How are stereotypes employed in Walter Mitty's daydreams?

Walter Mitty identifies himself with stereotypical characters in all of his daydreams. In the first episode he becomes a gallant naval officer.

He wore his full-dress uniform, with the heavily braided white cap pulled down rakishly over one cold gray eye. 

The narrator does not say so, but Mitty must have noticed a few drops of mist on his windshield and realized that a storm was approaching. This is what triggered his daydream. Mitty realizes...

Walter Mitty identifies himself with stereotypical characters in all of his daydreams. In the first episode he becomes a gallant naval officer.

He wore his full-dress uniform, with the heavily braided white cap pulled down rakishly over one cold gray eye. 

The narrator does not say so, but Mitty must have noticed a few drops of mist on his windshield and realized that a storm was approaching. This is what triggered his daydream. Mitty realizes that he is responsible for getting his wife and himself into Waterbury and back to their suburban home. The approaching storm will provide "framing" for the story. It limits Mitty's endless daydreams to just five episodes and gives a sufficient impression of his "secret life. In the end the storm will finally break and he will back up against the wall of the drugstore and light a cigarette.

The second daydream is triggered by Mrs. Mitty's suggestion that he see Dr. Renshaw. Mitty becomes a stereotypical expert surgeon involved in a crisis situation in an operating room. It is noteworthy that he always places himself in roles that are appropriate for his age. He does not indulge in fantasies in which he is a young lover or a great athlete.

In his third daydream Mitty is a master marksman and a sort of aristocratic man of the world or soldier of fortune--the type of hero who might be featured in British thriller novels or the Ashenden stories of Somerset Maugham.

In the fourth episode Mitty becomes a World War I ace pilot after glancing through an article in Liberty magazine which shows that the time of the story is shortly before the outbreak of World War II. Mitty cannot be middle-aged in this episode, but he can backdate the episode. This is the only daydream in which Mitty retreats into the past. Mitty has to be a World War I ace pilot because he knows he is far too old to be air ace in World War II, a conflict which everybody knows is sure to come and fairly sure to involve America eventually. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was published in the March 18, 1939 issue of the New Yorker. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.

In the last daydream, the storm he foresaw on the way to Waterbury has finally broken. Mitty imagines that he is facing a firing squad, another stereotypical situation. He is probably a master spy being executed, although this is not specified. The storm not only provides a beginning and ending for the story, but it seems to symbolize the unhappiness which Walter Mitty tries to assuage by indulging in his fantasy life. He is growing old. His life is dull. His future looks bleak. He is married to a bossy woman he no longer loves--if he ever did. He wouldn't mind being shot by a firing squad. 

How does social class affect relationships both in The Kite Runner and reality?

Throughout the novel, Khaled Hosseini depicts how people treat others differently because of their social class. This treatment negatively affects many relationships throughout the novel. For example, Baba refuses to have an open, loving relationship with his son Hassan because Hassan is a Hazara. Amir is also a privileged Pashtun who looks down on Hassan and treats him disrespectfully at times. It is socially acceptable for Amir to treat Hassan with contempt, which causes a...

Throughout the novel, Khaled Hosseini depicts how people treat others differently because of their social class. This treatment negatively affects many relationships throughout the novel. For example, Baba refuses to have an open, loving relationship with his son Hassan because Hassan is a Hazara. Amir is also a privileged Pashtun who looks down on Hassan and treats him disrespectfully at times. It is socially acceptable for Amir to treat Hassan with contempt, which causes a rift in their relationship. Amir never fully expresses his true feelings of friendship to Hassan because Hassan is from a lower social class. Both Baba and Amir's relationships with Hassan do not reach their full potential because Hassan is a Hazara and they are Pashtuns.

For centuries, Hazaras living in Afghanistan have suffered persecution at the hands of Pashtuns because of their religious and ethnic differences. Hazaras have prominent Asian features and are Shiite Muslims. Although they compromise 20% of the population, many Hazaras live in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan to avoid persecution. These provinces are extremely underdeveloped, and they do not have the same opportunities for advancement as Pashtuns. Relationships between Pashtuns and Hazaras are also socially discouraged in Afghanistan.

`y = x^3/6 + 1/(2x) , 1

Area of the surface obtained by revolving the curve `y=f(x)` about `x`-axis between `a leq x leq b` is given by 

`S_x=2pi int_a^b y sqrt(1+y'^2)dx`

Let us therefore, first find `y'.`

`y'=x^2/2-1/(2x^2)=(x^4-1)/(2x^2)`

`y'^2=(x^8-2x^4+1)/(4x^4)`

We can now calculate the surface area.

`S_x=2pi int_1^2 (x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt(1+(x^8-2x^4+1)/(4x^4))dx=`

` `  `2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt((x^8+2x^4+1)/(4x^4))=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt(((x^4+1)/(2x^2))^2)dx=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))(x^4+1)/(2x^2)dx=`

Multiplying the terms under integral yields

`2pi int_1^2 (x^5/12+x/12+x/4+1/(4x^3))dx=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^5/12+x/3+1/(4x^3))dx=`

`2pi (x^6/72+x^2/6-1/(8x^2))|_1^2=`

` ` `2pi(64/72+2/3-1/32-1/72-1/6+1/8)=2pi cdot 47/32=(47pi)/16`

` `The area of surface generated by revolving the...

Area of the surface obtained by revolving the curve `y=f(x)` about `x`-axis between `a leq x leq b` is given by 

`S_x=2pi int_a^b y sqrt(1+y'^2)dx`

Let us therefore, first find `y'.`

`y'=x^2/2-1/(2x^2)=(x^4-1)/(2x^2)`

`y'^2=(x^8-2x^4+1)/(4x^4)`

We can now calculate the surface area.

`S_x=2pi int_1^2 (x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt(1+(x^8-2x^4+1)/(4x^4))dx=`

` `  `2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt((x^8+2x^4+1)/(4x^4))=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))sqrt(((x^4+1)/(2x^2))^2)dx=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^3/6+1/(2x))(x^4+1)/(2x^2)dx=`

Multiplying the terms under integral yields

`2pi int_1^2 (x^5/12+x/12+x/4+1/(4x^3))dx=`

`2pi int_1^2(x^5/12+x/3+1/(4x^3))dx=`

`2pi (x^6/72+x^2/6-1/(8x^2))|_1^2=`

` ` `2pi(64/72+2/3-1/32-1/72-1/6+1/8)=2pi cdot 47/32=(47pi)/16`

` `The area of surface generated by revolving the given curve about `x`-axis is `(47pi)/16.`    

Graphs of the curve and the surface can be seen in the images below.

What were the pros and cons of American Imperialism?

There are advantages of American imperialism. One advantage is that it allowed our nation to grow. By establishing colonies, we were able to get raw materials from the places we colonized. We paid less for these raw materials than if we would have bought them from other countries. We could also sell the finished products made by our industries to our colonies. This benefitted our industries and our economy. Additionally, by having colonies around the...

There are advantages of American imperialism. One advantage is that it allowed our nation to grow. By establishing colonies, we were able to get raw materials from the places we colonized. We paid less for these raw materials than if we would have bought them from other countries. We could also sell the finished products made by our industries to our colonies. This benefitted our industries and our economy. Additionally, by having colonies around the world, we were able to increase our power and have military bases around the world.

There are disadvantages to American imperialism. It can be very costly to maintain a colony. The infrastructure costs are high. It also is costly to establish a government. Sometimes, the people in the colony don’t want us there. We then may have to put down rebellions in these places. Sometimes, local traditions or ways of life are destroyed when a colony is established. This could give Americans a negative reputation in the eyes of the world, especially if we are in a place where we aren’t wanted. Finally, we have to protect these colonies in case of war or threat of attack.

There are advantages and disadvantages of American imperialism.

How does the following quote from The Sympathizer explain the specific history of colonialism and war in Vietnam? How does it teach us about...

The quote you cite in your question is spoken by the professor, and it starts the narrator thinking about whether his plan to kill the crapulent major is part of barbarism or civilization. He realizes that in the current day, it's hard to separate what is barbarism from what is civilization, as both sides commit atrocities. He also believes, as a Marxist, that "capitalism generates contradictions" (page 102), and he realizes that it is not...

The quote you cite in your question is spoken by the professor, and it starts the narrator thinking about whether his plan to kill the crapulent major is part of barbarism or civilization. He realizes that in the current day, it's hard to separate what is barbarism from what is civilization, as both sides commit atrocities. He also believes, as a Marxist, that "capitalism generates contradictions" (page 102), and he realizes that it is not only capitalism that generates contradictions; instead, the modern age is the story of right versus right, and there is no clear moral right or wrong.

This quote relates to the history of colonialism and the Vietnam War because each side in the conflict, Marxist and capitalist (represented by North Vietnam and South Vietnam, respectively), believed they were in the right (the Marxist North Vietnamese were also represented by the Viet Cong in South Vietnam). However, in order to pursue what they thought was right and moral, they committed barbarities so that neither side was wrong or right over time. The colonial powers in Vietnam--first the French, then the Japanese, then the French again, and finally the Americans--also believed in the moral superiority of their programs in the country but committed atrocities (including wholesale slaughter of Vietnamese people) in the service of what they thought was right. The quote is also about ethnocentrism because each culture and power thinks it is doing right; however, each side commits wrongs, and it requires a sense of cultural relativism to see the errors that all sides make. 

What is a summary of Yvain by Chrétien de Troyes?

Yvain by Chrétien de Troyes is the story of a knight who seeks to regain his honor after he breaks a promise. It was written in French originally and was likely written in the second half of the 12th century, according to Project Gutenberg. 

The story starts in King Arthur's court. Calogrenant, a knight, tells a story of a time when he was bested by another knight. It takes place by a magic spring with water that, when poured, conjures an immense storm. He says that the encounter brought great shame to him; he's mocked by another member of the court for his folly.

