What were the reasons for the revolts and rebellions that occurred in the American colonies?

While it is somewhat popular to believe that the Thirteen Colonies were economically and politically unified, nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout the colonies, differing political and economic goals often led to conflict.  Even within each individual colony, a strict social stratification was taking place.  An elite class was emerging that was quickly becoming politically powerful and economically advantaged.  It is the emergence of this aristocratic class that led to several rebellions throughout...

While it is somewhat popular to believe that the Thirteen Colonies were economically and politically unified, nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout the colonies, differing political and economic goals often led to conflict.  Even within each individual colony, a strict social stratification was taking place.  An elite class was emerging that was quickly becoming politically powerful and economically advantaged.  It is the emergence of this aristocratic class that led to several rebellions throughout colonial history.  The most famous of the rebellions was led by Nathaniel Bacon in Virginia in 1676.  Disheartened by the lack of opportunity afforded to middling planters, and angered by the governors lack of interest in defending the frontier against Indian attacks, Bacon led a rebellion. Bacon and thousands of disgruntled farmers led a revolt against Governor Berkeley and burned the capital.  This is one of several examples of social unrest within the colonies themselves.  

Explain why Americans moved west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and 1840s, how they accomplished this, and where they moved to.

Americans moved west of the Mississippi River in the 1830s-40s for many reasons. One reason was the American people believed the Americans should control the land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This belief, called Manifest Destiny, encouraged the United States to acquire land and to have American people move to these lands. There was a belief that the American way of life was the best way of life, and therefore, the Americans...

Americans moved west of the Mississippi River in the 1830s-40s for many reasons. One reason was the American people believed the Americans should control the land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This belief, called Manifest Destiny, encouraged the United States to acquire land and to have American people move to these lands. There was a belief that the American way of life was the best way of life, and therefore, the Americans should control this land.

There were other reasons for the westward movement. Some people moved westward because they saw a great deal of economic opportunity. These people wanted to farm their own land or to start their own businesses. They believed the western lands were a golden area filled with many new economic opportunities. Some people were also looking for a sense of adventure. Moving westward fulfilled this desire for adventure. The Mormons moved to Utah in the hope that they could practice their religion without harassment.

Westward movement was accomplished in several ways. Texas was added to the United States in 1845. The United States fought Mexico in the Mexican-American War and gained a great deal of land from Mexico in 1848. The United States also divided the Oregon Territory with Great Britain. As more people moved to these western lands, railroads and roads were built to facilitate the westward movement. People moved to the Great Plains and also to the areas near the Pacific Ocean, such as Oregon and California. People also moved to areas where minerals were found. For example, California’s population grew dramatically when gold was discovered there.

How significant was the Great Depression to the League of Nations failure?

The Great Depression forced many nations to turn their attention inward in order to fix their economies.  This was especially true of the United States.  The United States never joined the League for fear of losing some of its own national sovereignty and a sense of disillusionment after the Versailles Treaty.  The worldwide depression ensured that the United States would not be a player on the world stage as it did not want to spend...

The Great Depression forced many nations to turn their attention inward in order to fix their economies.  This was especially true of the United States.  The United States never joined the League for fear of losing some of its own national sovereignty and a sense of disillusionment after the Versailles Treaty.  The worldwide depression ensured that the United States would not be a player on the world stage as it did not want to spend money on the military needed in order to ensure that nations played by the rules of the League of Nations.  The signatories to the pact, especially the victorious Allied powers of Europe, were too bloody from WWI to raise sufficient funds to equip soldiers needed to enforce the League.  Also, the Depression made more nations anxious to receive reparation funds from Germany—money Germany did not have due to the Depression and WWI.  This put a further strain on international relations and pushed Germany further into the arms of the Nazis who promised a stronger Germany and revenge on Germany's enemies.  While the League was failing before the Depression, the Depression really killed any chance it may have had to exist with or without American support.  

Are there any quotes that show Macbeth's self-awareness? If so, could you please include some techniques present in those quotes.

Macbeth demonstrates his self-awareness throughout the play, beginning in Act I, Scene 4, when he says, "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." He recognizes that his ambition to be king by killing Duncan would be an indefensible and immoral act, yet his thoughts drift to that place.

Another quotation that demonstrates Macbeth's self-awareness is found in Act I, Scene 7, when he observes "I have no spur/ To prick...

Macbeth demonstrates his self-awareness throughout the play, beginning in Act I, Scene 4, when he says, "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." He recognizes that his ambition to be king by killing Duncan would be an indefensible and immoral act, yet his thoughts drift to that place.

Another quotation that demonstrates Macbeth's self-awareness is found in Act I, Scene 7, when he observes "I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/
Vaulting ambition." What Macbeth means is that he has no legitimate reason to commit regicide; Duncan is a fine king with integrity and a loyal following. He admits that the only reason he wants to kill Duncan is because he wants the throne for himself.

Another example is found in Act I, Scene 7, when Lady Macbeth questions her husband's masculinity. He answers her briefly and without apparent heat: "I dare do all that may become a man;/ Who dares do more is none." Here, Macbeth is solid in his self-awareness as a man; he is, after all, a heroic soldier who has just dispatched rebels in the name of Scotland.

Are there any metaphors in "The Hermit's Story"? What are they?

There aren't many metaphors in this story, though there are some examples of personification. Personification is the literary device with which writers attribute human characteristics to nonhuman things—so in some ways, we might consider it a kind of metaphor. For example, consider this passage:

Blue creeping up fissures and cracks from depths of several hundred feet; blue working its way up through the gleaming ribs of Ann's buried dogs....

In the above quote, "blue" is...

There aren't many metaphors in this story, though there are some examples of personification. Personification is the literary device with which writers attribute human characteristics to nonhuman things—so in some ways, we might consider it a kind of metaphor. For example, consider this passage:

Blue creeping up fissures and cracks from depths of several hundred feet; blue working its way up through the gleaming ribs of Ann's buried dogs....

In the above quote, "blue" is a reference to the fields of snow that have turned to vast sheets of glazed ice. The ice shimmers blue in the moonlight. Personification gives "blue" the human quality of intention, comparing it in a way to a living thing, one that creeps up fissures in the earth and envelops the dogs in frosty layers of freezing cold.

Another example of a metaphor from the story is the following:

The quail would fly off with great haste, a dark feathered buzz bomb disappearing quickly into the teeth of the cold....

Here, the "cold" is personified, and the extreme weather Ann and Gray Owl encounter on their journey is given "teeth." We also have the strongest example of a true metaphor here as a bird is compared to a "buzz bomb."

How are Lennie and George different from other people on the ranch?

In chapter one, George makes it clear in which ways they are different from other men. He and Lennie have just had a verbal altercation but have made up. George starts talking about their association with each other:

"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no fambly. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go into town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to."

He continues to say:

"With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us." 

George believes that ranch workers are generally very lonely men with no family or any other ties. They do not belong anywhere and are wanderers who never settle down. He states that these men waste all their earnings since they have nowhere to go. If they should be incarcerated, no one would care. He and Lennie are different, though, since they do have something to look forward to, and they have someone (each other) to confide in and discuss things with. They "give a damn" about each other, which means that they care about one another.

Lennie takes great pleasure in George's exposition and urges him to continue. He believes that each one of them can rely on the other to look after him, unlike the others, who do not have that privilege. Furthermore, George and Lennie are going to get some money together and buy a few acres of land and, as Lennie states, "live offa the fatta the lan'." They are going to have a place of their own. They will have a home on which they can generate an income and be independent. The other ranch workers will never have something like that; they don't have a plan or anyone to share their dreams with.

It becomes clear that George and Lennie's relationship is truly special. Against the backdrop of loneliness and isolation, they are unique. Not only do the two men have each other, but they are also not as desperate as the others—like, for example, Candy, who has no one to go to should he be kicked off the farm. He is somewhat disabled and realizes that his time on the ranch is almost up. When he realizes that George and Lennie can offer him hope, he becomes part of their shared ideal.

Even a character such as Curley is not happy. Although he is the ranch owner's son and has a pretty wife, he is clearly not at ease with himself, unlike George and Lennie, who are comfortable in the knowledge that one will stand up for the other.

It also appears as if Lennie has become somewhat of a sounding board for George. He can expect his companion not to judge him. This is unlike the other men who, as Curley's wife most pertinently states, are  

"...all scared of each other, that's what. Ever' one of you's scared the rest is goin' to get something on you."

This fear is what drives the other men further away from each other and isolates them. George and Lennie, though, are not afraid to share their sentiments. Even though they at times have verbal altercations, these are soon forgotten. The two men feed off each other. The other men are too afraid to trust anyone—they fear their confidences could be used against them.

In the complete scheme of things, it seems as if Lennie and George are much happier than any of the other men on the ranch and are, therefore, much more privileged. It is a pity that their relationship ultimately comes to a tragic and unfortunate end.

