What happens to the inhabitants of the city in "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The inhabitants of the city all die of the Red Death plague.

When the Red Death falls upon Prince Prospero’s city, many people die.  The Red Death is dangerous and deadly.  It wipes through the population so quickly that Prospero doesn’t bother to help his people.  He just flees, locking himself and his thousand closest friends in a fortress.

But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he...

The inhabitants of the city all die of the Red Death plague.

When the Red Death falls upon Prince Prospero’s city, many people die.  The Red Death is dangerous and deadly.  It wipes through the population so quickly that Prospero doesn’t bother to help his people.  He just flees, locking himself and his thousand closest friends in a fortress.

But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys.

As you can see, half of the people in the kingdom had died by this time, and the rest were well on their way.  The Red Death killed by liquidating its host.  It was highly contagious and there was no way to escape it.

Prospero and his people thought they were safe inside their castle.  They felt that if they barricaded themselves away and did not let any infected people in, they would not be infected.  This was a plan that did not succeed.  Even though they survived six months this way, the Red Death still found them.

And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall.

When Prospero first saw Death, he does not believe it.  He is convinced that the imposter is just playing with them, dressed in a morbid costume.  He tries to fight back, but it’s pointless.  He dies, and so do all of his guests.  They die instantly, unlike the other victims.

Why does it take Walter Cunningham so long to make a decision concerning Jem's suggestion?

Scout is mad at Walter Cunningham. She blames him because she got in trouble at school with her new teacher over a discussion about his lack of lunch. She fights Walter until Jem comes up and tells her not to. Walter seems worried that both Jem and Scout will beat him up. Scout mentions to Jem that Walter does not have lunch. Jem decides to invite Walter over to their house for lunch. At first,...

Scout is mad at Walter Cunningham. She blames him because she got in trouble at school with her new teacher over a discussion about his lack of lunch. She fights Walter until Jem comes up and tells her not to. Walter seems worried that both Jem and Scout will beat him up. Scout mentions to Jem that Walter does not have lunch. Jem decides to invite Walter over to their house for lunch. At first, Walter seems excited about this, but then his face changes. He seems concerned about going over to their house for lunch. He fears being beaten up. He is also concerned about being around Scout, who is angry with him. To reassure him, Jem tells Walter that Atticus knows his father. He also promises Scout will not try to beat him up anymore. Scout does not want to make any promises about not beating Walter up, but she eventually relents. She tells Walter about the delicious butterbeans Calpurnia cooks. Jem and Scout leave for home, and Walter eventually follows:

Walter stood where he was, biting his lip. Jem and I gave up, and we were nearly to the Radley Place when Walter called, "Hey, I'm comin'!" (Chapter 3)

What causes Macbeth's downfall in Macbeth?

Macbeth’s downfall came from allowing others to influence him and his paranoia.

Macbeth was too easily influenced by others.  The witches lead him around like a dog on a leash, and his wife pushes him over the edge.  At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a war hero.  By the end, he is a maniacal tyrant whose paranoia leads him to make enemies left and right.

Macbeth was influenced by the witches from the very beginning.  They knew what buttons to push.  Using his ambition and pliancy against him, they fed him prophecies that he would be great someday soon.

SECOND WITCH: All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee,

Thane of Cawdor!

THIRD WITCH: All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be

King hereafter! (Act 1, Scene 3)

The witches fill Macbeth’s head with delusions of grandeur, and convince him that it is his right to be king.  Using the promotion he was just about to get was a subtle but effective trick.  It made him believe that if he got the first promotion, he would get the second.  He became Thane of Cawdor, so of course he would be king.  When Duncan chose his son as his heir instead, Macbeth’s ire was up.  He was angry at not being chosen for a rank he never deserved.

Macbeth wrote to Lady Macbeth and told her of his new fortunes, or supposed fortunes.  She latched onto the chance for Macbeth to be king and wouldn’t let it go.  Macbeth returned home not sure that he really did want to challenge Duncan, and Lady Macbeth convinced him that if he didn’t he wasn’t being a man.

We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place,

And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep—

… —his two chamberlains

Will I with wine and wassail so convince,

That memory, the warder of the brain,

Shall be a fume and the receipt of reason A limbec. only … (Act 1, Scene 7)

She is so convincing that he goes along with it, and kills the king.  She has every detail planned out, even scolding him for not leaving the knife behind when he stabs Duncan.  Macbeth is stuck.  Once he kills Duncan, he has gone down a road he can’t come back from.  He wasn’t sure whether he should do it, since Duncan had done nothing wrong.  His wife gives him no choice.

Macbeth’s doubts crystalize into paranoia.  He becomes concerned that his friend and fellow noble Banquo knows too much.  He has Banquo killed and tries to kill his son too, because the witches prophesized that Banquo’s heirs would be king.  He also has Macduff’s family killed, worried that he is suspicious.  Macduff escapes, and has become an even greater enemy to Macbeth.

Macbeth was ambitious; there is no doubt about that.  However, he was also very easy to persuade.  The witches used their influence over him to destroy him.  By telling him that no man born of woman could kill him, they made him susceptible to Macduff’s influence.  Told to beware Macduff, Macbeth did not know what to believe, and Macduff was able to manipulate him into basically giving up the fight.

What are the main characteristics of a Restoration tragedy?

The tragedy of the Restoration period followed the return of Charles II and the Stuart dynasty after the Interregnum. The period was marked by certain distinct attributes.

It marked a clear new tradition, cut off from the previous national style by the long hiaitus that occurred during the time of Commonwealth rule, during which time the theaters of England were closed on moral grounds. Upon opening again, the new theater seemed in many ways to...

The tragedy of the Restoration period followed the return of Charles II and the Stuart dynasty after the Interregnum. The period was marked by certain distinct attributes.

It marked a clear new tradition, cut off from the previous national style by the long hiaitus that occurred during the time of Commonwealth rule, during which time the theaters of England were closed on moral grounds. Upon opening again, the new theater seemed in many ways to claim their own wicked reputation with glee. Picking up from the current Continental and French norms, women were for the first time regularly permitted on stage, and there was a resulting expansion of roles written for them. The style and manner of the writing was similarly influenced by French and Continental styles, focusing on wit, passion, and a rather cold-blooded, amoral view of society and human culture. While the good might be very good indeed, and the wicked melodramatically wicked, on the whole the characters were worldly and aware.

Tragedy of the period broke down into two main schools, one early, one arising later. The first, Heroic Drama, focused on charismatic male leaders drawn to their doom through their own driven characters. The manner was overblown, poetic, and romantic. Following this came a period of what were known as she-tragedies--similarly overwrought, but focusing on virtuous women in melodramatic traps set by a corrupt world. The style was heavy on the pathos.

The emotionality, the wordly cynicism, and the role of the virtous as targets for the corrupt are all elements of a distinctly Baroque style of writing as high-blown as the paintings of the era, filled with energy and detail and sentiment.

Declaration of Independence: was it a major turning point in the U.S., what changed and what remained consistent from the period immediately...

The Declaration of Independence was clearly a turning point in United States History. The Declaration of Independence stated that we were no longer a part of the British Empire. It said we were free from British rule. We were now an independent country based on the words of the Declaration of Independence. We went from being British colonies and British citizens to having our own country and becoming American citizens.

What changed after the Declaration...

The Declaration of Independence was clearly a turning point in United States History. The Declaration of Independence stated that we were no longer a part of the British Empire. It said we were free from British rule. We were now an independent country based on the words of the Declaration of Independence. We went from being British colonies and British citizens to having our own country and becoming American citizens.

What changed after the Declaration of Independence was that we were now at war with Great Britain. The British weren’t going to allow us to just walk away from British rule without a fight. As a result, the Revolutionary War began. We were now fighting for our freedom. The Second Continental Congress was now acting as our official government. While it was functioning as a form of government before the Revolutionary War, the British were still ruling us. Once we declared independence, the Second Continental Congress acted as our government. Thus, the Second Continental Congress was an example of a change since it was now our official government. However, it also is an example of what remained consistent because it was functioning as a form of government before we declared independence.

Once we declared independence, we were now responsible for many things that the British had done for us. We had to deal with other countries. We had to develop our system of money. We had to supply our army and train our troops. The British were doing many of these things before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. These were significant changes for us.

We did continue to carry on our normal business before and after the Declaration of Independence. Our industries continued to make products, and our farms continue to produce various crops and farm products. Americans continued to believe in the ideals that a government must protect our rights and be of service to the people it represents. These were some ideas that remained constant before and after the Declaration of Independence was issued.

In regards to "A Good Man is Hard to Find," what other technological, economic, and social changes did the U.S. highway system enable the 1950s?

"A Good Man to Find" offers an important slice of social history about the way highways opened up society in the 1950s. First, the new and improved highways allowed families like Bailey's in the story to hop into a car and take a family vacation. Before Eisenhower expanded the highways in 1950s, poor roads kept Americans closer to home or encouraged them to take trains. As we see in "A Good Man," however, the family...

