In the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers, how is Steve Harmon considered the protagonist and antagonist of the story?

In literature, the protagonist is considered the central figure of the story and is also the character which moves the narrative forward. The antagonist is the character that opposes the protagonist and causes conflict throughout the story. In the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers, Steve Harmon could be considered both the protagonist and antagonist. The novel is told through Steve Harmon's perspective, and he tells the story of his trial for felony murder. Since...

In literature, the protagonist is considered the central figure of the story and is also the character which moves the narrative forward. The antagonist is the character that opposes the protagonist and causes conflict throughout the story. In the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers, Steve Harmon could be considered both the protagonist and antagonist. The novel is told through Steve Harmon's perspective, and he tells the story of his trial for felony murder. Since Steve is the main character, he is the novel's protagonist. However, Steve Harmon puts himself in a compromising position in the novel by agreeing to participate in the robbery of a drugstore. Steve made a conscience decision to participate in a crime which landed him in jail, where he is on trial for his life. Since Steve made a decision that essentially harmed himself, he could be considered an antagonist. Steve also struggles to make sense of his morals and decisions throughout the novel. Steve is his own enemy because it was his decision to associate with thugs and agree to help in the robbery. 

What are some of the major features of the poetry of the twentieth century?

Poetry in English underwent radical changes in form and language, particularly owing to the work of a number of American poets. Where poetry was once written according to agreed upon standards of form and diction, poets in the twentieth century began to experiment with these traditions, and opened up the definition and scope of what poetry was and could be.

Some poets who were writing before the turn of the century did in fact influence...

Poetry in English underwent radical changes in form and language, particularly owing to the work of a number of American poets. Where poetry was once written according to agreed upon standards of form and diction, poets in the twentieth century began to experiment with these traditions, and opened up the definition and scope of what poetry was and could be.

Some poets who were writing before the turn of the century did in fact influence those who came a bit later; these include Walt Whitman, whose writing in major works like "Song of Myself" held usher in a new approach to language that was less formal and more personal and idiosyncratic. Whitman hardly thought of himself as "experimental"--he simply had things to say and very particular ways of saying them, and his passionate, ecstatic mode of poetic voice was controversial and ultimately very instrumental in changing the way poetry was written and regarded.

Some of the most important poets of the last 100 years used an experimental approach to forms and language; these include e. e. cummings, whose work did not use standard capitalization or punctuation. Wallace Stevens was an important and prolific poet who worked his entire adult life as an insurance salesman; his complex, unusual and intricate use of language allowed him to craft very memorable images in his poems, like "The Snow Man" or "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird." Stevens often used combined phrases and images in ways that seemed quite illogical and surreal, and yet still made sense grammatically. 

T. S. Eliot was another influential poet; he wrote often using the first person perspective, which was an unusual technique at the time. He would also shift narrative modes within one poem, switching between points of view and settings rather abruptly. He wrote of social and political issues, but usually in veiled language so that his exact perspective was not overt or obvious. William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet who also wrote of social and political issues; he included references to folklore and ancient Irish mythology in his work. 

The twentieth century also saw the rise of poetry written by women; some of it was considered feminist poetry (such as the work of Adrienne Rich or Gertrude Stein) but much of it illuminated the female experience in ways that were disturbing and haunting (as with Sylvia Path's work, that hinted at her struggle with depression and domestic strife), and obviously spoke of deep inequality and sexual double standards. As with other poetic works of this period, the writings of female poets were seen as part of an increasing trend in consciousness raising within education and cultural literacy, and poetry became a way for people to express and share thoughts about social issues undergoing volatile change in the twentieth century. 

In The Metamorphosis, how does Kafka manipulate time to create tension?

At the beginning of Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Gregor wakes up and realizes that he has failed to hear the alarm, and so he is late. He must get up and go to work, for his family depends on him for their survival.

He saw the alarm clock over there, ticking on the chest of drawers. “Good God!” he thought. It was half past six, and the hands were going quietly on. It was past the half hour, almost quarter to seven. Shouldn't the alarm have sounded? One could see from the bed that it had been properly set for four o'clock. Certainly it had rung. And was it even possible for one to sleep quietly through the noise that made even the furniture shake?

Gregor is frantic about the time. He has overslept by two and a half hours. The idea of being late increases a sense of anxiety related to time. That feeling is heightened even more as Gregor describes the sound of the clock as something so loud that it makes "the furniture shake." A sense of urgency related to time is found again as Gregor tries to decide what he must do:

The next train left at seven o'clock. To catch that one, he would have to make a mad dash...

Using time, the mood of the story (in addition to the curiosity of Gregor's change into a giant insect) promotes a feeling of tension. At the beginning, references to time are precise. Time is a specific measure in Gregor's life. As he lies in bed, he bemoans the fact that he has no time to himself. In working so hard for his family, all of his time—and his very life—have been stolen away from him. He has been powerless to change it.

As the story goes on, Gregor begins to lose sense of the passage of time. Whereas it completely controlled his life at the start, the reader notices that with his advancing metamorphosis, the concept of time becomes unfamiliar to him. "Vague hopes" refer to things he once was concerned with, but the passing of time make these hopes distant and difficult to recapture. This seems to apply to all aspects of his life.

There he remained the whole night, part of which he spent dozing, always waking with a start because of his hunger, and another part of which he spent in worry and vague hopes…

A schedule of sorts is established, but specific times are not used: only generalizations in keeping with the activities of the family. Instead of a time, there is a general reference to “morning” and “after…lunch.”

In this manner, Gregor now received his food daily: Once in the morning while the parents and the maid still slept, and a second time after the common lunch…

At the story's outset, Gregor may refer time in minutes or hours, but soon he recognizes only days and, then, only months passing.

Once—a full month had already gone by since Gregor's transformation…

Other terms that vaguely refer to time can be found in the story:

Gregor's wish to see the mother was soon fulfilled. 

We have no specific referent point as to how long it takes for Gregor to see his mother; we know only that it happens “soon.”

Gregor fills his days climbing the walls, and the evenings listening to what he can of his family's activities. The alteration in his concept of time coincides with his growing disconnect from humanity. The days become an endless stream of Gregor's wandering about and casual wondering about his situation, but more so concerned about his family and their circumstances. 

Gregor is unable to maintain his grasp on time or the human world; and his family is also changing. His father has started to work again, and there is even some money the older man had hidden away when his business went under—money that could have eased Gregor's burden. But the knowledge of money was kept hidden from him, despite his struggles and sacrifices for his family. 

Kafka seems to use the element of time to promote Gregor's feeling of alienation, as well as a sense that the world is moving along at a rate with which Gregor can no longer keep up.

The physical changes in Gregor and his inability to provide support for them any more have widened the chasm between him and his family. The tension created by Gregor's inability to navigate time may well be used to prepare the reader for the ultimate separation—Gregor's death. Manipulating time in this way makes the reader feel that time is actually running out for Gregor, as he cannot measure it any longer. Making use of and living for time was once the thing that controlled every moment of every day of Gregor's life. Now, however, it moves steadily forward with little recognition of its passing and no chance of controlling it, not even to recognize it in connection to a clock.

Whereas time meant everything to Gregor at the start of the story, it has no hold over him now, for neither can he use time to measure what is required of him or calculate his accomplishments. Tension is created using time in that large chunks disappear, as well as those days when the family shared some connection. It creates tension as we realize Gregor has no time. While the family's circumstances change, Gregor's do not. Certainly there will be no accommodations made for Gregor. In having no time, and no time left, Gregor dies.

In "There Will Come Soft Rains," how does the author describe the nursery? What is significant about the way it is decorated?

Ray Bradbury's short story "There Will Come Soft Rains" is about a high-tech house that continues its automated regimen despite the fact the humans who occupied the house have been destroyed in a nuclear attack.

The house basically runs the lives of the humans. It gets them up in the morning. It provides all the meals, washes the dishes, cleans the floors and even deals the cards for Bridge. When the children come home from...

Ray Bradbury's short story "There Will Come Soft Rains" is about a high-tech house that continues its automated regimen despite the fact the humans who occupied the house have been destroyed in a nuclear attack.

The house basically runs the lives of the humans. It gets them up in the morning. It provides all the meals, washes the dishes, cleans the floors and even deals the cards for Bridge. When the children come home from school at four-thirty in the afternoon they are treated to scenes of a fantastical African wilderness with "blue lions, pink antelopes, lilac panthers cavorting in crystal substance" on the video screens of the nursery walls. It is similar to the lethal nursery wall in another Bradbury short story, "The Veldt."

Technology has even taken over the imaginations of the children. There is no reason to actually visit the outdoors or to fantasize, as children like to do. It's all in the walls. There's no need for them to actually be creative. The house provides for their every need.

Bradbury's story is a condemnation of how technology has come to control our lives. Despite the fact the story was published in 1960 it predicts the future quite well. Computers speak to us, robots clean and, of course, 3-D video screens entertain us.

Give an example each of a desirable and an undesirable chemical change?

