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- THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS
What lie does Bruno tell Maria when she finds him in the kitchen? Why do you think he lies?
In Chapter 13, Bruno is in the kitchen filling his pockets with bread and cheese when Maria comes in. Maria sees Bruno putting the food in his pockets and assumes that he has not been eating his…
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- THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET
What is one event that happens in Esperanza’s house?
One incident that occurs in the house is in the chapter entitled “Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark.” Esperanza is awakened while it is still dark; her father is in her room, saying, “Your…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
How did the building of the transcontinental railroad and the Klondike gold rush bring about…
Prior to these two events, the American West was generally an undeveloped region, inhabited primarily by native tribes and a few American prospectors. The completion of the transcontinental…
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- GRAMMAR
How can I edit this sentence to make the tone more conversational? “Never before has the black…
This statement is taken from an 1837 speech by John C. Calhoun. Calhoun was a Democratic United States politician from South Carolina. He served in a variety of capacities in the US government,…
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- MACBETH
Is Macbeth’s head brought out on the battlefield or inside Macbeth’s castle?
The entire duel between Macbeth and Macduff takes place in the open field outside Macbeth’s castle. The two actors playing Macbeth and Macduff begin fighting on the stage. They leave the stage…
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- A CHRISTMAS CAROL
How is Scrooge’s relationship to Tiny Tim at the end of the story?
Scrooge first takes notice of Tiny Tim when he visits the Cratchit house with the Ghost of Christmas Present. He inquires about Tiny Tim and is disturbed when the ghost suggests that Tiny Tim will…
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- MISS BRILL
How is the main character of “Miss Brill” an outcast?
In Katherine Mansfield’s short story “Miss Brill”, the eponymous main character is certainly a social outcast in several ways. Loner While this may sound like a harsh descriptor, in reality, Miss…
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- MACBETH
Three consecutive asides (lines 132-137) occur between Malcolm and Donalbain. What are the rest…
The conversation between Malcolm and Donalbain that occurs at the end of Act 2, Scene 3, actually does not consist of asides. An aside is a dramatic convention whereby a character, who is on stage…
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- BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
What new goal does John set for the Hill People after he returns home?
When John returns from the Place of the Gods, he tells his father all about his journey and is anxious to tell the other Hill people. His father, however, convinces him that there is a reason why…
1 educator answer
- A CHRISTMAS CAROL
What is Scrooge and Tiny Tim’s relationship at the end of the story in A Christmas Carol?
Scrooge became like a father to Tiny Tim, looking out for him and his family. At the beginning of the story, Scrooge seems to scarcely know of Tiny Tim’s existence. He makes little effort to get…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What were the similarities between World War I and World War II?
There were many similarities between World War I and World War II. One similarity was the causes of both of these wars. In both wars, imperialism was a factor. In both wars, countries that had no…
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- HOUSEKEEPING
What does this quote in Housekeeping mean? Fingerbone was never an impressive town. It was…
To understand this quote, let us take it line by line. “Fingerbone was never an impressive town.” The meaning of this line is rather clear. Fingerbone is not an important place. It is a…
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- THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX
What are three of the most important events in The Tale of Despereaux?…
In The Tale of Despereaux there are three important plot events. First, Despereaux unexpectedly meets the Princess Pea when searching for what sounds like honey. He follows the music of the king’s…
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