What is Phillip's father's job at the refinery?

Amazon lists The Cay around a fifth grade reading level.  Keep that in mind when trying to figure out what Phillip's dad does at the refinery. The book simply doesn't go into that much detail about what exactly he does.

Chapter 1 is the best place to look for information regarding Phillip's dad and his job. Based on this chapter, readers can assume that Phillip's father is not a manual laborer at the refinery. He's...

Amazon lists The Cay around a fifth grade reading level.  Keep that in mind when trying to figure out what Phillip's dad does at the refinery. The book simply doesn't go into that much detail about what exactly he does.

Chapter 1 is the best place to look for information regarding Phillip's dad and his job. Based on this chapter, readers can assume that Phillip's father is not a manual laborer at the refinery. He's probably not working with pipes and wrenches at all. Readers can assume this because we are told that when Phillip's family lived in Virginia, his father was in charge of building a new refinery.  

It was very different in Virginia where my father had been in charge of building a new refinery on the banks of the Elizabeth River. 

Phillip's father must be very good at his job because his expertise in the field of gasoline production and refineries is what brought him to Curacao in the first place. He was loaned from his company in Virginia to a Dutch company on the island.

Royal Dutch Shell had borrowed him from his American company because he was an expert in refineries and gasoline production.

That's all of the detail that readers get regarding his job at the refinery. Based on that information, I would say that he is an engineer of some kind in charge of the production and design of the refinery.

What caused the fall of the Roman Empire?

Ah, this question has beset historians for centuries! Theories about what brought the Fall of the Roman Empire include excessive military spending, lead poisoning, and just about everything in between. The present consensus, based upon historical and archaeological evidence, is that there was no singular cause of the Fall, but a number of factors which served to compound one another. 

Perhaps the biggest reason contributing to the Fall of Rome was how widespread the Empire...

Ah, this question has beset historians for centuries! Theories about what brought the Fall of the Roman Empire include excessive military spending, lead poisoning, and just about everything in between. The present consensus, based upon historical and archaeological evidence, is that there was no singular cause of the Fall, but a number of factors which served to compound one another. 

Perhaps the biggest reason contributing to the Fall of Rome was how widespread the Empire grew to be. At its fullest extent, the Roman Empire included the coast of North Africa, all of Southern and Western Europe, and even territory in the Arabian Peninsula. In all of these territories, soldiers and officials were sent from the central Roman territory to act as overseers and enforcers of the Roman law. Over such a wide expense of territory, it was incredibly difficult to govern such various locations with differing troubles like crop failure, crime, or invaders from outside the Empire. Imagine trying to hop on one foot, tap dance with the other, use one and to eat spaghetti, and the other to juggle- it's just too much going on out of concert! In short, Rome could not effectively manage the great expanses of territory they had acquired so quickly, and the empire crumbled under poor Administration. 

In addition to the "too much to govern, not enough government" problem, the Roman Empire had to deal with repeated invasions by Germanic tribes from the North. With inadequate numbers of Roman soldiers to fight or officials to negotiate, territory in the North and West of the Empire quickly fell to the Goths, the Huns, the Alans, and others. Some of these tribes were so successful that they made it all the way to Italy, and in 476, the Germanic king Odoacer deposed the last Emperor of Rome. Though Rome had been weakening for some time, the overthrow of Emperor Romulus meant that the West was irreparably torn apart.

How are social groups, issues, and ideas represented in the film “The Book Thief”?

The idea of knowledge as a defense against ignorance and prejudice.

In the movie, knowledge is represented as a defense against hatred and intolerance. At the beginning of the story, we learn that Liesel Meminger is illiterate. When asked by her teacher to write her name on the blackboard, Liesel can only manage three Xs. It is Hans Hubermann, Liesel's adopted father, who teaches her how to read. The movie represents knowledge as a means of developing self-awareness and preserving self-identity. As Max Vandenburg argues, the procurement of knowledge reinforces our humanity:

Write. In my religion we're taught that every living thing, every leaf, every bird, is only alive because it contains the secret word for life. That's the only difference between us and a lump of clay. A word. Words are life, Liesel.

In the movie, Liesel's stories are encapsulated in the words of her journal. Her words inspire subsequent generations even after her death.

Social groups as an arm of totalitarian government, a vehicle for sanctioned violence, and a means of perpetrating destructive ideologies.

In the movie, Liesel and Rudy are members of Hitler Youth, the juvenile wing of the Nazi Party. One of the scenes shows a Nazi official presiding over the burning of books. In attendance are members of the German military, local citizenry, and Hitler Youth. The official gives an impassioned speech in German, and the locals express their support through enthusiastic shouts. The camera pans in on Liesel and Hans; both appear to be troubled by the Nazi exercise in totalitarian intimidation. 