Yvain, hearing the story, decides that he is going to make things right. King Arthur wants to see the things that Calogrenant described and offers to let other knights accompany him. Yvain sneaks out ahead of them, wanting to complete the quest he said he would undertake on his own. Yvain arrives at the spring, battles the knight, and then pursues the seriously-wounded man who enters the castle where Yvain is trapped.

If not for a maid, Lunete, who gifts him a magic ring that makes him invisible, Yvain would be killed by the men who search the area for him. The knight dies, leaving his wife a widow. When Yvain sees Lady Laudine, the widow, he falls in love. Lunete helps convince Lady Laudine to take a new husband; she decides to do so and accepts Yvain's proposal. 

When King Arthur's group arrives at the spring and pours the water on the ground, Yvain responds. His armor conceals his identity. He battles the man who mocked Calogrenant and him at court and wins. Everyone returns to Yvain's new estate for fun and games. However, after a week, Sir Gawain convinces Yvain to go with King Arthur and the others to participate in the tournaments being held. Lady Laudine says she can go, as long as he returns within a year. She also gives him a ring that will keep him from harm -- if he keeps thinking of the woman he loves. 

Yvain does so well at the tournaments that he doesn't return as promised. He only remembers his promise when she sends someone to collect the ring and tell Yvain off for being a liar. Yvain doesn't take this well. He goes into the forest and lives, naked and starving, until a hermit finds him and takes care of him with food and water. When the Lady of Noroison finds Yvain sleeping nude, she and her ladies heal him with a magic cream. He helps the Lady of Noroison with a problem she's having with a man who is invading her lands –– then leaves, even though she offers marriage.

Yvain embarks on a series of adventures, including:

• Battling with a fire-breathing serpent. He saves a lion from the serpent and the lion begins to travel with him. 


• Slaying a giant who holds a baron's four sons captive. He asks after this to be known as the Knight with the Lion. 


• Saving Lunete from being burned alive by Lady Laudine, who was convinced by a courtier that she acted with false intentions when she convinced Lady Laudine to marry Yvain.


• Fighting on behalf of one of the daughters of the departed Lord of Noire Espine, who is being cheated of her inheritance by her older sister. He wins against Sir Gawain who, upon recognizing Yvain after an entire day of fighting, gives in. However, Yvain doesn't agree with that decision and tries to let Gawain win. King Arthur decides that the young sister should get rights to her property back


• Slaying the sons of evil for the King of the Isle of Damsels. He kills one and the lion kills the other.

Back at the magic spring, Yvain causes a wild storm that scares Lady Laudine. Lunete convinces her to take back Yvain. She does and the two reunite.

`sum_(n=2)^oo n/(nlnn)^n` Use the Root Test to determine the convergence or divergence of the series.

To determine the convergence or divergence of a series `sum a_n` using Root test, we evaluate a limit as:

`lim_(n-gtoo) root(n)(|a_n|)= L`

or

`lim_(n-gtoo) |a_n|^(1/n)= L`

Then, we follow the conditions:

a) `Llt1` then the series is absolutely convergent.

b) `Lgt1` then the series is divergent.

c) `L=1` or does not exist  then the test is inconclusive. The series may be divergent, conditionally convergent, or absolutely convergent.

For the given series `sum_(n=2)^oo...

To determine the convergence or divergence of a series `sum a_n` using Root test, we evaluate a limit as:

`lim_(n-gtoo) root(n)(|a_n|)= L`

or

`lim_(n-gtoo) |a_n|^(1/n)= L`

Then, we follow the conditions:

a) `Llt1` then the series is absolutely convergent.

b) `Lgt1` then the series is divergent.

c) `L=1` or does not exist  then the test is inconclusive. The series may be divergent, conditionally convergent, or absolutely convergent.

For the given series `sum_(n=2)^oo n/(nln(n))^n` , we have `a_n =n/(nln(n))^n` .

Applying the Root test, we set-up the limit as:

`lim_(n-gtoo) |n/(nln(n))^n|^(1/n) =lim_(n-gtoo) (n/(nln(n))^n)^(1/n)`

Apply Law of Exponent: `(x/y)^n = x^n/y^n` and `(x^n)^m = x^(n*m)` .

`lim_(n-gtoo) (n/(nln(n))^n)^(1/n) =lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/((nln(n))^n)^(1/n)`

                                `=lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/(nln(n))^(n*1/n)`

                                `=lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/(nln(n))^(n/n)`

                                `=lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/(nln(n))^1`

                                 `=lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/(nln(n))`

Apply the limit property: `lim_(x-gta)[(f(x))/(g(x))] =(lim_(x-gta) f(x))/(lim_(x-gta) g(x)).`

`lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n)/(nln(n))=(lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n))/(lim_(n-gtoo) nln(n))`

                      `=1/ oo`

                      `= 0 `                                                   

Note: `lim_(n-gtoo) n^(1/n) = 1 ` and 

         ` lim_(n-gtoo) nln(n) = oo ln(oo)`

                                ` = oo*oo`

                                ` =oo`

The limit value  `L=0` satisfies the condition: `L lt1` since `0lt1` .

Conclusion: The series `sum_(n=2)^oo n/(nln(n))^n` is absolutely convergent.

How is geography structured and described in the novel Lost City Radio?

In Lost City Radio, the city is the epicenter of the country, surrounded by the mysterious and eerie jungle, which death and destruction have laid to waste. At the beginning of the novel, Victor is a refugee from the jungle, who the residents of his village, now renamed 1797, have sent to Norma in the city. They write her a letter, stating that they "have pooled our monies together, and sent him to the...

In Lost City Radio, the city is the epicenter of the country, surrounded by the mysterious and eerie jungle, which death and destruction have laid to waste. At the beginning of the novel, Victor is a refugee from the jungle, who the residents of his village, now renamed 1797, have sent to Norma in the city. They write her a letter, stating that they "have pooled our monies together, and sent him to the city" (page 5). They have done so because "we want a better life for Victor" (page 5). 

The city is where people go for hope, while the jungle is a mass of renamed villages whose histories have been erased. The towns in the jungle bear numbers related to their geography. Odd-numbered towns are near water, and those with high numbers are way up in the mountains. Alarcon writes, "Norma hated the numbers. Before, every town had a name; an unwieldy, millenarian name inherited from God-knows-which extinct people, names with hard consonants that sounded like stone grinding on stone" (page 5). The government's erasure of the old town names is a symbol, eerie in tone, of their attempt to eradicate the past. In the past, villages had solid foundations on maps; Alarcon compares the sound of the villages' old names, in a simile, to the sound of stone grinding on stone to convey how solid the old villages were. Now, given simply numbers, the towns seem ephemeral and without history.

The city is the center of the lost jungle, the place to which refugees come streaming for a better life. Norma's radio show, during which people call in looking for lost friends and family, is described in the following way: "And Norma listened, and then repeated the names in her mellifluous voice, and the board would light up with calls, lonely red lights, people longing to be found" (page 9). The red lights are symbolic of people from the jungle who stream and call into the city looking for hope. 

What are the themes of All the Light We Cannot See?

The most important theme in All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is war and how it affects the lives of everyone it touches. A secondary theme that entwines with the first is the question of free will and whether the characters are truly free to make decisions about their own lives.

The horror of war and its effect on people is a primary theme in the novel, which opens with a description of leaflets falling from the sky in France, urging the people to leave town. Right away, Doerr makes it clear that war is going to be one of the primary factors that determine the movements and choices of his characters. After the introduction of the leaflets and bombers, Doerr introduces Marie-Laure, a sixteen-year-old blind girl who fled to Saint-Malo with her father from their home in France.

Marie-Laure's life is thrown into upheaval by the war. Her father taught her from ages ten to sixteen to understand and navigate her neighborhood, but the threat of invasion sent them to a new town.

Doerr doesn't look away when the horror of war affect civilians. One of the most harrowing passages is a description of what Jutta sees after the bombings in Germany. Doerr writes:

All spring the bombers come, every single night, their only goal seemingly to burn the city to its roots. Most nights the girls hurry to the end of the block and climb into a cramped shelter and are kept awake by the crashing of stonework.

Once in a while, on the walk to the factory, they see bodies, mummies turned to ash, people scorched beyond recognition. Other times, the corpses bear no apparent injuries, and it is these that fill Jutta with dread: people who look like they are a moment away from rising up and slogging back to work with the rest of them.

But they do not wake.

Once she sees a row of three children facedown, backpacks on their backs. Her first thought is: Wake up. Go to school. Then she thinks: There could be food in those packs.

The war affects everyone in some way, and Doerr makes that clear, because every character in the novel is touched by its horrors. Werner's skills are put to use and end in the deaths of various people; he has to become a soldier when in peacetime he may have had another option. In the end, he dies stepping on a landmine—a tool of war.

Etienne, for example, suffers from post-traumatic stress stemming from his service in World War I. He's unable to leave his house, only interacting with the world via his radio transmissions. When his maid becomes too ill to deliver messages for the French Resistance, he has to let blind Marie-Laure take over instead of doing it himself. War has literally trapped him in his own home, even years later. 

The same can be said for Marie-Laure and her father, who are both forced to leave their home and his job to reside in a town where they have neither. Marie-Laure has to learn an entirely new space to navigate. Daniel is sent to prison. 

Personal choice is shown most sharply in the character of Werner. He wants to use his talent for radios to do good things but is unable to choose his own course for a long time. He's forced to enter a technical school for people who will eventually work for the Nazis; he then joins the German Army and works with them to track down illegal radio transmissions. When his skills have negative consequences for the people he finds, he becomes more disillusioned.

