• THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

What is the setting and plot of “The Pit and the Pendulum”? Who are the characters?

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

2 educator answers

• THE THINGS THEY CARRIED

In Chapter 16 or “Notes” from The Things They Carried, has the narrator successfully transitioned…

Yes and no. Even though these stories are “fictional,” all readers of The Things They Carry realize that Tim O’Brien, a Vietnam Veteran, includes more fact and reality than fiction; so if one…

1 educator answer

• THE THINGS THEY CARRIED

In Chapter 15 of “The Things They Carried”, explain whether the seven medals were enough for…

Norman Bowker, in “Speaking of Courage,” has won seven medals from his Vietnam tour of duty: the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star, and the…

1 educator answer

• WALDEN

For what reasons did Thoreau write “Walden”?

According to Thoreauvian Ken Kifer, Thoreau’s “Walden” was published to express his philosophy of life. Rather than having the desire to live a life with a goal of the acquisition of wealth,…

2 educator answers

• FAHRENHEIT 451

Where in Rad Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 would I find this quote: “Do you ever read any of the…

Every edition of the book is different, so you’ll have to find the page on your own. However, the quote is part of the initial conversation between Montag and Clarisse. Clarisse is one of the few…

1 educator answer

• TUCK EVERLASTING

What does the “touch-me-not appearance” of the cottage mean in Tuck Everlasting?

The theme of the first chapter, where the term “touch-me-not appearance” is found, is the incongruity of civilization with nature. The peaceful, unfettered layout of the natural world is first…

1 educator answer

• DREAMS FROM MY FATHER

What is President Obama’s thesis or point of view in general?based off of Dreams from my Father

In a very general sense, the President’s memoir is an articulation of race and race relations through his own experience. The memoir examines his own interactions through the lens of race and…

1 educator answer

• SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT

What are the different styles that orwell uses in “Shooting an Elephant”?

Different styles of what? At first he describes his overall situation in the incident he remembers. Then there’s a flashback to a specific situation which crystalized his opinion of the people he…

2 educator answers

• THE NEW BIOLOGY

I am in biology class and the teacher is pretty confusing, can you give me tips on how to study…

The first principle is to remind yourself that you are going to be the agent of action most responsible for your success. This is the most elemental notion to assert at the start. Obviously,…

1 educator answer

• THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE

How did Sherlock Holmes know Jabez Wilson went to China in “The Red-Headed League” by Sir Arthur…

Sherlock Holmes uses his famous “method” of picking up on tiny clues, usually of appearance, to make far-reaching correct deductions about people. With Jabez Wilson, Holmes is able to make a very…

2 educator answers

• SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD

What is the obstacle or problem that Calvinists face to which Edwards makes references in the…

Edwards revival sermon is a call to the unrepentant, those who have not been saved. For them, perdition waits unles they are saved; that is, “born again.” In order to awaken these complacent…

2 educator answers

• THE CRUCIBLE

In “The Crucible” why do you think Rev. Parris has many enemies?

There are several possible reasons as to why Reverend Parris is unliked in the town of Salem. The first is that his sermons aren’t very uplifting or motivating; in fact, as Proctor states in act…

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

What are the reflections of the philosophies of European Enlightenment?

One of the critical elements of the Enlightenment thinkers was the overwhelming faith in human progress. In the social and political thought of the Enlightenment, it is evident that individuals…

1 educator answer

• THE BLACK CAT

Why does the narrator come to hate his cats so much? Support you answer with evidence from the text.

The narrator’s hatred for his black cat comes about over a period of time. At first, the cat was the narrator’s “favorite pet and playmate” for several years, but that began to change one night…

1 educator answer

• WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

In Water for Elephants, in what ways does Sara Gruen contrast the antagonisms and cruelties of…

In the novel, Sara Gruen contrasts the cruelties of circus life with instances of caring through the relationships that the characters have with the animals and with other members of the circus….

1 educator answer

• A TALE OF TWO CITIES

In Chapter 5 in “A Tale of Two Cities,” what is the reason for Defarge’s instructions about the…

In Book the First of “A Tale of Two Cities,” Lucie and Mr. Lorry meet with Ernest DeFarge, the former manservant of Dr. Manette, who leads them up the stairs where vile apartments are. As they…

1 educator answer

• A TALE OF TWO CITIES

In “A Tale of Two Cities” what is Mrs. Pross’s treatment of Mr. Lorry when they first meet?Book…

Miss Pross is the typical fiercely loyal, mannish British nanny. In Chapter 4 Mr. Lorry encounters this “wild red woman, stong of hand,” and dress in “some extraordinary tight-fitting…

1 educator answer

• THE COP AND THE ANTHEM

What would be a moral that one can learn from “The Cop and the Anthem” that is applicable to…

O.Henry’s stories always have a moral undercurrent that is often hidden beneath layers of irony. In this short story the central character, Soapy, is a homeless man with a need for winter shelter…

1 educator answer

• A TALE OF TWO CITIES

In Chapter 1 of “A Tale of Two Cities,” what is indicated about the character of the English…

In Chapter 1 of Tale of Two Cities, the author indicates that the English people at the time live in a state of complete lawlessness. Crime is rampant, and little can be done to stop it. The…

2 educator answers

• A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

Who is the narrator of “A Christmas Memory?”

