What genre of books did Bud's mother like in Bud, Not Buddy?

In Chapter Nine of Bud, Not Buddy, Bud goes to the mission for breakfast, but his "family" (the people who helped him in the food line and provided him with brown sugar for his oatmeal) are not there. He eats alone and then heads to the library, where he sits under a tree and waits for the doors to open.

Once the library opens, Bud enters and sees the same librarian that had been there before. Bud asks this friendly librarian for a pencil, a piece of paper, and a book that will tell him the distance between two cities. The librarian provides him with these things, and also comments that she recognizes Bud-- she used to see Bud and his mother come to the library "a long time ago." The librarian then recalls:

And if I remember correctly you and your mother had quite different tastes in books. I remember your mother used to like mysteries and fairy tales, isn't that so? ...And you're the little fellow who used to come in all the time and ask Miss Hill for books about the Civil War, aren't you?

All of this is indeed true, and Bud is pleasantly surprised that this woman remembered his and his mother's preferences in literature. 

What is the real "gift" referred to the title?

This is a good but difficult question, because of the word, "real."  All answers will be a matter of opinion.  Therefore, in my opinion, the real gift is a paradox.  It is the idea that giving is the best form of receiving. The books of Acts 20:35 in the New Testament offer this sentiment:

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

If we apply this insight to the text, then we can say that Jim and Della received so much, because they gave.  In other words, when they forgot about themselves and sought to give and they actually gave, they saw the priceless expression on each other.  Jim was filled with joy in the end in that he could give something to Della that would mean so much to her. Like wise, Della was filled with joy in that she could give something to Jim that would mean so much to him.  

The act of giving was the gift they received.  To increase the joy in another is the gift.  This is why that O. Henry said that they were wise. 

In the book "The Giver" what do the kids receive at the age of 5 and 6?

I can answer this question negatively or positively.  I'll start with the negative answer.  

At at age four, the children are given jackets that button up and down on the back.  Those jackets are meant to teach interdependence.  A person cannot button up and zip down their jacket without the help of another member of society.  At age 5 and 6, the children do not get anything new.  They have to keep wearing the jackets.  At age seven, the kids are given jackets that button in the front. Maybe at 5 and 6, the kids are given newer jackets to account for their growth, but the item itself isn't different.  It's just a bigger jacket.  

To put it positively, when the kids turn five and six, they get to keep wearing those jackets! 

Fours, Fives, and Sixes all wore jackets that fastened down the back so that they would have to help each other dress and would learn interdependence. 

Why does Victor refuse to build Frankenstein a wife?

In the book, Frankenstein, Victor considered making a fellow creature so that the creature might not be alone. After hearing the creature’s speech about being companionless, Victor considers creating a fellow being for the creature. However, Victor soon rejects this idea after examining the possible repercussions. 

First, Victor is afraid that the new female creature might reject the original creature or his ideas. While Victor is thinking, he becomes afraid that the new creation might despise the old creature or might reject the contract that the old creature proposed (of them moving into the wilderness and living alone). If this rejection occurred, Victor feared the consequences might cause disastrous results for his creation, especially since he experienced so much rejection and solitude in his life already.

Subsequently, Victor also feared what might result after creating the new female. While considering the notion, Victor realized that even if the new female decided to go into the wilderness and accept the male creature, there could still be severe consequences. For example, the two creatures could give birth to even more of the creatures. As a result, all of humanity might have to encounter the new species. Victor states:

I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence of the whole human race.

Lastly, Victor refused to create a companion for the creature because of his belief about who the creature was. As Victor looked at the creature, he saw a monster with malicious intent. As a result, he was afraid of what the creature might do, especially if there were more of his kind. Thus, he “tore to pieces the thing [fellow creature]” he was creating for the monster and refused to create a fellow companion for him.

Consequently, Victor considered multiple reasons for his refusal in creating the companion. However, the one that finally led to his total rejection was his beliefs about the creature. Seeing the creature as a “monster,” caused him to reject the creature’s proposal and forced the creature to live alone.

What do the "false teeth" symbolize in the novel?

In George Orwell's Coming Up For Air, the false teeth symbolize the loss of masculine virility and the deeper loss of much of England's fertile landscape in the face of 'Progress' or industrialization. The false teeth also encapsulates the loss of individuality in the face of relentless change; additionally, it highlights the inevitability of a relentless war which the protagonist fears will destroy a once virile civilization.

It struck me that perhaps a lot of the people you see walking about are dead...They think that England will never change and that England’s the whole world. Can’t grasp that it’s just a left-over, a tiny corner that the bombs happen to have missed. But what about the new kind of men from eastern Europe, the streamlined men who think in slogans and talk in bullets?

Our protagonist, forty-five year old George Bowling, is a disgruntled and unhappily married Englishman who works in insurance. When the story begins, we see him getting ready to run an errand. He has the day off and needs to pick up his new set of false teeth. Thinking about the false teeth depresses him, as he is freshly reminded that he is no longer the young and virile man he once was. To top it off, his obesity is a source of continual embarrassment to him. However, when he thinks about some money he has won at the horse races, Bowling finds his spirits perking up. He briefly toys with spending the money on his wife and kids but thinks better of it.

A good husband and father would have spent it on a dress for Hilda (that’s my wife) and boots for the kids. But I’d been a good husband and father for fifteen years and I was beginning to get fed up with it.

Bowling thinks of his life as a sort of prison; he feels oppressed and marginalized by his humdrum existence.

Because, after all, what IS a road like Ellesmere Road? Just a prison with the cells all in a row. A line of semidetached torture-chambers where the poor little five-to-ten-pound-a-weekers quake and shiver, every one of them with the boss twisting his tail and his wife riding him like the nightmare and the kids sucking his blood like leeches.

As Bowling visits his old childhood haunts later in the novel, he is struck by how things have changed. He experiences grief at this loss which has been occasioned by the advance of industrialization. In Bowling's mind, the new changes have destroyed the last vestiges of natural beauty which had imbued his youth with such pleasure. So, the main theme is loss: loss of individuality, loss of virility, and the loss of a viable national identity. This loss is symbolized by Bowling's set of false teeth.

What is referred to as "a House" in the poem "Because I could not stop for Death-"?

In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," the speaker in the poem is picked up in a carriage by Death and Immortality. The carriage drives slowly past symbols of her childhood and "leisure" (the school), and past symbols of her adult life and "labor" (the fields of grain). Then they pass "the Setting Sun," indicating the end of her life. Finally they come to a stop "before a House that seemed / A Swelling of the Ground." This house can be none other than her grave. The roof of the house is "scarcely visible," and its "Cornice - in the Ground." The repetition of the word "Ground" as the exact rhyme of the stanza emphasizes the fact that this journey with death to Eternity ends in the ground. Surely this echoes the words of the familiar English Burial Service: "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Dickinson adds to that, "Ground to Ground." The final stanza speaks about the narrator's life in Eternity. There are no more travels; her last stop, her "final resting place," is this house in the ground, her grave.

What message does D. H. Lawrence provide about wasted lives in "The Rocking-Horse Winner"?

There is a clear critique of materialism in this story. Hester insists that the family has no money because they have no luck. She had opportunities early in life and she married for love. But with no luck and with the marriage turning to "dust," she feels held back and her children are a burden to her. As a result, she can not love anyone. But this is not the effect of the outside world imposing bad luck and misfortune on Hester. She may have had her share of misfortune, but she retreats to this melancholy position. She tries to get luck (money) but is unsuccessful. There is no indication that she tries to change her attitude and outlook on life. This is a wasted opportunity. At the very least, she could be appreciative for what she has rather than despondent about what she does not have. 

Hester reveals her greedy side when Paul anonymously gives her some of his winnings. She simply wants more and more. She still doesn't give her genuine love to Paul or her family. This is another wasted opportunity. And she wastes the money on frivolous things. 

This spirit and feeling of needing money is always present in the home. Hester has perpetuated this yearning and it rubs off on Paul. In a strange Oedipal move, Paul becomes the main source of income in the family. He replaces his father in this way and his frenzied bouts on his horse represent a juvenile sexualized exercise. In this analysis, Paul tries to give his mother luck, money, success, and happiness. But money does not translate to happiness. Paul's life is wasted as well because he becomes materially obsessed with money just as his mother is. And he feels impelled to "get somewhere" for his mother. He feels forced into this position as child/husband. 