The issue is brought into sharp focus by Frederick, a boy at school with Werner. He explains that their obligation to their country prevents them from making choices; "Your problem, Werner," says Frederick, "is that you still believe you own your life."

When he does make his own choice, it's to allow Etienne and Marie-Laure to keep broadcasting for the French Resistance. They're exactly the kind of transmissions he's tasked to stop, but he's charmed by Marie-Laure reading into the radio. He defies the orders given to him by his commanders and simply listens. Then he defies Von Rumpel and saves Marie-Laure. 

He convinces her to trust him. Marie-Laure thinks, "He is a ghost. He is from some other world. He is Papa, Madame Manec, Etienne; he is everyone who has left her finally coming back. Through the panel he calls, "I am not killing you. I am hearing you. On radio. Is why I come."

In the end, Werner declares that he has not lived his own life in years—but the day he rescued Marie-Laure, he finally did. 

Marie-Laure also struggles with making choices as she tries to decide what to do about the French Resistance and with the gem. She ultimately decides to join the resistance, running messages for her uncle's maid when she falls ill. She also joins her uncle's radio broadcast—which is what ultimately brings Werner to save her from Von Rumpel.

The gem has been an object of mystery for years. When she finds it, she's the only one who knows its location. She thinks:

It must at least look like a blue diamond worth twenty million francs. Real enough to convince Papa. And if it looks real, what will her uncle do when she shows it to him? If she tells him that they ought to throw it into the ocean?

She can hear the boy’s voice in the museum: When is the last time you saw someone throw five Eiffel Towers into the sea?

Who would willingly part with it? And the curse? If the curse is real? And she gives it to him?

The curse of the gem is that if you hold it, you die; another version of the curse is that you cannot die, but those around you do. Marie-Laure struggles with the question of whether to leave it behind, to let it go—to do the thing Von Rumpel is unable to do that leads to his death.

Ultimately, she decides to be in control of her own life. She and Werner leave the gem in a grotto, and she never goes back for it.

In To Kill a Mockingbird how does Atticus have the courage to defend Tom Robinson?

Atticus is a man of great courage.  One of the reasons why he has great courage is because he is a man of integrity. In a conversation with Scout, he reveals why he will defend Tom Robinson. 

First, he says that he could not hold up his head in town or even continue to practice law.  He says this, because there is an inner conviction that he has to do what is right.  He has...

Atticus is a man of great courage.  One of the reasons why he has great courage is because he is a man of integrity. In a conversation with Scout, he reveals why he will defend Tom Robinson. 

First, he says that he could not hold up his head in town or even continue to practice law.  He says this, because there is an inner conviction that he has to do what is right.  He has to stay true to his personal convictions and be faithful to his occupation as a lawyer. From this perspective, courage emerges from his integrity. 

Second, Atticus also takes his parenting seriously.  How can he tell his children to live a certain way, if he does not live up to his own code of ethics and honor? 

Finally, Atticus believes that every lawyer gets a chance to do something that is important. To defend Tom Robinson is his chance. Here is the excerpt. 

“If you shouldn’t be defendin‘ him, then why are you doin’ it?”

“For a number of reasons,” said Atticus. “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”

“You mean if you didn’t defend that man, Jem and me wouldn’t have to mind you any more?”

“That’s about right.” “Why?”

“Because I could never ask you to mind me again. Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally.

Who are the characters in The Would-Be Gentleman?

Moliere’s The Would-Be Gentlemen consists of eight distinct characters presented in pairs:

1. Mr. / Monsieur Jourdain: a middle-aged member of the bourgeoisie who inherits a large sum of money from his father, a wealthy cloth merchant. Jourdain decides that he will transcend his status as a member of the middle class and attempt to become a noble (or so he thinks).


2. Mrs. / Madame Jourdain: Mr. Joudain’s wife. A sensible woman who believes that Mr. Jourdain’s pursuit of nobility is foolish. She is quick to remind him of his foolishness.


3. Lucille: Mr. and Mrs. Jourdain’s daughter who is in love with Cleonte, a member of the middle class.


4. Cleonte: A member of the middle class who is in love with Lucille.


5. Dorimene: A marquise who is in love with Dorante.


6. Dorante: A down-on-his-luck nobleman who is in love with Dorimene.


7. Nicole: A servant of Mr. Jourdain who is in love with Covielle.


8. Covielle: Cleonte’s valet, or manservant.

What do the portrayals of Walter Lee and Beneatha In A Raisin in the Sun suggest about identity within the Black community during the late...

I will begin to help you answer some of these questions, and then you can finish them.

1. The portrayal of Walter and Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun suggests that the children of people who had left the South during the Great Migration struggled to succeed. Some, like Beneatha, put their faith in education, Black pride, and their connection to Africa. Others, like Walter, believed that the best way forward was to achieve economic stability. During this time period, African Americans still faced racism in housing, employment, and other areas in the North.


2. In "Letter from A Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King answers critics who think his actions are "unwise and untimely." His tone is reasonable; he explains the reasons why he is leading the movement and why acting now is necessary to further civil rights for African Americans.


3. Malcolm X, unlike Martin Luther King, was willing to endorse the use of violence if African Americans did not receive a full recognition of their rights. He saw black nationalism as a means for African Americans to promote their own power and achieve greater political rights.


4. Audre Lorde, an African American poet and writer, believed poetry was essential to express the desires and hopes of women, particularly African American women. She writes, "[it is] through poetry that we give name to those ideas which are, until the poem, nameless and formless—about to be birthed, but already felt." She felt this art form was necessary to express the creativity, unvoiced thoughts, and dreams of black women, who often could not express them any other way.


5. During the Black Arts Movement, the "Black Aesthetic" promoted separatism in the arts so that African American people could have their own space to express themselves.


6. I will allow you to answer this last question, which Alice Walker addressed in In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens (see the link below for more information).

How do I graph the polynomial below? f(x)=(x-1)^3(x+4)^2(x-2)

We are asked to graph `f(x)=(x-1)^3(x+4)^2(x-2) ` :

First we will use only techniques from Algebra. There are a few key attributes of graphs of polynomials we are interested in: end behavior (how the graph behaves as x grows without bound or tends to negative infinity), intercepts, and the number of turning points (local maxima or minima).

Note that f(x) is a 6th degree polynomial. (If you multiplied the factors the highest degree would be...

We are asked to graph `f(x)=(x-1)^3(x+4)^2(x-2) ` :

First we will use only techniques from Algebra. There are a few key attributes of graphs of polynomials we are interested in: end behavior (how the graph behaves as x grows without bound or tends to negative infinity), intercepts, and the number of turning points (local maxima or minima).

Note that f(x) is a 6th degree polynomial. (If you multiplied the factors the highest degree would be 6.) Since the leading coefficient is positive 1, as x tends to positive or negative infinity the graph tends to positive infinity. (If we zoomed sufficiently far out, the graph would essentially be a "U" shape -- near zero there would be some "shape" as the graph squiggles around.)

A sixth degree polynomial has at most 5 turning points.

The y-intercept is found by setting x=0; f(0)=32. The function is given in factored form so we can easily see the x-intercepts: x=2, x=1, and x=-4. The zero at x=-4 is of multiplicity 2 -- that means that the graph touches the x-axis at x=-4 without going through (changing sign.) The zero at x=1 has multiplicity 3, so the graph changes sign at x=1.

With the intercepts and the end behavior described, we can compute some points and connect them with a smooth curve.

** With calculus: The first derivative is:

`f'(x)=3(x-1)^2(x+4)[2x^2+x-8] `

The critical points are x=1 (multiplicity 2 -- an inflection point in this case), x=-4 (a local minimum), `1/4+-sqrt(65)/4 ` (local max when subtracting, global min when adding.)

The graph:

(This view shows the major points of interest except the local max.)

How are the poets Walt Whitman and T.S. Eliot similar and different in their writing styles?

Whitman and Eliot are similar in that their works, such as Whitman's "Song of Myself" and Eliot's "The Wasteland," are accounts of the way the individual reckons with reality. Whitman's poetry describes the idiosyncratic way in which one individual perceives reality, including the reality that comes from the senses, and makes sense of it. He writes in "Song of Myself":

"Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with perfumes, /I breathe the fragrance myself and know it and like it, /The distillation would intoxicate me also, but I shall not let it."

From the perception of perfumes, Whitman thinks about how reality will affect his consciousness and how he will interpret it. 

Similarly, Eliot writes of sensory perception in "The Wasteland:"

"'You gave me hyacinths first a year ago; / 'They called me the hyacinth girl.'— / Yet when we came back, late, from the Hyacinth garden, / Your arms full, and your hair wet, I could not/Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither Living nor dead, and I knew nothing."

Both poets use incoming sensory information and filter this information to make a decision about the ways in which their consciousness will interpret this information and make sense of it.

However, Whitman's perceptions of the world around him lead him to develop an essentially hopeful and cohesive view of the world around him. He writes, for example,

"The delight alone or in the rush of the streets, or along the fields and hill-sides, / The feeling of health, the full-noon trill, the song of me rising from bed and meeting the sun."

In his vision of the cosmos, people and nature are one, and he feels unified with the physical reality around him. His vision is also a very American one. He feels at home in the world and with "the grass I love," and he experiences spiritual regeneration from his interaction with the world.

Eliot's perceptions of the world around him, on the other hand, lead him to have a fractured and uncomfortable view of the world. He writes, for example, of "A heap of broken images, where the sun beats, / And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief." While Whitman finds comfort in nature, Eliot feels only discomfort and a sense of alienation. While Whitman's view is distinctly American, Eliot's vision is rooted in the destroyed Old World. He writes of London that it is an "unreal City, / Under the brown fog of a winter dawn." Eliot's world is one of unreality and spiritual deadness, while Whitman's world is one in which he enjoys solidarity and spiritual renewal.