In Truman Capote’s novella, “A Christmas Memory,” the narrator is seven year-old Buddy. Buddy is living with relatives and this is a memoir of his time while there. He tells us about his elderly…

1 educator answer

• THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE

What does Charlotte think she sees after Barlow leaves her alone with her trunk in True…

After Barlow leaves her alone with her trunk, Charlotte Doyle looks around her quarters and sees the inside of her coffin. Charlotte had not expected anything like what her sea voyage to American…

1 educator answer

• JULIUS CAESAR

What is the meaning of the Julius Caesar quote in Act II Scene I: “…for he is given to sports,…

Shakespeare can definitely be confusing! I think it’s really important to pay careful attention to the punctuation. In this scene, the conspirators are debating whether or not to kill Mark Antony…

1 educator answer

• GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Why did Dickens make Joe such a “big” man in Great Expectations; is his size symbolic?

Joe’s size serves at least two different literary functions. First, his large physique demonstrates his big heart. Joe, more than any other character in the novel, has the emotional capacity to…

1 educator answer

• THE OUTSIDERS

Why is Ponyboy’s hair so important to him?

Ponyboy’s hair is so important to him because his hair is his identity. To cut his hair would imply that he no longer belongs in his Greaser group. His hair is, essentially, the perfect “Greaser”…

3 educator answers

• LITERATURE

In novels, villainy is a complex idea. In studying this theme, what do you think would be roughly…

The villain can be presented in multiple ways through literature. The most obvious depiction can be the personification of evil. This represents a villain as the antithesis of good, and only…

1 educator answer

• A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS

What did Paleyo think was affecting the sick newborn child in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”?

The story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” opens in an unnamed coastal town after a long rainstorm. Pelayo and Elisenda are dismayed because crabs have been washed up from the ocean into their…

1 educator answer

• DANTE’S INFERNO

In Dante’s Inferno, Canto 15, what does the wise lady (line 89) mean, what does she symbolize?

This “wise lady” is Beatrice, who the Pilgrim will meet at the end of the Purgatorio and is to be his guide through most of the Paradiso. Beatrice represents divine wisdom, revelation, and grace…

1 educator answer

• THE PORTABLE DOROTHY PARKER

I am writing a paper on Parker’s poem “Victoria,” and would like some feedback to help me with my…

The poem “Victoria” is about the death of Queen Victoria of England, the longest ruling monarch to date, at her death. She was a very powerful icon during a time of industrial, scientific and…

1 educator answer

• ESSAY LAB

I am unsure of how to write a criticism paper about the Star Spangled Banner, any ideas?It has to…

There might be several approaches to writing this paper. I think that seeking to explore the history within Key’s song could prove to be fascinating. Essentially, your paper would be connecting…

1 educator answer

• GRENDEL

Where does Grendel find evil in the world? According to Grendel, who or what are “the bad guys”?

This is a tricky question. It is traditionally accepted that Grendel is evil while Hrothgar and Beowulf are good. These aren’t moral absolutes; Hrothgar kills many to maintain power, and Grendel…

2 educator answers

• LAW AND POLITICS

What is the difference between ‘fair’ and ‘equal’? Is the law fair? Expand.

In theory, everyone is entitled to fair treatment under the law regardless of race, class, gender or beliefs. Here is an example from the classroom. 1. A special needs student gets test…

1 educator answer

• LITERATURE

what is literatureHow is literature defined and what constitutes literature?

Literature is anything in written form. Some of it is written well about deep issues (this is usually graduated to classics) and then it can run the gamut to the grocery list. It is the thoughts…

4 educator answers

• ENGLISH TEACHERS

Help with my final paper, pleaseHello guys, I ve been working hard on my final paper and I need…

I’ve been teaching for over 20 years; and I don’t see too much difference between teaching and learning because as I teach I also learn. In addition, I have seen students learn a lot when they are…

2 educator answers

• WALDEN

Will someone please explain what, “We are determined to starve before we are hungry” means, along…

I’m assuming that you don’t quite understand the phrases and need some interpretion? If that’s the case, I will try to help. “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau is a very thought-provoking account of…

1 educator answer

• SUNWORSHIPPERS

What is the theme of the poem “Sunworshippers” by Cathy Song?

