How has Fitzgerald used setting to emphasize the theme of class distinction in the Great Gatsby?

To show how Fitzgerald emphasizes the theme of class distinction through setting, compare the description of East Egg with that of the Valley of Ashes. East Egg, for example, is described in chapter one as a "fashionable" place that "glittered along the water." The houses here are like "white palaces," and they are home to some of the most successful and wealthy people in the area, like Tom and Daisy Buchanan.

In contrast, Nick visits...

To show how Fitzgerald emphasizes the theme of class distinction through setting, compare the description of East Egg with that of the Valley of Ashes. East Egg, for example, is described in chapter one as a "fashionable" place that "glittered along the water." The houses here are like "white palaces," and they are home to some of the most successful and wealthy people in the area, like Tom and Daisy Buchanan.

In contrast, Nick visits the Valley of Ashes in chapter two, and this setting is completely different. Nick says it is a "desolate area of land," for example, with "grotesque gardens" and a "small, foul river." This place is gray and smoky, with only a few shops on the main street. Unlike the successful millionaires of East Egg, the Valley of Ashes is home to George Wilson, a humble mechanic and car dealer, and his wife, Myrtle.

Through these contrasting descriptions, Fitzgerald shows that two worlds exist in New York. East Egg is home to the wealthiest citizens, as shown by their luxurious houses, while the poorer members of society are forced to live in the deprived and desolate place known as the Valley of Ashes.

How did Jean Jaques Rousseau help produce the French Revolution of 1789? Or, conversely, did the French Revolution proceed with little of his...

Rousseau (1712-1778) helped inspire the French Revolution. He had already died by the time the French Revolution broke out in 1789, but his ideas about freedom inspired the revolutionaries. Rousseau believed that people should choose their own government, and he was revered during the French Revolution. In fact, he was reburied in the Pantheon in 1794, and he was celebrated as a hero.

In particular, Rousseau's idea of the general will (though first formulated by...

Rousseau (1712-1778) helped inspire the French Revolution. He had already died by the time the French Revolution broke out in 1789, but his ideas about freedom inspired the revolutionaries. Rousseau believed that people should choose their own government, and he was revered during the French Revolution. In fact, he was reburied in the Pantheon in 1794, and he was celebrated as a hero.

In particular, Rousseau's idea of the general will (though first formulated by others, such as Diderot and Montesquieu), inspired Jacobins to demand reforms that would create greater equality in France, such as land reform. Rousseau's idea of "general will" meant that a nation should be governed by the rule of law, not by the decisions of an arbitrary leader. Robespierre was also influenced by Rousseau's ideas, including Rousseau's focus on the government's power to promote the common good. The professed egalitarianism of the leaders during the French Revolution was inspired by Rousseau, who believed in religious equality, and this focus on egalitarianism was behind ideas such as Deism as the new religion of the country during the French Revolution.

Why were the Patriots angry at Great Britain?

Patriots, or "Whigs" were angry at Great Britain because they felt that Parliament, with the approval of King George and his ministers, was violating their rights as English subjects. They believed strongly that the British government had no right to tax them without their consent. When Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, the colonists were suddenly forced to pay a direct tax. The colonists protested that since they had no representatives in Parliament, it...

Patriots, or "Whigs" were angry at Great Britain because they felt that Parliament, with the approval of King George and his ministers, was violating their rights as English subjects. They believed strongly that the British government had no right to tax them without their consent. When Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, the colonists were suddenly forced to pay a direct tax. The colonists protested that since they had no representatives in Parliament, it was unlawful to tax them. Later attempts to tax or regulate goods that the colonists had to import from Great Britain, including lead, glass, sugar, and tea met with similar complaints. They thought their rights were being violated in other ways as well. When the Crown sent troops to Boston to preserve order, many colonists saw this as an affront to their belief that standing armies should not be kept in the midst of the people. The Proclamation of 1763 had restricted the colonists in buying lands in the Ohio Valley, something they felt was their right to do. So in short, the Patriots were angry that the British government violated their rights as Englishmen. 