Chemical changes involve changes in chemical composition. A desirable chemical change is the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen, in presence of sunlight. This reaction is more commonly known as photosynthesis and is carried out by green plants (which contain the chlorophyll pigment). This reaction maintains the balances of gases in our atmosphere, provides us with food (directly or indirectly), is the source of fuels (either fresh such as wood, or...

Chemical changes involve changes in chemical composition. A desirable chemical change is the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen, in presence of sunlight. This reaction is more commonly known as photosynthesis and is carried out by green plants (which contain the chlorophyll pigment). This reaction maintains the balances of gases in our atmosphere, provides us with food (directly or indirectly), is the source of fuels (either fresh such as wood, or fossilized, such as coal or petroleum) and generates oxygen for our sustenance. 

An undesirable chemical change is rusting of iron and steel. Exposure to atmospheric elements, such as moisture, causes the formation of ferric oxide, which results in weakening of metal components, loss of luster and electrical conductivity. Rusting results in economic losses around the world.

Hope this helps.  

Was the U.S justified in going to war with Mexico?

The United States went to war with Mexico in 1846 in what is known as the Mexican-American War. I will share both sides of the issue regarding whether the United States was justified in going to war with Mexico. Then, you will be able to make an informed choice.

There were people who believed we were justified in going to war with Mexico. There was a border dispute between the United States and Mexico over...

The United States went to war with Mexico in 1846 in what is known as the Mexican-American War. I will share both sides of the issue regarding whether the United States was justified in going to war with Mexico. Then, you will be able to make an informed choice.

There were people who believed we were justified in going to war with Mexico. There was a border dispute between the United States and Mexico over the border with Texas. We said the border was at the Rio Grande River, and Mexico said it was at the Nueces River. When we went to negotiate with Mexico, they refused to meet with us. Thus, when the Mexicans attacked our troops that were in the disputed territory, we went to war against Mexico.

The United States was also looking for a way to expand to the Pacific Ocean. We believed it was our duty to expand to the Pacific Ocean. This was part of a general plan our expansion known as Manifest Destiny. We believed we had a responsibility to bring our way of life and our progress and improvement in general to the lands in western part of what is now the United States.

There are people who believed we weren’t justified in going to war with Mexico. These people believed it was wrong to manufacture a war in order for us to spread our way of life to areas by the Pacific Ocean. They believed the concept of Manifest Destiny was a concept that put down other cultures and ways of living. These people didn’t subscribe to the feeling that it was acceptable for us to push our ways onto other people.

Those who believed we weren’t justified in going to war with Mexico believed we provoked the Mexicans by moving our troops into the disputed territory. They believed this was a provocative action toward Mexico that left Mexico with little choice but to attack us. These people believed we could have worked harder at reaching a peaceful solution with Mexico.

Now that you have ideas on both sides of the issue, do you believe we were justified in going to war against Mexico in 1846?

In The Crucible, why has Mary Warren disobeyed her employers and gone to Salem?

Mary says she has to go to Salem because she is part of the court proceedings.

Proctor is very upset about Mary Warren going to Salem without his permission.  Mary Warren is the Proctors' servant.  She is involved in the court proceedings for the Salem Witch Trials.  Proctor does not want her to have anything to do with the trials, because he is opposed to the trials completely.  He knows that there is nothing to them except vengeance and persecution.

How dare you go to Salem when I forbid it! Do you mock me? I‘ll whip you if you dare leave this house again! (Act 2)

Mary Warren complains that she does not feel well, and being in the proceedings all day is making her sick.  Proctor complains that she should not be at the court when she has responsibilities in his home.  She is in court all day and therefore she is not doing the job he pays her for.

Proctor also notes that Elizabeth is not feeling well.  It later transpires that she is actually pregnant, but has just become pregnant and is not showing yet.

Mary gives Elizabeth the gift of a doll she made during the court session.

MARY: (Crossing to Elizabeth, taking a small rag doll from pocket in her undershirt.) I made a gift for you today, Goody Proctor. I had to sit long hours in a chair, and passed the time with sewing. (Act 2)

Elizabeth tells her it is a “fair” gift, which is high praise for a Puritan.  Mary tells her that they all need to love each other.  That is fairly ironic, since there is no love going on.  People are just pointing fingers and accusing others to get back at them or get something they want from them.

The doll turns out to be important, because it is presented as evidence that Elizabeth has been using it for witchcraft.  A pin is found in the doll and everyone thinks that it is some sort of voodoo doll.  They do not believe that it is not Elizabeth’s or that she did not put the pin in it.

How do I find mood in a piece of writing?

One of the most efficient way to determine the mood of a piece of writing is to examine the word choices of the author. Many descriptive terms have a definite connotation, and by examining the additional meanings and looking for trends throughout the work we may begin to determine the mood.

For example, in Pickwick Papers by Dickens, the author writes the following:

“The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled...

One of the most efficient way to determine the mood of a piece of writing is to examine the word choices of the author. Many descriptive terms have a definite connotation, and by examining the additional meanings and looking for trends throughout the work we may begin to determine the mood.

For example, in Pickwick Papers by Dickens, the author writes the following:

“The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on.”

The terms "clear blue", "glistened", "sparkled", and "noiselessly" convey a sense of calm beauty. Compare this to a description of waters that are "rough" or "roaring" and note that these latter violent descriptions would be used to convey a tense or potentially violent mood.

As another example, we may look to Wuthering Heights by Bronte:

“There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness..."

With only a small number of words, the author effectively sets a mood of mystery. We are told twice over about the darkness of the scene, once directly and once by announcing the absence of moonlight. The description of mist help to further this mood by establishing a lack of vision and clarity.

What are some similar things about the Tuck and Foster family in Tuck Everlasting?

I think that the biggest similarity between the two families is their care for Winnie Foster.  Both the Fosters and the Tucks clearly care for her and her safety.  Mr. and Mrs. Foster are not portrayed in a very positive light.  They are very over protective parents that do not let Winnie do much wandering on her own.  It's a bit oppressive, but it has to be argued that they clearly care for her safety...

I think that the biggest similarity between the two families is their care for Winnie Foster.  Both the Fosters and the Tucks clearly care for her and her safety.  Mr. and Mrs. Foster are not portrayed in a very positive light.  They are very over protective parents that do not let Winnie do much wandering on her own.  It's a bit oppressive, but it has to be argued that they clearly care for her safety and well being.  They do not want to see her hurt.  The same is true of the Tuck family.  They are a bit looser in their rules with each other and toward Winnie, but they absolutely would give their lives to protect Winnie from any sort of danger.  

Another similarity is a very surface level, literal similarity.  The Foster and Tuck families are families with a still together mother and father. That's a big deal to me as a reader, because I don't see that too often in newer teen literature.  Take The Hunger Games or Twilight series for example.  Bella's parents are divorced, and Katniss's mother is a single mother.  

What was important about Dr. John Snow?

Dr. John Snow was a leading physician in Britain during the Victorian Era. He is one of the founders of modern epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of epidemic disease this included how it spread, what caused it, and how it could be controlled. He is known for his work to find the source of the 1854 cholera outbreak. At the time the main theory on disease transmission was called miasma theory. Miasma theory stated that...

Dr. John Snow was a leading physician in Britain during the Victorian Era. He is one of the founders of modern epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of epidemic disease this included how it spread, what caused it, and how it could be controlled. He is known for his work to find the source of the 1854 cholera outbreak. At the time the main theory on disease transmission was called miasma theory. Miasma theory stated that diseases were a result of there being miasma in the air. Miasma was thought to be a poisonous vapor that consisted of decaying matter and known for its horrible smell. This theory became popular in the Middle Ages and was the prevailing theory for several centuries. Snow’s study contradicted this theory, his study later was realized to be evidence for germ theory which became a common theory after Snow’s death. Germ theory claims that diseases are caused by micro-organisms that are in the body. This theory slowly gained acceptance in the mid 1800s. Eventually germ theory became the prevailing theory instead of miasma and contagion theories. It completely changed the practice of medicine and is still a guiding theory today.

In London during the Victorian era, the streets were crowded and unsanitary which resulted in cholera being a common ailment. The outbreak in 1854 provided Dr. Snow with the conditions to perform his study that aimed to show that cholera could be spread by contaminated water or food. Snow gathered data on the locations where cholera was causing death. As a result Snow was able to show that most of the cases of cholera centered around one area, a public water pump in Soho. He was able to convince officials to remove the handle from the pump but by the time he did the worst of the epidemic has passed. Dr. John Snow was also an advocate of hygienic practices and anesthesia in medical practices. He did experiments with ether and created a way to use the gas safely on patients. When chloroform became the superior anesthetic, Snow designed a mask to administer it. Snow personally dosed Queen Victoria with chloroform when she was in labor with her eighth and ninth children, in 1853 and 1857. Since the Queen was such a high-profile patient, anesthetics became more accepted by the public for use in child-birth.

Why is the Circle Justice important in Touching Spirit Bear?

Circle Justice is an alternative to prison. It is meant to heal, not punish.