"A Good Man to Find" offers an important slice of social history about the way highways opened up society in the 1950s. First, the new and improved highways allowed families like Bailey's in the story to hop into a car and take a family vacation. Before Eisenhower expanded the highways in 1950s, poor roads kept Americans closer to home or encouraged them to take trains. As we see in "A Good Man," however, the family now has the freedom to hit the road, take detours and explore the countryside. 

The growth of highways also meant the growth of the kind of restaurants like Big Sammys where the family stops to dine on hamburgers and cokes. This was the period before fast food chains took over. Stopping at Big Sammys gave the family an opportunity to meet other people in a mom and pop setting.

Finally, and sadly, the highway system made the family vulnerable to attack from the Misfit and his gang. The story shows that with the good comes the bad: the highway system helped Americans move around more freely, but with this freedom came greater risks. Big Sammy himself sums up the change when the family stops at his place to eat:

"I remember the day you could go off and leave your screen door unlatched. But no more."

Unfortunately, the family, or at least the Grandmother, doesn't pay enough attention to this warning.

What does the high price of Jimmy's tools tell you about his life of crime in "A Retrieved Reformation?"

The cost of Jimmy’s tools means that he was a good safecracker.

Jimmy has over nine hundred dollars’ worth of safe-cracking tools.  The fact that he has this many expensive tools shows that he was very successful in his career as a safecracker.  He cracked enough safes and got enough money that he was able to pay for these expensive tools.

No finer tools could be found any place. They were complete; everything needed was here. They had been made of a special material, in the necessary sizes and shapes. Jimmy had planned them himself, and he was very proud of them.

The mere possession of these tools makes the police officer Ben Price suspicious.  He feels that Jimmy could easily slip back into the life, because he “has the tools to do it.”  Safecracking is a highly specialized skill, and Jimmy’s talents are in high demand.  Jimmy must be thinking the same thing, because he decides to give his tools away.

By the time he gets out of prison, Jimmy is ready to give up his life of crime.  He still values his tools though, looking at them “lovingly.”  Although he wants to go straight, his skills turn out to be needed when the little sister of the girl he loves accidentally locks herself in a brand new and supposed uncrackable safe.

Mr. Adams, in a shaking voice. “My God! Spencer, what shall we do? That child—she can’t live long in there. There isn’t enough air. And the fear will kill her.”

Even though it will violate his parole and let everyone know about his past, Jimmy puts the life of the little girl over his own freedom and the woman he loves.  He knows that he is the only one who can get the little girl free, and time is running out.  Seeing this, Ben Price decides that Jimmy is reformed after all.

Jimmy was placed in a difficult situation.  His old life was calling to him, symbolized in the tools he loved so much. Safecracking is an art, and it is hard to give up.  Jimmy chose good over crime, however, and retrieved his reformation.  He truly showed that when it counted, he would make the right choice.  Jimmy put others ahead of himself.

What is a summary of the prologue of Romeo and Juliet?

The Prologue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Julietprovides several spoilers about the tragedy's plot for those in attendance. It also displays Shakespeare's expertise as a sonneteer, as it is written in iambic pentameter and made up of twelve lines with alternating rhymes followed by a couplet in lines 13 and 14. It opens by telling the audience that the story takes place in Verona, where two wealthy families are involved in a bitter feud which...

The Prologue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet provides several spoilers about the tragedy's plot for those in attendance. It also displays Shakespeare's expertise as a sonneteer, as it is written in iambic pentameter and made up of twelve lines with alternating rhymes followed by a couplet in lines 13 and 14. It opens by telling the audience that the story takes place in Verona, where two wealthy families are involved in a bitter feud which has gone on for quite some time and often breaks out in "new mutiny." The offspring, who have been matched by the stars (a nod to the idea of fate as well as to astrology, which was very popular at the time), of these two families fall in love and eventually commit suicide, but before that the two will experience misadventure and "their parents' rage." The play will last about two hours, and the audience should have "patient ears." It didn't really matter to the audience if Shakespeare immediately gave away important plot elements. The audience members would be well-aware of the basic story of Romeo and Juliet from the poem by Arthur Brooke. Moreover, as the Prologue suggests, the audience has come to hear Shakespeare's words; they are not all that concerned with the plot. Shakespeare was experimenting with the English language in a way that was highly attractive to the 16th century London theater-going public and, of course, is still quite popular today. That the Prologue basically told the whole story before it even started didn't matter.

Why was the nullification crisis a good thing?

There are reasons why the nullification crisis was a good thing. Going back to 1798, when the Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, there had constantly been some discussion by some states about the nullification of federal laws. These Acts were aimed at the Democratic-Republican Party. More immigrants were joining the Democratic-Republican Party than the Federalist Party. By passing the Alien Act, it lengthened the amount of time it took for an immigrant to...

There are reasons why the nullification crisis was a good thing. Going back to 1798, when the Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, there had constantly been some discussion by some states about the nullification of federal laws. These Acts were aimed at the Democratic-Republican Party. More immigrants were joining the Democratic-Republican Party than the Federalist Party. By passing the Alien Act, it lengthened the amount of time it took for an immigrant to become a citizen. This meant that the immigrants couldn’t vote until they became citizens, which now would have taken more years to occur. It increased the likelihood of the Federalists staying in power. The Sedition Act made it illegal to falsely criticize the government. The South, where the Democratic-Republicans had more power, threatened to nullify these laws. Specifically, the states of Virginia and Kentucky threatened to nullify these laws. Since the laws were repealed, the threat of nullification ended. However, the threat of nullification didn’t go away.

In 1828, the people of South Carolina were outraged by the high tariff that was placed on imported products. Led by John C. Calhoun, South Carolina insisted that it could nullify any federal law that helped one state or region at the expense of another state or region. President Andrew Jackson insisted the tariff would be enforced throughout the country, including South Carolina. President Jackson suggested military force would be used to enforce the tariff, if necessary. While this crisis faded when a compromise was reached gradually lowering the tariff over a ten-year period, President Jackson made it clear that federal laws were supreme and would be enforced. It sent a message that nullification wasn’t acceptable.

While this issue wasn't clearly put to rest until after the Civil War was fought, the nullification crisis reinforced the powerful of the federal government. It also made it clear the federal laws can’t be rejected by individual states. This nullification crisis reinforced the ideas about the federal government and the federal laws that are stated in the Constitution.

What is Rozencrantz and Guildenstern's role in the play Hamlet?

The play "Hamlet" draws heavily on the themes of betrayal and revenge. Hamlet, after encountering the ghost of his father, the former king, becomes entangled in seeking revenge against his uncle, the current king, both for having supposedly murdered his father and then married his former sister-in-law. In the midst of his struggles with grief, revenge, and possible insanity, Hamlet becomes noticeably troubled, leading the king and queen to send for Rosencratz and Guildenstern, two...

The play "Hamlet" draws heavily on the themes of betrayal and revenge. Hamlet, after encountering the ghost of his father, the former king, becomes entangled in seeking revenge against his uncle, the current king, both for having supposedly murdered his father and then married his former sister-in-law. In the midst of his struggles with grief, revenge, and possible insanity, Hamlet becomes noticeably troubled, leading the king and queen to send for Rosencratz and Guildenstern, two courtiers and childhood friends of Hamlet. They are called upon by the royal couple to unearth what is causing Hamlet's distress. Initially, Hamlet receives them fondly, referring to them as "My excellent good friends" in line 227. However, he quickly sees past their claims of visiting for the sake of their old friendship and discerns their true connections to the king. While it could be argued that their intentions were based on their continued love for Hamlet, Rosencratz and Guildenstern's involvement with Claudius poisons Hamlet's opinions of them. In this, they add another layer of betrayal by Claudius to Hamlet's perspective. Arguably, this additional deception, and by such close friends, solidifies Hamlet's commitment to seeking revenge against Claudius. In switching the letter to the King of England to incite the execution of his former friends, Hamlet expresses no remorse or sympathy, blaming their fate on their foolish involvement with Claudius. 

What is a good thesis statement for the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson?

If you are asking for a thesis statement, I am assuming you are going to be writing an essay.  I am going to make some suggestions for thesis statements that you could then develop into interesting essay topics.  I hope this is what you need and is helpful!

1.  Treasure Island is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story in which the protagonist goes on a journey filled with obstacles in order to reach a new...

If you are asking for a thesis statement, I am assuming you are going to be writing an essay.  I am going to make some suggestions for thesis statements that you could then develop into interesting essay topics.  I hope this is what you need and is helpful!

1.  Treasure Island is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story in which the protagonist goes on a journey filled with obstacles in order to reach a new level of maturity.  With this thesis statement, you could research the characteristics of a bildungsroman and discuss how Jim fulfills each one.  I am including a link below.

2.  Despite being the obvious antagonist of the novel, Long John Silver teaches Jim as much about leadership as Captain Smollett.  With this topic, you could compare and contrast the leadership styles of the two men and what each one teaches Jim.  I don't see Long John Silver as simply a bad guy, and I don't think Jim does either!