In the end, after Paul has made a hugely successful bet, Hester hears her brother say: 

My God, Hester, you're eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad. But, poor devil, poor devil, he's best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner.

Hester influenced and taught Paul to become this frenzied seeker of money. Hester's brother's quote suggests that Paul is better off dying than staying alive as the son of woman who selfishly raises him to be a materialistic servant of her unnecessary needs. Hester wastes her life and wastes Paul's life by teaching him that appreciation comes from money rather than love. 

The general critique is of materialism. Lives are wasted when people are mostly concerned with money and material possessions. Hester is guilty of both obsessions. Her outlook is taught and/or handed down to Paul and he wastes his life in superficial pursuits as well. The Oedipal analysis aside, since this materialism is passed down to the next generation (even though Paul dies), the author might be suggesting that when a parent wastes his/her life in this way, that notion is passed on to the children, and so on. 

Why should Abigail's escapades worry Reverend Parris?

From the beginning of The Crucible, Arthur Miller makes it clear that Reverend Parris is concerned about his reputation above all else. If it is found out that his niece, Abigail, was dancing in the woods, he would be subjected to a great deal of criticism and possibly lose his position. Even worse, though would be the discovery that the girls were taking part in witchcraft. In Act I, he says to Abigail,

Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.

Parris’s concern clearly is focused on his own status in Salem. He needs to know exactly what Abigail was up to because he knows her actions will reflect on him. Parris knows that Abigail’s reputation is already questionable. He asks her if her name in the town is “entirely white,” implying that the people already know she is not the best example of morality by Salem’s standards. At this point, Parris is desperately trying to gain control of the situation in order to keep his status intact. As the play goes on, it is Abigail who gains control of the situation and leads the charge in accusing innocent people of witchcraft. Parris goes along with this, thinking it will work to his advantage, but when the more respected people of the town, including John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse, become accused, people start making death threats to Parris. This, again, shows the effect Abigail’s actions have on his reputation and his status in Salem.

In Twelve Angry Men, how does social context affect the jurors' views of the defendant?

In Twelve Angry Men, each of the jurors comes from a different social context, and each is affected differently.

The jurors whose social contexts really stand out in their views of the defendant are Jurors Four, Five, and Ten.

Juror Four sees slums as bad neighborhoods where everyone is a criminal. He says, "...slums are breeding grounds for criminals. They are. I know it. So do you. The children who come out of slum backgrounds are potential menaces to society." He is prejudiced, and stereotypes all poor people, or people who come from slums, as potential criminals. The defendant is a teenager raised in a slum, so Juror Four assumes that since the defendant is from a slum, he must be guilty of killing his father.

Juror Five has a different background. He was actually raised in a poor neighborhood and he knows that not all poor people are criminals. He says, "I’ve lived in a slum all my life—" and "I used to play in a back yard that was filled with garbage. Maybe it still smells on me." Since we can assume that Juror Five is not a criminal (because people with criminal records cannot serve on a jury), these quotes show that he is living evidence that not all poor people grow up to be murderers, or "menaces to society," as Juror Four said.

Juror Eleven also grew up poor, and is an immigrant from Europe. He is a little more quiet than Jurors Four and Five, but he backs up Juror Five's opinion that not all poor people are criminals: "I can understand his sensitivity." From this quote, we can infer that, like Juror Five, Juror Eleven is from a poor background and he understands how Juror Five is offended by Juror Four's stereotyping.

Juror Ten is another juror who lets his social context influence him. He is described as:

An angry, bitter man. A man who antagonizes almost at sight. A bigot who places no values on any human life save his own. A man who has been nowhere and is going nowhere and knows it deep within him.

Juror Ten is prejudiced against the poor. In Act III, he rants about his stereotyped views of people in slums. He says, "Look, you know how those people lie," and, "They’re no good. There’s not one of ‘em who’s any good." This is clear stereotyping. He lumps all poor people together. Luckily for the defendant, by this time, the rest of the jurors have been convinced by the evidence that he is innocent, and they all turn away from the prejudiced Juror Ten.

“The dominant language of the internet is English. In 1998, an American organization took over control of the internet. This is a form of...

I mean, first of all, this claim is ridiculous on its face. It's clearly not "no different" from past imperialism. Comcast did not march in with guns and start slaughtering people. Google did not round up and enslave anyone. Apple has not spread diseases that killed most of the population. To equate the spread of English and American ideas via the Internet with the slaughter and subjugation of millions of people in, you know, actual imperialism is frankly offensive. It may be worth remembering that you are right now in fact using the Internet, in English, and that this feels nothing remotely like being stabbed, shot at, killed by smallpox, or strapped in chains. Imagine a quotation saying "Being overcharged at Starbucks is as bad as the Holocaust. Discuss."; that's basically this original quotation.

That said, there is, hidden within this absurd claim, a kernel of truth worth considering. There is a kind of "soft imperialism" or "cultural imperialism" at work here, as a handful of huge corporations, most of them centered in the US (as are indeed Comcast, Google, and Apple), have taken on a wildly disproportionate influence on world affairs. News, scientific research, politics, even commerce are increasingly dependent upon the Internet, and therefore at least potentially controlled or manipulated by this handful of megacorporations. This is clearly nowhere near as bad as the kind of "hard imperialism" (i.e. actual imperialism) that involves enslaving and murdering people, but it is still worrisome. There's a reason why so many science fiction authors have written about cyberpunk dystopias in which corporations control everything via the Internet---it actually kind of looks like we might be headed that way.

Corporations are not morally neutral entities; their actions are built around an implicit framework of certain moral values. Some of these values are good (liberty, individualism), but some are not (greed, consumerism). The dominance of American corporations on the Internet may well be spreading harmful moral values to the rest of the world, and that process could be likened to one particular effect of imperialism, namely the replacement of indigenous values with the values imposed by the conqueror. Yet two things still seem noteworthy here: (1) The replacement of values is one of the least bad things about imperialism---indeed, in some cases it can actually be a good thing, depending on which values are imposed; and (2) the method by which values are imposed matters a great deal, and there is an absolutely fundamental moral difference between forcing people to adopt ideas and values at the point of a gun and offering to teach them ideas and values for a nominal fee.

Again, I think it's worth pointing out that the latter is what's happening right now between you and me, and presumably you don't think of me as conquering and subjugating you. (At least I hope not!)

Who is the most ambitious character in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

It would seem that there are only two characters in the play who could be considered "most ambitious." They are Julius Caesar and Cassius. Julius Caesar should be considered the most ambitious of the two men because he has much larger ambitions. He wants to be the sole monarch of the Roman World and has grandiose plans--and he almost makes it. Cassius is largely a reactionary. He is afraid of Caesar. He is thoroughly selfish and would like power to satisfy his greed for money. When Cassius and Brutus have their violent quarrel in Brutus's tent in Act 4, Scene 2, Brutus says:

Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.

Cassius responds with a threat of extreme violence because he is stung by the words his knows to be true.

I, an itching palm?
You know that you are Brutus that speaks this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.

Brutus himself is not especially ambitious. He likes solitude, meditation, and reading, These are not the traits of a man who is politically ambitious. Brutus has a hard time even persuading himself to participate in the plot against Caesar. Antony becomes more ambitious after the death of his good friend Julius Caesar, but Antony is always depicted as a hedonist, an athlete, a womanizer, a fun-lover, a heavy drinker. He is not a deep thinker or planner. His are not the traits of an ambitious man. Young Octavius may be extremely ambitious, but he only appears late in the play. He seems like a very young man who has not yet found himself. But in the future he will prove himself to be extremely ambitious. He will actually become a god and be the forebear of a whole line of Roman emperors, many of whom will also become gods. But he should not be considered as "most ambitious" in the play Julius Caesar because he is a young character and a minor character. We see Octavius fully developed in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. See also I, Claudius by Robert Graves.

What was the impact of Leonardo da Vinci?

