What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

An excellent question, though one I believe is asked in jest. Your question references the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The generally accepted appropriate response among fans of the comedy troupe Monty Python is to ask, "African or European?"

Fortunately, science graphics editor for the New York Times, Jonathan Corum, has actually done the mathematics for this question. While kinematic data on the African species of swallows is difficult to find, he was able to cite a study by the University of Capetown on the average body mass and wing length of European swallows. Using a published formula (three times frequency times amplitude) to determine the speed of a flying animal, he estimates that the airspeed velocity of an unladen European swallow is roughly 11 meters per second.

To calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen African swallow would require more demographic data on the populations of African species of swallow.

In "The Use of Force," did the girl really have diphtheria or not?

"The Use of Force" by William Carlos Williams in narrated in the first person by a doctor making a house call to a poor rural family whose daughter is sick. We find out early in the story that there has been a diphtheria outbreak nearby and the doctor is concerned the child may have it. There are two main reasons for the concern. Diphtheria is highly contagious and thus it is important to diagnose and contain individual cases quickly. Second, it is a potentially deadly disease, especially for children. In the period in which he was writing, an average of 13,000 to 15,000 people died every year from this disease.

An important element in diagnosis is examining the patient's throat. The doctor confirms that the child indeed does have diphtheria when he finally manages to force the child's mouth open and observes:

And there it was - both tonsils covered with membrane.

What was the purpose of the Halloween pageant? What practical joke persuaded the grown-ups to have an organized event?

The previous Halloween, evidently some pranksters hit Tutti and Frutti Barber’s house and vandalized some furniture belonging to them.  In order to keep these “criminals” in check and off the streets of Maycomb, Miss Merriweather writes a play that chronicles Maycomb’s agricultural history and contributions to society.  It is performed in the school gymnasium, but there is also a “haunted house” in one of the classrooms and treats for the children.  In the play, Scout plays the role of a ham and misses her cue to go on stage because she fell asleep waiting for her part.  The play ends, and the children head home on this spooky Halloween night only to be attacked by Bob Ewell.

The trip to the Halloween pageant sets up a foreboding mood, and we as readers can feel that something bad is going to happen.  Lee describes the night as “moonless” and dark.  Scout and Jem must once again pass the Radley house to get to the school, and during their walk, they are startled by Cecil Jacobs who jumps out of the bushes to scare them.   The Halloween pageant is used as a device to foreshadow the danger the children will be in by the end of the episode. 

Considering the havoc that European explorers and settlers inflicted on Native Americans, intentionally or otherwise, we should learn from history...

There are two ways to look at this statement. I will share thoughts on both sides of the issue so you can make a decision. We must assume that any life we would encounter on another planet would be in a form that we have on our planet.

If we are to learn from history and look at this from the lens of how we impacted the Native Americans, we should definitely leave these people alone. Our interactions with the Native Americans were deadly for them. Our harsh treatment of the Native Americans is a sad and a regrettable part of our history. If we discovered people on another planet, we shouldn’t interact with them until we fully understood them. Then, we shouldn’t impose our ways upon them like we did with the Native Americans.

On the other side of the question, we should interact with these people because they could learn something from us. There are many things that we do well, and some of these things could be helpful to people living on another planet. For example, they could learn how to develop a political system or an economic system. They also could use some of the inventions that have positively impacted us.

Now that you have some ideas from each side of the question, what do you think?

What is meant by the term ‘compassion fatigue’? How, and with what possible effects, has the discourse of compassion fatigue been employed...

In the words of Dr. Charles Figley, who is the director of Traumatology in Tulane University, 

"Compassion Fatigue is a state experienced by those helping people or animals in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper."

This "secondary traumatic stress" disorder is another name for compassion fatigue. It is a secondary type of trauma, caused by what community workers experience as they help other people go through their primary trauma as they deal with their caseloads.

The description given by Dr. Figley refers to the actual medical panorama that is included in a primary complaint for compassion fatigue. Essentially, it is the desensitization of the emotions of those who have to deal, day in and day out, in situations that include maximum emotional stimulation.

The basic explanation is that people who are exposed to a great amount of emotional distress will, subsequently, learn to push the feelings aside in order to get their jobs done. Some will achieve this while others will internalize the emotional stimulation and compartmentalize it in some aspects of their lives. Some will want to re-live it under the influence of alcohol to "analyze without emotional taxing." Others will internalize it to the point of becoming mentally frustrated at any event that reminds them of the situation that they are dealing with. 

Figley also states to the American Institute of Stress (1995)

We have not been directly exposed to the trauma scene, but we hear the story told with such intensity, or we hear similar stories so often, or we have the gift and curse of extreme empathy and we suffer. We feel the feelings of our clients. We experience their fears. We dream their dreams. Eventually, we lose a certain spark of optimism, humor and hope. We tire. We aren’t sick, but we aren’t ourselves

This description is similar to the well-known experience of "burnout," or the feeling that the situations that are dealt with daily are so energy-consuming that they take the entire time and energy away from the regular work day. 

The problem with compassion fatigue is that it can also happen as a result of excessive exposure to the news, dramas, or other media which dedicates itself to promoting events by appealing strictly to the senses.

The yellow press, which is notorious for its unnecessary use of extreme descriptions and gory details, is partially to blame for sensationalizing events that may be best explained simply as they really are. 

Moreover, the excessive use of compassion will inevitably result in the need to intensify the descriptors to cause the same amount of compassion the third or fourth time around when the news are repeated. Notice how these days the reports of soldiers being killed, terrorist attacks, and other similar news are actually competing for the attention of the general public as to which will generate more views and reactions. When there is a political agenda behind the promotion of a specific situation, the issue becomes even more complex in terms of preserving the impartial nature of news reporting. 

Back to the actual compassion fatigue, the reports show that it is a systemic effect that can affect entire organizations, and may result in absenteeism, low morale, lack of focus on detail, violence in the workplace (verbal or physical), and the overall decrease in productivity from a workplace affected by excess stress and compassion fatigue. 

What is the mood at the point where Holmes and Watson prepare to spend the night in the room in which Julia Stoner died?

The mood is a mixture of fear, suspense, excitement, anticipation, extreme nervous tension, and curiosity. Dr. Watson describes it well when he tells how he and Holmes waited in silence in the pitch-dark bedroom as the hours slowly passed.

How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness.

Arthur Conan Doyle invariably combines ratiocination and adventure in his Sherlock Holmes tales. Holmes is depicted as an indolent type of man who can spend days doing nothing but lounging in his room, but who is also capable of bursts of action and even covering many miles by train and horse-drawn conveyances in solving his cases. Unlike Watson, Holmes seems totally fearless. He is frequently getting into extremely dangerous situations and dragging the loyal Dr. Watson along with him.

The mood evoked by the long wait in the bedroom adjacent to that of the formidable Dr. Roylott is similar to that described by Watson in "The Red-Headed League" when Holmes, Watson, Merryweather, and Jones the Scotland Yard man are waiting in the darkness for the tunnelers to break through the floor of the basement strongroom where all the gold is stored.

What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have almost gone, and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the bank director.

The purpose of such scenes, of course, is to evoke the same kinds of feelings in the reader that the characters are experiencing in the story. The reader, often called an "armchair detective," likes to escape from his mundane world into a world full of mystery and adventure. In a Sherlock Holmes story he is sure to meet strange characters like Dr. Grimesby Roylott, who keeps a baboon and a cheetah as pets, who consorts with a band of gypsies, and who lives in a huge, decaying mansion where he uses a snake to kill one of his stepdaughters and to attempt to kill the other.

Did Kino finding the pearl result in more good or bad consequences?

Finding the pearl resulted in more negative consequences than positive ones.

When Kino found the pearl, he thought that all of his problems were solved.  He expected to be able to sell it and he dreamed of all of the wonderful things he could do with the money.  However, the pearl resulted in nothing but negatives. 

The pearl is wonderful, beautiful, and big.  When Kino finds it, it should end all of his troubles.

Kino lifted the flesh, and there it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon. It captured the light and refined it and gave it back in silver incandescence. It was as large as a sea-gull's egg. It was the greatest pearl in the world. (Ch. 2)

The first problem with the pearl is that it is so big that the pearl buyers will not buy it.  They try to trick Kino, colluding with each other to convince him that it is worthless.  Since Kino can’t sell it, it doesn’t bring him the fortune he hoped for.  Instead, it brings him fame.  Unfortunately, the fame meant that people tried to steal the pearl.

Juana declares the pearl evil.  She is superstitious, and she is sure that the pearl will destroy them if they keep it.

“This pearl is like a sin! It will destroy us," and her voice rose shrilly. "Throw it away, Kino. Let us break it between stones. Let us bury it and forget the place. Let us throw it back into the sea. It has brought evil. Kino, my husband, it will destroy us." (Ch. 3)

In the end, the pearl does bring bad luck. Kino’s son Coyotito was killed.  Kino only wanted to protect Coyotito and be able to take him to a doctor for the scorpion bite and buy him whatever he could need.  Instead, the pearl destroyed them all, just as Juana predicted.