“Circle Justice is for those ready for healing.  It’s not an easy way out.  In fact, a healing path is often much harder“ (Mikaelsen 38).

Circle Justice in this book is an experimental program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is based on a form of justice practiced by Native American cultures for thousands of years. However, it is not solely restricted to the American Indian culture.

“Anybody can love, forgive, and heal. Nobody has a corner on that market“ (Mikaelsen 10).

 The idea is that the society must take some responsibility for the fact that this person did this act. Their role now is to rehabilitate that person, not punish him, for the good of society. Everybody is a part of the process, including the victim. 

“...Cole isn’t the only problem here tonight. He is only a symptom of a family and a community that has somehow broken down.  If we can’t find solutions, we all fail, we all share the guilt, and we all pay a terrible price” (Mikaelsen 49).

The candidate must apply for Circle Justice and plead guilty to the crime. They can withdraw that guilty plea at any time and go to trial. However, if they go to trial, they cannot return to Circle Justice. The candidate is not automatically accepted. First, the Circle committee will interview the candidate, talk with the victim, interview the candidate’s family and others, and decide whether they think the candidate is serious about wanting to change. This process takes time, and during that time, Cole will remain at the detention center.

After Cole went through the interview process, Garvey reports,

“The Circle needs to know if you're committed to wanting change.  Some think you still have an attitude” (Mikaelsen 21).

After Cole was accepted into the program, the committee had preparation meetings called Circles of Understanding.  Each meeting was considered a Healing Circle, but they would have different names for them depending on their focus.

There were Talking circles, Peacemaking Circles, and Community Circles.  Eventually there would be Bail Circles and Sentencing Circles (Mikaelsen 34).

The victim and his family may also join the Circle if they feel that it gives them a voice in the process and that the victim could also heal.

“Our challenge is to return wellness, not only to Peter Driscal, but also to Cole Matthews and to our community" (Mikaelsen 39).

Cole also needs a sponsor. The committee requires a person to go through the change with the candidate. Cole chooses Garvey. However, Garvey tells him,

“I don’t invest time in losers.  Unless you’re one hundred and ten percent committed to this change, you’re wasting my time and everybody else’s ---- you’re better off in jail” (Mikaelsen 21).

Next, the Keepers, the organizers of the circles, call a Hearing Circle where everyone gets together to try and find a solution to the problem. This Healing Circle is open to everyone who wants to help. Garvey tells Cole,

“Might be your parents, the lawyers, the judge, myself, community members, maybe even your classmates at school  Anybody can be a part of the Circle if they want to help find a solution“ (Mikaelsen 33).

Cole’s behavior upsets the committee, and it is Garvey who eventually develops a plan for Cole’s rehabilitation.

“It is possible I could make arrangements to have Cole banished to a remote island on the Inland Passage. This is something First Nation people have done for hundreds of years.  Cole could undergo a vision quest of sorts, an extended time alone to face himself and to face the angry spirits inside of him”  (Mikaelsen 56).

That is Cole’s sentence, and it will last for one year.

What are gravitational waves? |

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time according to Einstein's Theory of Relativity.  They are theorized to originate from a source, then flow outward from the source in the form of ripples.  As waves, they are capable of transmitting energy in the form of radiation.  Sources of this type of wave are binary systems, black holes, and neutron stars.  The mass contained in these types of objects are much more massive than objects...

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time according to Einstein's Theory of Relativity.  They are theorized to originate from a source, then flow outward from the source in the form of ripples.  As waves, they are capable of transmitting energy in the form of radiation.  Sources of this type of wave are binary systems, black holes, and neutron stars.  The mass contained in these types of objects are much more massive than objects here on earth.  According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, the generation of gravitational waves is an occurrence upon which the curving of space-time is dependent.  This curving effect is dependent upon the amount of mass in an object.  The more massive the object, the greater the curving of space-time.  This directly affects the amount of gravity generated by the object.  As these massive objects move around within the structure of the universe, they generate accelerations in the curvature of space-time.  These generations of accelerations occur at the speed of light and are known as gravitational waves.

Gravitational waves from the beginning of time in the news:

"Gravity Waves from Big Bang Detected," March 2014

"Has giant LIGO experiment seen gravitational waves?" September 2015

"Scientists struggle to stay grounded after possible gravitational
wave signal," January 2016

What happened to Amanda's Encyclopedia A in Maniac Magee?

The encyclopedia is ripped to shreds to send a message to the Beales and Maniac.

Amanda’s library is her most prized possession, and the encyclopedia’s volume A is the crown jewel.  She wants to read the entire thing.  She has only the one volume of the encyclopedia.  Maniac wants to read it too, but he can’t get his hands on it.

Problem was, Amanda was always reading it. And she vowed she wasn't giving it up, not even to Maniac, till she read everything from Aardvark to Aztec. To make matters worse, the supermarket offer had expired, so there were no other volumes. (Ch. 15)

Amanda carts her entire library to school with her in a suitcase, to protect it.  On the day that Maniac unties the knot, they discover that someone ripped her book.

He followed the scrap-paper trail up Hector and down Sycamore, all the way to the Beales' front steps. The only thing left of the book was the blue-and-red covet. It looked something like an empty loose leaf binder. (Ch. 21)

Amanda is crying, and tearfully says it is her own fault because she left it in the living room where “anybody could look through the window.”  She doesn’t blame Maniac, but he blames himself.  He knows how much that book means to her.  It is the last straw.

After this incident, Maniac decides to leave.  He wants to make sure that Amanda and her family aren’t hurt any more.  People just don’t approve of a white boy living with a black family.  To Maniac, the Beales are his family.  Others do not see it that way.

Maniac’s search for belonging throughout the book is heart-breaking.  With the Beales, he has a chance at a normal life.  However, that normal life is tainted by racism and intolerance.  Although the Beales appreciate Maniac for who he is, the situation is untenable because race relations are not to the point where a white boy can be adopted by a black family.  Ultimately, though, Maniac decides that race makes no difference.

What is the theme of love in A Midsummer Night's Dream? What two characters could be used to describe that theme?

The love theme in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" can be summed up in a line from the play: "the course of true love never did run smooth." Many characters illustrate that theme. Titania and Oberon, king and queen of the fairies, have a huge fight over who should own a slave boy brought back from India that leads them to split up from each other. Hermia wishes to marry Lysander, but her father insists she...

The love theme in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" can be summed up in a line from the play: "the course of true love never did run smooth." Many characters illustrate that theme. Titania and Oberon, king and queen of the fairies, have a huge fight over who should own a slave boy brought back from India that leads them to split up from each other. Hermia wishes to marry Lysander, but her father insists she must marry Demetrius, and he has the law of Athens behind him. Helena, Hermia's friend, loves Demetrius, but he rejects her scornfully. Hermia, having been told she must wed Demetrius or enter a convent, makes plans to run off with Lysander. Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia's plan, hoping Demetrius will thank her. He follows Hermia and Lysander into the forest, and Helena follows Demetrius. In the forest, many love mix-ups occur due to the antics and confusions of the faeries, including the mischevious Puck. At the end of this light-hearted play, albeit with dark undertones, all the characters are sorted out, but not before Shakespeare has shown the many ways love can go wrong before it goes right. Shakespeare values true love over arranged marriage in this play but shows it doesn't triumph without a struggle. 

How is Banquo represented as being honest and open with everyone?

First, when Banquo and Macbeth receive the Weird Sisters' "prophecies," Banquo's response is characteristically artless.  Although Macbeth seems to believe them without question, and is further convinced by the fact that their first statement -- that he will become Thane of Cawdor -- has come true, Banquo is open about his concerns.  He says,

But 'tis strangeAnd oftentimes, to win us to our harm,The instruments of darkness tell us truths,Win us with honest trifles, to betray 'sIn deepest consequence. -- (1.3.134-138)

He worries that the Weird Sisters may be attempting to do the men harm by telling them the truth about something small so that they will believe in the inevitability of something bigger.  Specifically, they might have told Macbeth the truth about becoming Thane of Cawdor just so he would believe that he would also become king; then, if this belief ignites Macbeth's ambition, it could lead him to do things that would be harmful to himself or others.  Banquo openly shares his concerns with his friend from the start.

Later, at Macbeth's castle, Banquo admits that he "dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters" because, to Macbeth, "they have showed some truth" (2.1. 25-26).  Their words, and perhaps his own suspicions of Macbeth's capabilities, have been weighing on his mind, and it seems like he's trying to sound his friend, to figure out how much Macbeth is considering what they said. Macbeth, characteristically deceptive, says, "I think not of them" (2.1.27).  Macbeth has been thinking a great deal of them!  Shakespeare is developing Banquo as a foil to Macbeth.  A foil is a character who contrasts with the protagonist in order to highlight particular qualities of the main character.  Banquo's honesty emphasizes Macbeth's willingness to lie.