In London’s book, the character Avis writes, “The great driving force of the oligarchs is the belief that they are doing right. Never mind the...

Avis means that people convince themselves that they're doing the right thing; even if they're hurting others, people take action not because they see themselves as evil, but rather because they justify their own actions through some kind of internal logic.

Avis is explaining that the Oligarchy—the Iron Heel—believed that they were the protectors of humanity against the evils of socialism and the rule of the lower classes. They believed themselves to be heroes defending their people and country against anarchy. She says:

They, as a class, believed that they alone maintained civilization. It was their belief that if ever they weakened, the great beast would ingulf them and everything of beauty and wonder and joy and good in its cavernous and slime-dripping maw. Without them, anarchy would reign and humanity would drop backward into the primitive night out of which it had so painfully emerged. The horrid picture of anarchy was held always before their child's eyes until they, in turn, obsessed by this cultivated fear, held the picture of anarchy before the eyes of the children that followed them. This was the beast to be stamped upon, and the highest duty of the aristocrat was to stamp upon it. In short, they alone, by their unremitting toil and sacrifice, stood between weak humanity and the all-devouring beast; and they believed it, firmly believed it.

This moral imperative props up the ability of the Iron Heel to do terrible things to people. Behind each of their actions is the justification that if they didn't do that thing, something worse would happen. 

When the Iron Heel betrays its treaty with Germany, for example, it frames the betrayal by saying they were doing it so that America—the country of the Iron Heel—could sell its own surplus on the world market. Even though it led to the emperor being deposed, they didn't see their own actions as bad; rather, they saw it as a clever move designed to create a better situation for their own country.

She explains that the Revolution also believed in their own righteousness, which explained their actions. People were tortured to death, for example, but still refused to betray others in the cause. In the same way that their sense of righteousness is the Oligarchy's strength, so is it the strength of the Revolution. 

Ultimately, Avis is saying that most people believe they are doing the right thing—even when it is clear that they aren't, such as with the actions of the Iron Heel. Jack London uses this explanation to show the motives behind the Iron Heel's terrible actions and to explain how they could justify those choices.

Would Trifles still appeal to modern audiences? Do you feel it was more powerful when it first came out many years ago? What was the most...

The decision about whether the one-act play Trifles would still appeal to modern audiences is a matter of opinion. Certainly, some people, like Mrs. Wright in the play, still feel crushed in their relationships and are unable to experience any degree of freedom or love. This situation could be true of women or men.

However, the play, first performed in 1916, spoke to the situation of women at the time and may be considered somewhat...

The decision about whether the one-act play Trifles would still appeal to modern audiences is a matter of opinion. Certainly, some people, like Mrs. Wright in the play, still feel crushed in their relationships and are unable to experience any degree of freedom or love. This situation could be true of women or men.

However, the play, first performed in 1916, spoke to the situation of women at the time and may be considered somewhat less powerful today than it was at that time. At the time the play was first produced, women in many states did not have the right to vote, and they were largely considered the property of their husbands. Their career paths were limited, and most were expected to simply be wives and carry out the drudgery of taking care of the house. In addition, houses lacked the conveniences we take for granted today, such as dishwashers and electric washing machines. Women, like Mrs. Wright, often lived very difficult lives. 

One of the most dramatic moments of the play is when the neighborhood women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, find a dead canary in Mrs. Wright's kitchen. They immediately make the connection that Mr. Wright might have killed Mrs. Wright's pet, leading her to strangle her husband. However, the men in the play do not make this connection, and the bird is a potent symbol of the way in which Mrs. Wright has been put in a cage. 

What effects do authorial intrusion yield in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

In The Crucible, the major effect of Arthur Miller's authorial intrusions is to give us deeper insights into the characters.  As a play, this text lacks a narrator who can explain what characters are thinking or feeling, and Miller's interjections function in much the same way that such a narrator would.  He explains the motivations of certain characters—Mr. Putnam is bitter about the fact that he gets shut down by the town almost every...

In The Crucible, the major effect of Arthur Miller's authorial intrusions is to give us deeper insights into the characters.  As a play, this text lacks a narrator who can explain what characters are thinking or feeling, and Miller's interjections function in much the same way that such a narrator would.  He explains the motivations of certain characters—Mr. Putnam is bitter about the fact that he gets shut down by the town almost every time he tries to do anything. Proctor feels like a fraud, although no sign of this has been betrayed to his neighbors yet, and we learn about their deep-seated feelings (which would likely remain hidden for much of the text if Miller didn't tell us about them).

Why does F. Scott Fitzgerald divide characters into "old money" and "new money"?

In The Great Gatsby, characters that come from old money are almost invincible. Not only do they have material wealth to buy the things that they want, but they exist within a social status that will keep them protected. This old money attitude is most apparent in Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. Old money carries the feeling of always having been a part of the upper echelon of society and of always remaining there. There...

In The Great Gatsby, characters that come from old money are almost invincible. Not only do they have material wealth to buy the things that they want, but they exist within a social status that will keep them protected. This old money attitude is most apparent in Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. Old money carries the feeling of always having been a part of the upper echelon of society and of always remaining there. There is a confidence and freedom to old money.

New money is embodied by Jay Gatsby. Although he can throw grand parties that many will attend, he can be easily tossed aside. No amount of money alone can locate him within the elite old money circle. No one even attends his funeral.

F. Scott Fitzgerald makes this distinction in order to illustrate that money and social status are not totally the same thing. Daisy and Tom have the privilege to move through the narrative unscathed, because of their old money background. They have the confidence not to care what others think of them. They can just move on.

Gatsby on the other hand does everything in his power, for the full extent of the narrative, to try and win the affection of Daisy, and the acceptance of those with old money. In the end, he doesn't receive any of it. 

What does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie say about gender in We Should All Be Feminists?

Gender is a major theme of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s . Adichie says that “gender as it functions today is a grave injustice.” She tells the story of one of her female American friends who had recently taken over a management position from a man. Though her predecessor was considered tough and talented, the employees working under Adichie’s friend quickly complained about her aggressive and difficult management style, saying that they...

Gender is a major theme of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s . Adichie says that “gender as it functions today is a grave injustice.” She tells the story of one of her female American friends who had recently taken over a management position from a man. Though her predecessor was considered tough and talented, the employees working under Adichie’s friend quickly complained about her aggressive and difficult management style, saying that they were upset that she hadn’t brought a “woman’s touch” to the job. Another one of Adichie’s American friends called her after a meeting in which her boss ignored her ideas but praised her male coworkers when they said something similar. The woman wanted to take it up with her boss but was worried about coming across as too aggressive. Adichie discusses how important it is for women to appear “likeable,” and argues that we do not teach boys to worry about being “liked” in the same way. These gender expectations are internalized, resulting in a double standard where men are praised for being tough and aggressive while women who act the same way are criticized for being “unlikeable.” Adichie also points out that gender stereotypes hurt men as well. From a young age, boys are taught that they must fit into a very narrow definition of masculinity that does not allow them to express their emotions freely. Adichie argues that when we expect boys and girls to adhere to strict and confining gender roles, we stifle their interests, their talents, and their humanity; everyone loses.

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, what does Hamlet mean when he says, "The time is out of joint" in act 1 scene v?

This seemingly simple phrase that Hamlet utters after his horrifying meeting with his father’s ghost is actually another example of Shakespeare’s genius with words. Let’s begin by unpacking the basic meaning of the phrase itself. “The time” would refer to all current events that Denmark is encountering -- domestic, commercial, political, and international. For the phrase “out of joint,” imagine a dislocated shoulder. A joint in the wrong position is extremely painful and needs to be corrected immediately, or permanent damage will result, which could be crippling to the whole body. Anything described as "out of joint" is functioning incorrectly somehow, and requires fixing.

We can look at what this phrase might mean in the context of Hamlet’s situation. He feels he cannot tell the guards or Horatio exactly what the Ghost has revealed to him, but he wants them to know the kingdom is “out of joint,” meaning it is in peril. The Danish people believe that with the late King Hamlet’s brother Claudius on the throne, all is well in Denmark. In truth, there has been a major political upheaval of the throne, which is now in the hands of a murderer. Also, the domestic joining of Hamlet’s queen-mother to her former brother-in-law is rather incestuous.  While somewhat accepted for political purposes during the late middle ages (the time period in which Hamlet is set), it was still religiously frowned upon.

Additionally, the guards and Horatio are already aware that something is amiss internationally, as they have been discussing the rumors about why Denmark is frantically preparing for war. The appearance of the ghost confirms in their superstitious minds that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (Marcellus, Act I, Scene 4). Their new king is already clearly doing a disjointed job of running the kingdom if he hasn’t even informed his guards about the threats of Norway’s Prince Fortinbras to reclaim his kingdom’s land. 

With the ghost’s revelation that he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet becomes horrifyingly aware of just how “out of joint” the whole kingdom is. This is so painful for him to hear that he laments, “Oh cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it right!” (Act I, Scene 5). He has little choice, however, for if he doesn't put the political joint back in place, it will indeed be crippling to the whole kingdom. Sadly in the end, it seems the only way to heal the kingdom is to wipe out the entire royal family--replace the joint, if you will--and allow Denmark to be ruled by the much better-hinged Fortinbras.

Explain your definition of Bartleby's life edict of "I would prefer not to." Be specific.

Interesting question! Your definition of Bartleby's life edict will depend upon your own personal inclinations. Does Bartleby's phrase of "I would prefer not to" (spoken fourteen times in the story) denote apathy, boredom, or fatigue? Or does it signify a sort of passive resistance to corporate authority? Of course, we can also define Bartleby's life edict as a form of self-expression or even a form of self-preservation. 

