Why is wind speed measured in knots and not mph?
- THE TELL-TALE HEART
What is the author’s message in the story, “The Tell-Tale Heart?”
The primary message author Edgar Allan Poe tries to communicate through “The Tell-Tale Heart” is that the human heart knows the truth and will always have a louder voice than the lies that are told…
2 educator answers
- FREAK THE MIGHTY
What are three things that happen to Max and Kevin in eighth grade?
I have to admit, many of the adventures of Max and Kevin (who together make “Freak the Mighty”) happen during the summer before their eighth grade year. After reading half of the book, the reader…
1 educator answer
- THE MONKEY’S PAW
What magical ability does the monkey’s paw have?
Whether the monkey’s paw possesses any magical powers at all is a big question which is never conclusively answered in the story. At the beginning of Part II, Mr. White makes a very significant…
1 educator answer
- THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS
In “The Twenty-One Balloons,” what did Professor Sherman say that made the audience applaud for…
Professor Sherman gets settled in his bed, propped up with pillows, and makes two statements that make the crowd go wild. First he says, “I am happy to be home again!” (38). The crowd cheers for…
1 educator answer
- THE ODYSSEY
In Homer’s The Odyssey, what does Odysseus’s failure to remember Circe’s warning about the…
Even though the goddess Circe was right about Odysseus’s need to go to the underworld to speak with Teiresias, the blind prophet, about how to get home to Ithaca as well as how to remain unaffected…
1 educator answer
- A ROSE FOR EMILY
Why was Miss Emily viewed as a “fallen monument”?
Miss Emily represents the American South as it was before the Civil War. She comes from wealth that was built on the backs of slaves, and that wealth is now gone. She is the last of the…
1 educator answer
- OTHELLO
What are the themes of “Othello” written by Shakespeare?
There are many themes in this play, but here a few that are frequently discussed and studied. The fragility of human relationships and the nature of jealousy: Shakespeare does an excellent job of…
1 educator answer
- BUD, NOT BUDDY
What would you change in the book Bud, Not Buddy?
This is truly an opinion question; therefore, it is important that you figure out your own opinion on what you would change. However, I am happy to add my ideas on the subject. In order to give…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What are some reasons that Paul Revere was an important American patriot?
There are several reasons why Paul Revere was an important American patriot, most of which dated to the period before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He was a Boston metalsmith, and this was…
1 educator answer
- EDUCATION
What are some teaching approaches?
Several approaches to teaching have been identified and briefly explained below. Inquiry-Based Learning During inquiry-based learning, a question or problem or prompt is posed. Students use…
1 educator answer
- THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS
What does Professor Sherman say that makes the audience applaud for five minutes in The…
In Chapter 3 of The Twenty-One Balloons, when Professor Sherman begins addressing the audience in the auditorium of the Western American Explorers’ Club in San Francisco, he actually doesn’t say…
1 educator answer
- THE CALL OF THE WILD
Buck has left John and the mining camp to go hunt and has decided that he will bring down a great old bull moose. As he follows it and harries it for days, the Yeehat Indians have attacked the…
1 educator answer
- THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS
What would Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas be like if it were told through an adult’s eyes?
Please keep in mind that this is an opinion question that has no “right” answer. However, in this eNotes Educator’s opinion, this novel would lose all of its charm if told from an adult…
1 educator answer
- BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
In “By the Waters of Babylon,” who is John and why does he set out on a journey?
John is the protagonist of Stephen Vincent Benét’s “By the Waters of Babylon.” As the son of a priest, John has a chance of being a priest, too. Priests have a lot of responsibility in John’s…
1 educator answer
- THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND
What are the summaries for Chapters 16, 17, and 18 in The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth…
In Chapter 16, Kit finds out from her uncle that Nat and his friends lit Jack-o-Lanterns in the windows of William’s new house. She also learns that they have been punished and must sit in the…
1 educator answer
- FRANKENSTEIN
How do Victor and the monster have different yet similar uses of language in Frankenstein?
In the book, Frankenstein, Victor and the creature (or arguably “the monster”) share many commonalities and differences in language that encourages the readers to reflect on who the monster truly…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What were the effects of Columbus’s journeys on Europe and the Americas?