Even when Macbeth suggests that if, in the future, Banquo will support him and join his cause, it will benefit Banquo, Banquo says that he will do nothing that would force him to lose his honor:

So I lose [no honor]
In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,
I shall be counseled. (2.1.36-39)

Banquo will not consent to do anything that might go against his conscience, and he is honest with his friend, even though such a statement might convey his suspicions to that friend.  Why would Banquo think that Macbeth might ask him to do something that he would find unscrupulous unless he felt fairly certain that Macbeth was capable of committing unsavory or immoral acts? 

With Banquo, what you see is what you get.  He is unafraid to stand up for what he knows is right, even if it could upset a friend.  He is unwilling to betray a friend in order to win the favor of another. 

Once Macbeth has committed the murder, Banquo "fear[s] / [He] played'st most foully for 't" (3.1.2-3), but considers the possibility that since what the Weird Sisters told Macbeth came true then perhaps what they forecast for him would come to fruition as well.  He speaks his hope once and then says, "But hush, no more" (3.1.10).  Perhaps he doesn't even want to consider the possibility that his progeny would be kings because he doesn't want to be driven to violence the way Macbeth has been.  Or maybe he knows that for the crown to pass to his family, something terrible will have to happen to Macbeth.  Either way, he stops himself from dreaming because of the possibility that it could lead to further violence.  This is an honest and good man, indeed.

What are the implicit and explicit meanings of the poem "I heard a Fly buzz when I died" by Emily Dickinson?

Let's start with the easier—the explicit. Our speaker starts by saying that she literally heard a fly buzz when she died. Move to stanza two and we learn that the room gets quiet and it would seem she sees God enter her room. In stanza three she shares that she has willed away her belongings and just before her last moments, a fly interjects itself into her line of vision. In her final stanza, the...

Let's start with the easier—the explicit. Our speaker starts by saying that she literally heard a fly buzz when she died. Move to stanza two and we learn that the room gets quiet and it would seem she sees God enter her room. In stanza three she shares that she has willed away her belongings and just before her last moments, a fly interjects itself into her line of vision. In her final stanza, the speaker shares that the last thing she sees before it all goes black is the fly, with its continual buzzing.

When we look more deeply, we see our speaker sharing her struggles with the eternal life and the natural life.  Through each stanza, we see her balancing both spectrums, perhaps to remind us how intrinsically tied together both worlds can be. As she wills away her keepsakes, and we assume is taking her final breaths, she is brought back to her earthly place with the fly appearing in her line of vision, ultimately blocking her first look into the afterlife. But if we go back to the first line, we can infer that our speaker is able to unshackle herself from this world because she writes "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—". With the last portion, we learn that this poem was written post-mortem, a truly interesting perspective.

What are the differences between Napoleon's and Snowball's behavior in Animal Farm?

In the initial characterization of the two, the author clearly draws a contrast between Snowball and Napoleon. He gives us insight into their general demeanor and personalities. This is obviously also an indication of how they would behave. The text states:

Pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named Snowball and Napoleon, whom Mr. Jones was breeding up for sale. Napoleon was a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way. Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive, but was not considered to have the same depth of character. 

From these descriptions, it is clear that Napoleon was quite secretive and since he was 'fierce-looking,' one can assume that he intimidated the other animals. Snowball, on the other hand, was much more lively and a good speaker. He could generate ideas at a whim. The fact that he is described as not having the same depth of character as Napoleon suggests that he came across as somewhat shallow whilst Napoleon seemed to be a deep thinker. The significance of this contrast is expressed in the manner in which they later conducted affairs on the farm.  

Snowball was keen to educate the animals and adopted a practical approach. he tirelessly worked at creating a variety of committees so that tasks could be better organized. These, however, were a failure since the larger proportion of animals were not intelligent and could not completely relate to the purpose of Snowball's efforts. The reading and writing classes were, however, a great success.   

Napoleon, on the other hand, showed no interest in Snowball's activities. It was more important to him that the young should be educated rather than wasting time on teaching the older animals something new. Although Napoleon's approach seems to make sense initially, we discover that his motive for this approach was quite sinister. He took Jessie and Bluebell's puppies under his wing soon after they were weaned and kept them hidden. He assumed responsibility for their upbringing. Napoleon's purpose in this was not born from a generous desire to help but was informed by malicious and selfish intent. Once the puppies were grown, he used them to do his evil. At his command, they chased Snowball off the farm and executed animals during his bloodthirsty purge.

Napoleon's purpose in this was not born from a generous desire to help but was informed by malicious and selfish intent. Once the puppies were grown, he used them to do his evil. At his command, they chased Snowball off the farm and executed animals during his bloodthirsty purge. It is noticeably apparent that Napoleon realised that the young could be easily influenced and fed whatever propaganda he desired to. They could become tools and would be used as puppets in his hands.

Snowball noticeably made an effort to improve the lives of all the animals, whilst Napoleon was generally uninvolved. It was Snowball who had strategized to beat Mr. Jones and his men when they invaded the farm. He encouraged the animals and also spoke about them being prepared to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others. Napoleon remained silent.

Napoleon's only real contribution after the Rebellion came from his opposition to all Snowball's ideas. Whilst Snowball won much support at meetings, Napoleon had in the interim taken to influence the sheep to disrupt him whenever it became clear that he was winning an argument as noted in the following excerpt:

At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches, but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. He was especially successful with the sheep. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good, two legs bad" both in and out of season, and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into "Four legs good, two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches. 

It is obvious that Napoleon's actions were directed at serving himself, whereas Snowball acted in the general interest. This fact is pertinently illustrated by Napoleon's repeated rejection of Snowball's ideas. He, for example, urinated over Snowball's meticulous plans for a windmill.

Napoleon produced no schemes of his own, but said quietly that Snowball's would come to nothing, and seemed to be biding his time.

The difference in the two pigs' actions and thinking becomes plain in their disagreements about defence. Napoleon wanted to procure firearms for their own use whilst Snowball insisted that animals on other farms should be encouraged to rebel. Clearly, Napoleon's thinking was quite insular whilst Snowball displayed a wider perspective. Napoleon's selfishness comes to the fore when he finally has an opportunity to get rid of Snowball. At a time when Snowball wished to finally present his masterpiece (the windmill) Napoleon called upon his dogs to chase him off the farm. He barely escaped.

In the end, Napoleon became the tyrannical master of the farm. He claimed Snowball's ideas as his own and demonized him, using him as a scapegoat, in his absence, for everything that went wrong on the farm. Ultimately, Napoleon had become a much worse copy of the dictatorial Mr. Jones.

Is Big Brother good or bad for Winston and the other residents of Oceania?

While the party maintains that it operates for the good of society, Winston and the people of Oceania suffer at the hands of the party on a daily basis. In the opening paragraphs of the book, for instance, we learn of the omnipresent telescreens which monitor the movements of every party member. For Winston, this constant invasion of privacy contributes to his rebellion against the party. For others, it simply becomes a way of life.

...

While the party maintains that it operates for the good of society, Winston and the people of Oceania suffer at the hands of the party on a daily basis. In the opening paragraphs of the book, for instance, we learn of the omnipresent telescreens which monitor the movements of every party member. For Winston, this constant invasion of privacy contributes to his rebellion against the party. For others, it simply becomes a way of life.

Daily life under the party also illustrates its negative effect on Winston and the citizens of Oceania. In Part 1, Chapter 2, we find descriptions of dilapidated and decayed accommodation: "the plaster flaked constantly from ceilings and walls, the pipes burst in every hard frost." Basic repairs could take years to carry out and had to be approved by a specially-appointed committee. 

The people of Oceania are also plagued by food shortages and rations. In Part 1, Chapter 4, we learn that the chocolate ration is to be reduced from thirty grams to twenty. Instead of being honest with its citizens, the party chooses to rewrite history so as to make it appear that a decline in the ration was always a possibility. This task falls to Winston who has become jaded by the constant manipulation of information. 

Furthermore, in Part 1, Chapter 1, we learn that basic items, like razor blades and shoelaces can only be obtained from the prole district, a place where party members are forbidden to go. This has created a thriving black market but any party member who uses it risks their liberty and life. 

Speaking out about these social evils can be a dangerous business. The party uses extreme violence to subjugate the people of Oceania and uses public executions as a warning to potential rebels. Nobody knows this better than Winston: In Part 2, Chapter 10, he is arrested with his girlfriend, Julia, and the pair are beaten, tortured and taken to Room 101. The number of people he meets in his cell illustrates the normalcy of this practice: it happens every day and nobody can do anything to stop it. It is only the love of Big Brother than can save a condemned man like Winston but this comes at a high price: at the expense of free-thought and free-will. 

Describe the background events leading up to the war between North and South Vietnam.

In order to understand the events leading to the Vietnam War, we must look at the region of French Indochina prior to the start of World War II. France ruled this region prior to World War II. During the war, the Japanese took over Indochina. The people of Indochina, led by Ho Chi Minh, worked to remove Japan from the region. When World War II ended, the people in Indochina hoped to gain their independence....

In order to understand the events leading to the Vietnam War, we must look at the region of French Indochina prior to the start of World War II. France ruled this region prior to World War II. During the war, the Japanese took over Indochina. The people of Indochina, led by Ho Chi Minh, worked to remove Japan from the region. When World War II ended, the people in Indochina hoped to gain their independence. However, France returned to rule the region.