It seems that Bartleby is intent upon protecting his own intellectual and physical freedom. After performing admirably on an array of tasks, Bartleby seemingly becomes uncooperative overnight. When asked to proofread some documents, Bartleby simply responds with a polite "I would prefer not to." This frustrates the narrator, because Bartleby's reply is surface courtesy without the expected submissive acquiescence. What's even stranger to the narrator is that Bartleby never appears to leave the office for dinner.

It looks like Bartleby's rebellion is both psychological and physical in nature. Meanwhile, the narrator is thoroughly frustrated with him. It is difficult to fire someone like Bartleby because he seems so helpless and child-like:

Poor fellow! thought I, he means no mischief; it is plain he intends no insolence; his aspect sufficiently evinces that his eccentricities are involuntary. He is useful to me. I can get along with him. If I turn him away, the chances are he will fall in with some less indulgent employer, and then he will be rudely treated, and perhaps driven forth miserably to starve.

The narrator tries to work with Bartleby, but to no avail. No matter what he asks Bartleby to do (whether to go to the Post Office or to call another employee into his office), Bartleby answers with his customary "I would prefer not to." Despite Bartleby's stubbornness, the narrator reluctantly admits that his employee is an excellent copier. He just refuses to do anything apart from the task he has been hired for. Eventually, he stops doing even that.

Perhaps, most ominously, Bartleby soon stops taking in nourishment; he engages in the ultimate hunger strike. Bartleby's resistance to corporate culture eventually kills him. Bartleby's actions go beyond anything advocated by passive resistance movements. In fact, he continues to stay in the narrator's office even after he has been dismissed from his position. Bartleby's "I would prefer not to make any change" is startling. However, it also draws attention to his obvious suffering.

He is seized by a mental and physical paralysis. Perhaps, Bartleby's actions highlight a very important fact: corporate culture is least forgiving to those who are by nature "prone to a pallid hopelessness..." In that sense, perhaps we can define Bartleby's life edict as a form of self-expression, his attitude a litmus test of his mental anguish.

Bartleby had been a subordinate clerk in the Dead Letter Office at Washington, from which he had been suddenly removed by a change in the administration. When I think over this rumor, I cannot adequately express the emotions which seize me. Dead letters! Does it not sound like dead men? Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters, and assorting them for the flames?

What were the advantages and disadvantages of fighter planes in WWI?

Airplane technology was still in its infancy at the outset of WWI, but despite their lack of complexity they were still able to play a huge role in the war. Early on in the war, planes were used by both sides mainly for aerial surveillance. They could safely scout the enemy's movements from the sky, as well as spot targets for the artillery. Eventually aircraft would be used more and more effectively as they became...

Airplane technology was still in its infancy at the outset of WWI, but despite their lack of complexity they were still able to play a huge role in the war. Early on in the war, planes were used by both sides mainly for aerial surveillance. They could safely scout the enemy's movements from the sky, as well as spot targets for the artillery. Eventually aircraft would be used more and more effectively as they became more complex. Bombers were developed, and fighter planes were built to hunt them in the skies. 

Regardless of the tremendous combat advantages they offered, flying planes in WWI was still very dangerous. No one knew about the stresses and fatigue that can accompany flying, such as hypoxia. The planes were not able to carry much fuel, so they had very limited range, and they were slow and made easy targets if they got too close to the ground. The early planes were also open to the elements, and entire aircrews were lost when they were exposed to freezing temperatures up in the air. 

How has the United States' role in the world changed in the years from 1945 to the present and what actions by the United Stets in the...

Since 1945, the United States has taken a more active role in world affairs.  Directly after WWII, the United States rebuilt the economy of Western Europe through the Marshall Plan.  The United States also sought to stop the spread of communism by assisting governments which were friendly to its interests, such as the pro-Western governments of South Vietnam and Iran.  Sometimes propping up governments friendly to American interests backfired, leading to popular unrest that led...

Since 1945, the United States has taken a more active role in world affairs.  Directly after WWII, the United States rebuilt the economy of Western Europe through the Marshall Plan.  The United States also sought to stop the spread of communism by assisting governments which were friendly to its interests, such as the pro-Western governments of South Vietnam and Iran.  Sometimes propping up governments friendly to American interests backfired, leading to popular unrest that led to the overthrow of the South Vietnamese and Iranian governments by the people who lived there.  

America has also assisted in humanitarian causes throughout the world, such as leading the way to hunt down Nazi war criminals and helping to put down genocide in Bosnia.  Once again, America's humanitarian record has been uneven—America did little to end the genocide in Rwanda and the aid it provided in Somalia has proven to be quite meager.  Also, America's role in remedying the current refugee crisis in the Middle East is quite small when compared with the role of other Western European nations.  America has also ignored the human rights violations in China and Saudi Arabia, leading to charges of hypocrisy.  

America has also assisted oppressed groups as they have fought against invaders and dictators.  America toppled Saddam Hussein's government and it assisted fighters in Afghanistan in resisting the Soviet Union's invasion.  These have had unintended consequences—Iraq has not been stable in well over a decade and America had to invade Afghanistan after the attacks of September 11 in order to persecute Osama bin-Laden and Al-Qaeda.  

American foreign policymakers have taken action to safeguard the nation's economic and security interests; however, sometimes its actions have proven to lack foresight and have not acknowledged the will of the people who live in those regions.  

In Shoeless Joe, why is Ray's relationship with his father so important, in light of the importance of fathers playing catch with sons throughout...

The Game of Catch in Baseball Literature

Catch is an important device in baseball literature that is often used to illustrate the importance of strong relationships between fathers and sons. This simple activity is a wholesome representation of America's favorite pastime, and it is a common bonding activity between fathers and sons throughout the genre. While Ray's relationship with his father ended painfully with his death, baseball was the one thing that had always united...

The Game of Catch in Baseball Literature

Catch is an important device in baseball literature that is often used to illustrate the importance of strong relationships between fathers and sons. This simple activity is a wholesome representation of America's favorite pastime, and it is a common bonding activity between fathers and sons throughout the genre. While Ray's relationship with his father ended painfully with his death, baseball was the one thing that had always united them. Although Ray is hesitant when he is first reunited with his father, a simple game of baseball at the end of the story serves as a metaphor for the restoration of their relationship to its former state. 

Ray's Relationship with His Father

The relationship between Ray and his father is a central dynamic in the novel. Ray developed his love of baseball because of his father, who was a catcher for the White Sox. Shoeless Joe was his father's hero, and his belief in the disgraced player's innocence serves as an interesting parallel to the family dynamics between Ray, his brother Richard, and their father. At the time Ray is first given instructions to build a baseball field, his father has been dead for twenty years. Building the field so Shoeless Joe will come to play on it is Ray's attempt to bring peace to his father's spirit and give them all a second chance at redemption.

After Ray meets Shoeless Joe, he longs for his father to have the chance to play alongside him. His father appears on the field as a twenty-five-year-old version of himself, and at first, Ray does not know what to do. The author uses this touching reunion to tie together the other major themes in the story, such as forgiveness, healing and the love of baseball that transcends time and circumstance. Ray's relationship with his father, which is finally brought to a resolution as they join the other players on the field, is the core of the story. It is this relationship that motivated him to build the field, seek out a missing Salinger, and reunite the White Sox team. As Ray is brought closer to his father, his brother also experiences an unlikely reconciliation with him. Baseball has transcended death itself to unite brothers, a father and his sons, and an entire team of ghostly players.

How much irony is used in "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry?

The story "The Ransom of Red Chief" is ironic, in that the outcome is the opposite of what the reader might expect. Two men kidnap the son of a prosperous man in Alabama and expect the father will be grief-stricken when he hears his son has been abducted and that, as a result, he will pay the kidnappers at least $2,000. From the beginning of their abduction of the boy, who calls himself Red Chief,...

The story "The Ransom of Red Chief" is ironic, in that the outcome is the opposite of what the reader might expect. Two men kidnap the son of a prosperous man in Alabama and expect the father will be grief-stricken when he hears his son has been abducted and that, as a result, he will pay the kidnappers at least $2,000. From the beginning of their abduction of the boy, who calls himself Red Chief, everything goes contrary to the kidnappers' plans. First, the little boy proves to be far more fearsome than the kidnappers. For example, he tries to scalp one of them in his role as an Indian chief. This is ironic because the kidnappers are expected to be scarier than the boy. Second, the boy is not only unafraid of his abduction, he loves being kidnapped and finds the experience far more fun than being at home or school. Therefore, he has no inclination to go home—another form of irony. Finally, the father of the boy tells the kidnappers they have to pay him to convince him to take back the boy. Therefore, in the ultimate ironic twist, the kidnappers wind up paying the father to take the pesky boy back.

How is Maya Angelou's poem, "Phenomenal Woman" a source of inspiration to all women?

This poem is a source of inspiration to all women because it creates an inclusive vision of womanhood. This is shown clearly in the first stanza when the speaker states that she does not adhere to society's typical view of beauty: she is not the same size as a "model," for instance, nor is she "cute." Instead, the speaker's beauty comes from the way she walks and behaves. We see this idea repeated in the next stanza when she  describes how men flock to her whenever she walks into a room, like bees around a hive. This is inspirational because it suggests that women do not have to look a particular way in order to be happy and beautiful—they are beautiful and inspirational in their own natural way.

Secondly, the speaker inspires women by using the word 'phenomenal,' a word which is defined as something extraordinary and remarkable. So, by using this word, the speaker creates an association between being a woman and being extraordinary and special. More importantly, she does not differentiate between different types of women: for the speaker, all women are special, regardless of their background. Such a positive message is both inspirational and uplifting to her female readers. Moreover, by repeating the word 'phenomenal' throughout every stanza of the poem, the speaker constantly reinforces this positive message and inspires women to believe in their inherent specialness.