I hope that you find one of these topics interesting enough to work with.  Investigate the links below, and always feel free to post another question.

How is the house described in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House? How do the children behave in the play?

Henrik Ibsen provides many details in his stage directions about the house that serves as the setting for his play A Doll's House.In the opening act, the house is described as "furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly," which tells us the Helmers are financially comfortable enough to be able to afford a comfortable and attractive home, but not rich enough to afford an expensively furnished home. The main room of the house,...

Henrik Ibsen provides many details in his stage directions about the house that serves as the setting for his play A Doll's House.

In the opening act, the house is described as "furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly," which tells us the Helmers are financially comfortable enough to be able to afford a comfortable and attractive home, but not rich enough to afford an expensively furnished home. The main room of the house, which is the only room on the set visible to the audience, is built with three walls. Along the back wall, a door on stage right — the actor's right facing the audience — opens to the "entrance-hall," whereas a door on stage left opens to Torvald's study. In addition, an upright piano stands propped against the back wall between these two doorways.  

A third door is situated in the middle of the wall on stage left. It must be this third door that gains access to the nursery, for when the nurse returns home with the children in this first act, she is described as entering the "room on the left" while Nora plays with the children. A window is also situated near this third door, and a "round table, arm-chairs and a small sofa" are situated close to this window.

A fourth door is situated on the far end of the third wall on stage right. Near this fourth door stands a small table and a stove; the stove is surrounded by two easy chairs and a rocking-chair. This wall on stage right is also decorated with engravings. Ibsen further describes that the floor is carpeted, and the set is also decorated with a china cabinet and a small bookcase.

When the children enter the scene, they all talk very happily with their mother at once, describing the adventures they had just been engaged in such as sledging, having snowball fights, and being chased by a dog. After Nora removes the children's winter outerwear, she begins to play hide and seek with them. Ibsen describe the children as laughing while "rush[ing] in and out" of the room in search of their mother.

Why does Montresor want revenge against Fortunato?

Montresor begins his narrative by stating

The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.

Since Montresor never describes the insult or any of the injuries, readers have offered all sorts of conflicting opinions about his motivation. Some believe that Montresor was never injured or insulted at all and therefore must be insane. Poe avoids having to clarify or justify Montresor's motivation by having him address his communication, or confession, or letter, to a person he calls 

You, who so well know the nature of my soul

Presumably this person knows so much about Montresor that it is not necessary for him to give any examples of the injuries. This device is effective because it forces the reader to pay close attention to the text in an effort to deduce facts that are fully understood by "You, who so well know the nature of my soul." This is very much like Ernest Hemingway's famous "Iceberg principle." 

If a writer of prose knows enough of what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an ice-berg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing.
                         Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon

It does not seem likely that Montresor could be insane and write such a coherent narrative. He must be sane and telling the exact truth. There should be indications within the narrative of the types of injuries that have driven Montresor to plan and execute his revenge. The injuries would have to be of a kind that are known only to Montresor and Fortunato. Montresor wants to kill with "impunity," and he could not expect impunity if it were widely known that he had been injured by Fortunato anything like a thousand times. Poe offers a clue in the third paragraph of the story, which should be read with special attention.

He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseur-ship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially;—I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

This sounds as if both men are "gentlemen-brokers" who earn their livings by dealing in luxury goods such as paintings, jewelry,antiques, gourmet wines--even in real estate. Fortunato is rich, Montresor is poor. Montresor puts up with Fortunato's injuries because he is dependent on him financially. There are many impoverished Venetian aristocrats who are forced to dispose of family heirlooms in order to survive in their decaying palazzi. Montresor may often need to borrow from the man he constantly describes as his good friend in order to purchase an item for resale. Or he may go into an ad hoc partnership with Fortunato on a purchase. Or he may simply receive a finder's fee for introducing his good friend to a prospective buyer or seller of some one-of-a-kind family treasure. Fortunato would have plenty of opportunities to "injure" Montresor, without anyone else knowing about it, by taking an unfair share of the profits on a transaction, by paying a lower finder's fee than agreed upon, or cheating him in a dozen other ways. As Montresor says to his good friend when they are in the catacombs:

“Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious.You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter."

Montresor knows that Fortunato is planning to cheat him on the nonexistent Amontillado. It would be just the sort of opportunity Fortunato could not resist. He is planning to taste the wine and, assuming it is genuine, tell Montresor it is only ordinary sherry, then find the nonexistent Spanish ship with its nonexistent cargo of Amontillado and buy up the whole shipload. When Montresor found out what happened, Fortunato would laugh it off as "an excellent jest." He is a scoundrel, but he considers himself a funny fellow, which is why he wears a jester's costume in the carnival.

This is a logical explanation of why Montresor, who is extremely clever and perfectly sane, should want revenge against Fortunato. Montresor has been cheated by this man so many times that he knows he can entrap him simply by offering him an apparent opportunity to cheat him once again.

In "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, how does she use syntax to create an effect?

Syntax refers to the way a sentence is put together. The typical sentence contains a subject and a predicate, and then perhaps, in addition, a direct or indirect object, some prepositions, some adjectives, and so on. Any deviation from the norm is going to draw attention to something in that sentence. For example, a sentence that lacks direct reference to a subject (which would actually notbe a complete sentence, then) might draw attention to...

Syntax refers to the way a sentence is put together. The typical sentence contains a subject and a predicate, and then perhaps, in addition, a direct or indirect object, some prepositions, some adjectives, and so on. Any deviation from the norm is going to draw attention to something in that sentence. For example, a sentence that lacks direct reference to a subject (which would actually not be a complete sentence, then) might draw attention to the predicate instead.

In "Girl," the speaker, presumably the girl's mother or a female authority figure, is issuing a long series of instructions on all manner of subjects that are necessary for this young girl to know. Rather than placing a period after all, or even some, of the independent clauses, the author chooses to string them all together with semicolons, creating one gigantic sentence, full of directions and orders.

Although semicolons are used to separate independent clauses that are strongly related, we typically don't connect more than two or three independent clauses in this way. Therefore, this is an unusual syntax choice that seems to emphasize just how much responsibility this young girl seems to have thrust upon her and how little agency she has to make her own decisions, as every moment of her day seems as though it will be filled with the tasks her mother outlines. Furthermore, the almost complete lack of the girl's own voice seems to imply that her identity and voice will, in fact, be stifled by her life as a girl (which the title seems to imply is the most important part of her identity).

If I have a block that I am pushing up an incline with my hand how do I express the work done on the block by my hand?

You need to know the angle of the incline and the mass of the block to solve this problem, but I'll walk you through the process. I'm making three assumptions:

1. The block in being pushed at a constant rate of speed.

2. The incline is frictionless.

3. The force is being applied to the block in the same direction that it's moving.

Since the block isn't accelerating, the force being exerted on the block...

You need to know the angle of the incline and the mass of the block to solve this problem, but I'll walk you through the process. I'm making three assumptions:

1. The block in being pushed at a constant rate of speed.

2. The incline is frictionless.

3. The force is being applied to the block in the same direction that it's moving.

Since the block isn't accelerating, the force being exerted on the block to keep it in motion equals the weight of the block acting parallel to the incline. We can find that force vector using trigonometry.

In the diagram below, The arrow pointing down the ramp and parallel to it represents the weight acting in that direction and therefore the magitude of the force being applied. This is what we're trying to calculate. The arrow pointing straight down represents the weight of the block:

w = mg = mass of block x acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s^2

Using similar triangles, we can say that the angle between the weight mg and the component of weight perpindicular to the incline is the same as the angle the incline makes with the horizontal. We therefore have a right triangle in which mg is the hypotenuse and the force exerted by your hand is the opposite side.

sin`theta` = opposite side/hypotenuse = F/mg, so F = mg(sin `theta` )

Work = force x displacement where displacement is in the direction of the force.

The work done is therefore expressed as W = mg(sin `theta` )d 

In Chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what positive things do you learn about Scout's neighbors?

Chapter 8 solidifies that Scout's neighborhood is tight-knit, and that her neighbors look out for each other as neighbors should.  Early on in the chapter, Mrs. Radley dies.  Although Atticus was not particularly close to Mrs. Radley, he shows neighborly support by paying a visit to the Radley home.

Later in the chapter, Ms. Maudie's house burns down.  All of the neighbors converge on Maudie's house, both to help her put out the fire and...

Chapter 8 solidifies that Scout's neighborhood is tight-knit, and that her neighbors look out for each other as neighbors should.  Early on in the chapter, Mrs. Radley dies.  Although Atticus was not particularly close to Mrs. Radley, he shows neighborly support by paying a visit to the Radley home.

Later in the chapter, Ms. Maudie's house burns down.  All of the neighbors converge on Maudie's house, both to help her put out the fire and to console her.  One final, and unexpected, neighborly gesture occurs when Scout realizes she has a blanket around her shoulders (while standing outside of Maudie's house).  She and her family realize that Boo Radley must have slipped the blanket onto her shoulders when she was not looking.  Thus, while the children have represented Boo as the monster of the neighborhood, in this instance, he exhibits a neighborliness consistent with the others.