The people of Indochina now focused their efforts to remove France from the region. Since Ho Chi Minh supported communism, we helped France in their struggle against the Indochinese by giving France money and supplies. However, the people of Indochina were successful in the conflict against France, using primarily guerilla warfare methods. They surrounded the French troops at Dien Bien Phu, and France was forced to surrender.

The Geneva Accords were developed to determine the future of French Indochina. The region would be divided into four countries. These countries were Laos, Cambodia, North Vietnam, and South Vietnam. There would be elections held in both North Vietnam and in South Vietnam within two years to unite the two countries into one country.

However, in 1956, South Vietnam refused to hold the elections. The United States supported South Vietnam in this decision. Both South Vietnam and the United States were concerned there wouldn’t be free election in North Vietnam, and, as a result, North Vietnam would win the election and would make all of Vietnam communist. We believed in the domino theory that said if one country in a region would become communist, then others would follow. Thus, we supported South Vietnam’s decision to not hold the elections. We knew this would lead to war. In 1956, North Vietnam began fighting to take over South Vietnam. We supported South Vietnam in the beginning of the war by providing military aid and economic aid to South Vietnam. Eventually, we became fully involved in the conflict by sending in our soldiers after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed in 1964.

Evaluate the long-run and short-run sustainability of export subsidy? The question is base on export subsidy.

Export subsidies have actually been an important part of the rapid growth of countries such as Japan and Korea. Implemented wisely and for a short period of time, they appear to be an effective means of supporting economic growth.

The basic idea of an export subsidy is quite simple: Every time you sell a product to another country (either a specific product, or in some cases any product at all), the government pays you money. This provides an additional incentive for you to sell exports, over and above the price paid for them; it also allows you to sell those exports at lower prices.

The lower price could be an unfair price, undercutting other countries; this can create inefficiencies in the market and could ultimately lead to trade wars between countries where subsidies and tariffs are used to try to gain advantage over other countries, ultimately resulting in no country gaining advantage but a lot of inefficiency created by the distortionary policies.

However, it is also possible for the lower price to be a fair price, in that the country which is implementing the subsidy is currently at a lower level of technology and capital, so they would have a disadvantage in global markets without the addition of the subsidy. This appears to be what happened in Korea and Japan (I've provided a source on the extensive export subsidies and following huge economic growth that happened in Korea). This is sometimes called the infant industry argument.

Of course, this only makes sense in the short-run, or maybe the medium-run of a couple of decades. Eventually the poor country catches up to rich countries in capital stock and technology, and the subsidies are no longer necessary. If the country insists on keeping them---perhaps because the industries being subsidized have a powerful political lobby---then they can create inefficiency and cause trade wars. But if countries are wise enough to remove them once they become unnecessary, export subsidies can be a very powerful tool for promoting economic development.

In Chapter 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what do Scout and Dill learn about Dolphus Raymond?

Dolphus Raymond is the notorious town drunk who staggers through Maycomb clutching a bottle in a paper bag. He has a black mistress and several mixed children, which is why the racist community of Maycomb views him with contempt. In Chapter 20, Dill and Scout find out that he is not actually a drunk, and the bottle in the paper bag is simply Coca-Cola. Dolphus explains his reasoning as to why he pretends to be...

Dolphus Raymond is the notorious town drunk who staggers through Maycomb clutching a bottle in a paper bag. He has a black mistress and several mixed children, which is why the racist community of Maycomb views him with contempt. In Chapter 20, Dill and Scout find out that he is not actually a drunk, and the bottle in the paper bag is simply Coca-Cola. Dolphus explains his reasoning as to why he pretends to be drunk.

In Chapter 19, Jem makes Scout take Dill out of the courtroom because he starts to cry after hearing Mr. Gilmer question Tom Robinson disrespectfully. Dill explains to Scout that he didn't like the way Mr. Gilmer was talking down to Tom and says that it makes him sick. Outside the courthouse, Dolphus Raymond hears Dill crying and tells him that he has something to settle his stomach. Scout is reluctant to follow Dill, and as Dill sips out of the infamous brown-bag, he smiles and tells her it's only Coca-Cola. Scout is puzzled and asks Dolphus why he pretends he's drunk all the time. Dolphus smiles and explains to Scout that people in Maycomb don't like the way he lives, so he pretends to be drunk because it "helps folks latch onto a reason." (Lee 268) Dolphus tells Scout that the people of Maycomb could never understand why he chooses to live the way he does. When Scout asks why Dolphus would entrust them with his secret, he tells them they are children and can understand it. He explains how they haven't seen enough of Maycomb to understand the extensive amount of prejudice throughout the county. Dolphus tells Scout and Dill that the older they get, the more they will witness white people discriminate against black people. Eventually, the racial inequality will become so commonplace that it won't even bother them anymore.

Why does Bright Morning say it is "....a wonderful day?" Describe it and explain why it is wonderful.

In Sing Down The Moon, Bright Moon says that "the day the waters came was a wonderful day".

In Chapter One, Bright Moon remembers the year when spring came early. With the melting of the snow, the waters had flowed freely, meeting at the north of the canyon and flowing south, past Spider Rock and Lost Sheep Mountain. Eventually, the melted water had flowed like a river past Bright Moon's village. Bright Moon remembers hearing...

In Sing Down The Moon, Bright Moon says that "the day the waters came was a wonderful day".

In Chapter One, Bright Moon remembers the year when spring came early. With the melting of the snow, the waters had flowed freely, meeting at the north of the canyon and flowing south, past Spider Rock and Lost Sheep Mountain. Eventually, the melted water had flowed like a river past Bright Moon's village. Bright Moon remembers hearing the first sounds of the approaching spring waters while she laid awake in bed the night before.

She remembers how wonderful it was to have an early spring because it meant that the landscape would no longer look so bare and the waters would aid the growth of fruit and greenwood trees on her family's land. Also, the coming of an early spring meant that she would be able to redeem herself in her mother's eyes sooner. The previous spring, Bright Moon had left her mother's sheep to fend for themselves on the mesa during a snowstorm. As the new spring approached, Bright Moon found herself anxious to prove that she could be a responsible sheep-herder.

Based on the play "The Merchant of Venice", would you like to live in Venice? Explain your answers with detailed reference in the text.

How well you’d do and whether you’d enjoy life in the Venice of the play would largely depend on who you were and your social status. The city is a good place to be wealthy; having lots of money would enable you to invest in various business ventures that could net you even more money – provided you have the sense not to risk too much. The city rewards those who have financial means and its laws and social structure can make for a very comfortable life if you are a man, and straight, and a Christian, and a Venetian native, and wealthy.

If you aren’t all five of those things, though, Venice can be a harsh place. Jews’ lives are highly restricted and regulated, women are not allowed to engage in most careers, including finance and law, foreigners from anywhere are looked down on, gays are tolerated provided they remain in the closet, people who are not wealthy must find work as servants with little hope of either wealth or job security. Venice works very well for the men who have amassed most of the city’s power and wealth, but finding yourself outside that privileged circle can be a difficult, painful experience.

Where does the story take place in A Child Called It?

The majority of A Child Called It takes place in the childhood home and school of Dave Pelzer located in Daly City, California. Specifically, Pelzer makes note of the basement, where he would spend many hungry and cold nights sleeping on a cot by himself. Frequent abusive episodes also occurred in the bathroom and kitchen of the family home.

Pelzer finds some solace at school, although he eventually becomes ostracized by his classmates for his...

The majority of A Child Called It takes place in the childhood home and school of Dave Pelzer located in Daly City, California. Specifically, Pelzer makes note of the basement, where he would spend many hungry and cold nights sleeping on a cot by himself. Frequent abusive episodes also occurred in the bathroom and kitchen of the family home.

Pelzer finds some solace at school, although he eventually becomes ostracized by his classmates for his dirty clothes and offensive odor since he isn't allowed to wash at home. Due to his extreme hunger, he also steals food at school and at the local market.

The family's trips to a cabin by the Russian River in Northern California are the setting for Pelzer's best memories growing up. His recollections there include watching peaceful sunsets, having fun with his brothers and his mother treating him with kindness.

What is the connection between the freedom to voluntarily exchange and supply and demand in the American marketplace?

Without the freedom to voluntarily exchange goods and services (and money), there would be no such thing as supply and demand.  Thus, the freedom to voluntarily exchange makes supply and demand possible and creates the American marketplace (and our market economy).

Supply and demand are the bases of a free market economy.  Supply and demand determine what sorts of goods and services are offered for sale, how many are bought, and at what prices.  Supply...

Without the freedom to voluntarily exchange goods and services (and money), there would be no such thing as supply and demand.  Thus, the freedom to voluntarily exchange makes supply and demand possible and creates the American marketplace (and our market economy).

Supply and demand are the bases of a free market economy.  Supply and demand determine what sorts of goods and services are offered for sale, how many are bought, and at what prices.  Supply and demand create the “invisible hand” that efficiently runs our economy, making sure that people can (so far as is possible) get all of the goods and services they want and need.