How did the French relations with the Native Americans compare with those of Great Britain and Spain?

The French, British, and Spanish encountered the Native Americans when they established colonies in the Americas. However, only the French had a good relationship with the Native Americans.

The French treated the Native Americans well. They traded with them. They made it clear they didn’t want to take away their land. They also learned the languages of the Native American tribes. In addition, they married the Native Americans. There was respect between the French and...

The French, British, and Spanish encountered the Native Americans when they established colonies in the Americas. However, only the French had a good relationship with the Native Americans.

The French treated the Native Americans well. They traded with them. They made it clear they didn’t want to take away their land. They also learned the languages of the Native American tribes. In addition, they married the Native Americans. There was respect between the French and the Native Americans.

The British and Spanish didn’t have a very good relationship with them. These countries wanted to take away the land of the Native Americans. The Spanish enslaved them and exploited their land for minerals. They also tried to convert them to Christianity. The Native Americans resented these actions. The British viewed the Native Americans as inferior. The British tried to impose their laws upon them. This also led to poor a relationship with them.

The French had a good relationship with the Native Americans because they treated them well, unlike the British or the Spanish.

What are some similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity?

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions of the world, with 2.4 and 1.6 billion adherents, respectively. Both are Abrahamic faiths, which means that both of these religions trace the founding of a relationship between God and man to the biblical figure of Abraham. Because of this shared heritage, Christianity and Islam have much in common, but they do differ in a few important ways.

First, let's compare and contrast worship in Christianity and Islam. Christians and Muslims may pray privately, at home, or publicly, in a house of worship. For Christians, this public house of worship is called a Church, and for Muslims, the Masjid or Mosque. In both religions, there are ritualized ways of praying, including gestures and reciting certain prayers or passages of the holy books. One major difference between these two religions is that Muslims are required to pray five times every day, though they may be excused from this if they are sick or menstruating. While Christians are encouraged to pray daily, it is not a requirement.

We can consider some of the other requirements for people in these religions. Both observe a fasting holiday of about a month. Lent and Ramadan are considered the times of year when Christians and Muslims should reflect on their actions of the previous year, deepen their religious study, and try to abstain from sins. Many people choose to donate to charity, fast from food or a particular substance, and read their holy book more often during these times. Ramadan is also a popular time of year for fulfilling the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. To visit at least once in one's life is one of the Five Pillars (or duties, responsibilities) of Islam. The others are prayer, fasting, charity (which is encouraged in Christianity,) and attesting that there is only one God (also in Christianity.) 

The Muslim and Christian Gods are, in essence, the same God, but they are treated differently in each religion. In the Christian tradition, God is referred to with masculine pronouns and often depicted as a large man surrounded by clouds. Though depicted as a man, God is somewhat formless, the creator of all, and is timeless. In Islam, God (called "Allah" in Arabic) is never depicted, nor is the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him.) To do so is considered sinful because it reduces the all-encompassing nature of God to a reflection of what the artist finds beautiful. In Islam, God has no gender (indeed, is all genders) but is sometimes referred to in the masculine sense. Islam also holds that God is the creator of all things and knows all.

Authority in both religions is believed to come from God and bestowed upon people, typically by someone who is already empowered with this authority. In Christianity, priests, preachers, pastors, monks, nuns, and scholars are authority figures, but only priests can claim to trace their authority back to the Twelve Apostles. Jesus Christ is regarded as the first priest of Christianity as well as the son of God, who initiated the final covenant with God. Muslim people regard Jesus Christ as one of many prophets, but do not believe he was the son of God, or that he was the final prophet. Rather, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have received the word of God, in the form of the Holy Quran, from the angel Gabriel. He is regarded as the last and truest prophet as well as the founder of Islam. In Islam, imams (similar to priests,) muezzin (who make the call to prayer,) and scholars of Islam are the authority figures. Authority in Islam does not stem from a person's ability to trace their empowerment back to Muhammad, but is drawn from their dedication to religious study.