Finally, the speaker uses language to create positive images of womanhood which are also inspirational. In stanza two, for example, she mentions the "swing in her waist" and the "joy in her feet," which suggests happiness while also demonstrating her confidence. Similarly, in the third and final stanzas, the speaker uses words like "grace," "sun" and "smile" to create a light and happy mood. This is inspirational because it tells women that just being a woman is enough to be happy, confident and beautiful. 

In "The Necklace," how has hard work affected Mathilde's character? How has her attitude changed at the end ?

Hard work affects Mathilde's personality, physical appearance, and character in Guy De Maupassant's short story, "The Necklace." She is a dynamic character in this story that goes through several changes. 

Mathilde Loisel is described as a pretty young woman with delusions of grandeur. She is born to a modest family but covets social status and the respect that accompanies it. An example of her distaste for her station in life is contained in the following quote: 

"She had no clothes, no jewels, nothing. And these were the only things she loved; she felt that she was made for them. She had longed so eagerly to charm, to be desired, to be wildly attractive and sought after. She had a rich friend, an old school friend whom she refused to visit, because she suffered so keenly when she returned home. She would weep whole days, with grief, regret, despair, and misery."

Mathilde's husband, a lowly clerk she "allowed herself to be married to," comes home one day with an invitation to an exclusive event held by important people. He believes this will greatly please his wife, but she is not happy. She complains that she has nothing to wear, so her husband offers to give her the 400 francs he had been saving to buy himself a gun. Next, she complains because she has no jewels. Her husband suggests she borrow some from her old school friend, Madame Forestier. She borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend to wear to the ball. At the ball, she is described as ecstatically happy, rejoicing in the attention she receives from men. She is charming, "quite above herself with happiness." She stays deep into the night dancing, while her husband dozes in a nearby room. 

When it comes time to leave, she is embarrassed at the wrap her husband has brought. She sees the other women with expensive furs and believes her own wrap will clash with her jewels and gown and belie her humble station in life. It is her vanity and pride that cause her to leave the party without a wrap, and she and her husband end up shivering in the cold without transportation. The tale is a bit Cinderella-esque in its description of Mathilde's gaiety at the ball, and when it is over, she is left without adornment in a shabby carriage that isn't allowed in Paris during the day.  

Mathilde doesn't notice the necklace is missing until they arrive back at home. Horrified, she and her husband concoct a plan to buy a new necklace to return to Madame Forestier without divulging the fact that the original has been lost. It is again her pride that causes her to make this choice, rather than admitting to her friend that the necklace is lost.   

Mathilde and her husband spend ten years working off the debt of thirty-four thousand dollars they incur by buying the replacement necklace.Mathilde changes physically in that time. The text describes her this way:

"Madame Loisel looked old now. She had become like all the other strong, hard, coarse women of poor households. Her hair was badly done, her skirts were awry, her hands were red. She spoke in a shrill voice, and the water slopped all over the floor when she scrubbed it."

Her character changes, as well. She accepts her lot in life and the responsibility to pay off the debt. Ironically, her pride, which would not let her tell the truth, also allows her to become everything she detested in order to pay off the debt of the replacement necklace. She honors this debt at all costs. Her servant is dismissed, she gives up her home for a modest garret under a roof. She has to haggle for everything she buys and accounts for every penny.  

When she sees Madame Forestier ten years later, she is finally prepared to reveal the true story of what happened that night. The debt has finally been paid, so she has completed her duty. She tells Madame Forestier how she has suffered in her efforts to replace it. She talks about her sufferings matter-of-factly, which is different from the beginning of the story. The littlest indignities were blown completely out of proportion in describing the way she suffered in the beginning.  

Rather than trying to climb to a higher social status, now, she accepts her fate in a lower social station than she had when she married. She is resigned, hardened, and matter of fact, rarely giving sway to the fantasies of her youth. She doesn't harbor bitterness or envy any longer. The story ends with Madame Forestier revealing that the necklace was not made of genuine diamonds, and was worth at most five hundred francs. The reader is not privy to Mathilde's response, and must make inferences about how she reacts to this news. But in the ten years since the necklace went missing, Mathilde has changed both physically and intrinsically. It's interesting to ponder how she may have reacted. 

Part a Using Maple find and show the interval and radius of convergence of this series `sum_(k=0)^oox^(k+1)/(k!)` use ratio test and test the...

a. For the Ratio Test, we need to examine the ratio of (k+1)-th coefficient to k-th coefficient, here it is

`(1/((k+1)!)) /(1/(k!)) = (k!)/((k+1)!) = 1/(k+1).`

The limit of this ratio is 0, therefore the power series converges everywhere (and there are no endpoints to check).

b. To determine the function to which the series converges, recall the definition of the Taylor series (with the center at  `x=0` ). For a function `f(x)`...

a. For the Ratio Test, we need to examine the ratio of (k+1)-th coefficient to k-th coefficient, here it is

`(1/((k+1)!)) /(1/(k!)) = (k!)/((k+1)!) = 1/(k+1).`

The limit of this ratio is 0, therefore the power series converges everywhere (and there are no endpoints to check).

b. To determine the function to which the series converges, recall the definition of the Taylor series (with the center at  `x=0` ). For a function `f(x)` its Taylor series is   `sum_(k=0)^oo f^(k)(0) x^k/k!`

Our series is   `sum_(k=0)^oo x^(k+1)/(k!) = x sum_(k=0)^oo x^k/(k!) = x e^x,`

because  `(e^x)^((k)) = e^x`  and  `(e^x)^((k))(0) = 1.`

Is it possible for a person to incur an opportunity cost without spending any money? Explain.

Because the concept of an "opportunity cost" extends beyond economics, it is possible to suggest such "costs" that do not involve money. Opportunity costs represent, to put it in psychological or literary terms, a road not taken. When it is time to make important decisions, it is often wise to write down the pros and cons of each available option. This exercise can, and often does, involve business decisions, but it also involves the everyday...

Because the concept of an "opportunity cost" extends beyond economics, it is possible to suggest such "costs" that do not involve money. Opportunity costs represent, to put it in psychological or literary terms, a road not taken. When it is time to make important decisions, it is often wise to write down the pros and cons of each available option. This exercise can, and often does, involve business decisions, but it also involves the everyday decisions that constitute life as an adult. How one decides to invest financial resources, such as in a long-term savings plan versus using available resources to purchase an item the value of which one hopes will increase exponentially, is a common dilemma. The opportunity cost in such a scenario would be the financial gains sacrificed by the latter option in deference to the greater level of financial security one might enjoy from adopting the more conventional option, in effect, low-yield savings. Choosing an expensive vacation over a home-improvement project can represent an opportunity cost, as money spent on having fun at the beach is coming at the expense of making needed repairs to one's home--repairs that might increase the value of the home.

The above clearly represent scenarios involving money. "Opportunity costs," however, can conceptually be applied to non-monetary decisions. Time spent with one's family, for instance, can represent an opportunity cost. There is a very real non-monetary value that can be placed on the time one devotes to one's family. 

Emotions play a role in many decisions, and these decisions do not necessarily involve financial considerations. Choosing to be seen associating with the cooler students in school may come at the expense of more meaningful relationships with students who lack the image of the others but who have more to offer intellectually or emotionally. Life is all about trade-offs, and there are costs associated with almost all such decisions.

What was going on in the Ford Madox Ford chapter and what is his significance in the book?

In A Moveable Feast: The Restored Editionthere are actually two sections dealing with the English writer and editor Ford Madox Ford. One of these sections, "The Acrid Smell of Lies," was added in the restored edition by Hemingway's grandson Sean. Both vignettes are extremely unflattering to Ford. In the chapter called "Ford Madox Ford and the Devil's Disciple" Hemingway details an encounter with Ford in a Paris cafe. He describes Ford derisively "as an...

In A Moveable Feast: The Restored Edition there are actually two sections dealing with the English writer and editor Ford Madox Ford. One of these sections, "The Acrid Smell of Lies," was added in the restored edition by Hemingway's grandson Sean. Both vignettes are extremely unflattering to Ford. In the chapter called "Ford Madox Ford and the Devil's Disciple" Hemingway details an encounter with Ford in a Paris cafe. He describes Ford derisively "as an ambulatory well clothed up-ended hogshead." Hemingway goes on to insult Ford throughout the piece, suggesting that Ford had a bad odor and that Hemingway needed to hold his breath when he was near the man. In the introduction to the restored edition Sean Hemingway admits that his grandfather's dislike for Ford has "puzzled" biographers, especially because Ford often praised Hemingway's writings and was one of the first publishers, in his Transatlantic Review, to print Hemingway's stories. Hemingway's disdain of Ford, however, is quite in line with the insulting treatment (although a bit harsher) he gives other literary luminaries who were his friends, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Sherwood Anderson (in Torrents of Spring).

The main insult in "Ford Madox and the Devil's Disciple" is to suggest that Ford could not even recognize the famous French writer and historian Hilaire Belloc (and thus was probably unable to recognize true genius). Ford claims that he has "cut" Belloc when he refuses to acknowledge the writer's presence when Belloc looks toward the table where he and Hemingway are seated. At the end of the sketch after Ford has left, Hemingway discovers that the man who Ford thought was Belloc was actually Aleister Crowley, an occultist who was often accused of worshipping Satan. This portrait of Ford tends to be ironic since Ford was well-known for recognizing great writing and promoting the careers of men such as Joseph Conrad, H. G. Wells, Thomas Hardy and Hemingway himself. As with many of Hemingway's relationships, there seems to be a good deal of jealousy on Hemingway's part. Another explanation of the poor treatment of Ford is posited by Sean Hemingway and is explicitly revealed in "The Acrid Smell of Lies" where Hemingway writes, "He [Ford] lied about money and about things that were important in daily living that he would give you his word on." Therefore, Hemingway's dislike may have originated because of a deal involving money. Years later, then, when he was writing A Moveable Feast, Hemingway couldn't help but harangue Ford in the worst of ways.