What might happen to the people who are released in The Giver?

We come to find out that to be released means to die, so anyone being released is really dying. The community does not use the term "death," however, nor do they talk about dying, even if someone is very sick or very old. 

It takes a while for us to realize this, though. We begin to get an idea that release means death when Jonas is volunteering at the House of the Old and the...

We come to find out that to be released means to die, so anyone being released is really dying. The community does not use the term "death," however, nor do they talk about dying, even if someone is very sick or very old. 

It takes a while for us to realize this, though. We begin to get an idea that release means death when Jonas is volunteering at the House of the Old and the old woman he is bathing is talking about a release celebration for another one of the elderly people in the nursing home. Although it sounds a bit more like a retirement party than anything else, we get the impression when Roberto is taken through the door to the release room that he is going to meet his death, even though when Jonas asks what happens during the release, the old woman says only the Elders know.

Later, Jonas actually watches a video of a release and sees exactly what it means.

As for what happens to those who are released, if we are being literal about what happens to their bodies, we do not know. The only release we see from beginning to end is for the newborn twin and his body is discarded in what appears to be a trash chute. The other references to release in the novel do not mention where the bodies go following the release.

Is mystery important in one's life?

I would say that mystery is important in everyone's life for a few reasons. First, it is the inevitable human condition, and second, it provides us with challenges.

We all have mystery in our lives, which is the future.  We do not know what will happen to us. Certainly, we know the sun will rise in the east and set in the west. But the future is always a mystery in some way. What you...

I would say that mystery is important in everyone's life for a few reasons. First, it is the inevitable human condition, and second, it provides us with challenges.

We all have mystery in our lives, which is the future.  We do not know what will happen to us. Certainly, we know the sun will rise in the east and set in the west. But the future is always a mystery in some way. What you will be, whom you will love, and where you will live are all mysteries at some point in your life.  If everything were predictable, if the future were known, I don't know how many of us would be all that engaged in our lives.  I think it is the mystery of the future that makes us want to get out of bed every day to see what will happen next. I know that is true for me. 

If there are other kinds of mysteries in our lives, we usually want to solve them. We are meant to be intellectually curious beings. This can be a grand mystery that leads to an important discovery, such as the mystery of the stars.  Or it can be a minor mystery, such as why that car has circled the block five times. In either case, we are intrigued and begin to investigate.  The world is filled with mysteries, great and small, and we need them for our minds and our satisfaction in solving them. 

In Great Expectations, what is Pip's education like under Mr. Pocket?

At the beginning of Chapter XXIV, Pip explains what little he knows about what is expected of both him and his tutor Mr. Pocket.

After two or three days, when I had established myself in my room and had gone backwards and forwards to London several times, and had ordered all I wanted of my tradesmen, Mr. Pocket and I had a long talk together. He knew more of my intended career than I knew myself, for he referred to his having been told by Mr. Jaggers that I was not designed for any profession, and that I should be well enough educated for my destiny if I could "hold my own" with the average of young men in prosperous circumstances. I acquiesced, of course, knowing nothing to the contrary.

Matthew Pocket is invented as a character in order to explain how Pip becomes a real gentleman by the time his secret benefactor Magwitch makes his appearance in Chapter XXXIX. Mr. Pocket acts only as a tutor and advisor to Pip, whose education consists largely of reading in the company of Bartley Drummle and Startop as well as reading at home. The fact that Matthew Pocket is related to Miss Havisham increases Pip's belief that Miss Havisham must be his secret benefactor. Mr. Pocket also encourages Pip to go to places that are frequented by young gentlemen so that he can pick up their manners and attitudes. Pip develops bad habits. He learns how to waste time and money, and this is part of his education as a gentleman because he is becoming like all the other young gentlemen of London. Dicken's illustrates Pip's transformation into a gentleman in Chapter XXXIV with a description of the Finches of the Grove.

At Startop's suggestion, we put ourselves down for election into a club called the Finches of the Grove: the object of which institution I have never divined, if it were not that the members should dine expensively once a fortnight, to quarrel among themselves as much as possible after dinner, and to cause six waiters to get drunk on the stairs.

Magwitch is delighted with Pip when he meets him after so many years in Chapter XXXIX. Pip is exactly Magwitch's idea of a London gentleman. He has acquired a lot of book knowledge through desultory reading which has not prepared him for any profession. He had acquired good manners but is completely selfish, wasteful and lazy--just as a gentleman should be in Magwitch's opinion. He is entirely dependent on the money he receives from his unknown benefactor, who, to his utter horror, turns out to the the ignorant and vulgar Abel Magwitch. Mr. Pocket has been the ideal tutor for Pip because Pocket is a gentleman who never acquired any discipline and has ended up earning a living by teaching other men to be like himself. Pocket also earns money to support his large, chaotic family by lecturing on domestic economy. In Chapter XXXIII, Pip writes:

Mr. Pocket was out lecturing; for he was a most delightful lecturer on domestic economy, and his treatises on the management of children and servants were considered the very best text-books on those themes.

Helen's firm determination and hard work enabled her to achieve what she wanted. Elaborate this statement in 150 words with regards to The Story of...

I will provide some examples below of how Helen's determination and hard work allowed her to achieve many things in her life.

Helen did not learn to fully communicate until she was seven years old.  This only happened when Annie Sullivan came to be her teacher.  Despite this delay, Helen was a fast learner.  Once Helen first made the connection between the letters being spelled into her hands and the things around her, she made...

I will provide some examples below of how Helen's determination and hard work allowed her to achieve many things in her life.

Helen did not learn to fully communicate until she was seven years old.  This only happened when Annie Sullivan came to be her teacher.  Despite this delay, Helen was a fast learner.  Once Helen first made the connection between the letters being spelled into her hands and the things around her, she made great strides in her learning.  She worked very hard and her determination helped her to even attend college.  

In college, Helen could not listen to the professors in order to take notes.  Instead, she needed someone to spell every word of the teacher's lecture into her hand.  Helen was able to follow along, but she could not take notes.  Despite this challenge and others, Helen still graduated Magna Cum Laude.

What are features of plant that separate them from fungi?

Fungi and plants are two different kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotic cells. Being multicellular means that fungi and plants are made of many specialized cells. Being eukaryotes implies that the cells of fungi and plants have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles. However, fungi and plants share some distinct differences as well. These differences are identified and briefly explained below.

Cell Structure

• Plant cells contain chloroplast, while fungi cells do not.


• Plant cells contains a carbohydrate called cellulose...

Fungi and plants are two different kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotic cells. Being multicellular means that fungi and plants are made of many specialized cells. Being eukaryotes implies that the cells of fungi and plants have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles. However, fungi and plants share some distinct differences as well. These differences are identified and briefly explained below.

Cell Structure

• Plant cells contain chloroplast, while fungi cells do not.


• Plant cells contains a carbohydrate called cellulose for added support. The carbohydrate found in the cell walls of fungi is called chitin.

Method of Obtaining Energy

• Fungi are heterotrophic and plants are autotrophic. This means that fungi consume other organisms in order to survive. Plants make their own food.


• Fungi undergo external digestion. Fungi have small fibers called hyphae that extend into the ground. The hyphae release enzymes that break down matter that is located in the ground. Once decomposed, the matter is absorbed by the fungi. In this way, fungi receive energy.


• On the other hand, plants undergo a process called photosynthesis to obtain energy. A green pigment called chlorophyll is found inside the chloroplasts of plant cells. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll captures sunlight energy. The energy from the sun is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into a sugar called glucose and oxygen. The glucose is used by the plant for energy.

Do you think it was unfair of Grandaddy Cain to expose the film in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"? Why or why not?

Since such a question as this is subjective, the student should express his/her own feelings based upon the student's character analysis of Granddaddy and Granny, as well as on an interpretation of the events of the plot.

Of course, one opinion is that Granddaddy is justified in his actionsbecause the camera man and "smilin' man," who work for some department of the government, have been previously told by Granny that she does not want...

Since such a question as this is subjective, the student should express his/her own feelings based upon the student's character analysis of Granddaddy and Granny, as well as on an interpretation of the events of the plot.

Of course, one opinion is that Granddaddy is justified in his actions because the camera man and "smilin' man," who work for some department of the government, have been previously told by Granny that she does not want them filming anything on her property:

"Mind if we shoot a bit around here?"
"I do indeed," said Granny with no smile.....
"Suppose you just shut that machine off, said Granny through her teeth.

After Granddaddy arrives with the bloody hawk on his shoulder, "Smilin' and Camera" go behind him recording what he is doing. Then, Granny calls to her husband to "Get them persons out of my flower bed," an expression which may mean more than it seems. Still, Granddaddy continues what he is doing until he hears Granny making a "low groanin music." Responding to this sign of his wife's outrage, he turns and holds out his huge hand. Smilin' whispers to the camera man that Granddaddy wants him to hand him the camera. 