Leonardo da Vinci was a great inventor in addition to being an artist.  He was fascinated with science, and used it as the basis of his inventions.  Da Vinci made an impact on the art world with such famous art pieces as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.  

Perhaps an equally significant impact was made by da Vinci's engineering inventions.  Da Vinci often sketched his ideas and inventions.  Some of his sketches were precursors to modern inventions.  

Fascinated with flying, da Vinci studied birds.  He analyzed the movement of their wings and included those observations in his sketches.  Da Vinci sketched a precursor to the modern parachute.  He also designed several flying machines, which have features of modern aircraft.  

Da Vinci was fascinated with the human body and he sketched it extensively.  His drawings are amazingly accurate in a time when medical knowledge was limited.

How did scientific advances in Europe contribute to the start of the Industrial Revolution?

Science and technology are very closely related to the influx of industrialism in Britain. As farming technology improved with the widespread use of fertilizers and mechanical equipment, food production increased to meet the needs of a growing population. Jethro Tull's mechanical seed drill is an example of innovation driving change. His inventions helped to revolutionize farming in England.

As agriculture was becoming more efficient, the demand for farmers was on the decline. Many moved to urban areas to secure work. This influx of laborers allowed for industrialism to expand. Industrialists looked to make production much more efficient. This was done by utilizing steam. Thomas Newcomen and James Watt were important innovators in the use of steam which drove the Industrial Revolution. By applying their inventions, steam power was used to drive the spinning jenny and power looms of the textile industry. Without a doubt, the Scientific Revolution was important in creating a generation of inventors that made the Industrial Revolution possible.

What poetic devices are used in "Richard Cory?"

The poetic devices used in "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson include sound devices, repetition devices, rhyme, and rhythm.

The sound devices that stand out are alliteration and consonance. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds. The predominant initial consonant throughout the poem is /w/. Phrases with words in close proximity that start with /w/ are "whenever Richard Cory went down town" and "still we worked and waited for the light." The repetition of the /w/ sound can evoke the feeling of questioning (what? or why?) or a wail of sorrow or complaint. Another use of alliteration is "we people on the pavement," which repeats the /p/ sound. Consonance, repetition of internal or end consonant sounds, occurs in the words "fluttered" and "glittered." These are light sounding words, adding a sense of grace and ease to the description of Richard Cory.

Anaphora is the technique of repeating the same words at the beginning of successive clauses. We see this used in lines 5 and 6: "And he was always." Other lines also start with "and he" or simply "and." This technique binds the poem together and also gives the feeling that it is being narrated by someone close to the situation speaking in his own words. It also creates a monotony that makes the abrupt ending more surprising.

The poem has a formal rhyme scheme and rhythm. It is written in consistent iambic pentameter, meaning each line consists of ten syllables of alternating unaccented and accented stresses. The effect of this is to make the poem very steady and predictable, making the surprise ending come as more of a shock because the reader has been lulled by the very consistent and regular rhythm. Nothing in the words or their sounds has suggested  that something sudden or violent is going to occur, so the steadiness of the rhythm and meter, along with the regular abab rhyme scheme, forms a  stark, ironic contrast to the surprising ending. 

How are visual arts used in the world around us and how are they a part of our everyday life?

The first response to this intriguing question is the visual art of advertising – how we are “sold” a product based on the television advertisements, billboards, magazine ads, internet pop-ups, etc. But often the word “art” implies “fine art,” that is, works of visual creation displayed in galleries, etc. So there at least two ways “art” influences our everyday life.

First, the profession of advertising takes advantage of what is called “visual rhetoric,” the “language” of shape and color (even such subtle features as typefaces). This “language” assumes a universal (or at least a culturally uniform) code between sender and receiver, often subliminal—for example, the color green brings out a response of nature, growth, cleanliness, and thus advertisements and packaging of products of this nature use green wrappers, etc. to elicit a subliminal response of “fresh, natural, clean.” In this way, we are daily affected by visual art.

Another way we are affected (especially by fine art) is as a repository of our cultural history, our “stages of development” as a culture. When we go to a large art museum (the Louvre, the Hermitage Museum, etc.) we are given a visual tour of our progress from classicism to realism, to modern to post-modern, represented by the visual arts but standing for the progress in human thinking, point-of-view, etc. In this way (usually seen in books on art history) we are in touch daily with our place in history.

`a_1 = 5, a_(k + 1) = -2a_k` Write the first five terms of the geometric sequence. Determine the common ratio and write the nth term of the...

You need to write the 5 terms of the geometric sequence, hence, since the problem provides the first term, you need the ratio q. You may evaluate the ratio using the relation:

`a_(k+1) = a_k*q`

`q = (a_(k+1))/(a_k) => q = -2`

You may evaluate `a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5` , such that:

`a_2 = a_1*q => a_2 = 5*(-2) => a_2 = -10`

`a_3 = a_2*q => a_3 = -10*(-2) => a_3 = 20`

`a_4 = a_3*q => a_4 = 20*(-2) => a_4 =-40`

`a_5 = a_4*q => a_5 = -40*(-2) => a_5 = 80`

Hence, evaluating the five terms of geometric sequence yields `a_1 = 5,  a_2 = -10, a_3 = 20, a_4 = -40, a_5 = 80.`

Why do all the boys hate Willie Mufferson in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?

Willie Mufferson is only mentioned one time in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  This mention comes at the beginning of Chapter V.  There, we find that the boys hate Willie Mufferson because he always acts exactly as he is supposed to act and because their own parents always cite him as an example of how they (the other boys) should behave.

In Tom Sawyer, most of the boys that we meet tend to misbehave a great deal.  They want to show that they are able to do their own thing and that they do not have to do what the adults tell them.  This is true of adolescent boys even today.  Boys tend to want to show that they are not “goody-goody” and that they do not simply follow the rules because the rules are there.  They want to show their independence and their rebellious nature.  This is perhaps even more true of the boys in Tom Sawyer than it is of boys today.

In Chapter V, Willie Mufferson is described as “the Model Boy.”  In other words, he is perfect.  Therefore, “The boys all hated him, he was so good.”  He is exactly what parents want their sons to be like.  This also caused the boys to hate him because “he had been ‘thrown up to them’ so much.  When it says he was “thrown up to them,” it means that he was put in their faces as an example of what their parents wanted him to be.

In short, Willie was like a teacher’s pet in school.  Imagine a boy who is always perfect in class.  Imagine that the teacher always points him out and tells the other boys they should be like him.  It is very likely that many of the boys would hate him. This is why the boys in Twain’s book all hated Willie Mufferson.

Can Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird be considered a "mockingbird"?

It would be hard to make the argument that Atticus is a mockingbird. Although he does have some of the qualities of a mockingbird, he does not have others. 

First, let's look at what we know about the mockingbird according to miss Maudie:

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Ch.10).

Atticus only does good things in the book, so we can see that as being like a mockingbird. 

However, there is also an implication that mockingbirds are completely innocent beings, and incapable of defending themselves, so shooting them for no reason would be a sin. Atticus is more complicated than a mockingbird in that sense. He is not a complete innocent and he is certainly capable of defending himself. For these two reasons, it would be hard to say that he is a mockingbird. 

How do I complete the identification of the components of an effective performance appraisal program by completing a research paper describing the...

The main strategy you should use for completing this assignment is to use subheadings to separate different aspects of performance appraisal into clearly organized subtopics. You might want to use the following structure:

Introduction: Discuss the importance of performance appraisals in helping businesses succeed. Your thesis should be something on the order of "Performance appraisals can be a key factor in improving the productivity of businesses."

Purposes of performance appraisal: In your first body section, discuss the different purposes of performance appraisal, including effects on productivity, employee motivation, training programs, and employee retention.

Importance of clear job descriptions: To do effective performance appraisals, an organization needs clear job descriptions. In this section, discuss how job descriptions or lack thereof can help or hinder the appraisal process. 

Frequency and Stakeholders: In this section discuss the people who should provide input to performance appraisals (supervisors, employee self-assessment, etc.) and how often appraisals should be done. While some organizations simply do a pro forma annual appraisal, some forms of continuous or more frequent feedback are more useful for employee development. 