How did slavery influence the society and economy of the southern colonies?

The enslavement of African people was the foundation of the economy and social structure of the Southern colonies of America from the early 17th century to the late 19th century. The economy of the Southern colonies was based on agriculture and the production of profitable exports such as cotton, tobacco, indigo, and sugar cane. Slaves were brought from Africa as a source of essentially free labor and worked on farms and plantations to raise these crops. Some slaves worked in the homes of their masters as servants and had minimally better treatment, but were still considered objects to be owned with no rights. The labor of People of Color in the American colonies during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries was exploited for economic gain which reinforced the social structure that had come to develop around this system of production.

In this time, the only people who were really counted as "people" were white, land-owning, Christian men. Ownership of  land in particular was a huge factor in a man's status. If a man owned a large amount of land, he had the opportunity to raise profitable crops. Some families were at an advantage, having arrived in the colonies from Europe earlier than others, and had established ownership of land and agricultural production, boosting their socioeconomic status. The most successful families owned very large plantations, but required slave labor to actually work the land and produce raw materials for export. This created a social structure where someone who owned more slaves had a greater economic benefit and were valued more in their society. 

Life in the American colonies offered a "blank slate" of opportunity for many, and those who were  most successful in the South often made their profits on the backs of numerous enslaved African people.

What examples of personification are there in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi?

Animals are described as people throughout the story.

The use of animals as characters fully acting like humans is known as anthropomorphism.  It is basically a sophisticated form of personification.  Personification just means describing something nonhuman as if it were human.

Anthropomorphism is demonstrated by how the animals are described as having human feelings and motivations.

This is the story of the great war that Rikki-tikki-tavi fought single-handed, through the bath-rooms of the big bungalow in Segowlee cantonment. Darzee, the tailor-bird, helped him, and Chuchundra, the musk-rat, who never comes out into the middle of the floor, but always creeps round by the wall, gave him advice; but Rikki-tikki did the real fighting.

Clearly, there is little difference between these animals and people.  They are described as fighting wars, and giving advice.  They have distinct personalities of cleverness, fear, and bravery.  They also possess their animal characteristics and traits, or I should say their instincts.

Animals do not really have the ability to reason like humans.  They cannot theorize or form sophisticated plans.  Rikki does all of these things, and so do Nag and Nagaina.  They are animals who think like people, at least for the story’s sake.

“I had not thought of that,'' said Nag. “I will go, but there is no need that we should hunt for Rikki-tikki afterward. I will kill the big man and his wife, and the child if I can, and come away quietly. The the bungalow will be empty, and Rikki-tikki will go.''

Nag and Nagaina develop a sophisticated plan to get rid of Rikki, and Rikki develops a plan to deal with them.  He kills Nag first.  He kills all of Nagaina’s eggs but one, and then uses that egg to draw her out.  She tries to get him to leave her alone, saying she will go away.  He doesn’t believe her.

Why does Half Arrow watch quietly while the guard binds True Son's arms in Chapter 4 of The Light In The Forest?

In the story, John Butler was only four years old when he was abducted by Delaware Indians. Renamed True Son by his adopted Indian father, Cuyloga, John comes to love and to respect the Indian way of life. So, he is resentful when a new treaty between the Americans and Delaware Indians calls for the return of white captives.

In Chapter 4, all the white captives are on the march back to Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. True Son is so disheartened at this state of affairs that he tries to get a hold of the poisonous roots of the May apple, thinking that he will be better served by committing suicide. However, he is not successful and must march on to what he thinks is his doom. His cousin and friend, Half Arrow, marches alongside him. Another Indian friend, Little Crane, marches along to be near his white squaw.

When the captives approach the river near to Fort Pitt, the guard orders Half-Arrow to leave, citing safety issues. He warns that Half Arrow's life may be in danger, as they are very near the white settlements. To reiterate his order, he points his rifle at Half Arrow in order to force him out of the marching line. At the guard's directive, True Son is so upset that he lunges at the soldier. Because of his violent action, the guards bind his arms. In the meantime, Half Arrow watches impassively; he does nothing to help True Son but only asks for permission to give True Son some words of wisdom from his Indian father. With the guard's permission, he tells True Son that he must bide his time and move with wisdom if he is to win the war against the white settlers.

It is better to wait for your cause to be ripe like a persimmon on the snow before you fight back, True Son. It is wiser to be willing and be alive than be defiant and be dead so your father and mother and sisters have to mourn you.

True Son realizes that he must bear his disgrace with dignity and wait patiently until a favorable moment presents itself for success. In keeping with the wisdom of waiting until the right moment to rebel, Half Arrow displays little emotion when True Son's arms are bound. He realizes that to fight at such a moment, when he can have no victory, will prove a foolish waste of his time and life.

What is the fluid that surrounds the brain?

The fluid that surrounds the brain is known as cerebrospinal fluid, and it is important for many reasons. One such reason is that cerebrospinal fluid can act as a shock absorber for both the brain and spinal cord, protecting them during impact events that occur to the head and body. Cerebrospinal fluid does this by filling the empty spaces of the brain, also known as ventricles, and surrounding the outside of the brain as well as the spinal cord, providing protection and support for both. It also plays an important role in bringing nutrients to the brain from the blood stream, and in removing waste products. The typical flow of cerebrospinal fluid is from the choroid plexuses, located in the lateral ventricles, where cerebrospinal fluid is made, to the third ventricle. From here, cerebrospinal fluid then flows to the fourth ventricle, followed by the subarachnoid space. From the subarachnoid space, it circulates around the outside of the brain, and flow to the superior sagittal sinus, where it is reabsorbed back into the blood stream. Interestingly, small amounts of cerebrospinal fluid can be removed and tested to look for a number of neurological disorders, or to help identify spinal cord or brain injury.

Hope this helps!

Discuss the factors that drove exploration and colonialism in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The Europeans were curious to know what existed beyond the old world as supported by Renaissance ideals. They wanted to experience and observe the environment in the new world, and because of this urge, they were willing to travel across the vast sea.

They were urged on by the need to spread their religion and to save souls in the new world. They also embarked on the journey to confirm myths about the existence of Christian communities in the new world.

The Age of Exploration and colonialism was also urged on by the need to access more gold and silver. The economic situation in Europe was under threat because of limited resources. The leadership was also seeking to avert large-scale conflicts with the citizens because of deteriorating economies.

The idea of imperialism supported Europe’s need to explore and colonize other territories. The Arabs had blocked access to the East, and Europe was forced to seek new trade routes and establish colonies to protect their investments and routes.

What words does Elena use to describe her building?

One of the first set of words that Elena uses to describe her home is a "Puerto Rican tenement known as El Building." A tenement is defined as an over-crowded, usually run-down and poor building. This means that the immigrants from Puerto Rico who live there are poor or just getting by. On a positive note, Elena says that the building is like a "monstrous jukebox," which means that there is music blaring out of almost every apartment. The music must make them feel connected to family and life back in Puerto Rico. Other sounds that are usually heard in El Building are "the abusive tongues of viragoes, the cursing of the unemployed, and the screeching of small children."

When Elena goes to study at Eugene's house next door, his mother points up at the building and asks her if she lives "there." At this point, she describes El Building as an ugly, gray prison. She also notices the ugliness of the dirty windows and fire escapes. It's not a pretty building, but it is what her parents can afford.

What were Walt Whitman's beliefs?

Walk Whitman was an unconventional American poet whose work had an enormous impact upon new developments and trends in poetry at the end of the 19th century, and widely influenced American poetry of the 20th century. This time period was characterized by the presence of various trends and schools of thought in poetry; Whitman was considered a Transcendentalist (along with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau, who were both friends of Whitman); but he was also credited with being an influence upon the Realist school of poetry. Whitman's subject matter was considered by some readers to be controversial for his frank depiction of sexuality and the sensual nature of his poetic observations. He also had unusual views about spirituality.

Whitman rejected conventional views of religion and realized his spiritual beliefs and perspective via his poetry. His celebration of the human body and the human spirit in equal measure prompted many critics to call him a sort of prophet who was creating a new American religion through poetry. Leaves of Grass contains many musings and explorations of life's pleasure and pain, along with detailed descriptions of human emotion and  behavior. But above all the theme that comes through frequently is a love of the natural world and the possibility of salvation and redemption (very religious concepts) through immersion in nature and embracing humankind's place amid nature, including plants, animals and all the elements and creators in the world. Although similar viewpoints were espoused by the English Romantic poets like Shelley and Keats (who were definitely an influence upon Whitman's writing), it was not until Whitman's work emerged that this kind of unabashed paganism was expressed in such a straightforward way in contemporary poetry.

Whitman also had strong views about equality and slavery; his experiences witnessing slave auctions affected him deeply and inspired part of his famous poem "I Sing the Body Electric." He was an ardent believer in equal rights for all people, and was a political activist for years, but it was through his poetry that he was able to catalyze and inspire social change and a shift in public consciousness. Leaves of Grass was well received and soon after its first publication Whitman began work on a second edition, which was published by a Boston publisher that was active in the abolitionist movement.