Franz is seen taunting Liesel and Rudy; he threatens them and warns them against disobeying explicit orders to participate in the book burning. Meanwhile, the local citizenry sing patriotic Nazi songs as the books burn. The movie represents social groups like Hitler Youth as a means of securing the future of oppressive political structures. During WWII, the Nazis indoctrinated the members of Hitler Youth in Nazism and anti-religious ideologies. Members of Hitler Youth were encouraged to spy on their peers and to participate in violent acts against subversives (those who refuse to bow down to the dictates of Nazism). In the movie, Franz threatens to report Leisel and Rudy for being "up to something."

Issues of discrimination and persecution of minority groups as a horror and a stain upon a nation's honor.

In the movie, German soldiers routinely perpetrate horrific violence on defenseless Jews. The Jews are represented as the persecuted scapegoats of the Nazi regime. As the movie progresses, we learn that Leisel's adopted parents are sheltering Max Vandenburg, a Jewish fugitive. In WWI, Max's father saved Hans's life, so Hans feels obligated to Max. Rudy, suspecting that something is up, demands to know who Liesel's family is sheltering. Liesel's response is that she will put her adopted parents and herself in danger if she tells him the truth.

Eventually, Leisel does admit the truth to Rudy (he assures her of his loyalty), but their conversation is overheard by Franz. Franz tries to grab Leisel's journal, but Rudy throws it into the river. Enraged by this act of insubordination, Franz attacks Rudy. In the movie, youth violence testifies to the horrors endured by Jews and those who tried to help them during WWII. The movie represents the issue of religious discrimination as a dire threat to civilization.

The idea of death as an imminent fate for all, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.

Death speaks at the beginning of the movie; he assures us that, sooner or later, we will meet him, regardless of who we are. He tells us that death comes to all and that no one lives forever. In his characteristic bland tone, he informs us that panicking when death comes calling is a useless reaction. The movie represents death as a natural human experience. 

It also highlights death as the great equalizer on the field of battle. As Death watches the unfolding of WWII, he proclaims: "I met so many young men over the years who have thought they were running at their enemy, when the truth was, they were running to me." So, death is no respecter of persons, regardless of whether one fights to defeat evil or whether one fights on the side of evil.

Is it appropriate for Romeo to deny his family name for love?

This question is an opinion question, so my answer may be very different than yours. However, we have to consider the same basic points to reach our respective conclusions, so let's go through some pros and cons.

Reasons Romeo should deny his family name:

• 
  His name doesn't define him. As Juliet said, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." 


• 
  Love conquers all. To many people, love is one of the most important...

This question is an opinion question, so my answer may be very different than yours. However, we have to consider the same basic points to reach our respective conclusions, so let's go through some pros and cons.

Reasons Romeo should deny his family name:

• 
  His name doesn't define him. As Juliet said, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." 


• 
  Love conquers all. To many people, love is one of the most important things in the world. Romeo and Juliet both think so, given the lengths to which they go to be with one another. If you agree, that's a strong reason to leave.


• 
  His family name is tainted. In the opening scenes of the play, the Prince has made it clear that he's sick and tired of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Yet this feud shows no sign of stopping. Abandoning his name might be a wise decision even without Juliet, making it all the more attractive if love is his reward.

Reasons Romeo should keep his name:

• 
  He owes it to his parents. Romeo's parents bore, raised, cared for, and educated him. And as a Christian, Romeo is commanded to honor his father and mother. His moral and religious duty requires him to stay true to his family.


• 
  He was raised to think the Capulets are the bad guys. Romeo tries to make peace with the Capulets after his secret wedding to Juliet, but up until that point, he is a Montague. You and I know that the narrative message behind the feud is that it's pointless and destructive and Romeo would be well rid of it. But Romeo may not know that. And is allowing evil to go unpunished an appropriate price to pay for love?


• 
  Is it really love? A recurring question about Romeo and Juliet is whether to interpret their relationship as a true love cursed by fate, or a flaring teen passion that clouded the lovers' judgement. It may eventually be correct for Romeo to abandon his name for love, but it's too early, given that the entire play takes place over the course of a week.

Take a look through the points, decide which are most compelling, and form your opinion on this basis. Good luck!

What was Carrie's power?

Carrie has the power of what is called telekinesis. In simple terms, this is the ability to move objects by the power of thought. Carrie demonstrates this power at several points in the book. Marbles start dancing around; a hairbrush rises into the air; Carrie's mother is pinned to the door by flying knives; all Carrie has to do is concentrate her mind and energy on an object and scary things start to happen. Telekinesis...