Level of detail: The more specific the feedback, the more useful it is. In other words, saying a salesperson needs to sell more widgets is less useful than saying that the salesperson needs to meet the department average of 50 widget sales per day. 

Conclusion: Discuss how the suggestions made in the body paragraphs can improve the company bottom line.

What are some quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird that show how empathy is required to have tolerance?

There are several scenes throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird that depict characters explaining how empathy is required to be tolerant of others.

In Chapter 9, Atticus encourages Scout to be accepting of her neighbors' beliefs and comments. He tells Scout that it is important for her to keep in mind that the people making ignorant comments are their friends, and she must refrain from physically engaging in any altercation.

"This time we aren't fighting the Yankees, we're fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends and this is still our home." (Lee 102)

In Chapter 11, Atticus tells Jem that he needs to keep in mind that Mrs. Dubose is old and ill. He explains to Jem that Mrs. Dubose shouldn't be held responsible for the things she says because of her age and condition. Atticus encourages Jem to be tolerant of Mrs. Dubose and remain respectful no matter how ignorant her comments become.

"She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad." (Lee 133)

In Chapter 16, Atticus explains to the children that they need show empathy towards Walter Cunningham in order to be tolerant of his actions. Atticus tells the children how Walter was influenced by mob mentality, and says that Walter is still considered their friend.

"Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man...he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us." (Lee 210)

In Chapter 23, Atticus explains to Jem why he should display tolerance towards Bob Ewell. Atticus describes the motivation behind Bob's inappropriate actions and encourages Jem to be understanding.

"Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take." (Lee 292)

Why is The Wizard of Oz a classic movie?

Writer Salman Rushdie explores this issue, as you can see in the link below. He lists several reasons why the movie is enduring and "timeless." First, the movie raises questions about power: adults are "inadequate," and girls and women are shown as more powerful than men. In Kansas, for example, Dorothy's aunt and uncle can't protect Toto from Miss Gulch and are powerless against the tornado. In Oz, the wizard is a fraud. The most powerful people in the film are female: the witches, Miss Gulch and Dorothy. Second, the theme of "there's no place like home" continues to resonate powerfully by conveying the idea that everything we need is already in our own backyards. Finally, the movie shows human nature as essentially good. The movie, says Rushie, exemplifies Western values by arguing that we are good inside ourselves and that evil comes from without.

Finally, I would add the production values, including the use of color film once Dorothy arrives at Oz, the acting, the sets and the music as pieces of the puzzle of creating a masterpiece that captures the ethos of the book.

How did each of the following groups resist the effects of capitalism (the actual economic effects of capitalism or the ideas of how changes could...

Most people have at least heard of the Luddites, thinking of them as people who were opposed to industrial technology---but that isn't quite right. They were actually opposed to the use of industrial technology to exploit workers; this question gets right that it was much more about opposing capitalism than it was about opposing technology. The Luddites saw that business owners were appropriating the additional wealth produced by more efficient machines rather than sharing it, and in protest destroyed those machines.

The Chartists, on the other hand, were not really opposed to capitalism. They were in favor of democracy. They were motivated in part by the sense that working people were being exploited by capitalists; but their main objectives were political---universal suffrage (well, for men), the right to run for office, fair elections with secret ballots. They weren't asking for an end to poverty, but for equal participation of the poor in the political system.

"Socialism" is one of those words that everyone uses and hardly anyone really understands. Marxism in particular is relatively well-defined, because Karl Marx himself clearly expressed his ideas about history and capitalism, and one can today decide whether they agree or disagree with those ideas. Marx's core idea was that capitalism was unsustainable; its inherent flaws and contradictions would eventually undermine it, and in the grand cycle of history (he clearly believed in some form of historical determinism) be replaced by a much better system that he called "scientific socialism", in which the means of production would be shared by all and there would be no private ownership of capital. (This is not to be confused with private property in general---Marx did not say that you could not own socks; he said that you could not own factories.)

But "socialism" in general has taken on a much broader meaning than that. When we look at modern "democratic socialism" in countries such as Denmark and Norway, they really do not resemble the system of collective ownership that Marx envisioned. They are more like capitalism plus a welfare state, or capitalism with taxation and redistribution of wealth. Democratic socialism is largely an attempt to mitigate the downsides of capitalism (increased inequality, poverty, economic instability) while still keeping most of the upsides (high productivity, high efficiency, high standard of living). In Denmark they try to have their capitalist cake and eat it too---and so far it seems to be working pretty well, as they're consistently rated among the happiest people in the world.

That leaves Classical Conservatives. Unlike neo-conservatives, classical conservatives are actually quite communitarian. They believe that tradition is the best source of morality, and eschew discussions of individual rights in favor of concepts such as loyalty, patriotism, and tradition. Their response to capitalism has been quite mixed; while some embrace it as part of their concept of tradition (we can hear this in ideas like "The American Dream"), others reject it in favor of an older way of life that is focused on family and religion rather than profit and efficiency. Many classical conservatives believe in sharing and redistributing wealth, but often prefer that redistribution be handled by charities and religious institutions rather than by government. They believe that the harms and excesses of capitalism can be rectified not by stricter government regulations, but by shared moral principles and collective grassroots action. Many even contend that poverty would not exist if the poor themselves had stronger moral principles such as work ethic and commitment to family.

How do the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird challenge society's racism? (specifically Atticus, Jem, and Scout)

Atticus knows it will be difficult for Tom Robinson to get a fair trial. It is an all white jury. It is the 1930s in a southern town when racism is still a persistent part of the culture. But Atticus is a man of principle. He endeavors to defend Tom because it is his job, because it is the right thing to do, and because he certainly thinks Tom is innocent. Atticus attempts to prove Tom's innocence with facts and evidence. The hope is that such overpowering evidence will move the jury to ignore their own racist biases. However, despite Atticus' strong case, the jury does convict Tom. Atticus knew this likelihood going into the trial, but represented Tom anyway. He has intentions of following up with an appeal until Tom is killed. In representing Tom with honesty and integrity, Atticus makes the most public challenge to racism in Maycomb and in the novel. 

Jem and Scout challenge racism in more indirect ways because they are still learning about the world. At the end of Chapter 15, Atticus is guarding the jail (with Tom incarcerated in it). He is accosted by a mob who are out to get Tom. Jem, Scout, and Dill intervene and inadvertently sway the mob to leave. They were protecting Atticus more than Tom, but this could be considered an indirect defense of Tom on their part. During the trial, the children sit with Reverend Sykes. This is the section where the black community sits. They sit there to stay out of sight and because they know Reverend Sykes. But it is symbolic and suggests they are sitting in solidarity with the black community. 

What were some events leading to World War II?

There were several events leading to the start of World War II. One event was the aggressive actions of Germany, Japan, and Italy in the 1930s. A second event was the response of the Allies to these invasions.  In the 1930s, Japan invaded Manchuria and China. Very little was done about these invasions. In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia. There was no significant Allied response. Germany moved its military into the Rhineland in 1936 after rebuilding its military, which was in violation of the Versailles Treaty. There was no response from the Allies. In 1938, Germany took Austria. Again, there was silence from the Allied nations. When Hitler announced he wanted to annex the Sudetenland, a region in Czechoslovakia where many Germans lived, the leaders of Great Britain and France met with Hitler. They agreed to give him this land in return for a promise to take no more land.

Eventually, the Allies responded to other aggressive actions. Hitler broke the agreement, known as the Munich Pact, by taking the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. After this occurred, the Allies told Germany if they took any more land, it would lead to war. When Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany, starting World War II.

Other factors were involved that led to the start of World War II. The people of Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, wanted revenge for the harsh terms of the Versailles Treaty. This treaty really punished Germany. Hitler played upon German nationalism, saying nobody should treat the German people badly, and he vowed revenge for the harsh terms of the treaty. Italy did the same thing. They felt they should have received more land from the Versailles Treaty. Benito Mussolini vowed to restore Italian pride, similar to the pride that existed during the days of the Roman Empire. Germany, Italy, and Japan also desired more land and resources. This was also a factor that led to the start of the war.