Supply is defined as the amount of a good or service that producers are willing and able to offer for sale at any given selling price.  Demand is defined as the amount of the good or service that consumers are willing and able to buy at any given price.  Of course, each of these things can only exist if people have the right to voluntarily exchange goods and services (and money).  If we did not have the right to offer (or not to offer) things for sale, there would be no supply in this sense of the word.  If we did not have the right to buy (or refuse to buy) what we want, there would be no demand.  Instead, we would have to have a command economy in which the government told producers what to make and told consumers what they could and could not buy.  This would be inefficient and would not work to get American consumers the goods and services that they want.

In this way, the freedom to voluntarily engage in economic exchange makes supply and demand (and, through them, our market economy) possible.

How is the constitution still relevant to my career in business?

The US Constitution sets the legal setting in which all American businesses are based. It is relevant because you know that Congress can levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and negotiate treaties such as trade deals. Relevant for business, it also gives the executive branch (president) the power to establish the Treasury Department and other departments. It also establishes an independent judiciary, giving a constitutional justification for any legal disputes a business may find itself in....

The US Constitution sets the legal setting in which all American businesses are based. It is relevant because you know that Congress can levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and negotiate treaties such as trade deals. Relevant for business, it also gives the executive branch (president) the power to establish the Treasury Department and other departments. It also establishes an independent judiciary, giving a constitutional justification for any legal disputes a business may find itself in. Finally, it clarifies what role the states have in regulating business and commerce.

Really, any regulation in the US has its legal roots in the Constitution. Whether that be complex banking regulations, anti-trust laws, how to settle copyright disputes, or declaring bankruptcy, any business action that involves the government involves the Constitution on some level.

What evidence is there throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird that proves Jem had faith in Maycomb's community members and its justice system?

Throughout the novel, Jem is confident that Maycomb's citizens are respectable, magnanimous individuals with integrity. In the mind of a child, citizens who portray these positive qualities would value justice. The overwhelming lack of evidence, conflicting testimonies, and Tom's handicap is more than enough to acquit Tom Robinson. Towards the end of the trial, Jem mentions to Reverend Sykes that they will win the case. Jem is naive and doesn't take into consideration the role...

Throughout the novel, Jem is confident that Maycomb's citizens are respectable, magnanimous individuals with integrity. In the mind of a child, citizens who portray these positive qualities would value justice. The overwhelming lack of evidence, conflicting testimonies, and Tom's handicap is more than enough to acquit Tom Robinson. Towards the end of the trial, Jem mentions to Reverend Sykes that they will win the case. Jem is naive and doesn't take into consideration the role that prejudice plays in the jury's decision. Jem says,

"We've won it...Don't see how any jury could convict on what we heard---" (Lee 279)

After her the "guilty" verdict, Jem is overwhelmed with grief and anger. The following day, the children go over to Miss Maudie's for cakes. Maudie tells Jem not to fret, and Jem makes the comment,

"I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that's what they seemed like." (Lee 288)

Jem's comment is evidence that he once had faith in the citizens of Maycomb. He also mentions to Scout later on in Chapter 23, that he used to think there was only one type of person in Maycomb because everyone seemed to get along and treat each other with respect. He says,

"That's what I thought, too...when I was your age. If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other?" (Lee 304)

What is the purpose of the poem "The Congo" by Vachel Lindsay?

Vachel Lindsay, who described himself as writing "singing poetry," was a forerunner of today's poet/performance artist.

His most famous poem, "The Congo," subtitles itself "A Study of the Negro Race." It traces what Lindsay views as primitives or savage Africans from their original home in the Congo to their life in the Americas.

From his point of view, Lindsay was an strong advocate for African-Americans, and many of his contemporaries, notable African-Americans like W.E B. Dubois and Langston Hughes, praised him in that regard.

"The Congo," the poem itself, however, despite its vivid imagery and memorable chorus of "Boomlay boomlay boomlay Booom!" is seen to depict African-Americans with strong racial stereotyping.

Lindsay's purpose in writing the poem, then, was a well intentioned attempt to romanticize African-Americans, but its purpose has ultimately been defeated by time. Today, the poem seems hopelessly mired in too many negative stereotypes to be currently used for the purpose Lindsay intended.

What is the main theme Miller develops through John Proctor in The Crucible?

John Proctor is a wonderful character.  He makes the entire play.  If you haven't seen the movie version of this drama with Daniel Day-Lewis, you owe it to yourself to see it.  Lewis nails the character and brings Proctor to life in a way that is awe inspiring.  

What makes Proctor such a great character is that he is so dynamic.  He's an incredibly multifaceted and relatable character.  He has made a huge mistake by cheating on his wife with Abigail, and he feels incredibly guilty over it.  He's also bound and determined to make it right.  He's a man of deep religious convictions, but he also is a critical thinker when it comes to his religious beliefs.  He's a strong, moral character that is looked up to by many people in the town of Salem.  Despite his flaws, John Proctor is a very good man.  

I really can't pick the theme associated with Proctor, because I don't think there is only one.  He's too dynamic of a character.  One theme that I do think he embodies is the theme of self-respect and/or dignity.  He knows that he made a mistake with Abigail, and he is going to do everything possible to make sure that it never happens again.  

Proctor: Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby.

Furthering the theme of self-respect are Proctor's actions at the end of the play.  He is given the chance to save himself by confessing to a lie, but he is unwilling to do it.  He can't bear the thought of living while other accused held firm in their convictions.  

Proctor: Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!

Proctor knows that in addition to the guilt he will feel at having confessed a lie to save his own life, he will feel incredibly two faced while trying to raise his own children. 

Proctor: I have three children - how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?

To Proctor, the importance of keeping his good name, to himself and to his friends and family, is of the utmost importance.  

Proctor, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

Proctor shows the theme of self-respect and personal dignity throughout the play, but it is the fact that he is willing to die for his convictions that really sells the theme to the audience.  Even Elizabeth Proctor further emphasizes the theme by telling the audience that John's sacrifice is critical, necessary, and right as the play closes. 

Elizabeth, supporting herself against collapse, grips the bars. of the window, and with a cry: He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!

How does the prisoner escape the descending pendulum?

The way the prisoner in "The Pit and the Pendulum" escapes from the pendulum is one of the most memorable moments in literature. The man is bound by cloth bands to a low table as a razor sharp swinging pendulum drops ever so gradually toward him. He has been given a dish of savory meat but no water in order to increase his discomfort. He can reach to his side to grab the food from...

The way the prisoner in "The Pit and the Pendulum" escapes from the pendulum is one of the most memorable moments in literature. The man is bound by cloth bands to a low table as a razor sharp swinging pendulum drops ever so gradually toward him. He has been given a dish of savory meat but no water in order to increase his discomfort. He can reach to his side to grab the food from the plate, but otherwise he cannot move because of his bonds. When the pendulum gets almost to him, the "collected calmness of despair" allows him to think up a plan. He realizes that the bands are only cloth; when a rat bites his hand, it makes him think how "wild, bold, ravenous" they are. Taking the meat from his dish, he "thoroughly rubbed the bandage wherever I could reach it." He has been constantly shooing the rats away until now, but now he lies "breathlessly still." That makes the rats think he has died. They swarm upon the man, first chewing the bonds that he rubbed the meat on. He has to lie absolutely still while they are swarming all over him, even on his face, so they will finish their work. Finally he senses the bonds have been chewed through. The pendulum has swung so low that it has actually cut through his robe. Before its next swing, he shoos the rats off him and slides off the table, avoiding the pendulum. He is free! But not for long, of course. The pendulum is drawn up, and the inquisitors put the next method of torture into motion.

Why does Demosthenes say the treatment of Athens under Macedon would be worse than its treatment under Sparta?

There are two related reasons for Demosthenes' objection to the expanding conquest of the Macedonian Empire. First, Demosthenes was patriotic to his city, their alliance with other Greek city-states, and the Greek culture. Phillip II of Macedon's advances into Southern Greece were a serious threat which was at first taken too lightly by many Athenians, who failed to recognize Macedon as a formidable foe. Traditional enemies such as Persia held the public attention. Demosthenes recognized...

There are two related reasons for Demosthenes' objection to the expanding conquest of the Macedonian Empire. First, Demosthenes was patriotic to his city, their alliance with other Greek city-states, and the Greek culture. Phillip II of Macedon's advances into Southern Greece were a serious threat which was at first taken too lightly by many Athenians, who failed to recognize Macedon as a formidable foe. Traditional enemies such as Persia held the public attention. Demosthenes recognized the danger Phillip II represented, and sought to warn his fellow Athenians to prepare for the Macedonian conqueror's advances, seeking increases for the Theoric Fund and an increase in military preparedness. 