For whatever reason, perhaps because of his formidable presence, the camera man does give Granddaddy the camera, and then the huge hands take the camera apart, exposing the film. When asked why he has done this, Granddaddy replies, 

"You standin in the misses' flower bed....This is our own place."

Since the men are (1) trespassing, and (2) the camera man has willingly handed the camera to Granddaddy after disregarding denied permission, an argument can be made that he is justified in exposing the film as these men have invaded the privacy of personal property owners and filmed them without their permission.

What do Lorraine's and John's dreams about their futures reveal about their personalities?

John wants to become an actor and Lorraine wants to become a writer. These are both artistic and creatively expressive aspirations. John is a very out-going, social guy who likes to entertain people and be the center of attention. Lorraine is more of an analytical thinker and whose idea it is to write the story of the Pigman. They both support each other in these goals and desires, too, even though their parents might not. For example, John says he thinks Lorraine could be an actress, too, but her mother would think differently, as in the following passage:

"The way her old lady talks you'd think Lorraine needed internal plastic surgery and seventeen body braces, but if you ask me, all she needs is a little confidence. She's got very interesting green eyes that scan like nervous radar--that is they used to until the Pigman died. Ever since then her eyes have become absolutely still, except when we work on this memorial epic" (19).

Thus, John explains that after the traumatic experience of losing Mr. Pignati, Lorraine only seems to come alive when she is writing.

Lorraine supports John's ambitions to become an actor, too. She notices that he is one of the best liars she's ever known and jokes about him by saying:

"He prevaricates just for prevaricating's sake. . . HIs own life is so boring when measured against his daydreams that he can't stand it, so he makes up things to pretend it's exciting" (27).

Since John is such a good liar, he could probably be able to take on any role in Hollywood. He was such a good actor when they met Mr. Pignati, for example, that he was able to con him out of $10.00. John is also the one who isn't afraid to skate around the house during a party to get attention. Because of his very social personality, he would make a great actor.

Lorraine might need a little more confidence, but she also tends to be the conscience between the two. For example, she tells John that they need to confess to Mr. Pignati about swindling him out of the money and she is very good and seeing people from their points of view. Being compassionate and insightful is a good quality to have as an author.

What powerful language techniques/tools are used in To Kill a Mockingbird to construct character in the novel?

Harper Lee is able to give the reader a powerful image of the characters in the novel using very few words. Here is her description of Atticus in the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird:

"Atticus's office in the courthouse contained little more than a hat rack, a spittoon, a checkerboard, and an unsullied Code of Alabama. His first two clients were the last two persons hanged in the Maycomb County Jail. Atticus...

Harper Lee is able to give the reader a powerful image of the characters in the novel using very few words. Here is her description of Atticus in the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird:

"Atticus's office in the courthouse contained little more than a hat rack, a spittoon, a checkerboard, and an unsullied Code of Alabama. His first two clients were the last two persons hanged in the Maycomb County Jail. Atticus had urged them to accept the state's generosity in allowing them to plead guilty to second-degree murder and escape with their lives, but they were Haverfords, in Maycomb County, a name synonymous with jackass."

This description uses a great deal of irony and humor. Irony is a literary device in which the author presents the opposite of what the reader might expect. The idea that Atticus's first two clients were the last two hanged is an example of ironic humor. In addition, the idea that the state is generous in allowing the accused criminals to plead guilty is an example of ironic humor, as is referring to Haverfords as a form of "jackass." We know from this description that Scout's relationship with her father, Atticus, is tinged with a gentle humor. 

Later in the first chapter of the book, there is a description of Calpurnia: "Calpurnia was something else again. She was all angles and bones; she was nearsighted; she squinted. Her hand was as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard." Again, the author gives us a very good idea of this character with an economy of words by using metaphorical language. For example, Calpurnia is compared to angles and bones. Her hand is compared, using a simile, to a bed slat. Lee's use of well-employed metaphors and similes gives the reader a very good idea of Calpurnia's character and Scout's sometimes contentious relationship with Calpurnia in a few sentences. 

Why does "Sonny's Blues" start in the subway?

Baldwin begins "Sonny's Blues" with the narrator in the subway as a means of setting the scene and the theme simultaneously.  The scene is clearly an urban environment, since suburbs and rural areas do not have subways.  This is important to the story because the experiences of the narrator and Sonny were representative of many African-Americans in larger cities.  The theme, which we see even in the title with the use of the word "blues,"...

Baldwin begins "Sonny's Blues" with the narrator in the subway as a means of setting the scene and the theme simultaneously.  The scene is clearly an urban environment, since suburbs and rural areas do not have subways.  This is important to the story because the experiences of the narrator and Sonny were representative of many African-Americans in larger cities.  The theme, which we see even in the title with the use of the word "blues," is of darkness, and thus, from the story's beginning, we are in a dark place, "trapped in the darkness which roared outside" (1). If you have ever ridden on a subway, you will know that in spite of the fact that there are lights on in the cars, the darkness outside can seem quite gloomy and threatening, and the lights often will go off and on sporadically, too, leaving a car in darkness for several seconds at a time.  This theme of darkness persists throughout the entire story, the people, their lives, and their surroundings, as though they are hurtling through dark tunnels. The subway was a deliberate choice, to begin with darkness and to let the reader know that it was an urban environment that the story was going to unfold in. 

What are the character traits for the characters in "Thank You, M'am"?

There are only two characters, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger, in Langston Hughes’ short story “Thank You, M’am.” He uses both direct and indirect characterization to develop their personalities.

Hughes characterizes Mrs. Jones as a dignified, hard-working woman with a no nonsense attitude. Although she is a physically imposing person, her interactions with Roger exemplify her quiet, patient, compassionate nature. Mrs. Jones is walking home alone, late at night, from her job when...

There are only two characters, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger, in Langston Hughes’ short story “Thank You, M’am.” He uses both direct and indirect characterization to develop their personalities.

Hughes characterizes Mrs. Jones as a dignified, hard-working woman with a no nonsense attitude. Although she is a physically imposing person, her interactions with Roger exemplify her quiet, patient, compassionate nature. Mrs. Jones is walking home alone, late at night, from her job when Roger attempts to steal her pocketbook. Instead of screaming or calling the police, Mrs. Jones takes Roger home and teaches him a life lesson based on her own life experiences. After asking him a number of questions about his home life, she recognizes that Roger is a product of his Harlem environment. She teaches him to expect more from himself. She is kind enough to share her supper with him, but more importantly she shares her own experiences. She lets Roger know that she did some unacceptable things in her past. She cleverly allows Roger to make his own decisions about fleeing her apartment, which teaches Roger to trust in himself.

Roger is a young man who is growing up on the mean streets of Harlem, which greatly influences his character. He tells Mrs. Jones that no one is home at his house, which is why he is unfed and unkempt. Although he is bold enough to steal Mrs. Jones’ pocketbook, Roger demonstrates that he can be trustworthy during the short time he spends in Mrs. Jones’ apartment. He does not take her purse and run away, instead he stays and interacts respectfully with Mrs. Jones. Langston Hughes characterizes Roger as contrite and thankful at the end of the story when Mrs. Jones gives him money to purchase the shoes he wants.

What are the countries that conquered China?

Since its inception as a single unified nation in 221 BCE under the rule of the Qin dynasty, China has faced numerous military invasions. The Mongol invasion of the 13th century lasted several decades and culminated in the establishment of the Yuan dynasty by Kublai Kahn in 1279. This represented the first time that the whole of China had been conquered by an outside force and come under the absolute rule of a foreign power....

Since its inception as a single unified nation in 221 BCE under the rule of the Qin dynasty, China has faced numerous military invasions. The Mongol invasion of the 13th century lasted several decades and culminated in the establishment of the Yuan dynasty by Kublai Kahn in 1279. This represented the first time that the whole of China had been conquered by an outside force and come under the absolute rule of a foreign power. Following the collapse of the Yuan dynasty and the return of power to native Han Chinese, the country was again conquered by Manchurian tribes in the early to mid 1600s. The Manchus once again brought China under the rule of a foreign power with the establishment of the Qing dynasty. During World War II, is what is known as the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japan invaded and controlled substantial territories within China's borders, but failed to truly conquer the nation and bring it under foreign control before surrendering to allied forces.

At the beginning of the story, Miss Strangeworth is characterized as?

At the beginning of the story Miss Strangeworth is characterized as a sweet, kindly little old lady who lives a very simple life in a small town and who takes an interest in the welfare and happiness of everybody in her town. She has a regular routine which she follows practically every day. She goes for a walk in the morning, stops by the grocery store to pick up a few items, goes home, eats...

At the beginning of the story Miss Strangeworth is characterized as a sweet, kindly little old lady who lives a very simple life in a small town and who takes an interest in the welfare and happiness of everybody in her town. She has a regular routine which she follows practically every day. She goes for a walk in the morning, stops by the grocery store to pick up a few items, goes home, eats lunch, takes a nap, and then goes for another walk late in the day. She knows everybody and frequently stops to chat with people. Her only hobby--as far as anyone knows--is caring for her beautiful rose bushes.