Why does Dolphus Raymond sit outside during the trial?

To keep up the façade of being a drunk who has taken a black mistress and has fathered mixed children, Dolphus Raymond isolates himself from the other white citizens of Maycomb by playing a role.  He truly cares about the outcome of the trial; however, he doesn’t risk being found out that he isn’t a drunk so he can still fit in as much as possible in the white community.  Dolphus Raymond hates the racism he sees dictate the values and beliefs of the Maycomb town folks.  He tells his feelings about race when he comments on the plight of blacks in the community to Scout and Dill.  He tells them about “ . . . the hell white people give colored folks without even stopping to think that they’re people too.”

There is also the possibility that because of his relationship with his black mistress, he may know Tom Robinson.  Although it is never mentioned, his appearance at the trial perhaps suggests that he also has a personal interest in the outcome.  In addition, Raymond may not feel comfortable sitting in the white section of the courthouse.  There is a possibility that he will be ostracized by the other people attending the trial. 

Overall, Raymond is a sensitive, caring man who navigates two worlds, a black one and a white one. Raymond’s interest in the trial probably stems from his loathing for the racism in Maycomb that keeps him pretending to be something he is not. He also hates how blacks are treated in the community. He also has an interest in whether or not Atticus can get Tom off for the crime.  He feels that Atticus is the best man for the job, and Raymond wants to witness the trial but does not want to experience the racist testimony of Bob and Mayella Ewell that eventually leads to the jury passing down a guilty verdict. 

In The Outsiders, what does Randy reveal about why he won't fight in the rumble?

Once Randy gets Ponyboy aside, he tells him that Bob’s death had really shaken him up. He knew that Bob had gone too far and that maybe he deserved to get hurt but that he wasn’t a bad guy. He said that he’d just been looking for someone to stand up to him and set some limits but that no one would ever do it. So he just pushed harder and harder and ended up dead.

Randy tells Pony that he is just tired and sick of it all. He feels like there’s no real point to the fight and that it won’t change anything in the long run. Since he’d be marked as a wimp if he quit in the middle of the fight, he plans to just get all the money he can and run off somewhere.

Why did Paul's mother call the fire department?

Paul’s mom decides to call the fire department after Paul notices the air’s gray tint and foul smell when he steps outside in the morning. Paul’s mom is skeptical at first, but becomes alarmed once she also steps outside. To both family members, the smoke and foul smell are incredibly alarming! Both know that there’s a fire somewhere, but they can’t locate the source of the smoke and foul smell. They look up to check if their house is actually on fire, but they don’t see any flames.

As soon as Paul suggests that the source could be smoldering electrical wire within their house, Paul’s mom quickly dials the fire department.

It turns out that the smoke and bad smell come from a muck fire. Muck fires are common occurences in Florida. They burn underground after lightning strikes buried decomposing vegetation. Since Paul mentions being woken up by lightning strikes the night before, the cause of the muck fire is apparent. For most long-time inhabitants of Florida, a muck fire wouldnt cause any worry; however, because Paul and his mom are new to Tangerine, they understandably panicked.

Their lack of knowledge of Tangerine’s strange natural occurences and disasters is a constant theme throughout the book, as lightning strikes, muck fires, and sink holes continue to make Paul’s already abnormal life even more difficult.

What is the significance of Montag seeing his reflection in Clarisse's eyes?

Montag is on his way home from work, a job that he loves because it allows him to burn and revel in the destruction that fire allows him to create. He is wearing his fireman's uniform, with sigil, and runs into Clarisse for the first time on his way home. In a completely unromantic way, Montag is struck by her eyes and by her direct and guileless manner. She introduces herself and mentions that he doesn't inspire fear in her, letting the reader know that many people in this society are fearful of firemen. 

He saw himself in her eyes, suspended in two shining drops of bright water, himself dark and tiny, in fine detail, the lines about his mouth, everything there, as if her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact. (5)

Montag is momentarily mesmerized by her eyes and it takes him back to his childhood, crystallizing a memory about when technology failed and he used a candle to light his home. Montag's image reflected in Clarisse's eyes signifies how Montag is just a man. He sees a tiny version of himself and he, ever so briefly, connects with Clarisse. In this new society, personal connections are rare and are generally not encouraged. Montag's relationship with his wife, Mildred, juxtaposes itself with this new connection, highlighting their fragmented marriage. 

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, why does Victor's father send him to the University of Ingolstadt?

Victor Frankenstein is the product of an enlightened but perhaps overly-insular family environment. His seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge is, of course, the precipitating theme that propels Mary Shelley’s narrative in her classic of Gothic literature, Frankenstein, but the academic environment in which Victor is immersed in limiting to someone of his unconventional intellectual pursuits. As he notes late in Chapter 2, Victor’s fascination with science—a field in which his father, Alphonse, is not well-versed and, consequently, of little value as far as instruction is concerned—is unrequited in Geneva, and Victor’s father is not unaware of the region’s limitations in this regard. It is for this reason that Alphonse and Victor’s mother decide that their son’s educational needs would be best met in Germany, more specifically, at the university in the town of Ingolstadt. It is at the beginning of chapter 3 that Shelley’s ultimately doomed narrator describes the reason for his departure for Ingolstadt:

“When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt. I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.”

As readers of Frankenstein soon discover, however, Elizabeth contracts scarlet fever and Victor’s beloved mother, determined to attend to the needs of this very special person in her family’s life, tends to the ill young woman. The mother’s constant proximity to the seriously ill Elizabeth results in the former’s contraction of this dreaded disease, and she, the mother, dies soon after. These tragic events cause Victor to delay his departure for Ingolstadt, but, after a “respite of some weeks,” he is on his way to pursue the education and experimentation that will destroy everything he holds dear.

The word "and" is repeated at the beginning of eight different lines in the poem "To The Doctor Who Treated The Raped Baby And Who Felt Such...

When conjunctions are repeated for effect in prose or poetry, the writer is using the literary or stylistic device called polysyndeton.

In this poem, the word "and" is repeated at the beginning of eight different lines. In these lines, the repetition of "and" is linked to the actions the doctor takes to save the life of the brutalized infant. The repetition lends a certain rhythm to the reading of the lines. It highlights the laborious and tenacious efforts of the doctor to save the patient.

The stylistic device of polysyndeton is effective because it emphasizes emotion and effort in this poem. It draws our attention to the horrific crime against the defenseless infant and the unspeakable injuries it must have suffered at the hands of the perpetrator. Also, since the conjunction "and" is repeated at the beginning of the sentences in question, we can even say that the poet is using the stylistic device of anaphora. Again, as with both of these stylistic devices, authors and poets use them to evoke deep emotion in their audience and to emphasize specific points. In this poem, the poet wants to highlight the heinousness of the sexual crime.

The repetition of the word "and" is also effective because the poet links it to images of the aberrant and juxtaposes these against images of the mundane. This clever literary dissonance renders the image of the brutalized infant starker and more immediate to the reader. We are left horrified that such crimes can happen amid the normalcy of everyday life.

In Three Men in a Boat by Jerome, what is the meaning of the subtitle, "A Fishy Tale"?

Some editions of Three Men in a Boat include summary prompts at the beginning of each chapter. One of these tags at the start of Chapter XVII is “A fishy story.” Here J. describes the encounters he and George experience at a local inn in Wallingford. A large trout was mounted in a glass case. Every fisherman that came in had a different story to tell about how he had caught it, how much technique and struggle were involved in the catch, and how much it had weighed. J. and George were amazed at the stories. But when George finally climbed up to get a closer look at the fish, the case fell, and the fish broke into hundreds of pieces. It had been made of plaster of Paris. The narrator played on the dual meanings of the word “fishy.” Yes, the story was about a fish. But it was also odd, suspect, and questionable as far as the truth was concerned. Fishermen are known to exaggerate.

In what chapter of The Giver is the Giver's spouse described?

Spouses are assigned to most adults, but in Chapter 13 we learn that the Giver’s now lives with the childless adults.

In Jonas’s community, families are created very differently.  The community has embraced Sameness wholeheartedly, which means that there are strict rules for everything and almost all decisions are made for the citizens of the community. The family unit is created when two spouses are matched, and then children are added one at a time from the fifty born each year through genetic engineering.

Not everyone in the community has a spouse. Jonas comments that some people are segregated from normal community functions.

Most of the people on the night crew had not even been given spouses because they lacked, somehow, the essential capacity to connect to others, which was required for the creation of a family unit. (Ch. 1)

The family unit is basically designed for the raising of children. This is why there are only two children, a boy and a girl, and the spouses are matched based on compatible personalities.

Even the Matching of Spouses was given such weighty consideration that sometimes an adult who applied to receive a spouse waited months or even years before a Match was approved and announced. All of the factors—disposition, energy level, intelligence, and interests—had to correspond and to interact perfectly. (Ch. 6)

The idea is to maintain a stable community by having stable family units. As soon as the children are grown, the family unit disbands. The children go their way, and the parents go theirs. They have basically no contact after that. Adults with no children live with the Childless Adults until they become old enough to enter the House of the Old, and then they are eventually released.