What caused the South Carolina nullification crisis?

Firstly, let’s discuss what ‘nullification’ means in a legal sense, what brought it about, and then lastly move on to the issue concerning South Carolina.

Nullification refers to a US state suspending federal law within its borders. In other words, the state is declaring that its own law and not that of the federal government will apply to actions within the state. Nullification was first addressed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in regards the...

Firstly, let’s discuss what ‘nullification’ means in a legal sense, what brought it about, and then lastly move on to the issue concerning South Carolina.

Nullification refers to a US state suspending federal law within its borders. In other words, the state is declaring that its own law and not that of the federal government will apply to actions within the state. Nullification was first addressed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in regards the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by then President John Adams in 1798. Jefferson and Madison viewed these bills as an overreach by the federal government into state matters. The principle of nullification gained traction in New England as well as the southern states, particularly regarding state commerce.

Although the principle of nullification was becoming more popular, what brought the issue to the forefront of politics was the Tariff of 1832. The federal government passed the tariff against the protests of many southern states. South Carolina then passed an ordinance of nullification and went so far as to threaten secession from the US if the federal government attempted to collect tariff duties.  

President Andrew Jackson saw this as a direct threat to the legitimacy of the federal government to regulate affairs within its borders. He sent American warships to Charleston and strengthened federal fortifications. Meanwhile, the US Congress passed a Force Bill in 1833 authorizing Jackson to use federal troops to enforce the tariff.

Senator and former Secretary of State Henry Clay took on the role of the Great Compromiser, similar to the one he had during the Missouri Compromise of 1820 that brought Maine into the Union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. Clay was able to convince Congress to pass the Tariff of 1833 that would reduce the tariff introduced in 1832 over a ten-year period to the tariff level of 1816. South Carolina accepted the deal and repealed its nullification order. However, the state legislature then nullified the Force Bill, perhaps as a way of sending a message to Jackson regarding federal overreach. Jackson ignored this last action by the state allowing for the potentially explosive tariff matter to finally settle down.

South Carolina was very close to seceding and although the other southern states were sympathetic to its cause, none had gone along with nullification. We can see that federal versus states' rights was a problematic issue long before the American Civil War. Instead of a singular event, South Carolina’s nullification crisis is best viewed as just one in a series of events that finally split the country apart in 1861.  

What is a short summary of the poem "Five Ways to Kill a Man" by Edwin Brock?

"Five Ways to Kill a Man" is a fairly straightforward poem in terms of what events are taking place.  

The first stanza opens with a bold statement about there being "many cumbersome ways to kill a man."  It then continues to tell about the crucifixion of Christ.  The stanza coldly states what few tools and elements are needed to crucify a person.  

To do this properly you require a crowd of peoplewearing...

"Five Ways to Kill a Man" is a fairly straightforward poem in terms of what events are taking place.  

The first stanza opens with a bold statement about there being "many cumbersome ways to kill a man."  It then continues to tell about the crucifixion of Christ.  The stanza coldly states what few tools and elements are needed to crucify a person.  

To do this properly you require a crowd of people
wearing sandals, a cock that crows, a cloak
to dissect, a sponge, some vinegar and one
man to hammer the nails home.

Stanza two moves forward in time about one thousand years.  It talks about medieval knights battling each other in suits of armor.  It talks about how swords and arrows are designed to penetrate that armor.  The end of the second stanza also includes a bit of narration on the need for royalty to celebrate the violence being done at their command.  

Stanzas three and four are about World War I and II.  Stanza three focuses on how toxic gasses killed thousands of men in the trenches.  Stanza four is about the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan.  There appears to be an insult directed at the US president for dropping the bombs.  The poem says that in order to drop the bomb, a "psychopath" is needed.  This stanza also ends by stating that the effects of the bombs lasted a lot longer than a day or two.  

                                         All you then
require is an ocean to separate you, two
systems of government, a nation's scientists,
several factories, a psychopath and
land that no-one needs for several years.

The fifth stanza states that all of the previous methods for killing a man are "cumbersome."  It states that the easiest way to kill a man is to just leave him somewhere in the twentieth century.  The narrator is calling reader attention to the increasing violence that has been happening throughout history.  In addition to that, the narrator is showing readers how mankind's technology has allowed us to kill in easier and easier ways from farther and farther away.  No longer do we need to stand next to the man we are killing and drive nails through his hands. We simply need to drop a bomb thousands of miles away with the push of a button and watch thousands of people die via live video feed.  

How do the three hunters advance the plot of the story?

Essentially, the three hunters advance the plot of the story by appearing at a most opportune moment: right after Mrs. Sappleton's cheerful monologue about her husband and brothers. The hunters' demeanor, manner of dress, and actions appear to substantiate the details in Vera's story about the family's tragic history. The author uses the three hunters to highlight Framton's paranoia and Vera's manipulation of the easily influenced hypochondriac. 

In Vera's eerie story, she includes important details such...

Essentially, the three hunters advance the plot of the story by appearing at a most opportune moment: right after Mrs. Sappleton's cheerful monologue about her husband and brothers. The hunters' demeanor, manner of dress, and actions appear to substantiate the details in Vera's story about the family's tragic history. The author uses the three hunters to highlight Framton's paranoia and Vera's manipulation of the easily influenced hypochondriac. 

In Vera's eerie story, she includes important details such as the brown spaniel, the youngest hunter singing a particular ditty, the "treacherous piece of bog," and the fact that the men were hunting for snipes. These details, of course, are validated when the men show up in the exact way Vera intimates.

Additionally, Vera's story about her aunt's trauma manifesting as mental instability is reinforced in Framton's mind when the men appear. As a result, instead of the "complete rest" and "absence of mental excitement" that the doctor ordered, Framton is subjected to a gothic story full of morbid details.

Vera's story is what inspires Framton's hurried exit by the end of the story. The three hunters advance the plot of the story by appearing to substantiate all the details of Vera's morbid story.

How is fear created in "The Signal-Man" by Charles Dickens?

Dickens creates a sense of fear in a number ways. Here are three.

1. Imagery that evokes desolation, foreboding, and the supernatural

After the narrator has descended the path and joined the signal-man at his station, he describes the place as a "great dungeon." He comments on the "gloomy" red light and the  

"gloomier entrance to a black tunnel, in whose massive architecture there was a barbarous, depressing, and forbidding air. So little sunlight ever found its way to this spot, that it had an earthy, deadly smell; and so much cold wind rushed through it, that it struck chill to me, as if I had left the natural world."

The vivid sensory impressions set the scene. This is the sort of place where the reader can easily imagine seeing a ghost.

The sense of foreboding is furthered by the narrator's first impression of the signal-man himself. For a moment, the narrator says, "a monstrous thought came into my mind…that this was a spirit, not a man."

2. The recounting of uncanny events and deadly episodes

The content of the signal-man's stories is intrinsically disturbing. For instance, when the signal-man reaches out to the dark, mysterious, urgent figure, it suddenly disappears. Then,

"…within ten hours the dead and wounded were brought along through the tunnel over the spot where the figure had stood.”

3. Empathy and fear contagion

Fear is contagious; we tend to become more anxious or frightened when we witness fear in others. More generally, observing distress in others evokes an empathic response. We experience their emotions second-hand. Dickens uses this aspect of human psychology to induce fear in the reader.

For instance, at the beginning of the story, the signal-man reacts to the narrator with great wariness. The narrator is aware of this, noting, "I detected in his eyes some latent fear of me." He wonders if there is an "infection in his mind."

Later, we learn that the signal-man hears the bell ring when no one else can. He believes that it signals the return of the ghost. The reader is left to consider this man's position -- spending long hours, alone in this gloomy place, waiting with anxiety for the bell to ring.

The reader is also influenced by the fearful reactions of the narrator. For example, when he hears the signal-man's story, he mentions the "slow touch of a frozen finger tracing out my spine," and notes that a "disagreeable shudder crept over me."

And when he thinks he sees the ghost he again shares his immediate, involuntary reaction with us:

"I cannot describe the thrill that seized upon me, when, close at the mouth of the tunnel, I saw the appearance of a man, with his left sleeve across his eyes, passionately waving his right arm."

Even the ghost's body language suggests anguish and distress about death:

"It was an action of mourning. I have seen such an attitude in stone figures on tombs."

2. 70% of Americans say they would prefer to die at home yet only about 25% of them do. Half of Americans die in hospitals and the remaining 25%...

In the article titled, "Efficacy of advance directives in a general hospital," the authors state that from all the deaths observed in a given year at a general acute care hospital, only 22% of the patients who were included in their study had an advance directive. Out of that percentile (22%), only 50% of the patients studied actually met the conditions of their advance directive, and out of that percentile (50%), only 49% of the...

In the article titled, "Efficacy of advance directives in a general hospital," the authors state that from all the deaths observed in a given year at a general acute care hospital, only 22% of the patients who were included in their study had an advance directive. Out of that percentile (22%), only 50% of the patients studied actually met the conditions of their advance directive, and out of that percentile (50%), only 49% of the patients were actually influenced by the directives outlined by their advance directive. Therefore, out of 602 patients, only 5% were actually influenced by the conditions of a advance directive, a fact which indicates that a) advance directives are not entirely common in the US and b) advance directives are not always applicable, despite being stressed in every aspect of healthcare. To improve the experience of people who find themselves at the end of their life, the average person should actively promote out-of-hospital monitoring and treatment followup as a means to promote individualized and person-centered care (Lindecrantz). Indeed, in the article titled, "Attitudes among healthcare professionals towards ICT and home follow-up in chronic heart failure," the authors found that "a majority of healthcare professionals...are positive to both current and future use of ICT tools in healthcare and home follow-up," thereby indicating the lack of knowledge and/or interest from the general population in regard to these tools. 