Over the next decade and more, Phillip II would prove his military competence, and Demosthenes would see his ability, his ruling style, and his cultural norms. None would prove reassuring to the Athenian orator and statesman. This ultimately came down to his loyalty to his culture. He was proud of Greek culture, and shared the common discomfort with "barbarian" nations. The real heart of his argument that Phillip's rule would be worse than Sparta's lay in this: Sparta was Greek, politically and culturally. While often seen as the least "civilized" of Greek city-states, it remained Greek in its culture and ideals. 

Macedonia was, in the eyes of the Greeks, alien, with a culture they saw as quite literally barbaric. To be dominated by rough and ready Sparta was shameful for one of the great lights of Greek civilization, but to be conquered and ruled by a barbarian was a cultural disaster, both logically difficult and emotionally humiliating. 

Conquest by Phillip also threatened the democratic system of the city of Athens--a system Demosthenes treasured and fought to protect. Phillip was a a king and a tyrant. Athens had no place for tyranny. Demosthenes could only fear Phillip, and later Alexander the Great, for the threat they represented to Athenian democracy and Greek cultural dominance.

How did the Civil Rights Movement motivate the American people to change?

The American Civil Rights Movement occurred over several phases, the most dramatic occurring after World War II. While African-Americans had been granted the right of citizenship, voting, and other rights after the Civil War, federal and state governments did not enforce these laws until the 1950s and 1960s. The change in the federal government's willingness to enforce laws granting African-Americans equality, along with the powerful tactics used by Martin Luther King and his followers, began...

The American Civil Rights Movement occurred over several phases, the most dramatic occurring after World War II. While African-Americans had been granted the right of citizenship, voting, and other rights after the Civil War, federal and state governments did not enforce these laws until the 1950s and 1960s. The change in the federal government's willingness to enforce laws granting African-Americans equality, along with the powerful tactics used by Martin Luther King and his followers, began to motivate people to change.

In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled in the case Plessy v. Ferguson that African-Americans could have separate but equal facilities, such as schools and sections of trains. This remained the law until the important 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, in which it was ruled that separate but equal was inherently unequal. The Supreme Court ordered all schools in the nation to desegregate and the ruling was met by massive resistance in the south and some parts of the north. As a result, the federal government under Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson sent troops at times to enforce the law. Over time, schools and universities in all parts of the country were desegregated.

In addition, Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and early to mid 1960s with peaceful tactics. His non-violent protests began with the bus boycott to desegregate buses in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955-1956. His use of non-violent tactics was effective because it won over public opinion, as people were more likely to support protestors who were not violent. 

The other factors that finally motivated people to change were that many African-Americans had served their countries in several wars, including World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Also, in the years after Hitler, it became very distasteful to support ideas that were seen as racist or anti-Semitic. Finally, as part of the Cold War, or the proxy wars the U.S. fought with the Soviet Union, the U.S. wanted to make sure that the world did not see us as racist. As a result, the country began slowly to change its attitudes about race, and the Civil Rights movement gained some victories, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, among others.

What is negative character trait for Diana in the book Lyddie?

Diana shows poor judgement when she gets pregnant with a married man.

Diana is a saintly presence.  She is endlessly patient and supportive of the other factory girls.  She has worked at the factory for fifteen years, and she acts as teacher and mother to new girls.  Lyddie finds her to be a source of support and friendship.

When Lyddie gets a new girl to train, Brigid, she has trouble at first.  Lyddie likes to...

Diana shows poor judgement when she gets pregnant with a married man.

Diana is a saintly presence.  She is endlessly patient and supportive of the other factory girls.  She has worked at the factory for fifteen years, and she acts as teacher and mother to new girls.  Lyddie finds her to be a source of support and friendship.

When Lyddie gets a new girl to train, Brigid, she has trouble at first.  Lyddie likes to focus on herself and takes pride in being fast and efficient.  Having a trainee just annoys her and she feels like the girl slows her down.  Diana comes to the rescue and is calm and caring to the girl when Lyddie can’t be.

When Brigid has trouble with a knot, Lyddie shouts at her, irritated that she has not learned how to do it herself yet.  Diana steps in to help them.

The girl burst into tears again, and before Lyddie could decide what to do with her, Diana was there, slapping off the loom. Burning with shame, Lyddie glanced over as Diana, without a quiver of impatience, helped the girl retrieve the broken ends and tie a weaver's knot. (Ch. 14)

Diana looks out for the girls in bigger ways too.  She is part of an organization lobbying for a ten-hour workday.  Lyddie doesn’t like this, because girls can get in trouble for signing the group’s petitions.  The factory considers them trouble makers.  Diana is more interested in everyone’s safety.  She takes up collections when people get hurt or sick.

When Lyddie finally decides to sign one of Diana’s petitions, she learns that the saintly Diana has a secret.  She has gotten pregnant, and the man is married.  He is Diana’s friend the doctor.

"He‐he's not free to marry. There's a wife ... in Concord. She wouldn't come to live here in a factory town. Though her father is one of the owners." Diana's laugh was short and harsh. (Ch. 19)

Diana has to quit her factory job before she begins to show, because she doesn’t want to bring dishonor to the movement.  She is such an important part of it that the factory would use her to discredit it.  Diana is strong and independent.  She finds a job as a housekeeper right away, and plans to raise her baby by herself.

Diana is a genuinely nice person, but having a baby out of wedlock was considered very immoral.  She also had an affair with a married man, which is definitely inappropriate.  This does not mean that Diana is a bad person, but she definitely exercised flawed judgement.

What does the narrator of "A Modest Proposal" hope to gain from his proposal, and what does he specifically not expect as a reward for his great idea?

The answers to this question can be found in the last paragraph of "A Modest Proposal." Having suggested that Irish children be raised and reared to be food on the tables of Englishmen, and reassuring his readers that the plan would make a profit on those who are otherwise a burden on society, he says that his plan is only motivated by the "publick good of his country." In other words, he is only offering...

The answers to this question can be found in the last paragraph of "A Modest Proposal." Having suggested that Irish children be raised and reared to be food on the tables of Englishmen, and reassuring his readers that the plan would make a profit on those who are otherwise a burden on society, he says that his plan is only motivated by the "publick good of his country." In other words, he is only offering his plan for the good of Ireland--the purest of motives. He then goes on to specifically say that he does not stand to profit from his "proposal." His youngest child is nine years old, and his wife is "past child-bearing." In other words, he has no children that he could profit from. This paragraph makes for a delightfully wicked ending completely in keeping with the spirit of the satire in the essay. It also further drives home the point that Swift is satirizing the well-meaning and supposedly disinterested philosophers who seek coldly rational and profit-driven solutions to human problems. 

What was Steve's involvement after the crime in Monster?

Monster by Walter Dean Myers is s study of guilt by association.  It is also a poignant telling of how a person can lose sight of themselves when they allow society to label them.

Despite the fact that Steve is acquitted of any involvement in the crime that was committed by his two acquaintances, he is still stigmatized by having been associated with them.

After the robbery, Steve finds himself accused and jailed despite the fact that...

Monster by Walter Dean Myers is s study of guilt by association.  It is also a poignant telling of how a person can lose sight of themselves when they allow society to label them.

Despite the fact that Steve is acquitted of any involvement in the crime that was committed by his two acquaintances, he is still stigmatized by having been associated with them.

After the robbery, Steve finds himself accused and jailed despite the fact that he did not participate in the actual crime. He spends his time writing in his diary and trying to keep track of his innocence. This is difficult to do, given his proximity to the crime scene and the potential that he did - willingly or not - appear to play the role of lookout. 

Upon his acquittal, he approaches his lawyer in order to demonstrate his gratitude. However, instead of embracing him she redirects her attention elsewhere. This leaves Steve with the uneasy feeling that he will always be labeled a "monster."

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

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

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

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

What is the answer to the following using the Rydberg equation, and why is the answer correct? If the energy of the photons emitted by excited...

The Rydberg equation uses a constant and the integers representing two major energy levels of a hydrogen atom to calculate the energy absorbed or emitted when an electron moves between the two energy levels. You're given the energy emitted and need to determine the two integers. You can find the value of the factor (1/n1^2)-(1/n2^2) be dividing the energy emitted by the constant in the equation:

`-1.9369 J = -2.179 x 10^(-18) x (1/n_1^2)-(1/n_2^2)`

`0.8889 = 1/n_1^2-1/n_2^2`

The constant given combines the Rydberg constant, the equation relating frequency to wavelength, and Planck's constant relating the energy of a photon to its frequency.  The units in the equation you gave cancel out to give energy in Joules. For simplicity, I left out the units since they would cancel out to give no units for the energy level integers.

The easiest way to proceed from here it to plug in each pair of energy levels and determine which pair gives a value close to 0.8889. The electron is moving from n2 to n1, closer to the nucleus. In each pair of integers n2 is the first value given and n1 is second. 

From 2 to 1: 1-1/4 = 0.75

From 3 to 1: 1-1/9 = 0.8889

From 3 to 2: 1/4 - 1/9 = 0.1389

From 4 to 2: 1/4 - 1/16 =  0.1875

From 4 to 3: 1/9 - 1/16 = 0.0486

The energy level change form 3 to 1 is consistent with the energy emitted.