After Jonas begins his training, the Giver explains to him that having a spouse when you are the Receiver of Memory is a little difficult. He had a spouse, but since their children are grown (well, one is presumably grown, but the other is dead), she lives with the Childless Adults and he has his own special dwelling.

"You'll be able to apply for a spouse, Jonas, if you want to. I'll warn you, though, that it will be difficult. Your living arrangements will have to be different from those of most family units, because the books are forbidden to citizens. You and I are the only ones with access to the books." (Ch. 13)

The Giver explains that there are many aspects of the Receiver’s life that a spouse cannot take part in or understand. Being forbidden to access books is just one part of it. The Receiver knows everything about the history of the community, while all other citizens just assume that things have always been as they are. Memories allow a person to have emotions and feelings, which no one else in the community has.

There is a reason the Giver doesn’t think Jonas should have a family unit. The Giver’s family allowed him to have a daughter who had the same gift he did. Rosemary was selected to be trained as the next Receiver of Memory and the Giver found it difficult to train her properly because he did not want to transmit pain to her. Rosemary’s training resulted in her death, because she was so horrified by what she saw and what she learned about her community that she requested release.

Of the following elements, the one with the smallest atom is : Rb, K, Li, or F. Why?

The smallest atom you have listed would be lithium (Li).  Lithium is the third smallest atom listed on the periodic table of the elements.  It has an atomic number of three, meaning it has three protons in it's nucleus.  It has a mass number of six point nine atomic mass units, meaning it also has three neutrons in it's nucleus.  Lithium has two electrons orbiting the nucleus in it's first energy level, and one third electron in the outer energy level.

The other elements, in order of increasing atomic number would be fluorine (F), atomic number nine, potassium (K), atomic number nineteen, and rubidium, atomic number thirty-seven.  With increasing atomic number, it is reasonable to expect increasing mass number as well.  The corresponding mass numbers for those elements, in increasing mass number order, are fluorine, nineteen, potassium, thirty-nine point one, and rubidium, eighty-five point five.

You have the option to add a new product line to your facility, with capacity to produce 1000 widgets per month. Initial analysis shows that the...

A new product line can be added to the facility with capacity to produce 1000 widgets per month. Information obtained from an early analysis places the break-even point at 500 widgets per month. The demand is estimated at 400 widgets per month at a sales price of $30.

The question does not provide any details on how demand for the widget changes with sales price, the cost of setting up the new product line and other fixed and variable costs involved in producing the widgets.

Considering only the fact that estimated monthly demand is lower than the that required to break even, the new product line should not be added. To increase demand by 100 widgets per month, the sales price would have to be lowered. This would decrease the total earnings from selling the widgets and as a result will further increase the number required to be produced to break even. As demand for the widget is not likely to go up by a large extent, adding the the new product would not benefit the facility.

How is nature used in "The Devil and Tom Walker"?

In "the Devil and Tom Walker," Washington Irving uses natural surroundings to convey both mood and meaning. When Tom Walker first encounters "Old Scratch," the black man wearing a red sash, he is in a swampy area, a shortcut, which turns out to be "an ill-chosen route."

"...a gulf of black, smothering mud; there were also dark and stagnant pools, the abodes of the tadpole, the bull-frog, and the water-snake, where the trunks of pines and hemlocks lay half-drowned, half-rotting, looking like alligators sleeping in the mire." 

Nature here is portrayed as dangerous, ominous, evil, foreboding. Indeed, when Tom kicks a skull he's uncovered, he summons the Devil.

Later, Walker's wife goes out to meet the devil, for herself, to strike her own deal, but never returns. Tom goes out to find her, and to recover the apron full of things she'd taken from the house, silver spoons and other valuables. The following passage shows Irving surrounding employing nature to convey a strong emotional mood.

"...when the owls began to hoot and the bats to flit about, his attention was attracted by the clamor of carrion crows hovering about a cypress-tree. He looked up and beheld a bundle tied in a check apron and hanging in the branches of the tree, with a great vulture perched hard by..."

What Tom Walker finds is not valuables, but her heart and liver.

Despite these obvious warnings, greed gets the better of Tom Walker, and he makes his own deal with the devil.

Name the substance having highest density and state the density of mercury in kg/m^3.

Density is a measure of the mass of a substance in a given volume and is thus given as the ratio of mass and volume of a substance. That is,

density = mass / volume.

Among the naturally occurring materials, the element Osmium is the densest and has a density of 22.5872 g/cm^3 or 22,587.2 kg/m^3. The element Iridium is a very close second, with a density of 22.56 g/cm^3. 

We can also make denser particles or substances. The densest man-made substance is the quark-gluon plasma, created in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). 

The density of the element mercury is 13.5336 g/cm^3. 

It can be converted to kg/m^3, using the fact that there are 1000 grams in a kilogram and 1 million cm^3 in a m^3.

Thus, density = 13.5336 g/cm^3 x 1 kg/1000 g x 10^6 cm^3/m^3 

= 13,533.6 kg/m^3. 

Hope this helps. 

In Tuck Everlasting, what does Winnie do with the spring water that Jesse gave to her?

Jesse Tuck gives Winnie Foster the bottle of spring water in chapter fourteen. Jesse stumbles over his words in an effort to explain why he is giving her the spring water, but he eventually makes it clear that he would like Winnie to drink the water when she is seventeen like him.  

". . . how'd it be if you was to wait till you're seventeen, same age as me—heck, that's only six years off—and then you could go and drink some, and then you could go away with me! We could get married, even. That'd be pretty good, wouldn't it! We could have a grand old time, go all around the world, see everything."

For awhile, Winnie seriously considers Jesse's quasi-proposal, but she never ends up drinking the spring water. Instead, she uses the spring water to give eternal life to the book's reappearing toad. What prompts her to do this is the fact that in chapter 25 the toad is being pestered by a fairly aggressive dog. Winnie pours the spring water over the toad so it never has to worry about being attacked by that dog, or any dog, ever again.  

Winnie pulled out the cork from the mouth of the bottle, and kneeling, she poured the precious water, very slowly and carefully, over the toad. . . Then she stooped and put her hand through the fence and set the toad free. "There!" she said. "You're safe. Forever."

What does Keller say about the time she showed her mother she could spell the word "doll" with her finger?

When Miss Sullivan first arrived at the Keller home to teach Helen, she gave the child a doll.  While Helen played with her new toy, Miss Sullivan spelled the letters "d-o-l-l" into the little girl's hand.  Helen could not make the connection that the letters spelled into her hand were the name of the toy she was playing with.  However, Helen was bright and a fast learner.  She was soon able to mimic the same hand movements that Miss Sullivan had shown her.  She was excited and she felt a sense of pride.  Helen wanted to show her mother the new thing she had learned.  She ran downstairs, "held up [her] hand[,] and made the letters for doll" for her mother to see.  Though Helen was able to accurately make the letter signs, the little girl had no idea what they meant.  At that time, she was merely imitating the movements that her teacher had taught her.

How does Daniel treat Leah differently from the beginning to the end of the novel?

At the beginning of the novel, Daniel views his sister, Leah, as a lost cause. When he first returns home and sees Leah, he mentions that she still had the same fear in her eyes and nothing had changed. At the end of Chapter 10, Daniel shares a significant moment with his sister after their grandmother passes away. He realizes that her demons do not have complete control over her and their relationship slowly begins to develop. After Leah and Daniel move into Simon's house, a servant brings Leah fine linen to create beautiful fabric. Daniel is astonished at Leah's ability to work the loom. Leah thrives in their new home and takes over the chores, and even begins to garden. Daniel becomes proud of his sister and the progress she has made. He cares deeply about Leah but is unable to do what's best for her. Daniel's bitterness and anger drives Leah into a catatonic state over and over again. He develops empathy for his sister and attempts to track down Jesus and Thacia to visit her in hopes that she will be healed. At the end of the novel, Daniel views his sister as a mature, talented woman who is capable of making her own life choices. Daniel recognizes his sister's independence by inviting Marcus into his home.

What is the difference between the template and coding strands of DNA?

Both the coding strand and the template strand of DNA are important in the synthesis of proteins within cells. It is important, however, to be able to distinguish between the two, as DNA is double stranded. The template strand of DNA is generally defined as the strand of the DNA that is copied directly for the synthesis of mRNA.

This differs from the coding strand, which is identical in sequence, to the later mRNA generated by the template strand, with the exception that the generated mRNA contains uracil, while the coding strand of DNA contains thymine at these locations instead. 

Following the separation of these two strands of DNA, an RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the template strand, and begins to synthesize a corresponding mRNA strand. Once this mRNA strand is synthesized from the template strand, it can then be used immediately, or altered, and then used to start forming proteins. Hope this helps! 

Betty, an 83 year old woman, is bedfast due to a severely broken hip. Unfortunately, she has developed a decubitus ulcer. What is a decubitus ulcer...