The Great Depression was also a factor in the start of World War II. Because of the terrible economic conditions in Germany in the 1920s, the people eventual turned to a totalitarian form of government to try to help them improve their conditions. When the Great Depression struck France, Great Britain, and the United States, the leaders of these governments had to concentrate on dealing with ending the Great Depression. They didn’t have much time to worry about what Germany, Japan, and Italy were doing. The average person in these countries was interested in surviving. They also weren’t very interested in what Germany, Japan, and Italy were doing in other areas of the world. These leaders of these countries weren’t in a position to do much about the actions of Germany, Japan, and Italy.

There were many factors that led to the start of World War II.

In Lord of the Flies, how is Jack involved with Piggy's death?

Jack is indirectly involved with Piggy's death.  I would like to make it clear that Jack does not kill Piggy.  Roger kills Piggy in chapter eleven when he pushes a huge boulder down, and it smashes and kills Piggy.  

The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. The rock bounded twice and was lost in the forest. Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig’s after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone.

Jack is indirectly involved with Piggy's death, because it is Jack who causes the boys on the island to start believing in a might makes right mentality.  Ralph attempts to lead through a sort of democracy, while Jack favors a dictatorship.  Strength and violence are what Jack's camp supports, which is why Roger is able to get away with the constant tormenting of the little kids and the general sadism that he exhibits throughout the story.  Without Jack, I believe that Roger's personality would have been held in check by Ralph and the rest of the boys.   

What were two major decisions made about Germany at the Yalta Conference?

At the Yalta Conference, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gathered to discuss the nearly inevitable Allied victory in Europe and what they should do to hold Germany accountable for World War II.

During this conference, the Allied leaders decided that Germany should be held responsible for some reparations after the war and that—in addition to Great Britain, Russia, and the United States—France should have a role in governing Germany after the war.

Though Germany was held financially responsible for World War II, the country was not obligated to pay full reparations—as it was after World War I. Some world leaders realized how the significant burden placed on Germany after World War I ultimately led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, so they chose to soften the punishment after World War II.

In "The Lottery," what were some ideas that Tessie Hutchinson included in her protests which would be considered unsettling and horrifying?

Tessie Hutchinson seems cheerful from the time she arrives for the lottery drawing. She makes light of the ritual when her husband's name is called for the first drawing.

"Get up there, Bill," Mrs. Hutchinson said. and the people near her laughed.

But Tessie's attitude changes radically when it turns out that this year her husband has drawn the slip with the black spot.

People began to look around to see the Hutchinsons. Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand. Suddenly. Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers. "You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!"

Tessie knows that only the Hutchinsons will participate in the second drawing. That means the black spot could be drawn by her husband, her older son, her daughter Nancy, her tiny son Davie--or herself. She seems to have an ominous premonition that this is her unlucky day and that she will end up with the black spot.

What would be considered unsettling and horrifying is Tessie's next attempt to save herself.

"There's Don and Eva," Mrs. Hutchinson yelled. "Make them take their chance!"

Eva is the Hutchinsons' oldest daughter. She is no longer a Hutchinson, however, because she is married and has taken her husband Don's last name. Tessie is well aware that Eva is no longer part of her household, but she is desperate. If she could add one more slip to the second drawing it would improve the odds for her and for the rest of her family. But she is willing to offer Eva as a possible sacrifice because of the terror she is experiencing. In fact, in this lottery it appears to be a case of every man, or woman, or child, for himself or herself. Mr. Summers, whose word is law, destroys any hope of including Eva with the Hutchinson household.

"Daughters draw with their husbands' families, Tessie," Mr. Summers said gently. "You know that as well as anyone else."

In the second drawing when Bill, Bill, Jr., and Nancy draw their slips they gleefully open them and show the crowd they drew blanks. Little Dave's slip has to be drawn and opened for him. His slip is also blank. None of Tessie's family pay the slightest attention to her protests or obvious hysteria; they are just happy to have escaped for another year. Tessie has become a non-person. Nobody shows any concern for her. This is understandable, since they could hardly participate in stoning her to death if they regarded her as a fellow human being. This lottery brings out the worst in everybody. Nobody cares about Tessie, and Tessie cares about nobody but herself. She would be willing to help stone one of her own children to death if it would save her from that fate herself.

The crowd of friendly, neighborly, countrified people suddenly becomes like a gathering of ghouls. They close on Tessie from all sides, seemingly intent on dealing with her pleas for mercy by silencing them with their stones.

How was Soapy planning to cope with winter?

Soapy has obviously had years of experience surviving as a homeless man in New York. He sleeps on a park bench which, because of his seniority and dignity, is considered reserved for him by the other homeless men who sleep in Washington Square. But Soapy cannot sleep outdoors in the winter. The temperature at night can fall below zero, and many homeless people freeze to death in the New York winters. Soapy intends to do what he has done regularly in winters past. He will get himself arrested and sentenced to three months in jail on Riker's Island. 

The hibernatorial ambitions of Soapy were not of the highest. In them there were no considerations of Mediterranean cruises, of soporific Southern skies drifting in the Vesuvian Bay. Three months on the Island was what his soul craved. Three months of assured board and bed and congenial company, safe from Boreas and bluecoats, seemed to Soapy the essence of things desirable.

O. Henry treats Soapy's situation with characteristic humor. This way of dealing with a serious or even tragic subject in a humorous fashion was originated by Charles Dickens, who had started his literary career as a humorist with his Pickwick Papers. O. Henry was undoubtedly inspired by the great Charles Dickens, whose humorous treatment of the plight of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol is an excellent example of Dickens' style. The humor seems to have the intended effect of assuring readers that the problem may be extremely serious but that things will come out all right in the end.

Soapy's situation is very serious. As O. Henry illustrates it in graphic terms:

On the previous night three Sabbath newspapers, distributed beneath his coat, about his ankles and over his lap, had failed to repulse the cold as he slept on his bench near the spurting fountain in the ancient square. So the Island loomed big and timely in Soapy's mind. 

Abandoned newspapers are plentiful and cost nothing. They make excellent insulation, and many homeless men will pack multiple pages under their vests and coats, under their sleeves, down the back of their trousers and all along their trouser-legs for protection during the night. If they sleep outdoors they will use more newspapers in place of blankets. But even with three big Sunday editions of the newspaper insulating and blanketing him, Soapy still feels the bite of winter. He has a life-or-death problem to solve--but O. Henry makes it seem funny and makes Soapy himself seem funny.

O. Henry creates characters to fit his stories. Soapy is a bum, but he is obviously descended from a higher station in life. He has middle-class tastes, middle-class dignity, and a middle-class vocabulary. He tries very hard to get arrested for vandalism, disorderly conduct, petty theft, vagrancy, loitering, and every misdemeanor he can think of. His uncanny failure to get arrested for the first time in many winters, along with the favorite old church anthem he happens to hear during his wanderings about Manhattan, create an epiphany.

An instantaneous and strong impulse moved him to battle with his desperate fate. He would pull himself out of the mire; he would make a man of himself again; he would conquer the evil that had taken possession of him. There was time; he was comparatively young yet; he would resurrect his old eager ambitions and pursue them without faltering. Those solemn but sweet organ notes had set up a revolution in him. 

But, ironically, it is just at this moment that a uniformed cop finally takes some notice of him. Soapy is led away to jail, and the next morning he is sentenced to three months on Riker's Island--just what he had wanted in the first place. The moral of O. Henry's story might be derived from the moral Nathaniel Hawthorne invented for his excellent story "Wakefield."

Amid the seeming confusion of our mysterious world, individuals are so nicely adjusted to a system, and systems to one another, and to a whole, that, by stepping aside for a moment, a man exposes himself to a fearful risk of losing his place forever. Like Wakefield, he may become, as it were, the Outcast of the Universe.

Describe the character of Nicholas in Saki's short story "The Lumber Room."

Nicholas is a very smart young man who has planned out this day very carefully.  He is dying to get into that lumber room.  There is nothing worse than being told you cannot go into a room.  He knows his aunt well, and he knows if he puts the frog in his bread and milk in the morning, she will arrange for the other kids to go someplace fun.  Then he will have the house to himself. 