She knew everyone in town, of course; she was fond of telling strangers – tourists who sometimes passed through the town and stopped to admire Miss Strangeworth’s roses – that she had never spent more than a day outside this town in all her long life. She was seventy-one. My grandmother planted these roses, and my mother tended them, just as I do.”… 

Later in the story, it comes as a big surprise to learn that this sweet, innocent, kindly little old lady has another hobby and that it is a sinister one. She likes to write anonymous letters to people in the town which create worry, suspicion, animosity and hostility. As readers, we are the only ones who know about this second hobby, which reveals a streak of cruelty and insanity even Miss Strangeworth is unaware of herself. She observes that many people seem troubled lately, but she has no idea that she is the cause of these troubles with her slanderous poison-pen letters. 

"The Possibility of Evil" might be compared with Shirley Jackson's better-known story "The Lottery." Both are about people in small towns. In "The Lottery" the author exposes the dark sides of all the seemingly wholesome, neighborly people in the small town. In "The Possibility of Evil," Jackson focuses on the dark side of one apparently benevolent and virtuous old lady--the last person in the whole town anyone would suspect of harboring evil thousand or intentions. 

Why is an article from the Daily Press included in the novel Flowers for Algernon?

The Daily Press article is included in the novel, in the section called "Progress Report 14," on June 15th of Charlie's diary, because it provides these details relevant to the plot:

1. It reveals that Charlie's sister Norma had been under the impression that Charlie was long since dead, and that now she hopes she can be reunited with him. This information is essential in helping Charlie forgive Norma and understand her perspective.

2. It...

The Daily Press article is included in the novel, in the section called "Progress Report 14," on June 15th of Charlie's diary, because it provides these details relevant to the plot:

1. It reveals that Charlie's sister Norma had been under the impression that Charlie was long since dead, and that now she hopes she can be reunited with him. This information is essential in helping Charlie forgive Norma and understand her perspective.

2. It reveals that Charlie's mother Rose had lied to everyone about Charlie being dead many years before. Though callous and depressing, this information helps Charlie understand where he stands with his mother.

3. It shows, in the description of the newspaper photograph, what Norma and Rose look like now. This is relevant because Charlie may not have been able to recognize them otherwise.

4. It indicates that Charlie's father, Matthew, runs a barbershop in a particular part of the city (the Bronx). This detail allows Charlie to seek out his father later on.

5. Most importantly, it reveals the address where Norma and Rose still live. Charlie will use this information to confront his mother.

In addition to providing the information above that allows the plot to move forward, the news article triggers more recollections in Charlie's mind when he views the photograph.

Finally, the news article also provides a bit of variety in the text, a quick break from the constant stream of descriptions from Charlie's perspective.

A major theme in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is following one's individual conscience. Explain this and provide at least 3 specific...

Following one's individual conscience means that a person disregards the popular views of society and chooses to make decisions based on what he or she feels is right. Sometimes life can be confusing when people say one thing is right, but deep down someone feels that those people are wrong. It takes a lot of courage to do or say things against what society says is right, but Atticus, Dolphus Raymond and Link Deas are great examples of doing just that. Atticus does his best with defending Tom Robinson when society says he should just throw the trial; Mr. Raymond lives an alternative lifestyle contrary to what people would like to see a white man doing; and, Link Deas stands up for Helen by giving her a job when the community wants to ignore her for being married to a man who went to trial for rape. 

Atticus best explains his conscience regarding the Robinson case to Scout as follows:

"This case. . . is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience--Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man" (104).

Next, Dolphus Raymond explains why he lives a life against the values of traditional, conservative white society:

"Some folks don't--like the way I live. Now I could say the hell with 'em, I don't cdare if they don't like it. I do say I don't care if they don't like it, right enough--but I don't say the hell with 'em, see?" (200).

Basically, Raymond is saying that he plays drunk to save his own and other people's consciences. He gives them a reason to understand why he lives alternatively--and that is by playing a drunk. So, he's living the way he wants to live, but also giving the community some relief from their own ways of thinking at the same time.

Finally, Link Deas gives Tom's widow, Helen, a job when many people in the community are ashamed to help her out. 

"But Tom was not forgotten by his employer, Mr. Link Deas. Mr. Link Deas made a job for Helen. He didn't really need her, but he said he felt right bad about the way things turned out" (248-49).

This shows Mr. Deas stepping up and listening to his conscience even though it might be against what others think he should do. 

In regards to "The Veldt," such detachment that leads to killing one's parents is an extreme case. What other negative behaviors manifest from...

In “The Veldt,” we see several consequences of immersing oneself in virtual reality and how it can affect those who do it. First of all, using virtual reality to escape real life is dangerous.  The children in the story aren’t living a typical childhood but have sequestered themselves in an alternate reality.  Using technology to escape one’s life so you don’t have to face reality is detrimental to the children and anyone who seeks this...

In “The Veldt,” we see several consequences of immersing oneself in virtual reality and how it can affect those who do it. First of all, using virtual reality to escape real life is dangerous.  The children in the story aren’t living a typical childhood but have sequestered themselves in an alternate reality.  Using technology to escape one’s life so you don’t have to face reality is detrimental to the children and anyone who seeks this lifestyle.

In addition, relationships suffer from one’s obsession with virtual technology.  The children hate their parents, the parents are afraid to say “no” to their children, the family is bored, and they feel useless because of the technology that does everything for them.

The family in the story has forgotten how to live authentic lives.  Their reliance on technology and alternative worlds has caused them to hire psychiatrists to help mend their family.  It is a terrible way of life where one’s existence is controlled by the latest world uploaded from the newest technology. 

I need to identify important quotes from the poem "Huswifery."

Make me, O Lord, thy Spining Wheele compleate

I think the opening line of the poem is a critical line to the poem. It's a critical line because it identifies so many components of the poem's narration.  It identifies who the poem is addressing - God.  It identifies who God should help - Edward Taylor.  Lastly it identifies what Taylor wants done.  He wants to be the Lord's metaphorical spinning wheel.  The opening line is...

Make me, O Lord, thy Spining Wheele compleate

I think the opening line of the poem is a critical line to the poem. It's a critical line because it identifies so many components of the poem's narration.  It identifies who the poem is addressing - God.  It identifies who God should help - Edward Taylor.  Lastly it identifies what Taylor wants done.  He wants to be the Lord's metaphorical spinning wheel.  The opening line is also important because it shows the reader that the poem is a prayer.  That might be considered useless to understanding the poem, but it is critical to understanding the speaker. The fact that the poem is a prayer shows readers that the speaker is religious in some way.  But for me, it is the final stanza that shows the speaker's religious passion as true instead of a faked faith to impress other people. 

. . . that their shine may fill

  My wayes with glory and thee glorify.

Taylor goes through the poem asking God to make him great, but the above line identifies the reason.  Taylor does not want to be made great for his own glory. He wants to be made great to reflect and shine back on God in order to glorify God more. That's  true faith.

How does studying religion help in making a student's life decent?

Studying religion has the potential to help a student's academically and personally. Academically, the study of religion encompasses a number of disciplines. You can gain insight into human psychology, for example, by examining the relationship between religious symbols and the human psyche. People like Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell have done groundbreaking work in the psychology of religion. You can learn sociology by studying religion as well. In fact, the discipline of sociology is deeply...

Studying religion has the potential to help a student's academically and personally. Academically, the study of religion encompasses a number of disciplines. You can gain insight into human psychology, for example, by examining the relationship between religious symbols and the human psyche. People like Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell have done groundbreaking work in the psychology of religion. You can learn sociology by studying religion as well. In fact, the discipline of sociology is deeply tied to the academic study of religion. A number of early sociological works (by people like Emile Durkheim, for example) are grounded in the empirical study of religious artifacts. Archeology is also grounded in the study of ancient religious texts and material culture.  Thus, studying religion can provide a means of accessing numerous academic disciplines and surveying history across many different eras and regions. 

The study of religion can also serve as a means of self-exploration and discovery. Learning about various traditions often gives a person insight into their own personal spiritual journey. You may have the opportunity to examine your own religious or spiritual beliefs and practices. In this way, a student can gain personal clarity, and the academic study of religion can become a means of self-development and personal growth. 

In "The Veldt," why is the children's virtual room called a "nursery" instead of a play room?

The term "nursery" suggests a place where the children are raised, not kept entertained, which is why Ray Bradbury's word choice in "The Veldt" is extremely important. David McClean, the psychologist George and Lydia calls to diagnose the room, directly spells out this idea: "This room is their mother and father, far more important than their real parents."

This idea of the nursery as parent is the reason why the children's loyalty toward the room...

The term "nursery" suggests a place where the children are raised, not kept entertained, which is why Ray Bradbury's word choice in "The Veldt" is extremely important. David McClean, the psychologist George and Lydia calls to diagnose the room, directly spells out this idea: "This room is their mother and father, far more important than their real parents."