Decubitus ulcers, commonly known as bed sores, occurs when an area of skin is is constantly exposed to rubbing  and the skin breaks down. This is often seen in immobile patients who do not move or change areas where their body rubs or is pressed against bedding. In its initial stages, decubitus ulcers can be treated by alleviating the pressure to the area using pillows, medical sheepskins or specialized cushions and protecting agains further friction by using powder. In later stages the ulcers become more complicated to treat as the tissues below the skin can also become damaged forming a visible crater and in severe cases, muscles, tendons, bones and joints may also become damaged. 

Decubitus ulcers can be prevented by changing positions and pressure contact points every two hours as well as doing motion exercises when possible and staying hydrated. Proper nutritions and hygiene also has been shown to prevent them. It is important for immobile patients to be examined daily for early signs of the ulcers as open wounds and worsening ulcers can usually be kept at bay. 

How did the tone of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet change through the first six chapters?

During the first six chapters of Hatchet, Brian Robeson begins his transformation into a crafty, tenacious survivor.

The tone of the story shifts between the despair and uncertainty caused by Brian's parents divorce and Brian's logical appraisal of his survival situation.

When Brian thinks about the divorce, his feelings are communicated through clipped, powerful images. The abruptness and clarity of these images effectively communicate the rawness and despair Brian feels.

Conversely, as Brian begins to focus on the forest and his survival in the Canadian wilderness, the reader is treated to detailed, almost beautiful descriptions of the scenery.

"Everything was so green, so green it went into him. The forest was largely made up of pines and spruce, with stands of some low brush smeared here and there and thick grass and some other kind of very small brush all over."

Additionally, these early chapters demonstrate how Brian's thinking begins to change over the course of the book. He begins to examine his situation logically, and to think about training he received when he was younger.

Overall, these early chapters demonstrate a shift from personal struggle to Brian's eventual mastery of his wilderness domain.

Imagine George 5 years after the death of Lennie. Write a short scene (300-500 words) in which we learn what George is doing now and how he thinks...

A few miles south of St. Helena the rows of grapevines stretched as far as the eye could see. Bundles of deep purple grapes hung heavy on the vines. It was harvest time in the Napa Valley. A warm August morning dawned and George was preparing for another day of labor. For the last two years he had worked on this winery and had saved enough money that he soon planned to buy a piece of land where he would grow his own grapes.

For three years after the death of Lennie, George had tramped through California. He picked cotton near Fresno, milked cows at a dairy near Santa Maria and worked sugar beets for Spreckels in Salinas. He would work a week and take his pay. Then he might sit in a poolroom, drink some whiskey and, every once in a while, spend the night in a cathouse. For about a year Slim had traveled with him until the skinner had found a permanent job on a horse ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. 

"Hey George!" came a voice from behind a shed near the first row of Cabernet grapes. "Hi'ya Earl, ready for a hard day's work? We got plenty of grapes to bring in," returned George.

"Sure," said Earl. "But I wish that fella you was tellin' me about yesterday was still alive. We could use a strong guy like that to do some of this work."

For five years George had not spoken about Lennie and the events that took place all those years before on the ranch near Soledad. When he finally opened up to Earl the night before, he described Lennie in almost mythical terms. The big man could outwork any two men and could easily lift a four hundred pound bale of barley without breaking a sweat. He told Earl about the fight in the bunkhouse and how much Curley deserved to have his hand crushed by Lennie after picking a fight with the big man. 

He went on to explain that Curley's wife must have done something to set Lennie off and that the girl was a tart. Lennie never would have done anything out of sheer meanness. It wasn't Lennie's fault that he often didn't know his own strength.

George also described the scene near the Salinas River where he had to shoot Lennie. George had taken a gun from the ranch. He remembered the words of Candy who regretted that he had let a stranger kill his dog. George decided he would not let someone else kill Lennie. Tears came to his eyes as he talked about putting the gun to the back of Lennie's head. His consolation was that Lennie never suffered. The shot was clean and Lennie never even quivered.

"It sounds to me like you had to do it George," said Earl. "Nothin' else you coulda' done. Slim was right. You shouldn't feel guilty."

Earl's words soothed George and he thought to himself that once he did get that piece of land he would probably raise a few rabbits in memory of his best friend.

What does the following quote mean? “[...] Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain/ That had a heart to love, and in that heart/...

In Act 2, Scene 3, Macduff discovers Duncan's dead body, and Macbeth and Lennox go into the bedchamber to see it for themselves. (Of course, Macbeth is acting because he killed Duncan himself a few hours earlier.) While Macbeth and Lennox are in the room, Macbeth kills the two chamberlains that he and Lady Macbeth framed for the murder. When Macduff asks him why he killed them, Macbeth says,

          Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious,
          Loyal, and neutral, in a moment?  No man.
          Th' expedition of my violent love
          Outrun the pauser, reason. (2.3.126-129)

In other words, he asks, who can think clearly when he feels all these big, conflicting feelings at once? He insists that his overwhelming love for Duncan outstripped his reason, and in saying that "No man" could love so much and not act as he did, Macbeth actually implies that he loved the king the most! He says that the murderers were

          Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers
          Unmannerly breeched with gore.  Who could refrain
          That had a heart to love, and in that heart
          Courage to make 's love known?

The murderers were covered with blood, their daggers still coated with the gore of the murder. He asks, who -- if he really loved Duncan and had the courage to show it -- could see this sight and NOT kill the king's murderers? Again, he implies that he was one who most loved the king: pretty ironic since he was the real murderer.

`u = ` Use the dot product to find the magnitude of u.

The magnitude of a vector `u` is the square root of its product by itself, because

`u*u=||u||*||u||*cos(theta),`

`and theta=0,` `cos(theta)=1.` So

`||u||=sqrt(u*u)=sqrt(lt4,-6gt*lt4,-6gt)=`

`=sqrt(4*4+(-6)*(-6))=sqrt(16+36)=sqrt(52)=2sqrt(13) approx 7.2.`

How did sectionalism separate the United states over economical issues?

Sectionalism impacted the United States in many ways. One of the ways was regarding economic issues.

The South and the North were very different economically. The South was primarily a farming region. The North was mainly an industrial area. Therefore, the economic needs of each region were different. The North wanted the government to protect their industries. They wanted high protective tariffs on products made in other countries, especially those products made in Europe. This would make European products more expensive. As a result, people would buy American products. This would benefit the northern industries.

The South was against the protective tariff. The protective tariff made it more expensive for the South to buy products they needed. Since they bought products from Europe, the cost of those products increased because of the protective tariff. The protective tariff also could hurt the trade the South had with Europe.

The North wanted internal improvement projects. These projects would aid in the transportation of products. However, internal improvement products caused taxes to rise since it costs money to build roads and canals. The South was generally against these projects because many southerners traveled by using the rivers. They didn’t want to pay more in taxes for these internal improvement products.

There were economic differences between the North and the South. These differences helped to divide these regions.

What is semiology?

Semiology, known more commonly as semiotics, is an academic field that studies how meaning is made and communicated via signs and symbols.

Semiotics studies the relationship between a signifier and the signified, or the relationship between a symbol and the thing the symbol stands for. In our culture, we use symbols all the time. Numbers and letters are common examples of symbols that can make meaning. 

For example, the word "apple" is a string of the symbols a, p, p, l, and e. Semiologists study how it is that we as humans have allowed that particular string of symbols to represent a real, physical apple. The word "apple" is not actually an apple; it is just a symbol that we use to communicate about actual apples.

Applying academic language to our example above, the word "apple" is the signifier, and the actual apple is the signified. 

Semiology as an academic field is unique because it straddles the line between quantitative and qualitative science. Semiologists study the connection between objective, empirically-observable symbols and subjective psychological meaning.

Offer an overall critique of the book The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.

Erik Larson's narrative non-fiction book The Devil in the White City tells the history of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, also known as the Columbian Exposition. He tells this story the way no one has told it before, using primary sources such as newspaper articles from the time, journals, first-person accounts, and other sources to intertwine the story of two very different men--Daniel H. Burnham, the architect who built the fair, and H.H. Holmes, a con man and murderer who uses the fair and its anonymity to deceive and kill. By any account, the results are masterful, and the book is very compelling. 

Though each reader is entitled to his or her own opinion, most critics and readers agree that The Devil in the White City is a masterful and well-done history. First of all, his use of new types of sources broadens and enriches the story that Larson tells. Second, by combining the stories of Burnham and Holmes, Larson makes the point that the anonymity afforded by new modern cities allows for greatness and evil to co-exist. Third, the story is very suspenseful and readable. While some books of history bog down in unnecessary detail, Larson's use of a strong narrative and his use of vivid details that re-create the time period make this a very compelling book. 

In the book Night, how do the prisoners manage to go on to run for miles, in deep snow?

The prisoners had prior information about their evacuation from Buna. It was winter, and the Russian army was advancing towards the camp. In the morning, on the day of their evacuation, the prisoners prepared for the journey. They wore layers upon layers of prison clothes to keep warm.

