What does Scout mean when she says that something is a part of the "ethical culture"? Why does she say that it's different with money in To Kill A...

This passage from Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, is said by Scout after having found two "scrubbed and polished" 1900 and 1916 Indian head pennies in the knothole of the Radley tree.

But Scout and Jem are nonplussed (completely surprised) by the discovery and bewildered about what to do with them because keeping money someone finds is not part of Scout and Jem's "ethical culture." That is, taking money one finds is...

This passage from Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, is said by Scout after having found two "scrubbed and polished" 1900 and 1916 Indian head pennies in the knothole of the Radley tree.

But Scout and Jem are nonplussed (completely surprised) by the discovery and bewildered about what to do with them because keeping money someone finds is not part of Scout and Jem's "ethical culture." That is, taking money one finds is equivalent to stealing, but eating the wild scuppernongs (a large white grape with a thick skin that thrives in Alabama, although originally from North Carolina, and that is named after a river) in Miss Maudie's arbor, or stealing a squirt of warm milk from the cow, or even picking "an occasional camellia" are considered acceptable behavior for children.

Because Southerners were almost all descended from those immigrants from the British Isles, and because few people migrated to the South before air conditioning was invented, a distinct culture was generated in this part of the country. And, part of this culture was the unwritten code for what was permissible for children to which Scout alludes. 

What is the science fiction part in Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy?

To first answer this question, we must define what science fiction means. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines science fiction as "fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component." The Gunn Center for Science Fiction at the University of Kansas defines science fiction as "the literature of the human species encountering change, whether it arrives via scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events,...

To first answer this question, we must define what science fiction means. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines science fiction as "fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component." The Gunn Center for Science Fiction at the University of Kansas defines science fiction as "the literature of the human species encountering change, whether it arrives via scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events, or societal shifts."

When looking at Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series, we must look for the impact of actual or imagined science on the individuals in the book. We must also look at the societal shifts through scientific discoveries. 

The impact of imagined science takes place through the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games itself has societal shifts. The introduction of the Hunger Games changed how the citizens of Panem live. You are more likely to be chosen for the Hunger Games if you are poor and have to take free food from the district because you are entered into the Hunger Games each time you take food. 

In Catching Fire, we see science fiction take place during the 75th Hunger Games. During the Hunger Games, we see many different types of technological innovations that play a role. For example, we see fog that can move in a certain area that can cause participants to be paralyzed or die. Additionally, there is water that has healing powers. These are just some examples of science fiction in Catching Fire. 

What values are in Wolf Hall?

Wolf Hall is the first installment in Hilary Mantel's trilogy about English statesman Thomas Cromwell. He became one of Henry VIII's chief ministers and served the king until, like many of the king's advisers, he became discredited and was executed at the Tower of London in 1540. Mantel's novels seek to make Cromwell a hero and, unlike popular tradition, he is held in higher regard than Sir Thomas More, who was also executed by the...

Wolf Hall is the first installment in Hilary Mantel's trilogy about English statesman Thomas Cromwell. He became one of Henry VIII's chief ministers and served the king until, like many of the king's advisers, he became discredited and was executed at the Tower of London in 1540. Mantel's novels seek to make Cromwell a hero and, unlike popular tradition, he is held in higher regard than Sir Thomas More, who was also executed by the king. Mantel reveals three important values displayed by Cromwell, including family, loyalty and compassion.

Despite the fact Cromwell was brutally abused by his blacksmith father as a boy he is quite a loving father. In the books opening scene he is kicked and beaten by his father. Cromwell, however, displays none of these traits with his two young daughters who he reads to and encourages to be well educated. In one particularly poignant scene, which proves as foreshadowing, one of his daughters is wearing angel wings. He is also a loving husband. Unfortunately his wife and daughters succumb to the sleeping sickness which ravaged England in the 1520's.

Cromwell shows loyalty, first to Cardinal Wolsey. Cromwell is instrumental in securing suitable living quarters when the Cardinal is stripped of his duties as Lord Chancellor. He is also loyal to Henry and to Anne Boleyn. He works to secure the divorce Henry sought after Catherine of Aragon was unable to give him a son. He also becomes friends with Anne and secures her confidence in the midst of the political intrigue surrounding Henry's attempted divorce.

Cromwell is compassionate. In one of the book's most powerful scenes, Cromwell, as a boy, witnesses the burning of a religious heretic. It is a gruesome spectacle and Cromwell remembers it the rest of his life. As adviser to the king he advises against both war and executions. He even attempts to save More, who has firmly criticized and belittled Cromwell, from the executioner.

Mantel's second book in the trilogy, Bring Up the Bodies, charts the downfall of Anne Boleyn. The Mirror and the Light, the third installment, has yet to be published.

How did political bosses justify their graft?

There was corruption associated with political machines and with political bosses. The political bosses found ways to justify this graft or corruption.

The political machine formed because the local government wasn’t able to meet the needs of the people living in the cities. People, especially immigrants, were having a difficult time finding jobs, paying bills, getting medical care, and making ends meet. The local government wasn’t able to meet the needs of the people, so...

There was corruption associated with political machines and with political bosses. The political bosses found ways to justify this graft or corruption.