How is "Mending Wall" ironic?

Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" is told in the first person. The narrator describes the task of maintaining a wall between the neighbor's pine trees and his own apple orchard. The wall is difficult to maintain. It is a dry stone wall that partially collapses due to snow and freezing in winter and parts sometimes get knocked down by hunters. The narrator speculates that there is no real reason for the wall's existence, as there is nothing to be walled in or out, and the wall is neither high nor durable. 

The main irony in the poem has to do with the phrase the narrator's neighbor repeats, "Good fences make good neighbours." On the one hand, it seems odd, as fences separate people. The narrator speculates, though, that in the case of dairy farmers, a wall prevents mingling of animal herds and ensuing disputes. The irony is that although the narrator and his neighbor have little in common, the shared annual duty of mending the wall brings them together, and thus maintaining good fences, does, in fact, serve to make them good neighbors by letting them bond over this shared task. 

What is the basis of Gandhi's critique of "Western Civilization" in his book Indian Home Rule, and how does he link this critique to an argument...

Gandhi's critique of the British is grounded in opposition to many aspects of British life, government, and rule over India.

First, Gandhi is strongly opposed to modernity and many aspects of modern industrial production. He sees modernity of the sort associated with Europe and the West as crudely materialist and harmful to the dignity of labor in the way it exploits workers. He advocates an austere spiritual tradition which renounces wealth and accumulation of material...

Gandhi's critique of the British is grounded in opposition to many aspects of British life, government, and rule over India.

First, Gandhi is strongly opposed to modernity and many aspects of modern industrial production. He sees modernity of the sort associated with Europe and the West as crudely materialist and harmful to the dignity of labor in the way it exploits workers. He advocates an austere spiritual tradition which renounces wealth and accumulation of material goods. He sees that Home Rule would enable India to forge its own path in thinking about modernity rather than having a western model imposed upon it and being subject to economic exploitation by the British. He argues that many of the modern "improvements" to India have resulted in poverty and erosion of community rather than the wealth Britain claimed they would bring.

Although Gandhi saw Jesus Christ as an admirable figure, he thought that Christianity as a religion supported such horrors as apartheid. He sees British rule as imposing Christianity on India and argues that India is by nature Hindu and that Home Rule would lead to a resurgence of Hindu spirituality in daily life and as an informing ethical principle for government. 

Finally, Gandhi argues that Parliamentary democracy is ineffective and that Indian Home Rule should not be a shadow of a bad British system but rather the creation of a superior form of government which would be self-regulating and based on enlightened self-rule, in which people's own spiritual progress would do away with the need for a large government. He saw the British ideological traditions as an obstacle to this.

How did Timothy protect Phillip from the storm?

In Chapter 15, a large storm washes over the island. The wind blows over the hut in which Phillip and Timothy live, and Timothy protects Phillip by covering Phillip's body with his own. They spend two hours that way, as the storm blows over them with lashing rains and strong winds. The storm is so harsh that they can barely breathe.

As the sea begins to come up the beach, Timothy brings Phillip to the...

In Chapter 15, a large storm washes over the island. The wind blows over the hut in which Phillip and Timothy live, and Timothy protects Phillip by covering Phillip's body with his own. They spend two hours that way, as the storm blows over them with lashing rains and strong winds. The storm is so harsh that they can barely breathe.

As the sea begins to come up the beach, Timothy brings Phillip to the palm trees on the rise for shelter. Timothy ties Phillip and himself to the tree. Water laps against their ankles and feet, and Timothy continues to protect Phillip with his body against the driving wind. They remain that way for about an hour, until the wind dies down and they can untie themselves from the tree. When the eye of the storm passes over and the winds pick up again, worse than ever, Timothy again ties Phillip to the tree and protects the boy with his body. Several large waves pass over them, and, in the end, the storm kills Timothy while Phillip survives. Timothy gives his life to protect Phillip. 

How is the internal play, "Pyramus and Thisbe," related to the thematic concerns of A Midsummer Night's Dream as a whole?

The comically tragic play-within-a-play in A Midsummer Night's Dream is presented as a condensed form of the important themes and ideas of Shakespeare's play itself. Further, the bumbling performances of the actors render the tragedy of "Pyramus and Thisbe" certain farcical elements that serve to satirize the melodramatic Athenian lovers. This contribution of the internal play thus lends Shakespeare's play a comedic and happy ending.

Here are some thematic concerns of A Midsummer Night's Dream:

Love's problems

Lysander's observation, "The course of true love never did run smooth,” becomes pragmatic in this play because the action of the play revolves around different lovers' attempts to unite with the ones with whom they want to be, rather than those with whom they are made to be by the oppression of patriarchy. Hermia the daughter of Egeus, an Athenian courtier, loves Lysander and he loves her. Helena loves Demetrius, but Demetrius loves Hermia instead of Helena.

Another problem connected to resolving the problems of love exists in the fact that there is an imbalance of male with females. Also, in "Pyramus and Thisbe" there is the dramatization of the love of the main characters as forbidden, just as Hermia is forbidden to be with Lysander. 

Art and Culture

Interestingly, Shakespeare composed A Midsummer Night's Dream close to the time he also wrote Romeo and Juliet, a play heavily influenced by the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. Therefore, Shakespeare may have questioned the relationship of life to art, as well as the role of the artist.

As the craftsmen discuss how they will construct their play, Shakespeare utilizes their interaction as a way to reflect upon the nature of the theater. Although well-meaning, the craftsmen are badly suited to acting. Their wishes to place themselves in roles for which they are not suited may suggest some satire of actors on Shakespeare's part. For instance, when Quince tells Flute that he will play the part of Thisby, Flute asks, "Who is Thisby? A wand'ring knight?" (1.2.37) Quince replies that she is the lady that Pyramus loves. Flute immediately rejects the role:

Nay, faith, let not me play a woman, I have a beard coming. (1.2.38) 

Snug wants the lion's part and asks if it is written down. Humorously, Quince tells him he may play the part extemporaneously. 

Versions of Reality

With so much emphasis upon the relationship of art to reality, there emerges in A Midsummer Night's Dream the blurring of lines between reality and imagination. Such blurring is best exemplified with Titania who, under the influence of magic, perceives Bottom much differently from the reality of his appearance, as for instance, she speaks to him in Act IV:

Come, sit down upon this flowery bed
While I stroke your lovely cheeks
And stick musk roses in your sleek, smooth head
And kiss your beautiful, large ears, my noble love. (4.1.1-4)

The performance of the tragedy by the craftsmen, men who are such bumbling actors, makes the performance a farce, rather than a tragedy. Because of this transformation of the drama by the farcical actors, their performance serves to poke fun of the actions of the melodramatic lovers from Athens. This change in tone then lends the central play a dream-like, happy, and comedic ending. It also challenges the motif of art reflecting life.

The publishers of William Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Jonathon Bate and Eric Rasmussen said, "Good comedy is tragedy narrowly averted." It may be that this idea applies to the performance of the craftsmen who have generated good comedy.

Explain the constitutional basis of the system of checks and balances. Why is this principle is important? Provide examples of a major check...

The system of checks and balances in the United States government exists to make sure no one branch is too powerful. It prevents a single branch from controlling the government and the country. Checks and balances limit each branch's individual power by making sure that all the branches have to work together to pass laws and govern.

The executive branch has a veto power and can make foreign treaties. It also appoints federal judges. The...

The system of checks and balances in the United States government exists to make sure no one branch is too powerful. It prevents a single branch from controlling the government and the country. Checks and balances limit each branch's individual power by making sure that all the branches have to work together to pass laws and govern.

The executive branch has a veto power and can make foreign treaties. It also appoints federal judges. The president cannot fire Supreme Court judges. They can veto laws that Congress wants to pass. 

The legislative branch can override a presidential veto to pass a law. They also approve presidential appointments and treaties. They investigate suspicious actions by the executive branch and hold the powers of impeachment.

Judicial review is a power belonging to the judicial branch. It allows a court to declare a law invalid if they feel it conflicts with the constitution. This is a check on the legislative branch and on the executive branch since they can also rule that a presidential law or action is unconstitutional. 

Meanwhile, the president appoints federal judges and the legislative branch must approve them.

`y = xarctan(2x)-1/4ln(1+4x^2)` Find the derivative of the function

The derivative of y in terms of x is denoted by  `(dy)/(dx)` or `y’'`

 For the given problem: `y = xarctan(2x) -1/4ln(1+4x^2)` , we may apply the basic differentiation property:

`d/(dx) (u-v) = d/(dx) (u) - d/(dx) (v)`

Then the derivative of the function can be set-up as:

`d/(dx)y =d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x) -1/4ln(1+4x^2)]`

`y ' = d/(dx) xarctan(2x) -d/(dx) 1/4ln(1+4x^2)`

For the derivative of `d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x)` , we apply the Product Rule: `d/(dx)(u*v) =...