IN THE MORNING, the camp did not look the same. The prisoners
showed up in all kinds of strange garb; it looked like a
masquerade. We each had put on several garments, one over the
other, to better protect ourselves from the cold.

They also stocked up on their ration of food. At nightfall, the prisoners were asked t fall into ranks, and the journey out of Buna commenced. Fear of death significantly motivated the prisoners to move faster in the deep snow. The SS had orders to shoot anyone who slowed down, and they did not hesitate to carry out the orders. The journey started with the prisoners walking, but on orders of the SS, the prisoners were forced to increase their pace.

In summary, it was mostly their will to survive that motivated them to proceed with the journey under harsh conditions.

What was the author's purpose in writing "The Wife of his Youth"?

Charles Chesnutt wrote "The Wife of his Youth" to make a social statement. When he wrote this story, it was a difficult time for African-Americans. Slavery had been abolished and African-Americans were trying to integrate into mainstream society--a difficult task. Because many African-Americans were mixed race, the lighter complexioned people had more upward mobility because they looked closer to white people. 

In this story, the main character, Mr. Ryder, is fair-skinned and a respected member of the blue vein society. He, like the other members, believes that they should marry and socialize with light-skinned people in order to advance more easily in society. When Liza, his first wife, comes back into his life, Mr. Ryder is conflicted because she is very dark, uneducated, and representative of a lower class of African-Americans--the very class he is trying to escape. By accepting her at the end and acknowledging her as his wife, Mr. Ryder shows that while they may be anxious to move up in the world, they must not forget their past or their heritage. That is the purpose Chesnutt had in mind when writing this story--remembering one's past.

In your opinion, what does it mean to be equal? Does being equal mean that everyone must be the same? What do you feel is Vonnegut's view on equality?

For the most part, when we talk about equality, we really mean equal opportunity. There's this idea, particularly by those who have never had to fight for equality, that any discussion of making things equal automatically means that those at the top are automatically going to get hurt. For example, these folks believe that affirmative action policies automatically mean that white males will face reverse discrimination in college admissions. In reality, most of these policies, particularly their goals, is to ensure equal opportunity for minorities who might not have had the same chances as their white counterparts.

Kurt Vonnegut explores this idea of equality in "Harrison Bergeron" when all Americans are "equal" by law. But this doesn't mean that everyone has equal opportunities. Instead, this means the following:

"Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else."

In other words, Vonnegut's idea of equality means that society, even the physically and intellectually superior members of it, has been reduced to a lowest common denominator. There is no chance at excelling, which contradicts my definition of equality.

Those in Vonnegut's dystopian society welcome this version of equality, however. They see this form of equality as one that removes much of the conflict that inequality created in the years before. George Bergeron says this when his wife tells him to remove some of the handicaps that make him "equal" to her:

"If I tried to get away with it [...] then other people'd get away with it—and pretty soon we'd be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn't like that, would you?"

Overall, Vonnegut plays on the ideas of equality to create his world in "Harrison Bergeron." He is able to use our preconceived ideas of equality to create a world that no one would want to be part of.

What do the two wealthy gentlemen offer Henry?

The two wealthy English gentlemen have a bet of twenty-thousand pounds which the narrator explains as follows:

Well, the brothers, chatting along, happened to get to wondering what might be the fate of a perfectly honest and intelligent stranger who should be turned adrift in London without a friend, and with no money but that million-pound bank-note, and no way to account for his being in possession of it. Brother A said he would starve to death; Brother B said he wouldn't. Brother A said he couldn't offer it at a bank or anywhere else, because he would be arrested on the spot. So they went on disputing till Brother B said he would bet twenty thousand pounds that the man would live thirty days, anyway, on that million, and keep out of jail, too. Brother A took him up.

They take a long time to select the man to whom they will entrust the million-pound bank-note. Finally they choose the narrator, whose name is Henry Adams, because he looks intelligent and trustworthy, even though he is penniless and nearly starving to death. Henry really is a trustworthy man. When he finds that they have apparently given him a million-pound bank-note by mistake, he goes back to their offices and tries to return it. But he is told they will be out of town for a month, and he is given a letter from one of the two brothers which reads as follows:

"You are an intelligent and honest man, as one may see by your face. We conceive you to be poor and a stranger. Enclosed you will find a sum of money. It is lent to you for thirty days, without interest....I have a bet on you. If I win it you shall have any situation that is in my gift - any, that is, that you shall be able to prove yourself familiar with and competent to fill."

Mark Twain manages to make this preposterous premise credible. Henry Adams has no money except for a bank-note worth a million pounds. He quickly finds out that the mere sight of it makes a staggering impression on anyone he offers it to as payment for some relatively trivial purchase. Nobody can cash such a bank-note, but everybody is more than willing to give Henry anything he wants on credit. At first he is taken for an eccentric millionaire because of his shabby clothing, but he soon changes his appearance by ordering a whole new wardrobe of tailor-made clothes, along with some ready-made clothes which had been left there by his Serene Highness the Hospodar of Halifax.

By the end of the story, Henry Adams has become a millionaire and is married to a beautiful girl who turns out to be the stepdaughter of one of the two fabulously wealthy brothers who initially entrusted him with the million-pound bank-note.

Mark Twain's premise has been copied innumerable times since the story was published in 1893. Brewster's Millions, for example, a novel by George Barr McCutcheon published in 1902, has been adapted into films ten times.

What are the changes in the main characters in The Merchant of Venice?

All of the characters have changed by the end of “The Merchant of Venice”. In fact, “The Merchant of Venice” could be framed as a play about what happens to you and how you change after you get your heart’s desire: most of these characters start out wanting something or someone in the first part of the play and by the end they get what they want. Unfortunately for them, it does not always bring them the sort of happiness and fulfillment that they may have thought it would. Bassanio wants money in the first scene, because ultimately he wants to win Portia, and he wins both Portia and all the money he could ever need. Portia is in love with Bassanio and needs him to win the “casket challenge”, then later wants to help him rescue his friend. The challenge and the rescue work out well too. Antonio puts his life on the line for Bassanio, a gamble that almost costs him his life but ends up not only working but also winning him far more money than he ever risked. Gratiano and Nerissa are interested in each other from their first meeting, and by the end they are married. Lorenzo and Jessica take tremendous risks to be together and Jessica even converts to Christianity for his sake. By the end, yep, they’ve successfully beaten the odds and are going to live happily ever after…

But hold on, is that really it? Act 5 of this play is interesting because it shows us the first few moments that come right after “happily ever after”. They’ve all gotten what they want, but there’s some testiness and strain on all of the relationships: Jessica begins to worry about her father and the life she left behind and she and Lorenzo are a bit on the outs. Bassanio and Gratiano both utterly failed to keep one simple promise to each of their wives and the wives’ disappointment is palpable. By helping the friend he loves most in the world, Antonio has lost him, and it’s unclear what he will do with himself now. They all experience an amount of loss and disappointment that is new to them and must figure out how to cope.

All this is contrasted with the fate of Shylock, who perhaps changes most of all, but who goes on an utterly different journey in the play. Shylock starts out on top but his life is destroyed by his interaction with the Venetians. He starts the play wealthy and secure and ends up impoverished, broken, and stripped of his identity and religious faith in a way that stands in sharp contrast to the happy if uneasy fates of the other characters. The bitter awareness of his change of fortunes haunts the last act for the audience.

Is the story mostly about Della and Jim?

In one word. Yes.  The story is mostly about Jim and Della.  They are a poor couple and when Christmas rolls around, they are at a loss of what to do on account of their finances.  They deeply love each other, but they do not know how to express that love.  So, Della concocts an idea.  She will sell her hair and buy her love, Jim, a chain for his watch. 

In the meantime, Jim sells his beloved watch to buy combs for Della's hair. Without them knowing, they enact something beautiful.  They offer costly gift at their own expense.  In other words, they gave up something they held precious and gave it away to benefit another person. By doing so, they proved to be wise.  They showed great generosity.  More pertinently, they had the spirit of the ancient Magi who came to the baby Jesus and offered gifts. Here is how O. Henry ends the short story:

The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-child... Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise.

What are the disadvantages of the fourth generation of computer?

The fourth generation computers are characterized by microprocessors, which contain a large number of integrated circuits (IC). The first microprocessor chip, Intel 4004 chip, was developed in 1971. Very large scale integration (VLSI) allowed a large number of ICs to be squeezed onto a single chip, resulting in microprocessors that power these computer and a large number of other devices. The computers that we use today are all fourth generation systems.

The disadvantage of these computers is that the microprocessor design and fabrication is very complex and requires expensive setup and highly skilled staff for manufacturing. This has limited the design and fabrication to very few companies (Intel, AMD, etc.) and made everyone dependent on them. Another disadvantage is susceptibility to large-scale attack on networked system. Smaller computers meant that they could be networked, paving the way for internet. This also leaves the possibility of a virus attack on the entire system, making everyone vulnerable. 

Hope this helps. 