Carrie has the power of what is called telekinesis. In simple terms, this is the ability to move objects by the power of thought. Carrie demonstrates this power at several points in the book. Marbles start dancing around; a hairbrush rises into the air; Carrie's mother is pinned to the door by flying knives; all Carrie has to do is concentrate her mind and energy on an object and scary things start to happen. Telekinesis is an expression of Carrie's emotional life. The more emotional she gets, the more angry and upset, the stronger her powers become. And at the fateful high school prom, the full range of her telekinetic powers are displayed in frightening detail.

Carrie also has the power of telepathy, the ability to read people's minds. This is an important element in the original story, though not so much in any of the various film adaptations. At the prom, Carrie gets inside the mind of her date, Tommy Ross, who feels her talking to him. Carrie also intimidates her enemies Billy and Chris as they try to run her over. She screams her name inside their heads which forces them to crash and burn, literally.

What suggestions or advice would you give on writing a transformation story with the following elements? 1) Begin with a realistic situation: a...

In planning your transformation narrative, I would recommend beginning with the main character. Question lists can help flesh out aspects of the character, such as his or her physical characteristics, background, family, interests, and desires. I recommend the character questionnaires from Gotham Writers Workshop (https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/character-questionnaire). Make sure to give your character flaws because a perfect character is a boring character, but be careful not to make your character so flawed that he or...

In planning your transformation narrative, I would recommend beginning with the main character. Question lists can help flesh out aspects of the character, such as his or her physical characteristics, background, family, interests, and desires. I recommend the character questionnaires from Gotham Writers Workshop (https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/character-questionnaire). Make sure to give your character flaws because a perfect character is a boring character, but be careful not to make your character so flawed that he or she is unlikable. A successful story almost always depends on a likable protagonist. Otherwise, the reader will not care or be invested in what happens to the character.

Once you have a strong idea of who your character is, you can plan what object you want your character to become. Alternately, if you already have an idea of the object, you may want to start your planning there. Your character’s traits may develop around the object you choose. Either way, you will likely want to connect aspects of your character to the object he or she transforms into. For instance, a woman with a “prickly” personality who can’t get close to people could transform into a cactus. A narcissistic man could turn into a mirror, doomed to never really be seen by those who look at him. In these examples, the characters’ flaws are revealed by the object they become. If you choose this strategy, your transformation story could become a story of redemption. Through the character’s literal, physical transformation, aspects of their personality could also transform.

Your character’s transformation should be tied to his or her initial problem or conflict. The story’s plot development should bring the character to a point of revelation or understanding, leading to the resolution of the conflict. To return to our former examples, maybe the woman who turns into a cactus realizes the importance of human contact and intimacy. For the man who becomes a mirror, perhaps he experiences the joy of appreciating other people, rather than always seeking their approval. In some ways, every story is a transformation story. I hope you have fun writing yours!

Angus Deaton Discusses Income InequalityThe Wall Street Journal. What sort of jobs “in the middle” have been lost and...

The jobs that are lost are skilled positions where labor can be outsourced; policymakers can focus on preparing people for jobs in America, as well as protecting our nation from outsourcing in a variety of ways.

The jobs that are lost, Angus Deaton says, are those in the middle. He means jobs like coding and manufacturing. They aren't jobs where people are being paid minimum wage. They're traditionally jobs that come with benefits and a...

The jobs that are lost are skilled positions where labor can be outsourced; policymakers can focus on preparing people for jobs in America, as well as protecting our nation from outsourcing in a variety of ways.

The jobs that are lost, Angus Deaton says, are those in the middle. He means jobs like coding and manufacturing. They aren't jobs where people are being paid minimum wage. They're traditionally jobs that come with benefits and a living wage that can help a person support a family.

To replace the jobs, either America has to create more jobs or make it easier for people to fill the jobs that already exist. This means either creating new industries or providing a climate that encourages reshoring—this can happen in the form of anything from tariffs to tax breaks to foreign direct investment. Another option is increasing access to education and job training for people without a job. 

He points out that people are being left behind because good jobs that were once available to those with only a high school education are now gone. They were factory and manufacturing jobs that are now being performed overseas in different countries. The inability to get a job with a high school diploma that can support a good standard of living has led to increased rates of substance abuse and early mortality among middle-class white people.

Deaton also points out that inequality can be a good thing when it is synonymous with success; when people work hard and successfully innovate, disproportionate incomes often result. People are inspired to create things that others love and then they're rewarded for that. But inequality can also have a negative effect on society that should be addressed through policy.

To speak to your second point about welfare, Deaton points out that Europe is experiencing similar inequality issues without as steep an increase in mortality and substance abuse. He posits that this difference might actually stem from a stronger social safety net and rules that closely monitor what painkillers are prescribed to people. America could institute similar policies to address the problems of the middle class. Another option that could help would be finding industries that are underserved and need help and then funding education for those industries and helping high school graduates obtain that education.