The voyages of Christopher Columbus opened the New World to colonization by the Spanish and other European countries like the Dutch, English, and French. This development had dramatic consequences…
1 educator answer
- THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME
How does the general feel when he finds out who Rainsford is?
General Zaroff thought it was his lucky day. For one thing, Zaroff read Rainsford’s book on hunting snow leopards in Tibet. Moreover, Zaroff, like Rainsford, loves hunting. Most of all, general…
1 educator answer
- LAW AND POLITICS
The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. The first national elections for the new government occurred in 1789. One of the priorities for the new…
1 educator answer
- THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
Based on the events that occur in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, how much of a…
The novel seems to argue that a person’s situation is largely influenced by his or her environment but that there is the possibility for one to escape the clutches of fate given determination,…
1 educator answer
- ROMEO AND JULIET
Why did Tybalt kill Mercutio in the play Romeo and Juliet?
The answer to this question can be found in Act III, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt, a Capulet, was not looking for a fight with Mercutio, who is Romeo’s friend and not a Montague. Tybalt is…
1 educator answer
- LAW AND POLITICS
Courts are important in our society and in our legal system. A court is a place where disputes may be settled. If two people have a dispute, they may take that dispute to court. The court will…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What is Atticus’ response when the children ask him to borrow a gun?
In Chapter 23, Bob Ewell approaches Atticus, threatens to kill him and spits in his face. Atticus, as always, handles the situation very calmly and hardly reacts at all. Jem and Scout are…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What are some of the achievements of Mohenjo-daro? 1 image
The achievements credited to the citizens of Mohenjo-daro center around their urban planning skills. The level of sophistication in urban design was unprecedented in the world at the time. An urban…
1 educator answer
- ANIMAL FARM
In the book, Animal Farm, why does Old Major think that revolution is possible at Manor Farm?
In the first chapter of Animal Farm, Old Major gives an inspiring speech to the animals of Manor Farm. Old Major believes that rebellion is imminent and inevitable and he has come to this…
1 educator answer
- LITERATURE
What is the summary for Seven Wonders by Ben Mezrich?
Seven Wonders is a true thriller (although not a horror piece) in that the pace is staggering and the description of the worldly backdrops is breathtaking. The novel was long awaited in that…
1 educator answer
- A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Why is Sydney Carton’s presence at the court of great importance?
The presence of Sydney Carton at the trial of Charles Darnay is important, not from a “legal” standpoint, but to set up the physical resemblance between the two characters as significant….
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
How did the Indians fare under President Jackson’s administration?
For Native Americans in the South and the Midwest, Andrew Jackson’s presidency (and indeed his entire career in public life) was a total disaster. Jackson made a name for himself as an Indian…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
What story do Hindus tell to explain castes?
The caste system dates back to ancient India when the division of labor was organized such that each group did specialized jobs. All castes were independent and all were seen as necessary to the…
1 educator answer
- A CHRISTMAS CAROL
What happens to Fan in the story A Christmas Carol?
As part of his voyage with the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge visits several of his old haunts. He visits his old school, where he sees himself spending some of his Christmases alone. He later…
1 educator answer
- JULIUS CAESAR
What are 2 physical differences between Caesar and Antony mentioned in “Julius Caesar”?
Antony is a strong man, able to run in the Lupercalian ceremonies at the beginning of “Julius Caesar”, and in some productions strong enough to carry Caesar’s body during his crucial funeral…
1 educator answer
- THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
What personal choices does the poem “The Road Not Taken” remind you of ?
The poem “The Road Not Taken” is about a speaker who comes to a place where two roads diverge in a yellow wood, and he contemplates what road he should take. Symbolically speaking, this poem talks…
1 educator answer
- BLUES AIN’T NO MOCKINGBIRD
What does the description of Granddaddy’s actions suggest about his character in Toni Cade…
In Toni Cade Bambara’s “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird,” Granddaddy’s actions show he is a no-nonsense sort of man who is very used to surviving in harsh conditions. He is also capable of being very…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Were Jem’s actions justified in Chapter 11 of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?