What is a summary of Chapter 4 of The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck?

Chapter 4 takes place on Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter.  Almost all of the chapter takes place at the grocery store, where Ethan has a series of conversations with other people:

• his wife Mary, before he leaves for work


• Stonewall Jackson Smith, the cop


• Joey Morphy, who works at the bank next door


• Margie Young-Hunt, who flirts with him


• Mr. Baker, the banker


• Marullo, Ethan's boss


• the salesman who has already offered Ethan a bribe


• and Mary, his wife, again, this time on the phone

This is not counting the long speech that Ethan gives to the groceries when no one else is around. 

In each of these conversations, we see foreshadowing of the transformation that Ethan is preparing to go through.  For example, with Stonewall Jackson and with Joey Morphy, Ethan discusses a bank robbery (something he will later attempt). To Stonewall Jackson, Ethan also mentions his childhood friend Danny Taylor, now a pitiful drunk, whom Ethan will later betray in order to get his family's land. In talking to the groceries, Ethan discusses how people can mentally prepare themselves to do things they know are wrong, how his ancestors got their money through piracy (rationalized as patriotism), and how all money, if you keep it long enough, becomes respectable. When talking to the salesman who earlier tried to bribe him, Ethan still turns him down, but this time with words ambiguous enough to make the man think he is actually bargaining for a bigger kickback. 

Ethan begins the chapter talking about his Aunt Deborah, who instilled in him a fresh and immediate belief in Jesus' death and resurrection. He also recalls a time when he mentally consulted his grandfather, the Cap'n, for strength to do something difficult, and the Cap'n gave it to him. This is the person that Ethan has been until now: reverent, upright, willing to do the hard thing even though it may not benefit him, and filled with love and respect for his older relatives and the morals they taught him.  

But in the rest of the chapter, we see him laying the groundwork so that he can become a very different person: deceptive, conniving, willing to use other people in order to get himself some money and status in the world. He is ready to learn not from his upright ancestors, but from the cynical Joey, the corrupt Baker, and the salesman. He will become like them and beat them at their own game.

The perceptive Margie notices that Ethan doesn't "seem like the same man. ... What caused it?" Ethan responds, "Maybe I'm sick of being a grocery clerk."

What advances were made by these ancient cultures-the Yanshoa, the Longshan, the Xia,the Shang, and the Zhou?

Since this question asks to discuss over 5,000 years of Chinese history, it is going to be difficult to discuss any one of the periods at great length. The Yan Shao civilization was during the neolithic period and the people practiced advanced farming methods during this time, relying mostly on millet. There is evidence of the beginnings of rice farming during the period. The Yan Shao improved farming technologies including the use of the grinding stone for the production of flour. The Yan Shao also developed early pottery and there is evidence of silk and hemp production as well.

The Longshan culture saw the introduction of copper and increased domestication of animals. New tools were fashioned including a type of drill and more advanced shovels. Pottery production became more efficient. There is early evidence of oracle bones that would become prominent during the Shang period. The Longshan period saw the establishment of early social structures in China.

The first Chinese dynasty was the Xia Dynasty. They were the first to use irrigation for farming. The Xia also introduced the use of bronze to China, which helped it to create a very strong army. The Shang Dynasty continued the mastery of bronze to create more sophisticated implements. The Shang is credited with the development of writing in China and were the first record keepers. In addition to the horse-drawn chariot, the Shang also developed a decimal system and 12-month calendar.

The Zhou dynasty introduced the utilization of iron in China. This had a profound effect on warfare and agriculture. They improved government by utilizing Confucian ideals and the social system was changed to enhance the position of scholars. The Zhou were known to produce glass and to create objects that included gold and silver. The Zhou are also credited with creating the first geographical maps and for discovering magnetism.

What are some quotes symbolizing water in Part 2 of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury?

In Part 2 of Fahrenheit 451, water is used to signify three things: life, knowledge, or death. First, Captain Beatty quotes Pope about the Pierian spring in order to make a point to Montag:

"A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again" (106).

Since the Pierian spring is believed to be a fountain of knowledge, it is easy to connect water with knowledge in this allusion. Beatty says that Montag became a "drunkard" for a little while as he was reading books and adding to his well of knowledge. In response to Beatty's arguments, Faber counters by telling Montag, "He's muddying the water!" (107). It is interesting that Faber uses water imagery as he warns Montag not to allow himself to become confused by everything that Captain Beatty is saying. Faber uses "muddying" to suggest that Beatty is making things dirty, or confused. Basically, Faber wants Montag to know that Beatty is taking words and quotes out of context to fit his argument and to be aware of it. This also suggests that knowledge is only good if it is clean, clear and honest. If a person learns incorrect facts, for example, then the knowledge is useless or muddy.

Next, when Faber is teaching Montag about why books are hated and feared in their society, he uses an analogy of how flowers grow. Flowers are a part of the circle of life and they need water, sun, and dirt to live. Society also has a cycle that should involve knowledge, love and fun (among other things); but their society only values fun. Faber says the following:

"We are living in a time when flowers are trying to live on flowers, instead of growing on good rain and black loam. . . Yet somehow we think we can grow, feeding on flowers and fireworks, without completing the cycle back to reality" (83).

In the above quote, rain (water) is an essential part of a flower's growth and life. Faber is suggesting that their society is missing knowledge as an essential part of the cycle of human life; and as shown above, water also represents knowledge. Faber is saying that their society is missing this one key ingredient that would help them recognize reality. As it is, everyone in their city lives on pleasure-seeking fantasies rather than the search for knowledge and reality.

Finally, water can represent death, and, playing with the analogy that water equals knowledge, a person without knowledge isn't really living. However, Captain Beatty has a lot of knowledge and can verbally counter-attack anything Montag might say in favor of learning and reading. So, Montag asks Faber to help him when he faces Beatty again. Montag references water by asking Faber the following:

"Can you help me in any way tonight, with the Fire Captain? I need an umbrella to keep off the rain. I'm so damned afraid I'll drown if he gets me again" (89).

This quote shows that Captain Beatty can fire off a rainstorm of information at Montag before he can defend his position. The rain (water) mentioned here represents Beatty's knowledgeable comments pouring down on Montag to the point that he might drown and lose the verbal battle. In this case, water (knowledge) is used to dampen one's spirits rather than to uplift and edify.

Which nations helped the North during the American Civil War?

With the exception of some token gestures, no nations actively helped the Union during the Civil War. Russia under Tsar Alexander II was perhaps the most vocal in its support for the Union cause, but never offered anything beyond moral support. One might argue that Great Britain and France helped the Union (and indeed guaranteed its ultimate victory) by their refusal to recognize the Confederacy, to challenge the Northern blockade of the South, or to try to broker a mediated peace. But this would be overlooking the fact that both nations supplied the Confederacy with money, weapons, and other war materiel throughout the early years of the conflict. The Civil War was followed intently throughout the world, and many nations sent military observers to watch the conflict up close, a common practice at the time. But no nation provided significant material or military assistance to the North during the conflict. 

What are similarities between the stories Trifles and "A Jury of Her Peers"?

Susan Glaspell is successfully able to transform her play Trifles into what would become her most famous story, "A Jury of Her Peers". 

In reality, it is easier to extrapolate the differences between the two works, more so even than the similarities. This is because a contrasting view of the two pieces helps us see which of the two carries with it more information, or offers more insight into the mindset of the characters. 

Since that is not an option, let's then look closely at how the two are similar. 

1. Central problem 

Both, the play and the story, have the same central problem. It is about the murder of John Wright by his wife, Minnie. The peripheral issue surrounding the central problem is also there. Namely, that the women have just discovered a motive for the murder, which may serve as key evidence to accuse Minnie Wright of murder. Hence, the women will try their best to conceal the evidence from the prying eyes of the male investigator, from the sheriff, and  from John Hale. 

2. Witness and investigators

As stated before, the witnesses are the same in "A Jury of Her Peers" as they are in Trifles. The county attorney, John Hale, and the sheriff, Mr. Peters, are the men actively looking for the cues around the house.

3. Names of the characters

Glaspell also keeps the names of each characters the same. Moreover, the female characters, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, also continue to address one another by their formal, married names. This means that, in both works, they maintain the same level of formality while still being able to bond at a higher level on behalf of Minnie. 

4. Location

The location of the story and that of the play are also the same. It is an isolated farm, in the middle of a non-stop winter. The inclement weather is also there, coloring the tone and atmosphere of the story with undertones of loneliness, isolation, and even desperation. 

5. Evidence

The evidence which directly points to Minnie Wright as the person responsible of committing the murder of John Wright is the same in the play and in the story. They include (in both works)

• the fruit compotes (which blew up with the winter cold)


• the dire condition of the house


• the unkempt kitchen


• the rope


• the disarrayed stitching pattern 


• the cage of the canary


• the hinged door of the canary's cage


• the body of the canary stuffed inside a box in a drawer

6. Background issues

The personal issues of each character, along with their prejudices, are also present in the story "A Jury of Her Peers", the way that they are in the play. The county attorney has an issue with women.  Sheriff Peters keeps laughing at them. Mrs. Hale still regrets not having gone to see Minnie Wright in years; she also remembers Minnie and how different she was before she got married to John. Mrs. Peters still has a deep issue with isolation and silence; in both works she remembers the death of her only child at age 2, and how the stillness and silence of the household was unbearable.