Cathy Song, an Asian writer, creates beautiful images in her poetry. Her poems are written in free verse, with her diction and style providing interesting, meaningful verse. The subjects covered…

1 educator answer

• A CLEAN, WELL-LIGHTED PLACE

What is the significance of the word “nada” in Hemingways “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”?

The old man only says, “Nada,” once, and he means it literally. The rest of the “nadas” come from the narration, which seems to be filtered through the old waiter’s perspective: It was all…

3 educator answers

• THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF

What is Sam’s full name in the O. Henry short story, “The Ransom of Red Chief”?

Sam is one of the two kidnappers in the O. Henry short story, “The Ransom of Red Chief.” Sam and his partner, Bill, decide to abduct the son of a wealthy Summit, Alabama man, Ebenezer Dorset. But…

2 educator answers

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

How does the issue of education affect the main character and the protagonist in To Kill a…

Scout receives two very different types of education in Harper Lee’s famous novel. First, after Scout begins with a history of Maycomb and discusses Jem’s broken arm, she flashes back to right…

1 educator answer

• BUD, NOT BUDDY

How did bugs rig the coin toss?In the book Bud, Not Buddy, how did Bugs rig the coin toss?

When Bud and his friend Bugs reach “Hooverville,” the cardboard jungle of homeless people, they are reluctant to approach the people around the campfire. To decide who will have to do it, Bugs…

1 educator answer

• OF MICE AND MEN

What is a quote in Of Mice and Men that shows the “lower class (economic) status of the workers”?

In chapter 4, Lennie and Candy enter Crooks’s room and have a discussion about one day owning their own homestead. Crooks responds by telling Candy, “You guys is just kiddin’ yourself. You’ll talk…

1 educator answer

• ESSAY LAB

I am writing a research paper on specific questions, do I include the questions in the paper?

It’s not necessary to include the questions themselves. If the question is “what led to the fall of the Roman empire?” You would answer this by simply beginning your essay, “the fall of the Roman…

2 educator answers

• THE SCARLET LETTER

In what way does nature, through sunlight, exercise moral judgment in Chapters 16-19 of The…

Hawthorne uses nature in general in the same manner as other Romantic authors–it is a moral guide or reminder, a “teacher” of sorts. Throughout Chapters 16-19, the sunlight generally shows moral…

1 educator answer

• JULIUS CAESAR

Such a powerful king; why did he not listen to the soothsayer and his wife?

In William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” the ruler of the land is Caesar. The traits in his personality, which kept him from listening to the Soothsayer and his wife, are also the traits in his…

2 educator answers

• BEOWULF

How does the Anglo Saxon period and the heroic ideals both similar and different of our own?

Heroes from the Anglo-Saxon period are similar to today’s military and/or team sports heroes in that they both seek fame and glory for feats on the field. Obviously, we are talking about a…

1 educator answer

• MACBETH

Act 4 , Scene 1: Why has Macbeth come to see the witches?

After the banquet scene in Act III, Macbeth tells his wife: I will tomorrow, / And betimes I will, to the Weird Sisters: / More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know / By the worst means,…

1 educator answer

• PHILIP LARKIN

Was Philip Larkin a pessimist, and was he a member of the so-called “Movement”?

Philip Larkin was a “pessimist” in several respects. First, he did not believe in an after-life. He believed that death was final and that religion was a somewhat delusive human invention designed…

1 educator answer

• REFERENCE

Why should Hawaii high school students have an “exit pass” test to graduate?

There are some strong arguments in favor of exit tests upon the completion of a grade level. The first would be that it guarantees and identifies essential content that all students need to know…

1 educator answer

• FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON

What does Charlie do when he realize he will lose his intelligence?In the story “Flowers for…

As the story begins, Charlie is a mildly mentally impaired adult working as a janitor in a factory. He realizes that he is “dumb” and attends night school classes to try to learn to read and write….

1 educator answer

• HISTORY

Explore how slavery was brought to the Americas and its important in the early economy of the…

Slavery in a sense was here in the Americas before white people discovered the new world. Native peoples took prisoners from other tribal or cultural groups, who were treated in various ways. The…

2 educator answers

• FAHRENHEIT 451

ExampleAn example in the book of emptiness of Montag?

Examine the relationship Montag has with his wife. There is enough emptiness that he already experiences, but this alienation seems to increase each time he is with Millie, whom he sees as nothing…