The derivative of y in terms of x is denoted by  `(dy)/(dx)` or `y’'`

 For the given problem: `y = xarctan(2x) -1/4ln(1+4x^2)` , we may apply the basic differentiation property:

`d/(dx) (u-v) = d/(dx) (u) - d/(dx) (v)`

Then the derivative of the function can be set-up as:

`d/(dx)y =d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x) -1/4ln(1+4x^2)]`

`y ' = d/(dx) xarctan(2x) -d/(dx) 1/4ln(1+4x^2)`

For the derivative of `d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x)` , we apply the Product Rule: `d/(dx)(u*v) = u’*v =+u*v’` .

`d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x)] = d/(dx)(x) *arctan(2x)+ x * d/(dx)arctan(2x)` .

Let `u=x` then ` u' = 1`

   `v=arctan(2x)` then `dv= 2/(4x^2+1)`

Note: `d/(dx)arctan(u)= (du)/(u^2+1)`

Then,

`d/(dx)(x) *arctan(2x)+ x * d/(dx)arctan(2x)`

`= 1 * arctan(2x) +x * 2/(4x^2+1)`

`= arctan(2x) +(2x)/(4x^2+1)`

For the derivative of  `d/(dx) 1/4ln(1+4x^2)` , we apply the basic derivative property:

`d/(dx) c*f(x) = c d/(dx) f(x)` .

Then,

`d/(dx) 1/4ln(1+4x^2)= 1/4 d/(dx) ln(1+4x^2)`

Apply the basic derivative formula for natural logarithm function: `d/(dx) ln(u)= (du)/u` .

 Let `u =1+4x^2` then `du = 8x`

`1/4d/(dx) ln(1+4x^2) = 1/4 *8x/(1+4x^2)`

                             ` =(2x)/(1+4x^2)`

Combining the results, we get:

`y' = d/(dx)[ xarctan(2x)] -d/(dx)[ 1/4ln(1+4x^2)]`

`y ' = [arctan(2x) +(2x)/(4x^2+1)] - (2x)/(1+4x^2)`

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

`y ' = arctan(2x) +0`

`y'=arctan(2x)`

Who is Ta-Nehisi Coates in Between the World and Me?

is the author of the memoir Between the World and Me. An acclaimed writer and correspondent for The Atlantic, he wrote Between the World and Meas a letter to his then-fifteen-year-old son, Samori, whom Coates and his wife had when they were both twenty-four. In the book, Coates recounts growing up learning the “language of the streets” in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1980s, and then attending Howard, a historically black...

is the author of the memoir Between the World and Me. An acclaimed writer and correspondent for The Atlantic, he wrote Between the World and Me as a letter to his then-fifteen-year-old son, Samori, whom Coates and his wife had when they were both twenty-four. In the book, Coates recounts growing up learning the “language of the streets” in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1980s, and then attending Howard, a historically black university in Washington, D.C. Coates refers to Howard as “the Mecca” because it draws such a diversity of black students, teachers, scholars, and artists. While a student, he spent a great deal of time reading in the Howard library and, later, learning from older poets and writing for a local alternative newspaper. He also met his wife, Kenyatta Matthews, at Howard. Coates eventually dropped out to pursue writing and to help raise their new son. The family moved to PG County, Maryland, where Coates learned that a PG County police officer had killed his Howard classmate Prince Jones, leading Coates to become increasingly outraged at the area’s history of police brutality and at the broader systemic racism of which it is a part. Coates, Kenyatta, and Samori later moved to New York City, where Coates began to establish himself as a writer. He continued to be deeply concerned with racial injustice and police brutality, with the basis of the “Dream” of American prosperity and innocence in oppression, and with his responsibility as the father of a black son. Only while abroad in France did Coates find a sense of relief from the burden of the United States’ history of racism. An atheist and feminist who believes that the concept of race derives from racism, rather than the other way around—and that the “Dreamers” who blind themselves to the realities of racism must wake up on their own—Coates wrote his book as a way of imparting what he has learned about being a black man in the United States to his son.

What are some examples of foreshadowing in the story?

Foreshadowing is a literary technique whereby the author drops subtle hints of what is going to happen later in the story. There are many examples of this in The Great Gatsby, but here are just a few of them:

[Gatsby] stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way... I glanced seaward and distinguished nothing except a green light... that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness.

Nick is the narrator of these events, of course. The green light can be said to symbolize Daisy, and Gatsby stretches out his arms towards the light in the hope of being with her. Yet when the green light disappears, so does Gatsby. This indicates that they will never be reconciled, an impression confirmed by another piece of foreshadowing later on:

 The day agreed upon was pouring rain.

Gatsby and Daisy agree to meet up; but on the day of their meeting it is raining. It seems that the weather reflects something about their relationship. It is not surprising that it wouldn't work out between them, especially when Daisy's feelings for Gatsby are so superficial:

"They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed. "It makes me sad because I've never seen such—such beautiful shirts before."

Isn't Daisy so incredibly shallow? Yet this is the fullest extent of her feelings towards Gatsby. If two people in a relationship have such a different understanding of love, then there is no future between them.

Gatsby's death is foreshadowed in a number of places too:

I couldn't sleep all night; a fog-horn was groaning incessantly on the Sound, and I tossed half sick between reality and savage frightening dreams. Toward dawn I heard a taxi go up Gatsby's drive and I immediately jumped out of bed and began to dress—I felt that I had something to tell him, something to warn him about and morning would be too late.

Nick has had a terrible nightmare. What could it have been about? We don't know, but it certainly points towards an unhappy ending for Jay.

[Life] starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.

These are the words of Jordan Baker. Gatsby decides to take his fateful last swim in the pool on the first day of fall, a time of death and rebirth. Gatsby will die, but all the shallow, superficial rich folk of the two Eggs will start over as if nothing has happened. The fact that so few of them have the decency to attend Jay's funeral confirms this.

What are the basic branches of Christianity and how do they differ from one another?

The three main branches of modern Christianity are Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox.The Catholic Church is the oldest; Catholicism dates its founding to the original church founded by Jesus, but reliable historical records only go back as far as the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Catholicism is at least as old as that, and probably older. Catholicism is the world's largest religious sect, and is particularly prevalent in Latin America. The Catholic Church...

The three main branches of modern Christianity are Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox.

The Catholic Church is the oldest; Catholicism dates its founding to the original church founded by Jesus, but reliable historical records only go back as far as the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Catholicism is at least as old as that, and probably older. Catholicism is the world's largest religious sect, and is particularly prevalent in Latin America. The Catholic Church is headed by a single Pope, who lives in the autonomous region of Vatican City, legally defined as its own country separate from Italy, which completely surrounds it.

The Eastern Orthodox Church emerged in the 4th century and is centered in Eastern Europe, especially Greece and Russia. The Orthodox Church does not have one single leader, but it does have a number of high-level authorities known as Holy Synods. Theologically there are not many differences between the Catholic and Orthodox Church; it's more of a difference in their traditions and rituals.

The Protestant branch is by far the most varied. The first Protestant sect was founded by Martin Luther in 1521 and is still today called Lutheranism. Part of its emergence was due to the rise of the printing press and increased literacy; people could now read the Bible directly and did not have to rely on what priests handed down. Other sects soon emerged in a period known as the Protestant Reformation. Since then, many other Protestant sects have been founded. The Anglican Church is an interesting exception; it was founded before the Reformation, but today is generally considered a Protestant sect all the same. Protestants vary tremendously in their beliefs and practices; their defining attribute is that they assign ultimate authority to no individual person, but rather to the Bible itself.

What evidence in the story suggests that Brown's journey into the forest represents a journey into his own heart? In the context, consider the...

Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "Young Goodman Brown" has several overtly supernatural elements. Its dreamlike and supernatural elements are the first clues that we should interpret the story allegorically. Our next general hint is the names of the characters. A protagonist named "Goodman" married to a wife named "Faith" suggests that the story is situated in the tradition of morality plays or allegories such as The Pilgrim's Progress, a classic work in the Puritan religious tradition which serves as the background to Hawthorne's story.

The next evidence we encounter is the prominent use of the word “heart” in the opening of the story. Faith, in the second paragraph, addresses her husband as “Dearest heart,” suggesting that her husband represents the body, mind, and heart to her, just as she represents Faith and the soul to him. Together, they constitute a complete human living in grace, but when Goodman abandons Faith, even temporarily, his heart and mind are led astray. Next, at a key transition point in the journey, when Goodman Brown overhears the Deacon and the minister, he experiences a “heavy sickness of his heart.” It is shortly after this that he appears to undergo a dramatic transformation; when he realizes that Faith appears to be part of the ungodly throng and is escaping him just as he left her, he chases after her in anguish and frenzy. In the forest, there was "nothing more frightful than the figure of Goodman Brown." This suggests that Goodman Brown, like the human heart, becomes monstrous without faith. For Hawthorne and his readers, human imperfection is grounded in original sin, handed down across generations from Adam and Eve. Thus, the fact that the “traveler,” who is likened to the Devil, takes on the appearance of Goodman’s ancestors is highly significant.