7. The decision to withhold evidence

The women of the story are more than just "true to their sex" like the county attorney suggested of Mrs. Hale, upon witnessing her defending Minnie's messy house. Rather than just "cheering" for a fellow female, they are actually quite aware of the reality of domestic violence that must have taken place in the Wright household. They are also aware that such degree of violence would have made any woman snap. 

Therefore, the story "A Jury of Her Peers" and Trifles keep the key elements that make them such unique works of literature intact. The basic gist remains the same, as well as the problem, the names of the characters, the evidence, and the ultimate discovery that Minnie is definitely responsible, albeit she does it due to an extreme reaction to domestic abuse. 

When did Freedom Riders take place?

The Freedom Riders were people who were involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. They came into the South to draw attention to the segregation that existed in the South. They were often met with fierce resistance by white southerners.

One of the goals of the Freedom Riders was to highlight segregation that existed in bus terminals in the South. While this segregation was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in 1960, the segregation continued to exist in the bus terminals. One of the more famous and well-publicized situations involving the Freedom Riders involved a group that came from Washington, D.C. in May 1961. When they got to Anniston, Alabama, a group of whites surrounded the bus and punctured the tires. When the bus left the town, the tires went flat, causing the bus to come to a halt. Then a bomb was thrown into the bus, setting it on fire. While the Freedom Riders watched their bus burn, they were attacked by the white mob. Another bus on that same day also encountered violence when it arrived in Birmingham, Alabama. The pictures of these events were captured and shown across the nation. This drew more attention to what the Freedom Riders were trying to accomplish. 

Additional Freedom Riders came to the South and experienced the same results. They were beaten by white mobs. The federal government sent in federal marshals to restore order after a beating occurred in Montgomery, Alabama, also in May 1961. The Freedom Riders didn’t give up on their goal to integrate bus terminals. More Freedom Rides were held, in 1961 and eventually, the federal government ordered that the interstate bus terminals must be integrated.

With much courage, bravery, and sacrifice, the Freedom Riders were able to help reduce the segregation that existed in the South.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, when Grandmother disagrees with the Nazi views, how does the family react? What role does she play in the novel?...

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, the Grandmother's disapproval is not at first understood. She has the opposite reaction of Grandfather when their son is promoted to Commandant. She never forgives him for his actions and this causes a rift.

Later Father understands why his mother would be horrified, but at the time he was caught up in the Nazi movement, like everyone else. Grandmother is the voice of reason and perspective. She demonstrates the rightful aversion to Nazism. Her role in the novel is to represent the opposition non-supporters experienced. Her correct reasoning is not met with understanding. Her judgment is not understood.

In the end, of course, Father understands that killing innocent people is not right, no matter what reason, no matter what movement. In this way, Grandmother symbolizes perspective. She was able to empathize with the victims and see the truth behind what was happening at concentration camps. She did not get caught up in the moment, and could see for herself, with individual eyes, the difference between right and wrong. Father and the others had no perspective. They did not understand how history would see them. Grandmother did.

How does King Duncan feel at the Macbeth estate?

When King Duncan arrives at the Macbeth castle, he believes himself to be warmly welcomed. He knows that Macbeth recently fought bravely on the battlefield to help Duncan defeat his enemies. He knows the Macbeths have every reason to be grateful to him for making Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor. As such, he has no reason to expect anything but the hospitable reception chivalry deems appropriate. He expects his hosts to care for him, feed him and entertain him. The castle seems pleasant and peaceful to him as he enters the courtyard. 

As an audience, however, we know what Duncan does not: his hosts have plotted to murder him while he is under their protection, so that Macbeth can become king. This is an example of dramatic irony: the audience is aware of the danger while Duncan is floating along happily, blithely unconcerned and unsuspecting.

What was the address of the Center for Retarded Adults at Beekman University in Flowers for Algernon?

Charlie studied at the Center for Retarded Adults, a special program in Beekman University in New York City. His journey to the University begins at work at the bakery. He asks his coworker, Joe Carp, how Joe learned to read, because Charlie wanted to learn too. Joe laughed, but a kind co-worker of Charlie's, Fanny Birden, told him about the Center for Retarded Adults, which she had heard about from her cousin who studied at Beekman. This is an instance where Charlie shows extraordinary initiative and a thirst for learning, which is a theme in his personality throughout the book. 

Charlie went to the University and by chance the first person he approached was Miss Kinian, who taught at the Center for Retarded Adults. She tells him to register and that she will teach him how to read. We find out the address of the building much later on in the story, when Charlie returns to the Center post-surgery. He is changed; he is now very intelligent and has gained social skills. 

June 6 - I had not been back to the Center for Retarded Adults since the operation,
and the thought of seeing the place was exciting. It's on Twenty-third
Street, east of Fifth Avenue, in an old schoolhouse that has been used by the
Beekman University Clinic for the last five years as a center for experimental education--special classes for the handicapped. The sign outside
on the doorway, framed by the old spiked gateway, is just a gleaming brass plate that says C. R. A. Beekman Extension.

The first time he enters the University and the second show a huge contrast between his abilities and behavior then and now.

How does the prophecy of the three witches affect the actions of Macbeth?

In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the three witches offer Macbeth premonitions on two occasions that cause Macbeth to tempt fate and act rashly in order to ensure that the prophecies come true.  When Macbeth and Banquo first meet the witches, they proclaim that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and then become King afterwards, but Macbeth has some doubt.  Soon after, he learns that Duncan has named him the Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his valiant service on the battlefield, and this news spurs Macbeth into believing that there is truth in the prophecy.  Rather than waiting to see how fate will lead to his becoming King, Macbeth is fueled by his own greed and ambition to make the prophecy happen quicker, so he plots to kill Duncan.  

Later in Act 4, Macbeth seeks out the witches to get another prophecy to confirm that he will remain King.  But this time, all that Macbeth reasons from the prophecy is that he needs to beware Macduff, so he plots to have Macduff and his family killed.  Macbeth does not consider that the other parts of the prophecy could be true, so he initially ignores them, feeling secure in his position as King.  Macbeth's greed and arrogance ultimately leads to his downfall.

How would your reaction (to events in the plot) be different if you didn't know what both characters were thinking?

This story certainly employs an omniscient narrator. So, the reader does get a clear idea about both Georg's and Ulrich's feelings towards one another. 

The narrator gives the details of the longstanding feud. And the narrator adds the way both men think about one another: "as boys they had thirsted for one another’s blood, as men each prayed that misfortune might fall on the other." Then, the narrator provides their thoughts as they approach one another: 

If only on this wild night, in this dark, lone spot, he might come across Georg Znaeym, man to man, with none to witness—that was the wish that was uppermost in his thoughts. 

The two enemies stood glaring at one another for a long silent moment. Each had a rifle in his hand, each had hate in his heart and murder uppermost in his mind.

This intense build up of hate, animosity, and murder makes the inevitable truce that much more incredible. Without the narrator's insight into the incredible hate these men have for one another, the shock of the peaceful truce would simply be much less dramatic and less interesting. Also, without these insights into the men's thoughts, the reader would not assume that they wanted to kill one another. Upon their meeting in the woods, one might expect nothing more than a verbal disagreement about land ownership. The characters' thoughts are quite important in establishing their motives and in setting up the dramatic reversal when they become friends. 

After they are pinned beneath the tree, the dialogue does suggest the kind of hate alluded to in their previously revealed thoughts. But without those previous thoughts, the reader might assume that their mutual anger has emerged from their frustrations of being trapped under the tree. Without the insights of their thoughts, we don't know how much they really hate one another. And without that foreknowledge, the dramatic reconciliation would simply not be that shocking. 

What part of "The Pit and the Pendulum" did you find most suspenseful? Why?

The part of The Pit and the Pendulum that I always find the most suspenseful is the part about the pendulum. It starts with the narrator noticing that the painting of Time on the ceiling had a pendulum instead of scythe, and then, although he is not sure, he thinks he sees the pendulum moving. At that point, the pendulum is barely moving, which makes the narrator lose interest and start to look around. Later, the narrator returns his gaze to the pendulum to see that the swing of the pendulum had increased in speed and width, and that the entire thing had descended a noticeable amount. He spends what he thinks could be days just watching the pendulum coming closer and closer to him, but all he can do is wait until it reaches him.

Thanks to the way Poe writes the narrator's internal reactions, the readers also feel the tension as we wait for the pendulum to finally reach the narrator. Poe drags out the experience, spending one-third of the short story describing how the pendulum brings slowly impending doom for the narrator, which is more than he spends on any other one thing. The episode with the pendulum is slow and long (in relation to the rest of the story), just as the narrator experiences the slow and long process of the pendulum gaining speed and descending toward him.