This idea of the nursery as parent is the reason why the children's loyalty toward the room is complete, while their parents consistently disappoint them. Throughout the story, the narrator reveals how the children had drifted away from their parents in general, but particularly when they introduced the nursery to the house. The parents consistently let the children down. They tell David that they let their children down when they wouldn't let them go to New York and then when they shut down the nursery for a few days until the children finished their homework. 

Finally, as a child would when someone threatens his or her actual parents, Wendy and Peter defend the room completely. Sensing the threat of losing the nursery, their primary caregiver, they lure their mother and father into the magical room where hungry lions are waiting to eat them.

How does Tybalt's violent nature lead to his death in Romeo and Juliet?

In the play Romeo and Juliet, we meet Tybalt in Act 1, scene 1, just as Benvolio tries to make peace among the fighting servants of both noble houses. Tybalt arrives and taunts Benvolio for trying to break up the fight, while challenging him on the spot,

     Tybalt

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

     Benvolio

I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword,
Or manage it to part these men with me.

     Tybalt

What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
Have at thee, coward!

Tybalt's fighting words, his hatred for the Montagues and his bullying character are evident in this exchange. Rather than help to stop the brawl, he forces poor, peace-loving Benvolio, a Montague, to fight him instead.

We see more evidence of Tybalt's angry, violent nature in Act 1, scene 5, at the Capulet Ball, when he hears the voice of a Montague among the guests and immediately asks for his sword

This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave
Come hither, cover'd with an antic face,
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,
To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

He believes the voice belongs to Romeo Montague and takes it upon himself to kill him but is stopped by his uncle, Lord Capulet, who won't have any fighting at his party that night.

The next time we meet Tybalt is in Act 3, scene 1. Still festering with rage over the party incident, he calls Romeo a villain and challenges him to a fight. Mercutio, Romeo's best friend, insults Tybalt and makes him so angry that they soon partake in a sword fight, in which Mercutio is slain. Seeing his friend die by the hand of Tybalt, Romeo, who up until now has always been a lover rather than a fighter, picks up a sword and fights with Tybalt. Romeo's fresh adrenaline and Tybalt's exhausted body influence the outcome of their fight and soon Tybalt lies dead.

The hostile, impulsive and violent nature of Tybalt contributed to his death. He was very hot-tempered, confrontational, would not be placated and regarded the sword as the answer to every quarrel.

In the short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains," what evidence suggests that the fire is personified?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to personify something means “to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers.”  In the story, the house is personified throughout the whole story, and when the fire starts, it becomes a battle for survival between the fire and the house.

The way the author does this is through his use of verbs.  He utilizes human actions and attributes them to the fire.

“It...

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to personify something means “to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers.”  In the story, the house is personified throughout the whole story, and when the fire starts, it becomes a battle for survival between the fire and the house.

The way the author does this is through his use of verbs.  He utilizes human actions and attributes them to the fire.

“It (the fire) fed upon Picassos and Matisses...baking off the oily flesh…” (Bradbury 2).

Here, the fire is in a feeding frenzy and baking the contents of the paintings.

“Now the fire lay in beds, stood in windows, changed the colors of drapes” (Bradbury 2).

Now, the fire "lays" in beds, "stands" in windows, and "changes" the color of the drapes. Laying, standing, and changing are all human actions that Bradbury has given to the fire to personify it.

When the blind robots appear and fight the fire by shooting a green chemical at it, 

“The fire backed off, as even an elephant must at the sight of a dead snake" (Bradbury 2).

This shows hesitation on the part of the fire and concern for its survival. However, the final personification comes when the author gives the fire the ability to think, and it outmaneuvers the house. 

“But the fire was clever. It had sent flames outside the house, up through the attic to the pumps there. An explosion! The attic brain which directed the pumps was shattered….” (Bradbury 2).

After destroying the pumps,

"The fire rushed back into every closet and felt of the clothes hung there” (Bradbury 2). 

The fire is rushing and feeling. These are all terms that would be associated with a human being. Finally, the fire, which has systematically killed off the house, 

“….burst the house…. puffing out skirts of spark and smoke” (Bradbury 2).

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...

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.

Who is Boo Radley to Scout and Jem? How do the children and the community shape his identity for him?

To a large extent Boo's character has been defined by the townsfolk. He has become a figure of legend, almost a mythical creature, his life story overlaid with gossip, hearsay, and unreliable anecdotes. As a result, no one knows the real Boo; all people know instead is a grotesque caricature, a boogeyman that parents warn their children to avoid.

But Scout and Jem don't avoid him. At first, they're as fascinated with the legend of...

To a large extent Boo's character has been defined by the townsfolk. He has become a figure of legend, almost a mythical creature, his life story overlaid with gossip, hearsay, and unreliable anecdotes. As a result, no one knows the real Boo; all people know instead is a grotesque caricature, a boogeyman that parents warn their children to avoid.

But Scout and Jem don't avoid him. At first, they're as fascinated with the legend of Boo Radley as much as anyone. And of course they've heard all the scary stories about him, and so keep a respectful distance. But in time they come to know him as well as it is possible for anyone to know such a strange, mysterious person. It's not surprising that the Finch children come to feel this way, as Atticus has taught them well the importance of placing yourself in someone else's shoes.

For his part, Boo senses that Scout and Jem are different from other folk in Maycomb. This is why he tries to reach out to them, leaving personal items for them in a knothole of a tree. For the first time, we get an inkling of what kind of person Boo really is underneath all the legendary accretions. Unfortunately for Boo, his brother fills in the hole with cement, closing down his sole means of communication with the outside world.

Yet when Boo saves Jem and Scout from the wicked clutches of Bob Ewell, his identity as a basically decent, gentle, harmless individual comes to the fore. And when Boo briefly but gently strokes Jem's head as he lies sleeping, his true character is finally revealed before he returns home, hand in hand with Scout, and enters once more into a world of silence and seclusion.

When does Atticus say wise words to Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird? What are some quotes?

Whenever Scout goes to her father with a problem, he gives her wise advice.  He is consistent in his desire to instill a spirit of empathy and kindness toward others in his daughter.  Scout sometimes gets angry and wants to fight other children.  Atticus always advises her against this.

When Scout is mad at Miss Caroline because she had gotten in trouble at school for defending Walter Cunningham, Atticus encourages empathy.  He does not want...

Whenever Scout goes to her father with a problem, he gives her wise advice.  He is consistent in his desire to instill a spirit of empathy and kindness toward others in his daughter.  Scout sometimes gets angry and wants to fight other children.  Atticus always advises her against this.

When Scout is mad at Miss Caroline because she had gotten in trouble at school for defending Walter Cunningham, Atticus encourages empathy.  He does not want his daughter to be angry with her new teacher.  He tells Scout that she should look at the situation from Miss Caroline's perspective:

Atticus said I had learned many things today, and Miss Caroline had learned several things herself.  She had learned not to hand something to a Cunningham, for one thing, but if Walter and I had put ourselves in her shoes we'd have seen it was an honest mistake on her part (To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 3).

Later, Scout expresses her anger toward students at school who criticize her father.  They insult Atticus because he is defending Tom Robinson, who is a black man.  Scout tries fighting them.  Atticus tells her that he does not want her to fight, and instead gives her advice:

No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat.  Try fighting with your head for a change… it's a good one, even if it does resist learning" (Chapter 9).

Write out a table of indices modulo 23. Express all the other primitive roots of 23 as powers of 5.

Modular arithmetic has a lot of weird properties we don't find in conventional arithmetic. The idea that you can get any number mod 23 by raising powers of 5 is pretty strange, but it's true.

Let's first review what we mean by "primitive roots of 23". A primitive root modulo n is a number g such that every number a coprime to n is equal to some power of g, mod n; that is,

`forall a exists k : g^k equiv a mod n`

The value of k, the power you have to raise to, is the index.

Since 23 is prime, this is really all a (other than 0), whereas for a composite base (such as mod 8 or mod 10) we'd have to exclude factors of the base.

So what we're looking for is the numbers g that satisfy this, as well as the values of k that make it work.

I think the simplest way to start is just to write out a table of values and their powers, mod 23. (I think this is what your teacher means by an "index table", though that can also mean a couple of other things.) Most of the powers will eventually end up with an infinite series of 1s at the end.

A few of them will have every single number somewhere in their list; those are the primitive roots of 23.

original value | powers
0 | 0, 0, 0, ...
1 | 1, 1, 1, ...
2 | 2, 4, 8, 16, 9, 18, 13, 3, 6, 12, 1, 1, 1, ...
3 | 3, 9, 4, 12, 13, 16, 2, 6, 18, 8, 1, 1, 1, ...
4 | 4, 16, 18, 3, 12, 2, 8, 9, 13, 6, 1, 1, 1, ...
5 | 5, 2, 10, 4, 20, 8, 17, 16, 11, 9, 22, 18, 21, 13, 19, 3, 15, 6, 7, 12, 14, 1, 1, 1, ...
6 | 6, 13, 9, 8, 2, 12, 3, 18, 16, 4, 1, 1, 1, ...
7 | 7, 3, 21, 9, 17, 4, 5, 12, 15, 13, 22, 16, 20, 2, 14, 6, 19, 18, 11, 8, 10, 1, 1, 1, ...