In his use of the sins of others to corrupt Goodman Brown, the Devil also suggests that the heart can lead us to damnation. Just as love for Faith can be a potential path to salvation, love or admiration for others can serve to lead us astray. If we think that those we care for are engaged in morally questionable acts, that can make us abandon hope for ourselves.

What is the theme of Chile Harold's Pilgrimage?

In general, the most prevalent theme in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage is the cognitive transition from adolescence to adulthood. The protagonist of the narrative poem finds himself jaded, disillusioned with life and somewhat blindly seeking stimulation and meaning in far-flung places. The protagonist of this tale experiences a number of transitions toward this end.

For instance, in Canto I, Harold sings a long song about leaving his home while aboard a ship.

'Adieu, adieu! my native...

In general, the most prevalent theme in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage is the cognitive transition from adolescence to adulthood. The protagonist of the narrative poem finds himself jaded, disillusioned with life and somewhat blindly seeking stimulation and meaning in far-flung places. The protagonist of this tale experiences a number of transitions toward this end.

For instance, in Canto I, Harold sings a long song about leaving his home while aboard a ship.

'Adieu, adieu! my native shore
Fades o'ver the waters blue;
The Night-winds sigh, the breakers roar,
And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Yon Sun that sets upon the sea
We follow in his flight;
Farewell awhile to him and thee
My native Land—Good Night!

Harold embraces the tumult of the sea and the unknown and does not have sorrow in his heart when he parts with his "native shore," a childhood home he feels he has outgrown. 

Throughout the following cantos, Harold continues to strive for independence and singularity in thought; he wishes to candidly observe life's bittersweet quality. In canto III, he states:

My springs of life were poison'd. 'Tis too late!
Yet am I changed; though still enough the same
In strength to bear what time can not abate,
And feed on bitter fruits without accusing Fate.

Harold continues to seek novel experiences and ideas, but he also confronts painful revelations about the state of human existence: our violence, our futility, and our "bitter fruits." This is a common enough conflict. Harold both appreciates the beauty and variety in life and resents its constant strife and destruction. It is a painful transition which often plagues young adults to reconcile these two qualities of being, after the simple complacency of adolescence.

In fact, "Childe" is very much a term which expresses transition or of shifting from one state to another. "Childe" is essentially a ranking assigned to sons born of English noblemen, who may qualify to become a knight or squire. Both Childe Harold's station in life and state of mind are somewhat liminal, in between two mutually exclusive places. 

Where do you believe this lottery is taking place? Based on the outcome of the story, what do you think the author is saying about the people?

I believe the lottery in this story is taking place in a small town in the northeast United States.

Some of this is based on explicit statements, like the way Jackson calls the place a "village." This refers to small settlements. Some of this is based on the names of the characters in the story. The names are either English (Summers, Graves) or French (Delacroix) in origin. This fits the New England area. Some, like...

I believe the lottery in this story is taking place in a small town in the northeast United States.

Some of this is based on explicit statements, like the way Jackson calls the place a "village." This refers to small settlements. Some of this is based on the names of the characters in the story. The names are either English (Summers, Graves) or French (Delacroix) in origin. This fits the New England area. Some, like Hutchinson, were actual names from Puritan history. New England is one of the few places in the United States where historical traditions are well enough established to support a ritual like the lottery, which is old enough to have sayings and superstitions about it.

Based on the outcome of this story, I believe Jackson is saying people can follow social pressure and established traditions too far--that they are willing to kill or die to follow them.

How did the railroad contribute to a sense of labor unrest, populism, and Gilded Age business changes?

The railroad companies often employed unskilled labor to build their tracks. This could be dangerous, underpaid work. When railroad workers went on strike, railroads called up investigators such as the Pinkerton Agency to arrest the organizers, and the strikers were replaced with scab labor.  This led to violence and was the root of the Railroad Strike of 1877 that paralyzed shipping in the eastern United States. The public was on the side of the workers...

The railroad companies often employed unskilled labor to build their tracks. This could be dangerous, underpaid work. When railroad workers went on strike, railroads called up investigators such as the Pinkerton Agency to arrest the organizers, and the strikers were replaced with scab labor.  This led to violence and was the root of the Railroad Strike of 1877 that paralyzed shipping in the eastern United States. The public was on the side of the workers until they started to destroy track and hinder mail service. After this, the public sided with management and the strike was quickly put down.

In the West, railroads charged high prices for farmers to move their crops to the markets in the East. They also controlled the markets as often only one railroad served a large area. This led to Congress intervening, citing their ability to regulate interstate commerce. Congress prohibited railroad price gouging. Farmers also organized in Grange organizations to ensure that they received fair prices for their crops as well as good rates to move the crops.  

Please discuss the acquisition by Google of Admob, and the criticism of the FTC’s approval of the acquisition by those who believe it is in...

AdMob was and still is a mobile advertising company that operated for three years before it was acquired by Google for $750 million. The company is now a subsidiary of the larger Google family of companies.

Google’s acquisition of AdMob was approved by the Federal Trade Commission against criticisms by those viewing Google’s move to be against antitrust laws. The critics argued that Google’s agenda was in bad faith because they have been systematically eliminating...

AdMob was and still is a mobile advertising company that operated for three years before it was acquired by Google for $750 million. The company is now a subsidiary of the larger Google family of companies.

Google’s acquisition of AdMob was approved by the Federal Trade Commission against criticisms by those viewing Google’s move to be against antitrust laws. The critics argued that Google’s agenda was in bad faith because they have been systematically eliminating any form of emerging competition. They further suggested that the company is positioning itself as a monopoly in the internet sphere, posing a risk to the free and open online marketplace.

According to the article published in the NYTimes, Google seems to favor itself to the detriment of other online businesses. The company’s search engine runs on a tightly guarded algorithm that can be tweaked by administrators with damaging impacts on other businesses. The company’s power and their continued acquisition of companies like AdMob are generating major criticism, which flies against their creed “Don’t be evil”. The situation suggests that their continued growth and recent moves are threatening free competition in the online sphere. 

When will the polar ice caps melt and what will happen when they do?

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that the Antarctic ice caps aren't going to melt away completely any time soon. They're simply far too thick; they go down for kilometers.

The bad news is that the Arctic ice cap is going to melt away quite soon---at current rates of global warming, most scientists believe it will be effectively gone in about 30 years. The other bad news is that the Antarctic ice caps are in fact melting, and they will soon start contributing huge amounts of water to the oceans.

As the ice caps melt, the sea level will rise. If all the ice in Antarctica melted (which, let me repeat, will take a very long time), global sea levels would rise some 70 meters---that's almost as tall as the Capitol Building. This wouldn't completely flood the world---most of the land will still be here---but it would flood almost every coastal city in the world, which turns out to be an awful lot of cities. New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Amsterdam... they'll all be underwater unless global warming is stopped or huge dikes are built around them (actually Amsterdam already has dikes---but they'll need much bigger ones). Fortunately we have a fair amount of time to adapt; sea levels currently only rise about 3 millimeters per year, so it'll take about a century for them to rise one foot.

Be prepared to answer EVERY PART of the question using VERY SPECIFIC references to historical events and circumstances. 3. Discuss what factors...

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and in so doing he created a new nation and took humanity one step closer to recognizing the rights of all to participate in government. But, convincing a nation of colonists to revolt was not an easy step. A variety of philosophical, political, and social events played a part:

-In 1754, Jean-Jacques Rousseau published his "Discourse on Inequality" in Paris. Building upon Thomas Hobbes's concept of...

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and in so doing he created a new nation and took humanity one step closer to recognizing the rights of all to participate in government. But, convincing a nation of colonists to revolt was not an easy step. A variety of philosophical, political, and social events played a part:

-In 1754, Jean-Jacques Rousseau published his "Discourse on Inequality" in Paris. Building upon Thomas Hobbes's concept of the state of nature, Rousseau defined what he saw as the natural state of man: a man who has the freedom to live, own property, and be happy. These philosophical ideals shifted contemporary thinking away from the dominant notion at the time, that political power was naturally endowed by God upon King George. If all men were naturally equal, then all men were naturally equal to govern.

-In 1765, King George and the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act taxed the colonists' use of stamps and other paper goods. This angered the colonists, because they did not have representation in British government. It also underscored the fact that, unlike other British citizens, the colonists didn't have a voice in their government. In other words, the British government was not respecting their right to have a say in government.