He is a planner.  He knows where the key is hidden, knows how he is going to it down from the shelf, and knows how to open the door since he practiced on the schoolroom door.  When he opens that door, he has a wonderful experience because he is very imaginative.  While looking at the tapestry, he creates a whole scenario of what is happening in the picture. 

“But did the huntsman see, what Nicholas saw, that four galloping wolves were coming in his direction through the wood?...... would the man and his dogs be able to cope with the four wolves if they made an attack?” (pg 4)

Later we see that he is a quick-thinker.  When the aunt becomes trapped in the rainwater tank, she calls to him for help.   She promises to give him strawberry jam for tea, although she has no intention of doing so.  Nicholas knows that.  Nicholas says that he thinks she is the Evil One tempting him to disobey.  He will not give into the temptation.  He uses the subject of the strawberry jam to convince her that she must be the Evil one.  So he leaves her there in the rainwater tank until the kitchenmaid rescues her. 

He has a sense of humor.  The reader finds himself smiling at Nicolas’s ingenuity.  He has a spirited sense of fun, which I don’t think the aunt appreciated.

What are the disadvantages of improved productivity of a company's employees?

In general, it is highly unlikely that a company would be harmed in any way if the productivity of its employees increased.  Companies are constantly trying to increase productivity because this is a way to increase profits.

Productivity can be defined as the value of the goods or services that can be produced using each input of labor.  In other words, it is the value of the things a worker can produce in, for example, one hour of work.  A company will typically want to increase productivity.  This is because the company can make more money if its workers create more value for each hour that they work.  This is good for a company and there really are not any disadvantages.

However, an increase in productivity could be bad for individual workers. This is because it could put those workers out of a job.  Let us imagine that a fast food restaurant currently needs 3 cooks in order to make 300 hamburgers in an hour.  Then imagine that productivity increases drastically and now 2 cooks can make 300 hamburgers in an hour. The third cook is going to be out of a job unless the company can get more people to buy their hamburgers.

In this way, an increase in productivity is good for a company, but it can be bad for individual workers.

What is the whole point of the Monroe Doctrine?

The Monroe Doctrine was a very important foreign policy statement made by President Monroe in 1823. It told Europe that they couldn’t establish any new colonies in the Americas. Fortunately, the British viewed this statement as a way to weaken their rivals, so they agreed to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. The British navy was very strong, and our navy wasn’t strong at all. If the British didn’t support this statement, it would have been very hard for President Monroe to issue it.

There were several purposes of the Monroe Doctrine. One was to establish American control in the Americas. We didn’t want the Europeans to come into the Americas and establish new colonies. We wanted to be the main power in North America and in South America. We also didn’t want the Europeans to try to reestablish their colonies in the Americas. Many of the Latin American countries got their independence in the early 1800s from the Europeans, mainly from Spain and from Portugal. These European countries were concerned that the people in their colonies in other parts of the world would also revolt for their freedom if they didn’t do something to try to reestablish control in Latin America. We believed the Latin American countries should remain independent. Just like we did in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, the Latin Americans did the same thing in the early 1800s. They fought for and won their independence. We wanted to support these countries that had revolutions similar to our revolution. Letting the Europeans know they couldn’t reestablish their old colonies or form new ones was a way to show our support for these countries that just had gained their independence.

The Monroe Doctrine was a key foreign policy initiative by the United States. It has been used many times throughout history to maintain American influence and/or control in North America and in South America.

What are some quotes about fate and free will from Act II of Romeo and Juliet?

Fate is something inevitable and unavoidable which has been pre-determined. The term usually involves something negative. Free will, on the other hand, means acting without the constraints of fate. One is able to choose his or her path in life without preordained outcomes. 

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare suggests that fate rules the day. Romeo and Juliet are "star-crossed" and therefore doomed. In Act I, Romeo describes a dream about "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars" which will ultimately lead to his death. Nevertheless, he plunges forward and it could be argued that he is ruled by fate in Act II, Scenes 1 and 2 when he jumps over the wall into Capulet's orchard. He says at the beginning of Scene 1,

Can I go forward when my heart is here?
Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out.

Romeo is ruled by love and is not acting freely. His overwhelming love for Juliet controls him. Love is actually personified in Act II, Scene 1 when Romeo says that it is telling him what to do:

By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I should adventure for such merchandise.

Everything Romeo does seems to be associated with fate. In the final scene of the Act, just before the marriage ceremony, he tells Friar Lawrence that he would be content to succumb to the fate of death once he is joined with Juliet:

Do thou but close our hands with holy words,
Then love-devouring death do what he dare,
It is enough I may but call her mine.

Fate is also suggested by Mercutio in Scene 4 when he tells Benvolio that Romeo is already doomed as they discuss Tybalt's challenge. The "wench" he refers to is Rosaline and not Juliet, but the sentiment is still the same. Romeo's passionate love will bring on his demise. Mercutio says,

Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead,
stabbed with a white wench’s black eye, run
through the ear with a love-song, the very pin of his
heart cleft with the blind bow-boy’s butt shaft. And
is he a man to encounter Tybalt?

Juliet, on the other hand, attempts to assert her free will during the balcony scene when she is hesitant about the speed with which the couple is falling in love. She tells Romeo,

I have no joy of this contract tonight.
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say “It lightens.” Sweet, good night.
This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night. As sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast.

She believes they should wait and let time "ripen" their affection for each other. Unfortunately, Romeo's persistence and her own excitement get the best of her and she agrees to rush into the ill fated marriage.

Another example of a character attempting to exert free will is Friar Lawrence when he agrees to marry Romeo. His motive for doing so is that he believes the marriage may end the bitter feud between the families. He tries to change fate and bring about something good. He says,

But come, young waverer, come, go with me.
In one respect I’ll thy assistant be,
For this alliance may so happy prove
To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.

Overall, however, fate is certainly the dominant element in the play. Characters seem to have little chance to predicate their own futures. All is pre-determined in Shakespeare's Verona.

Why did Desdemona decide to marry Othello?

At first, Barbantio, Desdemona's father, accuses Othello of using withcraft to win his daughter's love. He has his men capture Othello and plans to bring the case before the Duke in court. However, Othello later reveals the real reason why Desdemona fell in love with him and says that she will confirm his story. Othello is an accomplished officer and solder with a mysterious past. He says that when Barbantio invited him to visit and share his many war stories, Desdemona overheard, and the stories caught her interest. He says that she asked him to retell the stories to her, and when he did, she fell in love with him. 

In short, she agrees to marry him because of his mysterious and heroic stories.

What does Scrooge do on Christmas day?

When Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning, he is feeling rejuvenated and his character is completely reformed. We see evidence of this through his activities on the day, beginning with his purchase of a prize-winning turkey which he sends directly to the home of his employee, Bob Cratchit.

Next, Scrooge meets on the street with one of the men who visited his office in Stave One to request a charitable donation for the poor. Unlike the first time, Scrooge offers the man an undisclosed amount towards his fund. It is clearly a lot of money as the man is extremely pleased with the offer:

"Lord bless me!" cried the gentleman, as if his breath were gone. "My dear Scrooge, are you serious?"

After this, Scrooge attends Church and then wanders the street, patting children on the head, talking to beggars and generally taking pleasure in life. He then walks to the house of his nephew, Fred, and has dinner with the family. Fred is pleasantly surprised by his uncle's unexpected appearance after he so vehemently refused his offer in Stave One. Again, this is strong evidence of the strength of Scrooge's transformation.

From Fred's, Scrooge pays a visit to his employee, Bob. Scrooge pretends to be angry with him and acts as though he might fire Bob. But, in fact, Scrooge offers Bob a pay rise, much to the Cratchit family's delight. 

Finally, the reader learns that Scrooge keeps the promises he has made to the charity collector and to Bob Cratchit and his family:

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more.

Why is Atticus becoming stressed about the trial?