Before we recap, bear in mind that within Islam or Christianity, there are many sects and regional variations where religious belief and practice differ. In general, these two religions have in common that they are both monotheistic, believe in revelations, have a holy book, believe in the afterlife, and require prayer and charity. They do have many more similarities on very minute levels, but I hope that I have adequately addressed major similarities and differences.

What does the novel Push say about the role of education in America?

The novel Pushemphasizes the positive impact that education can have on an individual in American society. The protagonist, Precious Jones, is an illiterate sixteen-year-old girl who lives in Harlem. Her mother, Mary, is neglectful and abusive, offering Precious no opportunity or support. When her school learns that Precious is pregnant, they decide that she should attend an alternative school. This turn of events is a positive and life-changing force for Precious, as she meets...

The novel Push emphasizes the positive impact that education can have on an individual in American society. The protagonist, Precious Jones, is an illiterate sixteen-year-old girl who lives in Harlem. Her mother, Mary, is neglectful and abusive, offering Precious no opportunity or support. When her school learns that Precious is pregnant, they decide that she should attend an alternative school. This turn of events is a positive and life-changing force for Precious, as she meets a teacher who empowers her to tell her own story.

At the alternative school, not only does Precious have the support of the teacher, Ms. Rain, but she thrives in a class of fellow students who all come from difficult backgrounds. Despite huge holes in her academic abilities, with the relentless support of her teacher, Precious soon develops an interest in literature and writing. Ms. Rain believes that the only way to learn how to write is to write, and she requires each girl to keep a daily journal. She gives each student feedback and assistance. At the school, Precious is also exposed to literature by black authors such as Alice Walker and Langston Hughes who give her inspiration.

When Precious is chased out of her home by her mother, she turns to her beloved teacher, Ms. Rain, who helps her get into a halfway house. Since the house has childcare, Precious is able to continue her education. With stability from home and school, Precious is able to grow in both her academic ability as well as her self-confidence. The success in academics gives her the strength and courage to improve in other areas of her life and to make positive changes. In this, the reader can see the positive impact that education can have on an individual, as it pushes them toward success and self-empowerment.

What occupations, according to the housekeeper, do many of these people have?

The young man who has been searching for five months for a girl named Eloise Vashner asks the housekeeper:

“Do you have many theatrical people rooming here?” 

She tells him:

“They comes and goes. A good proportion of my lodgers is connected with the theatres. Yes, sir, this is the theatrical district. Actor people never stays long anywhere. I get my share. Yes, they comes and they goes.”

No doubt most of the "theatrical people"...

The young man who has been searching for five months for a girl named Eloise Vashner asks the housekeeper:

“Do you have many theatrical people rooming here?” 

She tells him:

“They comes and goes. A good proportion of my lodgers is connected with the theatres. Yes, sir, this is the theatrical district. Actor people never stays long anywhere. I get my share. Yes, they comes and they goes.”

No doubt most of the "theatrical people" were vaudeville performers. They would rent furnished rooms because they were "booked" on "circuits" and were always on the move, traveling by train from city to city and from town to town, living out of suitcases and eating in diners. In many cases vaudevillians would have a succession of "one-night stands," meaning there were only enough theater-goers in smaller towns to sustain their act for one show and they then had to move on to the next town. Obviously, those who stayed in a rooming-house like the one described in "The Furnished Room" would not be stars. The housekeeper speaks highly of a married couple who went by the stage names of Sprowls and Mooney because they stayed for three full months. Husband and wife vaudeville teams often did "stand-up comedy" routines together.

Eloise Vashner must have come to New York with high hopes of becoming a star as a singer, but her career appears to have gone downhill "...from all-star casts down to music halls so low that he dreaded to find what he most hoped for." New York was a magnet for people with talents of every kind, but the competition was fierce.