-In 1776, Thomas Paine published his widely-read pamphlet Common Sense. In it, he translated Rousseau's philosophical ideals into language for the common citizen and applied them to the actions of the British government. After its publication, popular opinion swayed toward revolution.

Use the given differential equation for electrical circuits given by `L dI/dt + RI = E ` In this equation, I is the current, R is the resistance, L...

Given ,

`L (dI)/(dt) + RI = E `

=> `L I' + RI = E `

now dividing with L on both sides we get

=> `(LI')/L +(R/L)I=(E/L)`

=>`I' +(R/L)I=(E/L)-----(1)`

which is a linear differential equation of first order

Solve the differential equation for the current given a constant voltage `E_0,`

so `E = E_0.`

So , Re-writing the equation (1) as,

(1) => `I' +(R/L)I=(E_0/L)` -----(2)

On comparing the above equation with the...

Given ,

`L (dI)/(dt) + RI = E `

=> `L I' + RI = E `

now dividing with L on both sides we get

=> `(LI')/L +(R/L)I=(E/L)`

=>`I' +(R/L)I=(E/L)-----(1)`

which is a linear differential equation of first order

Solve the differential equation for the current given a constant voltage `E_0,`

so `E = E_0.`

So , Re-writing the equation (1) as,

(1) => `I' +(R/L)I=(E_0/L)` -----(2)

On comparing the above equation with the general linear differential equation we get as follows

`y' +py=q ` ---- (3)       -is the general linear differential equation form.

so on comparing the equations (2) and (3)

we get,

`p= (R/L)` and `q= (E_0/L)`

so , now

let us find the integrating factor `(I.F)= e^(int p dt)`

so now ,`I.F = e^(int (R/L) dt)`

= `e^((R/L)int (1) dt)`

=` e^((R/L)(t)) =e^(((Rt)/L))`

So , now the general solution for linear differential equation is

`I * (I.F) = int (I.F) q dt +c`

=>`I*(e^(((Rt)/L))) = int (e^(((Rt)/L))) (E_0/L) dt +c`

=>`Ie^((Rt)/L) = E_0/L int e^((Rt)/L) dt +c` -----(4)

 Now let us evaluate the part

`int e^((Rt)/L) dt`

this is of the form

`int e^(at) dt` and so we know it is equal to

= `(e^(at))/a`

so , now ,

`int e^((Rt)/L) dt`

where `a= R/L`

so ,

`int e^((Rt)/L) dt = e^((Rt)/L)/(R/L)`

now substituting  in the   equation (4) we get ,

`I*(e^(((Rt)/L))) = (E_0/L)(e^(((Rt)/L)))/(R/L) +c`

`I = ((E_0/L)(e^(((Rt)/L)))/(R/L)+c) /((e^(((Rt)/L)))) `

`I = ((E_0/L)(e^(((Rt)/L)))/(R/L)) /((e^(((Rt)/L))))+c((e^(((-Rt)/L)))) `

upon cancelling `L ` and   `e^((Rt)/L)` , we get

`= E_0/R +c((e^(((-Rt)/L))))`

so ,

`I = E_0/R +ce^((-Rt)/L)`   is the solution

What works of literature does Paul Kalanithi reference in When Breath Becomes Air?

Paul Kalanithi’s moving memoir , which Kalanithi wrote while dying of cancer in his thirties, is peppered with references to and quotes from other works of literature. Kalanithi, who was trained as a neurosurgeon, earned degrees in literature and philosophy at Stanford and Cambridge before enrolling in medical school at Yale. His lifelong love of reading was encouraged from an early age by his mother, who gave him books recommended for...

Paul Kalanithi’s moving memoir , which Kalanithi wrote while dying of cancer in his thirties, is peppered with references to and quotes from other works of literature. Kalanithi, who was trained as a neurosurgeon, earned degrees in literature and philosophy at Stanford and Cambridge before enrolling in medical school at Yale. His lifelong love of reading was encouraged from an early age by his mother, who gave him books recommended for students planning to take the SATs. Although Kalanithi eventually decided to seek answers to his questions about the meaning of life and death in science and medicine, his memoir shows that his earlier passions remained important touchstones for him. The title itself is a reference to “Caelica 83,” a poem by Elizabethan poet Baron Brooke Fulke Greville. Kalanithi also begins each section of the book with an epigraph, quoting from T. S. Eliot’s poem “Whispers of Immortality,” the King James Bible, and Montaigne’s essay “That to Study Philosophy Is to Learn to Die.” Kalanithi’s favorite book was Sir Thomas Browne’s 1643 spiritual memoir Religio Medici (The Religion of a Doctor), which he describes his teacher Shep Nuland as having quoted on his deathbed. Other classic works Kalanithi references include (but are not limited to) Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, Machiavelli’s The Prince, Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, Cervantes’s Don Quixote, and T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land.

What is a good topic in the Odyssey to write an eight-page research paper on?

For a research paper, you can try discussing certain themes from The Odyssey. I will discuss two below.

1) Hospitality

This is one of the major themes of the story. Some questions to explore:

a) Should hospitality be regarded as a reciprocal arrangement?

b) If guests abuse their privilege, what recourse does the host have?

c) If the host in question is powerless to prevent her quests from taking further unwanted liberties with her person and property, should she resort to violence? If she cannot do so, should another party resort to violence on her behalf?

In the story, Odysseus' wife, Penelope, is powerless against the machinations of her suitors. They shamelessly consume food and drink at Odysseus and Penelope's expense, and they also appropriate every luxury in the couple's palace for their own. Here, you can refer to the text to help you provide examples for the suitors' despicable conduct.

With Odysseus missing and Telemachus weakened by his fear, Penelope is forced to repress her anger. Instead, she uses her wits to keep her suitors at bay. She resorts to trickery by telling them that she must finish Laertes' shroud before she can marry any of them. Each night, she unravels her work so that the shroud is never completed. For three years, she manages to trick her suitors with her story. Later, when she senses that Odysseus is nearby (in the guise of the beggar), Penelope becomes more confident. She proclaims that she will only marry the suitor who can wield Odysseus' bow successfully.

Of course, the beggar (being Odysseus) is the only one who can truly wield his bow. Upon being exposed as Odysseus himself, the long-suffering husband proceeds to slaughter all of Penelope's suitors. Now, the denouement raises interesting questions. The suitors' relatives demand restitution for the deaths. Are their claims valid? Is Halitherses' proclamation that the suitors received their just deserts a good argument? Essentially, we revisit the question of whether hospitality should be a reciprocal arrangement. Your answer to this can be used as a working thesis statement for your essay.

2) Loyalty/ Fidelity.

Loyalty is a main theme in The Odyssey, and in Penelope's case, loyalty is richly rewarded. In the story, servants who remain loyal are also presented in a positive light. Some questions to consider regarding this theme:

1) Does gender play a role in defining loyalty? How does Penelope's loyalty differ from her husband's conception of marital fidelity?

Compare and contrast Penelope's sexual fidelity and Odysseus' seemingly gratuitous sexual indulgence while he is away. At the same time, it can be said that Odysseus is loyal in his own way: he overcomes great odds to return home to his wife and son. Is it possible to reconcile the two differing standards of loyalty? 

2) How do loyal servants preserve familial integrity? In The Odyssey, Eurykleia is a minor character, but her influential position helps her convince Telemachus to stay with Penelope. When Odysseus returns, she is one of the original few who recognizes him through his disguise. For more information about this, please refer to Book 19.

Basically, you can discuss how Homer uses the differing types of loyalty to tell an engaging story and to provide a glimpse into ancient attitudes about love, family, and community.

Pearl says that parents die, husbands and children can leave, but sisters are for life. Does that end up being true for Pearl? If you have a...

Pearl and May, sisters who are the protagonists of Shanghai Girls, endure a great deal together, including fleeing from war-torn Shanghai as the Japanese are attacking the city, immigrating to California, and facing racism in the United States. While Pearl is certainly close to May and they share a family history, May is a problematic figure. She has a secret affair with Z.G. Li, who Pearl is in love with, and May winds up...

Pearl and May, sisters who are the protagonists of Shanghai Girls, endure a great deal together, including fleeing from war-torn Shanghai as the Japanese are attacking the city, immigrating to California, and facing racism in the United States. While Pearl is certainly close to May and they share a family history, May is a problematic figure. She has a secret affair with Z.G. Li, who Pearl is in love with, and May winds up pregnant with Li's daughter (Joy), who Pearl raises as her own. Pearl must deal with betrayal from her sister. Later, May turns in Sam, Pearl's husband, who is a "paper son" (someone who lied about his true father to be admitted into the United States). May betrays Pearl yet again, but it is true that while May knows how to hurt her sister more than anyone else can, the sisters are forever entwined. At the end of the book, Pearl goes off to China in search of Joy. Through Joy, the sisters are forever united, as Joy is May's biological child and Pearl's adopted child. In addition, while Pearl's parents have died, her husband has killed himself, and her child was stillborn (and her adopted daughter has gone to China), Pearl still has her sister, May.