One could argue that Jem’s actions were justified following Mrs. Dubose’s derogatory comments about his father. At first, when Mrs. Dubose begins to insult the children, Jem does the right thing…
1 educator answer
- THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
In Chapter 32, what lie does Huck tell to explain his late arrival?
When Huck is mistaken for Tom Sawyer by Aunt Sally, Huck is ready with one of his famous lies. Huck is “quick on his feet” when it comes to being able to adapt to any situation. It is also at…
1 educator answer
- SCIENCE
How does segregation help increase genetic diversity?
The law of segregation is a principle of Mendelian genetics. The law of segregation occurs during meiosis when gametes are formed. At this time, the alleles for each gene segregate from one…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
The women suffragettes cookbooks were also created to fight against those who portrayed women as…
Between 1886 and 1920, American suffragettes published around a half-dozen cookbooks. This may seem a strange choice of subject for women who were dedicated to achieving the vote but these books…
1 educator answer
- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
How does Shakespeare use Hero to show how honor is emphasized in the story?
In Much Ado About Nothing, Hero is an innocent young woman. Claudio describes her as “a modest young lady,” and Beatrice notes her obedience: “it is my cousin’s duty to make curtsy and say…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
To what extent is Mayella Ewell in control of her life and her future?
In To Kill a Mockingbird, race and class play important roles in how certain characters are viewed by others and where they exist in the social hierarchy. People of color, for example, are at the…
1 educator answer
- THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Why is Act 4, scene 5 important in The Taming of the Shrew?
This is the scene where Katharina finally gives into Petruchio. Since he heard of her, he planned to marry her for her money and in the process “tame” her. He refuses to give up, humiliating…
1 educator answer
- CHAINS
In Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, how does the setting affect the plot in chapters 6-10?
The setting throughout those chapters is New York. Chapter 6 has Isabel being asked to spy on the Locktons by Curzon. Chapter 7 has Isabel learning her chores at the Lockton house. Chapter 8 has…
1 educator answer
- A CHRISTMAS CAROL
In A Christmas Carol, why does Scrooge like the darkness?
In the first stave of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge leaves his counting-house and returns to his dark and dismal home. In describing this scene, Dickens suggests Scrooge prefers the darkness to the…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Does Harper Lee in To Kill a Mockingbird show that Mayella Ewell is in control of what happens in…
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays Mayella as being trapped in a desolate life she has no control over; however, Mayella is also portrayed as attempting but failing to rid her…
1 educator answer
- THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
What are some famous quotes that support the theme “Money can’t buy happiness?”
The short story The Gift of the Magi shows that money does not buy happiness. Jim and Della think that money will buy each other’s happiness at some level. They both place great importance on…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What are examples of “laws of life” that Atticus believes in and tries to teach Jem and Scout?
Atticus attempts to teach his children numerous “laws of life” throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus tries to share the importance of gaining perspective with his children. After…
1 educator answer
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What more do we learn about Aunt Alexandra after Atticus and Calpurnia leave?
Aunt Alexandra hosts a missionary tea party in chapter 24. During these missionary teas the women discuss how they can help others in the community to behave more like Christians–especially those…
1 educator answer
- HISTORY
Who was the President during Pearl Harbor?
Franklin Roosevelt was the President of the United States during Pearl Harbor. He was just completing the first year of his third term in office, having been reelected in 1940. Pearl Harbor was the…
1 educator answer
- SCIENCE
Why is wind speed measured in knots and not mph?
This is because you are talking about the movement of a fluid, not a solid. Wind is composed of air, which, like water, is classified as a fluid. Since wind and water are both fluid, they are…
1 educator answer
- ANIMAL FARM
How does Squealer explain Napoleon’s intention to build the windmill, after all?
In Chapter Five of Animal Farm, Napoleon makes the unexpected announcement that he will build the windmill. This is unexpected because Napoleon was opposed to the windmill from the very start, and…
1 educator answer
- OF MICE AND MEN
How does Steinbeck’s initial description of the bunkhouse show that the migrant workers have to…
Steinbeck describes the barren bunkhouse with its whitewashed walls and unpainted floor, small square windows in only three walls, and a solid, wooden door with a rustic wooden latch. For beds…
1 educator answer