And so on; so I'm not doing all your work for you, I'm going to leave you the rest of the table to finish.

If you have access to a programming language, here's a nice little script (in Python, but easily translatable to other languages) that will print out the powers of g mod n for you (just plug in for g and n; you could even run a for loop over them):

x = g
while (x > 1):
    print(x)
    x = (x*g)%n

Or you can do it by hand of course. It's tedious, but not complicated.

Instead, I'm going to focus on the part that comes after you finish the table.

Notice how every number from 1 to 22 is somewhere in the table for powers of 5. That means 5 is a primitive root of 23.

The same is true of the powers of 7; so 7 is also a primitive root of 23.

Since you can get any number as a power of any primitive root, that means you can also get any other primitive root as a power of any primitive root.

We picked 5 as our favorite primitive root, so we want to express 7 as a power of 5. Read through the table, and you'll find that 7 = 5^19 mod 23.

You could just as well have chosen 7 as your favorite and found that 5 = 7^7 mod 23; but we were told to make 5 our favorite.

Hopefully you can take it from here. Complete the table; any rows that contain all numbers from 1 to 22 are primitive roots. Go back to the row for powers of 5 and find the column equal to that number; then you can express the new primitive root g as some power of 5.

What are sanity and insanity indicators relating to the narrator in the story ''The Tell-Tale Heart''?

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," a narrator tells the story of an old man he is caring for, whom he eventually kills. From the start, he addresses the reader (by using second person-you) saying that the reader may find him to be very nervous. By the end of the story, his guilt over the murder has caught up with him and he confesses to the crime. There are many examples in the story...

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," a narrator tells the story of an old man he is caring for, whom he eventually kills. From the start, he addresses the reader (by using second person-you) saying that the reader may find him to be very nervous. By the end of the story, his guilt over the murder has caught up with him and he confesses to the crime. There are many examples in the story that support a reading of the narrator being sane and also insane.

The points that show the narrator as sane include his explanation of the time and days, as well as the steps he took to commit the crime. He seems logical in this explanation, even though his motivation may be problematic. The examples that point to his insanity are his insistence on killing the old man while the eye is open and the heartbeat he claims to hear throughout the story. Because we know that there is no way he can hear a dead man's heartbeat, this is perhaps the strongest example that points to the narrator's insanity.

Mention some ways in which chemistry is a part of daily life?

Chemistry is a part of our day to day life. Our body is organic and is maintained by chemical reactions. We breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. The food that we eat originates from chemical reactions. The plants make food using the photochemical reaction of photosynthesis. When we eat vegetables or fruits, they are a product of these chemical reactions. Similarly, animals consume food and grow using chemical reactions. When we eat other animals,...

Chemistry is a part of our day to day life. Our body is organic and is maintained by chemical reactions. We breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. The food that we eat originates from chemical reactions. The plants make food using the photochemical reaction of photosynthesis. When we eat vegetables or fruits, they are a product of these chemical reactions. Similarly, animals consume food and grow using chemical reactions. When we eat other animals, we are still enjoying the products of chemistry as we digest them. The food, after ingestion, is broken down through a series of chemical reactions. Ultimately, we break much down to carbon dioxide (which is released from our body). Our body uses chemistry while we are alive and after our death, the body decays (again using chemistry).

Many of our day to day items are a result of chemistry. The fuels we use (gasoline or diesel) undergo combustion and release energy (by a chemical reaction) to power the engines of our vehicles. The medicines that we consume are made by pharmaceutical companies using chemistry. Soaps and detergents are also generated by using chemical reactions. There are many other examples of chemistry in our daily life. One just has to look around.

Hope this helps. 

At 1 kilometer per second how long would it take to travel to a star 4.4 light years away?

A light year is the distance light would travel in one year's time.

The first step is to convert 4.4 light years to kilometers. Light travels at 300,000 kilometers per second. There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year, so 1 light year is equal to 9.4608x10^12 kilometers.  

`300000*60*60*24*365 =9.4608*10^12 km=1 lightyear`

Now we multiply by 4.4 to find...

A light year is the distance light would travel in one year's time.

The first step is to convert 4.4 light years to kilometers. Light travels at 300,000 kilometers per second. There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year, so 1 light year is equal to 9.4608x10^12 kilometers.  

`300000*60*60*24*365 =9.4608*10^12 km=1 lightyear`

Now we multiply by 4.4 to find the total number of kilometers.

`9.4608*10^12*4.4=4.1627*10^13 km`

To travel 4.1627x10^3 kilometers at a speed of 1 km/s would require 4.1627x10^13 seconds. We can convert this back to earth years to get a better sense of just how long it is.

`4.1627*10^13-:60-:60-:24-:365=1.3199*10^6` years.

So it would take approximately 1.32 million years to travel the distance of 4.4 light years at a speed of 1 km/s.

If you were asked to cast an actor to play the role of Claudius in a film version of Hamlet, what characteristics or features would you look for?

King Claudius is a complex character and as such requires a consummate actor. Past film versions of Hamlet have featured very reputable actors; in Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of the play, Sir Derek Jacobi plays Claudius. Jacobi is a mature English actor who was knighted for this artistic contributions to theatre and film. He also starred in the PBS series Cadfael.Other veteran English actors who have played Claudius include Patrick Stewart, Anthony Hopkins, and...

King Claudius is a complex character and as such requires a consummate actor. Past film versions of Hamlet have featured very reputable actors; in Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of the play, Sir Derek Jacobi plays Claudius. Jacobi is a mature English actor who was knighted for this artistic contributions to theatre and film. He also starred in the PBS series Cadfael. Other veteran English actors who have played Claudius include Patrick Stewart, Anthony Hopkins, and Alan Bates, as well as American actor Kyle Maclachlan. Most of these actors have a refined air, rather than a rugged manliness.

Claudius is well-spoken, using sophisticated language and often a charismatic choice of words to manipulate those around him, particularly Gertrude, who he married after murdering her ex-husband so that he could ascend to the throne. He is ambitious and, obviously, something of a sociopath. No doubt there will be more film versions of Hamlet, and there are many fine actors who would be well-suited to play the role. I'd like to see Jeremy Irons play the part, though the role is often played by slightly younger actors. I also think Daniel Craig would make a very charismatic Claudius, as would Clive Owen.

How do the people of the town respond to what Moshe says when he returns to Sighet in Night by Elie Wiesel?

In Night by Elie Wiesel, Moshe the Beadle is a very poor, but well loved, man. He is the one Elie goes to when he wants to learn Cabbala (Jewish mysticism). Moshe is also a foreigner, and the foreigners are the first Jews to be deported by the Nazis. Moshe is taken away, and the people of Sighet, his former town, soon forget him.

However, Moshe escapes the Nazis and returns to town with horror...

In Night by Elie Wiesel, Moshe the Beadle is a very poor, but well loved, man. He is the one Elie goes to when he wants to learn Cabbala (Jewish mysticism). Moshe is also a foreigner, and the foreigners are the first Jews to be deported by the Nazis. Moshe is taken away, and the people of Sighet, his former town, soon forget him.

However, Moshe escapes the Nazis and returns to town with horror stories of what happened to the Jews who were with him. Even Moshe had been shot in the leg after he and the others were forced to dig a trench for their own grave and summarily shot. Most of them died there, but miraculously Moshe survived and came back to warn the townspeople.

Sadly and to their peril, his neighbors will not believe him. They think he has lost his mind. Even Elie is not sure of Moshe anymore. What Moshe describes to them is just too difficult to fathom. How could something like that happen? They decide it couldn't have happened and dismiss Moshe as a crazy person. 

What is the tone in the second paragraph of Chapter 1: Economy in Walden? How does Thoreau create the tone?

Thoreau's tone in this paragraph is that of a humble person explaining to his critics why he has written a book in which he spends so much time talking about himself. He creates this tone by speaking to the reader as simply, directly and transparently as possible: "I would not talk so much about myself if there any body else whom I knew as well," he writes. He underscores his humility and simplicity when says...

Thoreau's tone in this paragraph is that of a humble person explaining to his critics why he has written a book in which he spends so much time talking about himself. He creates this tone by speaking to the reader as simply, directly and transparently as possible: "I would not talk so much about myself if there any body else whom I knew as well," he writes. He underscores his humility and simplicity when says the book is "perhaps ... particularly addressed to poor students." He goes to pains to stress that he is not writing out of egoism. Instead, he says, his neighbors and townspeople have asked him many detailed questions about his life at Walden Pond. He is simply responding to them, not trying to call attention to himself. He ends the paragraph by hoping the book may "do good service to him who it fits." In other words, Thoreau is careful not to make a grandiose claim that his book is for everyone. His words are meant to show he is a modest man.