While only you can speak to the relationship you have with your sister (if you have one) and whether it could withstand any type of hardship, it is almost universally true that being "like sisters" and being true sisters are two distinct relationships. Friends who are "like sisters" are usually close but rarely have the history that true sisters have. True sisters often share not only love and friendship but also jealousy and anger. However, true sisters are forever united by their shared past, and most do not separate, even if they experience tension and hardship in their relationships. Their shared history and familial bonds often prevent this type of irreparable breach. 

Which animal did not attend Major's meeting in the barn in Animal Farm?

In Chapter One, the only animal who did not attend old Major's meeting in the barn was Moses, the raven, who "slept on a perch behind the back door."

Accordingly, old Major had a dream that he wished to communicate to the other animals. So, as soon as Mr. Jones (the farmer) was out of the way, all the animals made their way into the barn. The first of the animals to show up were...

In Chapter One, the only animal who did not attend old Major's meeting in the barn was Moses, the raven, who "slept on a perch behind the back door."

Accordingly, old Major had a dream that he wished to communicate to the other animals. So, as soon as Mr. Jones (the farmer) was out of the way, all the animals made their way into the barn. The first of the animals to show up were the three dogs: Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher. Next came the pigs, who settled down in front of the platform, where old Major was already seated.

The pigeons flew up to the rafters and the hens settled on the window sills, while the sheep and cows lay down behind the pigs. Then, Boxer and Clover, the two cart-horses, came in together. Next came Muriel, the white goat, and Benjamin, the donkey (the oldest animal on the farm). The last animals to enter the barn were the ducklings, the pretty white mare (Mollie), and the cat. It was only then that old Major began his speech.

Old Major essentially exhorted the animals to rise up in rebellion against their oppressor, Man. He did not tell them the details of his dream, only that he dreamed of what earth would look like once there were no more men around. Before the meeting adjourned, all the animals sang their new revolutionary theme song, "Beasts of England."

How does Harper Lee explore the theme of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Throughout the novel, Harper Lee explores the theme of courage through Atticus's lessons and actions. In Chapter 11, Atticus makes Jem read to the racist Mrs. Dubose, who has a chronic illness, in order to help her conquer her morphine addiction. Following Mrs. Dubose's death, Atticus tells Jem that she was the bravest person he ever met. Atticus then explains her situation and shares his definition of "real courage." Atticus says,

"I wanted you to...

Throughout the novel, Harper Lee explores the theme of courage through Atticus's lessons and actions. In Chapter 11, Atticus makes Jem read to the racist Mrs. Dubose, who has a chronic illness, in order to help her conquer her morphine addiction. Following Mrs. Dubose's death, Atticus tells Jem that she was the bravest person he ever met. Atticus then explains her situation and shares his definition of "real courage." Atticus says,

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do" (Lee, 116).

Atticus proceeds to demonstrate "real courage" by defending Tom Robinson in front of an all white jury. Atticus realizes that he has no chance of winning the case but valiantly defends Tom because it is the right thing to do. Atticus not only risks his reputation but also his well-being by defending a black man in a prejudiced town. Scout and Jem learn from their father that courage is how a person behaves in the face of adversity.

What are some examples of paradox in Saki's short story "The Open Window?"

A paradox is defined as anyone or anything that is self-contradictory. A paradox can also be something that seems absurd but might express a possible element of truth. Saki's short story "The Open Window" has a few examples of paradox when a nervous man named Mr. Nuttel meets a clever young trickster named Vera. One example of a paradox can be seen when Vera first mentions her aunt's "tragedy" to Mr. Nuttel, and he thinks...

A paradox is defined as anyone or anything that is self-contradictory. A paradox can also be something that seems absurd but might express a possible element of truth. Saki's short story "The Open Window" has a few examples of paradox when a nervous man named Mr. Nuttel meets a clever young trickster named Vera. One example of a paradox can be seen when Vera first mentions her aunt's "tragedy" to Mr. Nuttel, and he thinks to himself, ". . . somehow, in this restful country spot, tragedies seemed out of place." Mr. Nuttel feels as though a tragedy taking place in a peaceful spot is contradictory to its nature and purpose

Finally, Vera is a paradox because she exhibits a contradictory nature. For example, she seems like a sweet, innocent girl who is concerned about her aunt's welfare. She also seems to be interested in telling Mr. Nuttel about the "tragedy" so he will be sensitive to her aunt's state of mind when he meets her. On the contrary, Vera's true intentions are to deceive her guest and make a fool out of him. As a result, she reveals the truth about herself, which is the fact that she is more of a trickster than just a young, sweet, innocent girl.

List the key tenets of Judaism. Categorize aspects of the faith into "beliefs" and "practices."

Judaism is included with Christianity and Islam as an Abrahamic faith, a belief system to aid in spiritual development derived from the Jewish patriarch Abraham. Jews learn and practice the tenets of their faith via the divinely-inspired sacred texts found in the Torah, which comprises the first part of the Hebrew Bible. Those of the Jewish faith believe in monotheism or one God. They also believe God is non-physical, omnipotent (having the ability to do...

Judaism is included with Christianity and Islam as an Abrahamic faith, a belief system to aid in spiritual development derived from the Jewish patriarch Abraham. Jews learn and practice the tenets of their faith via the divinely-inspired sacred texts found in the Torah, which comprises the first part of the Hebrew Bible. Those of the Jewish faith believe in monotheism or one God. They also believe God is non-physical, omnipotent (having the ability to do anything), transcendent (above and beyond all human capacity, ability or standard of measurement), eternal (always existing) and always accessible. Jews also believe in prophecy, such as that of Moses one day leading the Jews out of bondage in Egypt, and in the coming of a Messiah who will resurrect the dead and save the souls of God’s Chosen people.

Jews practice their faith by following the 613 mitvot (plural for mitvah) or commandments as well as a body of rabbinical rules and laws, all found in the Torah. One such practice is observing the Sabbath on Saturdays when Jews worship and pray at a synagogue. Another practice involves eating only Kosher foods that meet Jewish dietary laws. Yet another practice is the celebration of a person’s milestones, such as a Bar Mitzvah (for boys) or a Bat Mitzvah (for girls), when a young person at the age of 13 participates in a religious ceremony where they profess their faith to their religious community.

Q1 Give the geometric representation of R x {2}.

Hello!

Your question is very short and I might misunderstand it. I think you mean a Cartesian product of the set of all real numbers `RR` and the set consisting of one element, the number 2.

It is, by the definition of a Cartesian product, is the set of all pairs (x, 2) where x is any real number (`x in RR` ) and 2... is 2.

Such a set of pairs of numbers may...

Hello!

Your question is very short and I might misunderstand it. I think you mean a Cartesian product of the set of all real numbers `RR` and the set consisting of one element, the number 2.

It is, by the definition of a Cartesian product, is the set of all pairs (x, 2) where x is any real number (`x in RR` ) and 2... is 2.

Such a set of pairs of numbers may be represented geometrically on a plane (coordinate plane). It is the set of all pairs (x, y) where y=2 and x is arbitrary.

Because there are no restrictions on x, the only restriction is y=2. This is the equation of the straight line which is parallel to the x-axis and goes through the point (0, 2). This is the answer.

What was Martin Luther's contribution to the Reformation?

Martin Luther is considered one of the fathers of the Reformation. Luther nailed 95 theses to the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517 as a way of stating what was wrong with the Catholic Church. He saw the Catholic Church as corrupt, letting money get in the way of promoting God's work. Luther put more emphasis on individual salvation and Bible study. He believed that one's relationship with God should be a personal experience. Luther taught...

Martin Luther is considered one of the fathers of the Reformation. Luther nailed 95 theses to the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517 as a way of stating what was wrong with the Catholic Church. He saw the Catholic Church as corrupt, letting money get in the way of promoting God's work. Luther put more emphasis on individual salvation and Bible study. He believed that one's relationship with God should be a personal experience. Luther taught that one could talk to God directly through prayer and did not have to get a priest or saints to intercede on one's behalf. The Church sought to stop this early Protestant movement, but Luther was fortunate enough to live in an area controlled by German princes who were already tired of paying money to the Vatican. Luther received protection and the Protestant movement was allowed to flourish in the German states.  

Why doesn't Peter like Sheila in Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing?

In Chapter 4 of Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Peter informs us that he can't stand Sheila, a girl in his class who lives in his building, because "she's a real know-it-all" (p. 20). Beyond that, she's annoying.One way in which she annoys Peteris by trying to touch him all the time and announcing that he "has the cooties," a game Peter informs the reader his classmates...