Can plastic be part of the soil? If it can't, why? If it can, how?

In a word, no.  You might as well ask "Can a person eat and digest plastic?"  In any event the answer to both questions would be no, since plastic is not an organic substance, meaning it is not composed of living things, or at the very least, the remains of living things.  Soil is a composite mix of nonliving things, such as rocks, minerals, and water, with living things, such as plants and animals.  It...

In a word, no.  You might as well ask "Can a person eat and digest plastic?"  In any event the answer to both questions would be no, since plastic is not an organic substance, meaning it is not composed of living things, or at the very least, the remains of living things.  Soil is a composite mix of nonliving things, such as rocks, minerals, and water, with living things, such as plants and animals.  It tends to take on the character of the biodegradable substances it contains, such as dead animals, dead plants, fecal residue, fertilizers, both organic and commercial.  Plastic may be used with the soil to help grow things.  It is used to help seal in moisture and prevent grass and weed growth in gardens.  It is also used in potting soil to help keep the soil from clumping together.  It also helps conduct the flow of water in between soil particles.  But plastic is not biodegradable, meaning it will not decompose over time to become a major constituent of the soil itself.

In "Everyday Use," what things did the characters find important or worthwhile? Why were those items important to them?

In the story, both Maggie and Dee desired two family heirloom quilts for themselves, but they have very different reasons for wanting them.

The quilts contained pieces of clothing worn by relatives all the way back to the Civil War. To Dee, these hand-stitched quilts represent a priceless artistry that is worthy of preservation, and she feels she is the best person to showcase the quilts to their glory.

Maggie was promised the quilts by...

In the story, both Maggie and Dee desired two family heirloom quilts for themselves, but they have very different reasons for wanting them.

The quilts contained pieces of clothing worn by relatives all the way back to the Civil War. To Dee, these hand-stitched quilts represent a priceless artistry that is worthy of preservation, and she feels she is the best person to showcase the quilts to their glory.

Maggie was promised the quilts by Mama as a wedding gift. To Maggie, the quilts represent her mother's love and her memories of her grandmother. Unlike Dee, Maggie appreciates the quilts for their sentimental value. Dee finds the quilts worthwhile for a different reason. To Dee, the history of her family's struggles for equality and autonomy (as evidenced by the small piece of Great-Grandpa Ezra's Civil War uniform on the quilt) was secondary to her need to highlight her sophisticated tastes.

Similarly, Dee's fascination with the churn top and the dasher demonstrates her self-absorption. She viewed these two items as valuable from an artistic perspective, not a sentimental or historic one. On the other hand, both Maggie and Mama hold the same views in regard to the items, particularly the quilts.

While Dee imagines Maggie is "backward enough to put them to everyday use," Maggie knows the quilts are more than just artistic showpieces. Because of her own physical suffering, Maggie can appreciate the historical sacrifices and trials African-Americans have had to endure on the road to freedom. This is why she initially consented for Dee to take the quilts. Her words "I can 'member Grandma Dee without the quilts" demonstrate her introspective nature, one which places more emphasis on authenticity than superficiality.

What are some impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef? How would these impacts alter biotic/abiotic components of the ecosystem? Are...

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) off the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia is the world's largest reef. In fact, it's the largest living thing on Earth spanning more than 2500km (GBRMPA). As climate changes in response to human activities, the GBR suffers the indirect effects of increased atmospheric CO2 emissions.

The most pronounced and widespread effect of climate change on the GBR is coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is the visible change in coral appearance...

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) off the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia is the world's largest reef. In fact, it's the largest living thing on Earth spanning more than 2500km (GBRMPA). As climate changes in response to human activities, the GBR suffers the indirect effects of increased atmospheric CO2 emissions.

The most pronounced and widespread effect of climate change on the GBR is coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is the visible change in coral appearance as a result of the death (or loss) of symbiotic organisms that give the coral its color. As sea temperatures rise in response to climate change, the marine algae that live within the coral (and on its surface) die off - when they disappear, they leave behind the white coral structure. In small patches, coral bleaching isn't a problem - it can even be a good thing for growing new algae. However, the widespread bleaching resulting from average sea temperature increases that may or may not be permanent in nature highlights real problems for the reef. Currently 97% of the great barrier reef has been bleached or partially bleached. Will it ever restore itself and heal from the impacts of climate change? That's a question scientists are currently working on, and the future doesn't look too bright (link).

Other effects of climate change on the reef include ocean acidification (which impacts calcium carbonate formation of the coral itself) and sea level rise (which changes the location of the reef relative to the coastline).

For more information, check out the links below.

How would you summarize The Mystery in the Twin Cities by Carole Marsh?

The Mystery in the Twin Cities is the 42nd book in Carole Marsh’s series for young readers Real Kids, Real Places. The series follows four main characters—Mimi, Papa, Christina, and Grant— as they fly The Mystery Girl airplane to various locations across the United States.

In this book, the family flies to the freezing temperatures of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota for the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The family sees the Winter Carnival Ice...

The Mystery in the Twin Cities is the 42nd book in Carole Marsh’s series for young readers Real Kids, Real Places. The series follows four main characters—Mimi, Papa, Christina, and Grant— as they fly The Mystery Girl airplane to various locations across the United States.

In this book, the family flies to the freezing temperatures of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota for the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The family sees the Winter Carnival Ice Palace and learns the legend of the Vulcan Krewe and King Boreas’s court. There, the mystery-solving family soon finds out that the Winter Carnival Medallion is gone, presumably stolen. Christina and Grant meet a pair of twins, Jim and Julie, who they team up with to solve the mystery and find the missing medallion. They also meet Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun, a couple who hopes to adopt the twins.

The team of kids begins to follow clues that lead them in and around the Twin Cities area. Their winter adventures include visiting the Mall of America, trying ice-fishing, going dog-sledding through a park, and drinking hot chocolate to stay warm. They try the traditional Scandinavian winter dish, lutefisk, but they are not exactly fans of this fish specialty that is dried and treated with lye. Grant is also in for a winter surprise when he gets stuck to a metal pole.

Over the course of the book, the characters visit Rice Park, the Pioneer Press Building, the St. Paul Hotel, Landmark Center, Minnehaha Falls, and Saint Anthony Falls. They learn about Nordic immigration to Minnesota and the gold rush in that region in the 1800s.

How was life in the colonies after their independence?

Life in the colonies was not easy after the Revolutionary War.  There was a great deal of uncertainty.  Britain was not a willing trade partner and, as a stipulation of the Treaty of Paris, the colonists still had to pay their debts to the British.  The national government also owed money to Spain, France, and the Netherlands for their help in winning the war.  The Articles of Confederation did not allow for national taxation, so...

Life in the colonies was not easy after the Revolutionary War.  There was a great deal of uncertainty.  Britain was not a willing trade partner and, as a stipulation of the Treaty of Paris, the colonists still had to pay their debts to the British.  The national government also owed money to Spain, France, and the Netherlands for their help in winning the war.  The Articles of Confederation did not allow for national taxation, so it was unclear as to how the money would be raised to pay the national debt.  The government owed money to individuals as well, especially the soldiers who had given so much to the patriot cause.  In many cases, the money could not be raised. Alternatively, if it was, it was in Continental dollars that proved to be worthless.  The soldiers were then paid in western land, but the land was sold for pennies on the dollar to land speculators who sought to take advantage of these soldiers.  The most famous instance of citizens becoming disgruntled with the federal government was Shay's Rebellion.  Daniel Shay led farmers, many of whom were veterans, against the Massachusetts government when it looked like they would lose their farms due to taxes.  While the rebellion was ultimately put down, this put enough pressure on the national government to reconvene for a constitutional convention.  

What does Bulosan's memoir tell us about America's empire and its effects on American society?

Carlos Bulosan, a Filipino poet born in 1913, writes about his early years growing up in the Philippines in his 1946 memoir America is in the Heart. He writes of the time right after World War I: "it seemed like the younger generation, influenced by false American ideals and modes of living, had become strangers to the older generation" (5). When he is growing up, the Philippines were becoming more and more Americanized. For...

Carlos Bulosan, a Filipino poet born in 1913, writes about his early years growing up in the Philippines in his 1946 memoir America is in the Heart. He writes of the time right after World War I: "it seemed like the younger generation, influenced by false American ideals and modes of living, had become strangers to the older generation" (5). When he is growing up, the Philippines were becoming more and more Americanized. For example, the author's older brother, Macario, attends the school far from his village, and he is indoctrinated in American ways. When he sees Allos (or "Carlos"), Macario wants to cut his brother's hair in the American way. 

Later, after Bulosan sees the plight of the peasants in his hometown of Luzon, he dreams of going to America and learns about Abraham Lincoln. He thinks, "A poor boy became President of the United States!" and he is fascinated by this story (69). He believes the United States represents equality. This is the idea of America that people in the far-flung parts of the empire believe, and this dream draws them to immigrate to the United States.

When he arrives in the U.S. in the early 1930s, Bulosan finds life entirely different from what he imagined. He writes, "There seemed to be tragedy and horror everywhere I went" (175). He works at menial jobs in the American west, where he is treated with prejudice and disrespect by the white world around him. He develops a hatred and distrust of white people, and he says of his Filipino community: "we hid cynically behind our mounting fears, hating the broad white universe at our door" (164). Finally, he turns to becoming part of the Filipino civil rights movement. His early dreams of American equality help motivate him to push for equality in American society. Therefore, Bulosan, an immigrant, dedicates himself to making America more egalitarian and more true to its promise of equality.