What is the impact now because of The Trail of Tears?

The Trail of Tears still has an impact on us today. In the 1830s, many tribes were forced to relocate to the area west of the Mississippi River as part of the Indian Removal Act. The Trail of Tears describes the very difficult move many Native American tribes were forced to make. Many Native Americans died as a result of the relocation. While the Trail of Tears is often used in reference to the Cherokee tribe, it describes the movement and its effects on many Native American tribes.

One current impact from the Trail of Tears is a distrust of the government by many Native American people. The Cherokee people won a Supreme Court ruling that allowed them to stay in Georgia. However, President Andrew Jackson refused to enforce this decision. Eventually, the Cherokee were forced to relocate. Because of this situation along with many other instances of poor treatment and deception, the Native Americans have very little trust in the federal government. Native American policies have changed often, and, in most cases, the needs of the Native Americans weren’t considered.

Another current impact is that the size of Native American tribes is smaller because there was so much death associated with the Trail of Tears. Many Native Americans died as they were being moved to the West. When they got to the West, the also died from diseases for which they had no immunities. There were many battles with the United States Army, which led to more death. Because there was so much death related to the Trail of Tears and the events after it, the size of the various tribes is lower than what it would have been if all this death hadn’t occurred.

The effects of the Trail of Tears still have an impact on Native Americans to the present day. This also impacts the rest of the country to some degree.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, explain Mrs. Dubose's addiction to morphine and why she was so grouchy while being addicted to it?

In Chapter 11, Jem loses his temper after Mrs. Dubose makes several derogatory comments about his father. Jem's punishment is to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours every day, except for Sunday. Later on in the chapter, Jem notices that his reading hours become longer, and Mrs. Dubose stays awake for longer periods of time each day correcting his reading. When Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus explains to Jem that Mrs. Dubose suffered from a...

In Chapter 11, Jem loses his temper after Mrs. Dubose makes several derogatory comments about his father. Jem's punishment is to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours every day, except for Sunday. Later on in the chapter, Jem notices that his reading hours become longer, and Mrs. Dubose stays awake for longer periods of time each day correcting his reading. When Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus explains to Jem that Mrs. Dubose suffered from a chronic illness and took morphine to ease the pain. She asked Atticus if he could help her, and Jem's reading kept Mrs. Dubose occupied and her mind off the pain in between her morphine doses. Mrs. Dubose's final wish was to die free of her addiction. Each day, Jem would read for a little bit longer, thus increasing the time in between doses of morphine until her addiction was broken. Mrs. Dubose was in extreme discomfort while Jem was reading to her, which probably resulted in her grouchy attitude. Also, addicts who suffer from withdrawal symptoms are extremely irritable, which explains why she would continually harass Jem while he was reading.

What tone does the imagery in the first paragraph convey?

In short, the author's tone is one of reverence towards Rainy Mountain as well as of the natural world and of the Kiowa tribe.  This tone echoes throughout the entire novel.  The issue with your question is that this story has many beginnings.   Do you mean the first poem that precedes the entire book?  Do you mean the prologue?  Do you mean the introduction?  Do you mean the beginning of the first major part called "The Setting Out"?  I am assuming you mean the beginning of it all:  the poem called "Headwaters."  I believe it contains the imagery you are talking about.

Noon in the intermountain plain: / There is scant telling of the marsh-- / A log, hollow and weather-stained, / An insect at the mouth, and moss-- / Yet waters rise against the roots, / Stand brimming to the stalks.  What moves? / What moves on this archaic force / Was wild and welling at the source.

There is sight imagery, sound imagery, touch imagery, and even taste imagery here.  Sight has to do with the plain, the marsh, the log, the insect, the moss, the stalks, and the roots.  Sound imagery is found in the "scant telling."  Reference to the mouth connects sound imagery to taste imagery.  Even the word "roots" can be considered a taste image.  Touch imagery can be seen in the question, "What moves?"  Further, the idea that something is "welling" can also be seen as a touch image.

In conclusion, tone is an author's attitude toward his or her subject.  As you can see, all of these things amount to great reverence for the natural world that can encompass all five senses.  This idea reverberates throughout Momaday's book.

Why doesn’t Margot interact with the other children? What causes the conflict between Margot and the other children?

Bradbury doesn't explicitly tell his readers why Margot doesn't interact with the children.  The reader has to make a judgment call on the issue.  I think she doesn't interact with the other children because she is newer to Venus and the school than all of the other children.  She isn't that terribly new to the school though.  The text says that Margot arrived on Venus five years earlier.  

And then, of course, the biggest crime of all was that she had come here only five years ago from Earth, and she remembered the sun and the way the sun was and the sky was when she was four in Ohio. And they, they had been on Venus all their lives, and they had been only two years old when last the sun came out and had long since forgotten the color and heat of it and the way it really was.

That should be enough time for her to make friends and find her niche, but she never does.  I think a part of her being an outsider is partially her fault.  Sure, she is an outsider when she first comes, but I think Margot perpetuates her "differentness" by not attempting to participate in the games with the other children. 

And this was because she would play no games with them in the echoing tunnels of the underground city. If they tagged her and ran, she stood blinking after them and did not follow. When the class sang songs about happiness and life and games her lips barely moved.

I don't know why Margot doesn't interact with the other children.  The text never says, but the text seems to indicate the Margot is in a perpetual state of depression.  Scientifically speaking, that could be because of Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It's a depressed mood driven by lack of sunlight.  That sounds weird, but it's a legitimate disorder.  Margot simply might not be able to muster up the energy to appropriately interact with the other children if she is suffering from severe depression. 

The main conflict between Margot and the other children is that Margot definitely remembers what sunlight looks and feels like.  The other children do not.  That singular fact drives a wedge between Margot and the other children.  Some of the children do not believe her, and I think some of the children are flat out jealous of Margot and her memory of the sun.  

And they, they had been on Venus all their lives, and they had been only two years old when last the sun came out and had long since forgotten the color and heat of it and the way it really was.

But Margot remembered.

"It’s like a penny," she said once, eyes closed.

"No it’s not!" the children cried.

"It’s like a fire," she said, "in the stove."

"You’re lying, you don’t remember !" cried the children

Who are the characters in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings"?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's short story "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" has few key characters. They are listed and described below:

Pelayo and Elisenda: the couple at whose house the Old Man with Enormous Wings mysteriously appears. They make a lot of money from people who want to see the old man and are able to build a large mansion. They see the old man as more of a nuisance than a blessing.

Old...

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's short story "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" has few key characters. They are listed and described below:

Pelayo and Elisenda: the couple at whose house the Old Man with Enormous Wings mysteriously appears. They make a lot of money from people who want to see the old man and are able to build a large mansion. They see the old man as more of a nuisance than a blessing.

Old Man with Enormous Wings: old, sick man who has large vulture-like wings. He appears after a storm in the courtyard of Pelayo and Elisenda's house. He does not speak, and after several years is finally able to regain his strength and fly away. 

Neighbor woman: she declares the old man is an angel and recommends Pelayo and Elisenda club him to death because she does not trust angels.

Father Gonzaga: the local priest who comes to examine the old man. He declares the man is not an angel because he smells and does not have the dignity of angels. 

The child: Pelayo and Elisenda's son, a newborn at the time the angel appears. As he grows, the child is the only person the old man tolerates.

What are the steps in the U.S. presidential election process?

There are different ways to set out the steps in this process.  This is because some teachers may say a particular thing is a step in the process while other teachers will not.  For example, is selecting a running mate a step in the process?  What about filing to run as a candidate?  Here are what I see as the important steps in this process.

First, each party has to select its nominee for the presidency.  That is what is about to start happening when Iowa holds its caucuses in a couple of weeks.  There is no limit to how many people can try to get nominated to run for president from each of the parties.  Therefore, there has to be a way of selecting the nominee from each party.  Today, the nominees are selected through a mix of primary elections (where people come out and vote just like in a regular election) and caucuses (where people actually have to go to a meeting, discuss the candidates, and then make their choices).  When voters cast ballots in these elections, they are voting for slates of delegates to a national convention.  Those delegates are committed to vote for a specific candidate.  Usually, the nomination is wrapped up well before the convention, but it is possible for the delegates to go to the convention and have to choose who the nominee will be.  Through this process, each party chooses a nominee to run for president.

Next, there is the general election.  This happens in November of a presidential election year.  Here, the party nominees run against one another, with one nominee per party.  There are no caucuses in this election, just regular voting.  However, when people vote for a candidate, they are technically not voting for that candidate.  Instead, they are voting for people who will become part of the Electoral College.  The president is officially elected by the Electoral College.  When a person voted for President Obama in 2012, they were officially voting for candidates for the Electoral College who had promised to vote for Obama.  The popular vote is totaled in each state and the candidate who gets the most votes in a state gets “their” candidates elected to the Electoral College.  In mid-December, the Electoral College meets and officially elects the president.

Thus, the main steps in this process are choosing the nominee for each party, the popular vote in the general election, and the meeting of the Electoral College in which the president is officially elected.