In Chapter 4 of Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Peter informs us that he can't stand Sheila, a girl in his class who lives in his building, because "she's a real know-it-all" (p. 20). Beyond that, she's annoying.

One way in which she annoys Peter is by trying to touch him all the time and announcing that he "has the cooties," a game Peter informs the reader his classmates stopped playing in the second grade. Another time she annoys him by invading his and Jimmy Fargo's "personal rock" at the park, where they play spy games (p. 20). On this same day, Mrs. Hatcher asks all three children--Peter, Jimmy, and Sheila--to keep an eye on Fudge while she runs back to the apartment to turn on the oven. The three get distracted chasing each other in a cootie fight while Fudge climbs the top of the jungle gym, pretending he's a bird. They make it to the base of the jungle gym too late: Fudge jumps and falls face flat on the ground, knocking out his two front teeth.

Another time, Peter is assigned to work on a group project with Jimmy and Sheila, and Peter complains about Sheila's attitude, saying that she "thinks she's smarter than me and Jimmy put together--just because she's a girl" (p. 44). The three kids get into an argument about what their report should be on since Peter wants to focus on suggesting New York City's public transportation system should be revamped into a monorail. Sheila wins the argument and doles out different group assignments.

How did the Bill of Rights go from being (almost) insignificant to being a powerful set of civil liberties protections?

The Bill of Rights, comprised of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, was proposed by states to impose limits on federal power and was ratified in 1791. The Bill of Rights became significant as the Supreme Court used these amendments and the protections they include to define the liberties that are enjoyed by Americans.

There are many landmark Supreme Court cases involving the Bill of Rights. For example, the Bill of Right's protections in...

The Bill of Rights, comprised of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, was proposed by states to impose limits on federal power and was ratified in 1791. The Bill of Rights became significant as the Supreme Court used these amendments and the protections they include to define the liberties that are enjoyed by Americans.

There are many landmark Supreme Court cases involving the Bill of Rights. For example, the Bill of Right's protections in criminal cases were involved in the Powell v. Alabama (1932) case in which the Supreme Court ruled that indigent clients in capital cases must be provided with counsel at the public's expense. In Mapp v. Ohio (1961), the court ruled that evidence gathered while violating the suspect's rights against unreasonable search and seizure could not be used in a trial (this is the basis of the "exclusionary rule"). In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the court ruled that people taken into legal custody must be informed of their rights, which are called "Miranda rights." In other words, many Supreme Court cases established civil liberties that the police must grant to suspects in criminal cases and that courts must follow when trying alleged criminals.

Other Supreme Court cases established precedents that protect the right to assembly, granted in the First Amendment. For example, in Dejonge v. Oregon (1937), the Supreme Court granted federal protection of the right of peaceful assembly to the states. In NAACP v. Alabama (1958), the Supreme Court struck down an Alabama law that required organizations to publicly reveal who their members were. Other Supreme Court cases relate to freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of petition, and personal liberties. It was the Supreme Court that over the centuries turned the Bill of Rights into a powerful protection of civil liberties. 

How is Gordimer’s inclusion of the description of the miners also an explanation of why people are afraid in South African society?

This story was published in 1989, in the waning years of the apartheid in South Africa. The apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa which lasted from 1948 to 1994. During this time, a white minority controlled and oppressed the country of a black majority. In these waning years, crime and protests were common. In this story, Gordimer (a white South African) reflects fears of crime and violence which many people had...

This story was published in 1989, in the waning years of the apartheid in South Africa. The apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa which lasted from 1948 to 1994. During this time, a white minority controlled and oppressed the country of a black majority. In these waning years, crime and protests were common. In this story, Gordimer (a white South African) reflects fears of crime and violence which many people had under this system and as it headed towards transition.

She awakens to a mysterious sound and fears an intruder is in her house or trying to get in. This fear she illustrates alludes to the uncertain future which South Africa would have after the apartheid would be abolished. However, she comes to her senses and realizes that the noise is simply a creaky house which had been built upon an underground mine. So, the inclusion of the miners actually suggests a moment of logic, reason, and maybe even hope. Realizing her fear was misplaced, Gordimer indirectly suggests that any racial fear of "the other" is likewise misplaced. This is only one interpretation. But, in any case, her realization about the mine under her house dispels her fear of an intruder. 

Is George a reasonable person? Why or why not?

George is a reasonable man.  There are a number of examples that show this. 

First, George  knows that Lennie is challenged socially.  So, he tells Lennie several times to say little or nothing.  He anticipates what others might think, and he plans for it.  So, when they go to see the boss, his advice to Lennie is: "Be silent."  This shows that George is aware of Lennie's deficiencies. 

Second, George also knows that something bad...

George is a reasonable man.  There are a number of examples that show this. 

First, George  knows that Lennie is challenged socially.  So, he tells Lennie several times to say little or nothing.  He anticipates what others might think, and he plans for it.  So, when they go to see the boss, his advice to Lennie is: "Be silent."  This shows that George is aware of Lennie's deficiencies. 

Second, George also knows that something bad might happen.  So, he gives Lennie a plan to meet in a certain location if things do not work out.  Again this contingency plan shows that George is reasonable. 

Third, even when George has a dream of owning land, he has a plan.  He picked out land and started to save.  More importantly, he allows Candy to join them.  He knows that he needs his money to make this dream come true. 

Finally, when George shoots Lennie at the end of the story, this, too, shows that George is reasonable.  He knows that something worse will happen to Lennie, if he men find him first. So, his act was calculated, reasonable, and even filled with compassion. 

Why does Jessica ask Tom to touch her face?

At that point in the story, Jessica has come to develop a deep bond of trust with Tom. They are both outsiders, both at school and in society as a whole. Somehow they just don't seem to belong anywhere. Tom is quiet, a little overweight, and painfully shy; Jessica has been badly disfigured by fire and is shunned by just about everyone but Tom. So it seems perfectly natural that they should eventually become close.

...

At that point in the story, Jessica has come to develop a deep bond of trust with Tom. They are both outsiders, both at school and in society as a whole. Somehow they just don't seem to belong anywhere. Tom is quiet, a little overweight, and painfully shy; Jessica has been badly disfigured by fire and is shunned by just about everyone but Tom. So it seems perfectly natural that they should eventually become close.

Even so, it still comes as something of a surprise when Jessica asks Tom if he'd like to touch her damaged face. She really must trust him a lot to do so. In a way, it's almost like she wants to reveal her soul to Tom. For good or bad, Jessica's facial disfigurement is now a part of who she is. And although Tom doesn't take Jessica up on her offer, there is no doubt that their previously awkward relationship has blossomed into friendship.

In Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, what are a few examples of person vs. nature?

This is an interesting question because the majority of the conflicts are person vs. person or person vs. technology. One way to think about this is to consider Montag's human nature. He has been taught to suppress any "natural" curiosity about literature or critical thinking. Indeed, he is born with the ability to be curious and with the ability to read and think critically. But Beatty and other people in power have brainwashed him to suppress these abilities. So, in a sense, Montag is fighting against his own nature. Upon talking to Clarisse and Faber, he fights through this brainwashing and eventually gives in to his natural curiosity about literature and human thinking. In this case, thankfully, nature wins.

For a more traditional notion of person vs. nature, consider Montag's race to freedom at the end of the book. He runs through people's yards in order to get to the river. He has to risk swimming through the river in order to escape the Mechanical Hound. He does float peacefully down the river, happy to be away from his old life. But when he reaches land, he is overwhelmed with what he has been through and with the journey that awaits him:

He wanted to plunge in the river again and let it idle him safely on down somewhere. This dark land rising was like that day in his childhood, swimming, when from nowhere the largest wave in the history of remembering slammed him down in salt mud and green darkness, water burning mouth and nose, retching his stomach, screaming! Too much water! Too much land!

After all the running and rushing and sweating it out and half-drowning, to come this far, work this hard, and think yourself safe and sigh with relief and come out on the land at last only to find . . . The Hound!

It turns out to be a deer. But these passages shows how Montag does have to struggle against nature during his mad dash to freedom.

How does the theme of "Damon and Pythias" help to develop a specific idea about the overall story?

Events and Theme

At its core, "Damon and Pythius" is a tale about the power of friendship. Damon and Pythias are such close friends that it was said that one would never betray the other. Even if such a betrayal had occurred, the friends shared such an intimate bond that neither of them would have believed or accepted the truth. It is this very bond that is tested when the cruel tyrant Dionysius falsely accuses Pythius of treason. After sentencing Pythius to execution, the man begs for a few days to settle his affairs and ensure that his family will be taken care of. Dionysius agrees only under the condition that Pythius will send a hostage to be executed in his place if he flees.