Atticus is becoming stressed out about the trial because he is about to embark on the difficult task of defending a black man in front of a predominantly prejudiced community. Atticus knows that he will lose the case, but has to display courage in the face of adversity. Atticus is aware that his defense of Tom Robinson opens his family to criticism and possible danger throughout the community. His sister, Alexandra, has become somewhat annoying with her constant criticism and disapproval of Atticus' choice to defend Tom. Following the mob scene, Scout notices the "subtle change" in Atticus' behavior. Perhaps Atticus is becoming less patient with the racist comments and attitudes throughout Maycomb's community. Atticus is under a lot of pressure and feels that he needs to maintain his integrity by defending Tom. It is not easy choosing to defend an African American in 1930s Alabama, and Atticus is beginning to show signs of fatigue and stress leading up the trial. 

`a_1 = 6, a_(k + 1) = -(3/2)a_k` Write the first five terms of the geometric sequence. Determine the common ratio and write the nth term of...

You may find the ratio of the geometric sequence, such that:

`a_(k+1) = a_k*q => q = (a_(k+1))/(a_k)`

`q = -3/2`

You may write the first 5 terms, such that:

`a_2 = a_1*q => a_2 = 6*(-3/2) => a_2 = -9`

`a_3 = a_2*q => a_3 = 27/2`

`a_4 = a_3*q => a_4 = -81/4`

`a_5 = a_4*q => a_5 = 243/8`

You may write the n-th term such that:

`a_n = a_1*q^(n-1) => a_n = 6*(-3/2)^(n-1)`

Hence, evaluating the first five terms and the n-th term yields a`_1 = 6, a_2 = -9, a_3 = 27/2, a_4 = -81/4,a_5 = 243/8, a_n = 6*(-3/2)^(n-1).`

Compare and contrast the condition of Germany, France and England at the end of the seventeenth century.

This is a very broad question, so I will break it into three categories: political, social, and cultural. 

Politically, it is difficult to compare Germany to France and England, because Germany was not a united kingdom or nation-state. Rather, it was a collection of separate principalities, duchies, and other small territories. Some were independent, others were at least nominally under the control of the Austrian Habsburgs, Prussian Hohenzollerns, and other dynasties. France, on the other hand, was firmly in the grasp of Louis XIV at the turn of the century. Louis had emerged from more than a century of civil discord to establish a powerful state that was the model for would-be absolutists throughout the continent. England, too, had suffered repeated domestic strife during the seventeenth century, which saw the execution of Charles I, a bloody civil war, the rule of Oliver Cromwell, the return of the Stuart dynasty to the throne in the person of Charles II, and the overthrow of James II. By the end of the century, William III had taken control of what would become a limited constitutional monarchy.

Socially, French society was organized into what was known as the "three estates," the clergy, nobility, and commoners. One's social position determined the taxes one paid, the privileges one was entitled to, and other important aspects of life. Both German and English society were highly stratified as well, with large landowners controlling virtually all of the countryside, but in many of the German principalities, especially those that were majority Protestant or dominated by cities, social divisions were less pronounced. Indeed, in all of the countries in the question, a rising middle class, sometimes called the bourgeoisie, was beginning to rise in wealth and prominence. This class was more politically powerful in England, where it was coming to dominate the House of Commons, than in France and the German states.

French culture was characterized first and foremost by the Catholic Church, which served as a bulwark for royal absolutism. This was not the case in England, where the Church of England held sway, and in Germany, as mentioned above, many states were dominated by Protestants, including Calvinists. All of these countries, especially Great Britain, experienced an expansion in literacy, and all three witnessed the expansion of an increasingly uniform vernacular language. 

The first term of a geometric progression is 25 and the sum of the first three terms is 61. Find the possible values of the common ratio. Given...

Hello!

If we denote the common ratio as `r,` then the second term is `25r` and the third is `25r^2.`

The sum of the first three terms is `25(1+r+r^2)` and it is given to be `61.`

So we obtained the equation for `r,`

`r^2+r+1=61/25,` or `r^2+r-36/25=0.`

We can solve for r using the quadratic formula.  `(-1 +- sqrt(1^2 - 4*1*(-36/25)))/(2(1))`

Which can be simplified to `(-1 +- sqrt(169/25))/2`

So the answer for the first question is -9/5 and 4/5.

For a geometric progression to have a finite sum of all its terms it is necessary and sufficient to have a common ratio with the absolute value less then 1. So only `r_2=4/5` is suitable. The sum of all terms is `25/(1-r_2)=(25)/(1/5)=` 125. This is the answer for the second question.

Why are Darry, Dally, and Johnny considered heroes?

The characters of Darry, Dally, and Johnny in the novel The Outsiders can be considered heroes for various reasons. Darry can be considered a hero because despite being an athletic, intelligent individual, he chooses to remain loyal to his childhood friends and watch over his brothers. Darry sacrificed an opportunity to attend and play football in college by giving up his scholarship to raise Sodapop and Ponyboy. His selfless choice to work two jobs and take care of his brothers is extremely noble and holds his family together. Along with being selfless, Darry is also courageous and physically gifted, similar to a hero. He is the first to step out and fight during the rumble, and the greasers look to him for guidance.

Dally can be considered a hero for several reasons. He selflessly gives Ponyboy his jacket, which eventually saves Pony from serious burns during the fire, and is quick to aid the boys in their escape. During the scene when the church catches on fire, Dally knocks out Ponyboy, which prevents him from returning to the burning building and possibly saves his life. He goes into the flames after Johnny and pulls him out of the burning church, effectively saving his life too. The newspapers refer to Dally as a hero for his actions.

Johnny not only enters the burning church and physically saves the lives of several children in the novel, but he also saves Ponyboy's life as well. Johnny's letter and message to Ponyboy make a clear impression on Ponyboy, encouraging him to reject violence and live his life to the fullest.

Based on the amount of reactant you started with, how can I find the theoretical yield for Cu?

The theoretical yield of a component in a chemical reaction is determined by knowing the chemical reaction, balancing it and then using stoichiometry. For example, let us take the case of glucose oxidation:

`C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 -> 6 CO_2 + 6H_2O`

here, glucose breaks down to carbon dioxide and water. Since the reaction is well balanced, we can use stoichiometry and see that 1 mole glucose will release 6 moles of carbon dioxide. Assuming that the reaction is 100% complete, we can use the previous statement (from stoichiometry) to determine the theoretical yield of carbon dioxide. By using the molar masses of glucose and carbon dioxide, we can also determine how much carbon dioxide will be generated by a certain quantity of glucose.

We can use the same method for a given reaction involving copper. If we knew the reaction, we can write a well-balanced chemical equation and use stoichiometry to determine the potential yield (by using the molar mass of all the reactants and products).

Hope this helps. 

In "A Wagner Matinee" how would you describe Aunt Georgiana's life before she married Howard? I know she enjoys her previous life better but I do...

Before she married Howard, Georgiana lived in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was a music teacher. There, too, she was able to attend the symphony and was afforded cultural opportunities. However, on the desolate farm in Nebraska, Georgiana has been deprived of such opportunities and experiences.

Since music speaks to the soul, it is a language that cannot be replaced and it leaves an emptiness when it is absent. At the time of the setting of Cather's story, the only music that could be heard was that which one played oneself or what one heard at concerts and recitals. But, on the remote plains of Nebraska, there would be no such opportunities for concerts, or even recitals. Nor would there be enough time to travel to areas where there might be recitals and concerts.

Her nephew recalls the years when he lived with his aunt and her family in Nebraska as she faced the daunting tasks of farm life. In the evenings she would have him recite Latin declensions of nouns and conjugations of verbs. She heard him read Shakespeare or mythology from her old books. She taught him the scales on her little parlor piano, but she rarely spoke to him of music. When she realized that her nephew hungered for more, she held him and said poignantly, 

"Don't love it so well, Clark, or it may be taken from you. Oh! dear boy, pray that whatever your sacrifice may be, it be not that."

When she was young, Georgiana attended in Paris a performance of the Huguenots, an opera about the conflict between the Catholics and the Protestant Huguenots. Indeed, her previous life was one of comfort and culture, and one in which she delighted. For, when she attends the Wagnerian opera, she weeps from joy in the music and from sorrow for all that she has missed.

What are 3 examples of Laurie's bad behavior at home in the story "Charles"?