The political machine formed because the local government wasn’t able to meet the needs of the people living in the cities. People, especially immigrants, were having a difficult time finding jobs, paying bills, getting medical care, and making ends meet. The local government wasn’t able to meet the needs of the people, so the political machines stepped in to do this.

The bosses justified their corruption because they believed they were helping the people in the cities meet their needs. There was a cost associated with providing medical care, providing jobs, and helping people pay their bills. The bosses believed that some of the money they received through corrupt actions was going to help those people in need. They also felt there was nothing wrong in asking for votes from the people whom they helped. They believed this was the way the people who received assistance could repay the bosses and the political machine for the help they received.

The political machines and the bosses were corrupt. However, they were able to justify their corruption by helping people who needed various forms of assistance.

From Judith Ortiz Cofer's "American History," what common interests and conditions help to develop a friendship between Elena and Eugene?

Elena and Eugene are both minorities at Public School No. 13 in Judith Ortiz Cofer's short story "American History." Elena is a Puerto Rican girl and Eugene is a Caucasian from Georgia, but they both live in Paterson, New Jersey on November 22, 1963 when President Kennedy was shot. As far as personal interests are concerned, though, both Elena and Eugene enjoy reading books. In fact, Eugene enjoys sitting at his kitchen table to read and...

Elena and Eugene are both minorities at Public School No. 13 in Judith Ortiz Cofer's short story "American History." Elena is a Puerto Rican girl and Eugene is a Caucasian from Georgia, but they both live in Paterson, New Jersey on November 22, 1963 when President Kennedy was shot. As far as personal interests are concerned, though, both Elena and Eugene enjoy reading books. In fact, Eugene enjoys sitting at his kitchen table to read and Elena would like to read in his kitchen as well. She would like to talk with him about his home state of Georgia because she starts reading Gone with the Wind. She thinks that she could understand the book better if she spoke with Eugene about the history of slavery in Georgia.

"I didn’t believe such a world had ever really existed, and I wanted to ask Eugene some questions since he and his parents, he had told me, had come up from Georgia, the same place where the novel was set" (Lines 128-130).

Another similarity is the kids at school have nicknames for them. Eugene is called a "hick" and Elena is called "Skinny Bones." When they are seen together at school the kids put the two nicknames together and saying "Skinny Bones" and the "Hick" (Line 135). By the school kids branding them as outcasts together, they seem to become closer friends. It's too bad that Eugene's mother gets in the way of them becoming closer friends when she prohibits her from studying together.

What is the time and historical period of "The Interlopers"?

The Interlopers is a story by Hector Hugh Munro (Saki).  It was part of a collection of short stories (The Toys of Peace, and Other Papers ) that was published in 1919 after Saki's death.  While the physical setting of the story is indicated, the time period is not.  

There are several clues that enable us to speculate that the time period of the book is the early Twentieth Century. First, the fact that both characters have...

The Interlopers is a story by Hector Hugh Munro (Saki).  It was part of a collection of short stories (The Toys of Peace, and Other Papers ) that was published in 1919 after Saki's death.  While the physical setting of the story is indicated, the time period is not.  

There are several clues that enable us to speculate that the time period of the book is the early Twentieth Century. First, the fact that both characters have rifles is an indication.  Also, most of the short stories in the collection are set in pre-war Europe.  A third hint about the time period is the fact that we do know that the author lived between 1870 to 1916.  

This time period was before the Great War.  It was a period of industrialism and militarism in Europe.  England was the most powerful industrial power, but Germany was also moving in that direction.  Many of the European countries had acquired empires in Africa and Asia.  The historical period is referred to as the Industrial Age or the Age of Oil.  

Should Scout and Jem have gone to the trial of Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird? What did it teach them?

I believe that Scout and Jem should have attended the trial of Tom Robinson. One of the main themes throughout the novel deals with children losing their innocence. Harper Lee uses the wrongful conviction of Tom Robinson as the critical moment that the children lose their innocence. Jem and Scout witness an innocent black man, convicted at the hands of an all-white jury. Prior to the verdict, Jem believes that Tom will win the case...

I believe that Scout and Jem should have attended the trial of Tom Robinson. One of the main themes throughout the novel deals with children losing their innocence. Harper Lee uses the wrongful conviction of Tom Robinson as the critical moment that the children lose their innocence. Jem and Scout witness an innocent black man, convicted at the hands of an all-white jury. Prior to the verdict, Jem believes that Tom will win the case based on the lack of evidence, conflicting testimonies of the Ewells, and Tom's obvious handicap. After the verdict is read, Jem weeps and laments that "it ain't right." (Lee 284) Although Scout witnesses injustice, she is not jaded and suspect about the citizens of Maycomb the way that Jem is. Despite Scout being younger, she also develops perspective into the prevalent racism throughout her community. Later on in the novel, Scout mentions that she still believes there is only one type of "folks" in Maycomb, while Jem believes there are several. By witnessing the Tom Robinson trial, the children lose their innocence and gain perspective into the nature of their community members. If Jem and Scout were not in attendance during the trial, their moral development would not be complete, and their perspective on life would not have changed as drastically as it had.