Laurie speaks insolently to his parents, spills the baby’s milk, and calls his father names.

Laurie’s parents seem to have no idea that the boy whose bad behavior he describes every day is actually him.  Laurie’s behavior at home clearly demonstrates that he is a handful, but his parents are distracted by the increasingly bizarre behavior he reports every day from his classmate Charles.

At home, Laurie often slams doors, yells, and treats his parents disrespectfully. His parents make no connection between this behavior and Charles’s school antics. They do not even seem to notice that their son is obnoxious at home. They have a new baby that often takes some of their attention.

On Laurie’s first day, he comes home slamming the door and yelling because no one instantly acknowledged his presence.

At lunch he spoke insolently to his father, spilled his baby sister’s milk, and remarked that his teacher said we were not to take the name of the Lord in vain.

His parents do not seem to make the connection between this behavior and the descriptions of the behavior of Charles. Laurie goes seamlessly from his gleeful accounts of the fictional Charles’s bad behavior to being bad himself at home with his parents. His parents either ignore it or are distracted by Charles.

“What did he do?” I asked.

“He just sat there,” Laurie said, climbing into his chair at the table. “Hi, Pop, y’old dust mop.”

“Charles had to stay after school today,” I told my husband. “Everyone stayed with him.”

Laurie’s parents seem unaware that their son is struggling in school, and apparently the teacher thinks it is better to just sit back and wait until he settles down. He does begin to behave more appropriately as time goes on, and by the time Laurie’s mother finally makes it to a parent-teacher conference, he is no longer the Charles he has been describing for so long.

what propaganda technique is used in Animal Farm through this quote "all animals were equal but some are more equal than others”?

This phrase uses more than one propaganda technique but it most prominently engages in doublespeak, a term invented by Orwell in 1984 to indicate saying the opposite of what is meant. Doublespeak actually inverts meaning, such as, in 1984, calling war "peace" or the ministry devoted to torture the ministry of love (minilove). In Animal Farm, a slogan devoted to radical equality: "all animals are equal," is turned into its opposite: all animals are equal, except some are not; in other words, all animals are not equal.  

Other propaganda techniques make this doublespeak possible. Using the language of the common man is another form of propaganda, such as when politicians say "God bless America" whether they mean it or not or when politicians are photographed eating grits in a diner when they are wealthy people who normally would never go near a diner. In Animal Farm's case, the equality slogan speaks the language of the common animal, so it is easy to confuse the issue by attaching doublespeak to it. Finally, the doublespeak is reinforced by conditioning: the animals have learned to feel good about the equality slogan, so anything attached to it, even it turns the meaning of the original statement upside down, is likely to evoke a "feel good" sensation.

In what types of cells can a vacuole be found?

Vacuoles are membrane-bound compartments that can be found in eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain membrane-bound organelles, such as a vacuole, and a nucleus. Plants, animals, and fungi are composed of eukaryotic cells.

Vacuoles serve to hold water and nutrients within a cell. Vacuoles also protect cells by storing toxins.

The vacuoles of plant cells are larger than the vacuoles of animal cells. When filled with water, the vacuole of plant cells exert pressure within the cell. This pressure is known as turgor pressure. When the vacuoles of plant cells are filled with enough water, the plant appears healthy and stands upright. When the vacuoles of plant cells do not contain enough water, then there is not enough pressure within the cell and the plant appears wilted.

How is irony used in "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl?

Irony is one of the most commonly employed literary techniques in "Lamb to the Slaughter." It is ironic, for example, that the main character, Mary, is described early on as having "placid eyes," but she then goes on to murder her husband—the very antithesis of being placid.

Moreover, Patrick's request that Mary does not cause any "problem" for him in the divorce is given an ironic twist by the very fact of his murder. Mary's use of the leg of lamb as a murder weapon is also ironic when the meat that was designed to nourish Patrick is instead used to end his life.

In a final twist, Mary feeds this leg of lamb to the policemen who come to investigate Patrick's death; they sit in her home, with mouths "full of meat," and have no idea they are eating the murder weapon they are so keen to discover.

By employing irony in this way, Dahl adds an element of dark humor to his story and suggests Mary might just get away with murder.

How does Jack propose that his tribe get fire? Describe the encounter between the two groups.

In Chapter 10, Jack tells his followers that they will go on a hunt the next day and have a feast. One of the savages then asks Jack what they will use for lighting the fire. Jack then proposes that they take the fire from Ralph's camp. Jack says that he, Maurice, and Roger will travel to the other side of the island and steal the fire during the night. That night, the three savages quietly approach Piggy's shelter where he is lying next to Ralph and Samneric. Before the savages enter the shelter, they whisper "Piggy, come outside. I want you, Piggy" (Golding 240). Suddenly, there is a crash, and the savages enter the shelter snarling as they punch and kick the boys. Ralph begins to fight back, and the boys roll around swinging at each other in the darkness. During the rumble, Ralph gets on top of someone and begins to punch their face before he gets hit in the crotch. Finally, the shelter collapses and the savages escape. After the fight, Ralph watches as the three savages happily jog along the beach carrying Piggy's glasses. 

What subjects are girls allowed to study in Kenya?

Education in Kenya is heavily influenced by cultural factors. Gender norms, economic status, and proximity to a school all affect the education of young people. In traditional Kenyan society, there is a high gender disparity in education- meaning many more boys attend and complete schooling than do girls. The role of women and girls in traditional Kenyan society is to care for the home and family, with a great emphasis on skills in cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing. 

According to the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, 75% of girls attend primary school, but this number drops to only 42% for secondary schooling. Many girls leave school to help care for their families, when they become married, or due to the difficulties of menstruation. Because of the drop-out rates, most girls and women achieve basic literacy and mathematics skills, but may not have education in the sciences. In theory, women and girls are allowed to learn any subject taught in schools, but cultural and social forces may limit them in doing so. In 2011, UNESCO sponsored a movement to improve gender sensitivity in Kenyan schools and to encourage young girls to study mathematics, technology, and the sciences.

Describe how Daniel changes throughout the novel The Bronze Bow?

At the beginning of the novel, Daniel is full of hatred and resentment. He's spent the last five years in the mountains contemplating his revenge on the Romans for ruining his family and life. Daniel's bitterness has kept him removed from his grandmother and sister who live in the village. After sharing a bond with Joel and Malthace, Daniel begins to long for their friendship. As the novel progresses, Daniel becomes increasingly jaded about Rosh's objectives and feels comfortable living in the village. Daniel's anger towards Rome does not subside, but his tolerance for his sister and Thacia fluctuates. Gradually Daniel begins witnessing Jesus preach and develops a loving relationship with his sister. After Samson and Nathan die attempting to free Joel, Daniel becomes very depressed which negatively affects his sister. Daniel is not able to rid himself of the hate and malice he feels towards Rome. It takes a visit from Jesus to heal Leah and Thacia's compassion, before Daniel's life begins to change for the better. By the end of the novel, Daniel is able to let go of his bitterness towards Rome and those around him. Daniel accepts Thacia's gift of love and invites Marcus, the Roman soldier, into his home. Instead of being filled with spite, Daniel learns to love, and his future looks positive.

What causes the decision taken by Eveline not to elope with Frank in "Eveline"?

Eveline's history is one of repression; moreover, what Joyce defines as paralysis propels the story of "Eveline." And, it is because of this paralysis that Eveline cannot bring herself to elope with Frank.

For the most part, the demands of her Irish-Catholic background determine Eveline's decisions. There is Eveline's obedience to her mother's last wishes that she hold the family together, and to her father, who

...had found out the affair and had forbidden her to have anything to say to him [Frank]."

There is in her house the hanging promise of Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque for security and blessings in life for those who keep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Before Eveline goes to the station, she prays for guidance from God, and when the boat's whistle blows in the mist, Eveline says a silent and fervent prayer; as she does so, "[A] bell clanged upon her heart." This bell is the conditioning of her religious faith and her domestic servility, and she surrenders to it.

No! No! No! It was impossible,...Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish!

Eveline is paralyzed by her uncertainty and her sense of duty; she forsakes escape and love for the past, trapped psychologically by her religious beliefs and promises.