Without hesitation, Damon arrives to serve in his friend's place as Dionysius' prisoner. Dionysius at first believes that Damon is a fool who is being taken advantage of, but the other man insists that his friend would never betray him. As the days pass, the hour to the execution grows nearer, but Damon's confidence in his friend never waivers. Dionysius is moved by Damon's devotion but still believes him to be a fool. At the last moment before the execution, Damon arrives after having gone through multiple trials in order to save his friend. Dionysius is so moved by this mutual display of devotion that his heart softens and he spares the lives of both men under the condition that they become his friend as well.

The Author's Message

Through this compelling narrative, the author is trying to get across the message that friendship and devotion can conquer even the hardest heart. Dionysius is known for his cruelty and capriciousness, but the author also shows that the root of his behavior is loneliness. The tyrant has become cynical and paranoid due to his isolation and power, but the realization that true friendship exists inspires him to become something more.

Loyalty is another major message presented throughout this short story. The loyalty between Damon and Pythius is unparalleled. Not only is Damon willing to take his friend's place under the penalty of execution, but his faith in Pythius' loyalty is such that he never doubts that he will return. For his part, Damon overcomes great obstacles to return in time to honor his promise to his friend. Even though Damon would die in Pythias' place without hesitation, Pythius would never allow him to sacrifice his life. Loyalty is a major theme throughout Greek literature and mythology, and the author uses a friendship tested by the threat of death to showcase it.

A more subtle theme that runs throughout this narrative is the idea that people always have the capacity to change. Even though Dionysius was cruel enough to have someone executed simply because he dreamt that he had been betrayed, he still had the capacity to change in the end. This follows the Greek ideal that human compassion and virtue at its finest can triumph over human weakness and cruelty at its most extreme. The tale of Damon and Pythias has been echoed in many subsequent works and translations with variations on the main theme. In one story, called Der Seele Trost, the tyrant simply pardons the offender without requesting to join their friendship.

What are the day six stories all about in The Decameron? What message is Giovanni Boccaccio sending?

The Florentine chosen to set the topic of stories on day six is Elissa, who determines that they will tell tales of characters who use clever rhetoric to avoid sticky situations or to succeed. As with the other ten days, there are ten stories told on day six, too many to address in detail here.  But a look at one of the most famous, “Friar Onion,” might demonstrate quite well the message Giovanni Boccaccio is...

The Florentine chosen to set the topic of stories on day six is Elissa, who determines that they will tell tales of characters who use clever rhetoric to avoid sticky situations or to succeed. As with the other ten days, there are ten stories told on day six, too many to address in detail here.  But a look at one of the most famous, “Friar Onion,” might demonstrate quite well the message Giovanni Boccaccio is suggesting to readers.  Although it is definitely a tale of satire on the church, like several other stories of The Decameron, it also adheres to the day six theme of characters using their intelligence and witty rhetoric to escape embarrassing situations.   

Friar Onion, a traveling monk/preacher who has ingratiated himself amongst the naive parishioners of the little hamlet of Certaldo, has intrigued his audience with promises of a glimpse of a holy relic--a feather from the Angel Gabriel.  He intends to preach a story designed to trick the villagers into giving him (the church) more money than they can probably afford to give.  When he pulls out the relic, he realizes that several of his fellow monks have played a trick on him, replacing his parrot feather with a lump of coal. Hiding it quickly, he immediately launches into a colorful story designed to mislead the unsophisticated crowd.  He convinces them that in a miracle, the feather has been replaced with “the coals on which the blessed martyr Saint Lawrence was roasted.”  And it just so happens to be the feast of Saint Lawrence in two days.  In fact, for a little extra money, each parishioner can receive the mark of the cross with the coal as a protective blessing. In the end, Friar Onion’s quick wit and skill with language allow him to not only escape the embarrassing trick but to actually fill the coffers even more than he would have with his original sermon.

The satire on the church here is clear, but in keeping with the other “day six” tales, it also celebrates human intelligence.  Boccaccio suggests that those who apply their quick wit and skills with rhetoric (whether moral or not) simply gain more out of life, while those who fail to think for themselves, like the villagers in “Friar Onion,” often have no one to blame for their folly but themselves.

Why did the English Civil War have little long-term effect on English government? Why, in contrast, was the revolution of 1688 successful?

The English Civil War was a series of conflicts between the Royalists, who supported an absolute monarchy, and the Parliamentarians, who supported Parliament. The war, which lasted from 1642 to 1651, resulted in victory by the Parliamentarians and the execution of King Charles I. However, the Parliamentarian victory had little long-term impact on England because the resulting governmental structures were temporary. The Commonwealth, which ruled from the end of the war to 1660 and made...

The English Civil War was a series of conflicts between the Royalists, who supported an absolute monarchy, and the Parliamentarians, who supported Parliament. The war, which lasted from 1642 to 1651, resulted in victory by the Parliamentarians and the execution of King Charles I. However, the Parliamentarian victory had little long-term impact on England because the resulting governmental structures were temporary. The Commonwealth, which ruled from the end of the war to 1660 and made minor reforms, was forcibly dissolved by the institution of the Protectorate. The Protectorate, led by Oliver Cromwell, gave more power to a leader than the Commonwealth had, causing concern that England was moving back to a monarchist system. These concerns were amplified upon Cromwell's death, when his position was immediately assumed by his son, Richard Cromwell. The Commonwealth assumed power again for a year in 1959, but with the 1660 Restoration the British government was quickly restored to a monarchy. Because the monarchy returned within a decade of its dissolution, the impact of the English Civil War was short-term and limited.

The 1688 Revolution had a much greater impact on the structure of England's government. This revolution overthrew King James II and resulted in the creation of a Bill of Rights, which legally promised the end of absolute monarchy. The Bill of Rights allowed for the existence of the monarchy, but greatly curtailed the powers of the monarch relative to Parliament. The impact of this revolution was lasting, as it permanently curtailed the power of monarchs and gave legislative power to Parliament. It resolved centuries of conflict between the relative powers of the Parliament and the crown, where the English Civil War only caused the two to rapidly alternate leadership before ultimately returning to a monarchic system.

What are some key terms from 1984?

Let us take each question in turn:

1). Comrade Ogilvy is a character invented by Winston Smith as part of his job at the Ministry of Truth. He has been created to replace Comrade Withers, a real person who was once a comrade of Big Brother. He was declared an enemy of the Party and vaporized. Now he is an "unperson" and must be written out of history as if he never existed.

2). The Junior Anti-Sex League is a youth organization within the Party. Its members are extremely loyal, fanatical, and totally dedicated to the cause of IngSoc (English Socialism). As their name implies, they are also committed to the eventual eradication of all sexual relations by the regime. In the future, it is hoped that all procreation will take place entirely by means of artificial insemination.

Julia is a member of the League, which is one of the reasons that Winston is initially distrustful of her, believing her to be a Party zealot.

3). The Golden Country is a place that Winston visits in his dreams. It is a beautiful place, where everything is carefree and the sun is always shining. He often dreams of Julia being there. The Golden Country is important to Winston for two reasons. First, it provides him with a means of escape from the grim, sordid reality of life in Oceania; second, it holds out the hope of a better world, one from which the Party has been expunged. To some extent, it also represents an idealized past, civilization as it was before the Party took over.

4). Thoughtcrime. Oceania is such a repressive society that not just wrong actions but even wrong thoughts are considered treacherous. Thoughtcrime is monitored by the Thought Police, the secret police force used by the state to root out seditious thinking. Each individual is carefully monitored by way of telescreens, which minutely scrutinize body language to find anything vaguely suspicious.

5). The Four Ministries will be described as follows: the Ministry of Truth is where Winston works. This is the propaganda arm of the state which peddles the Party line; the Ministry of Love brutally seeks to promote and enforce the unconditional love of Big Brother through brainwashing and other nefarious means; the Ministry of Peace, which despite its title, is actually concerned with the conduct of perpetual war against either Eastasia or Eurasia; and finally, the Ministry of Plenty, which is concerned with the organization of Oceania's planned economy. Like all the other ministries' names, the Ministry of Plenty is a complete misnomer, as the country's economy suffers from acute shortages, leading to widespread hardship and grinding poverty.

6). Doublethink is an officially prescribed mode of thought whereby people are required to hold mutually contradictory opinions at the same time. Examples include "Peace is war," "freedom is slavery," and "ignorance is strength." The purpose of doublethink is to maintain the Party's control over public opinion. The Party is always right; thus, there can be no true contradictions in its ideology. It also needs to change its line at a moment's notice. Hence, believing two contradictory opinions at once is absolutely necessary.

7). A Memory Hole is a chute in the Ministry of Truth used to send old photos, texts, and newspaper clippings down into a large furnace. This is a simple method for rewriting history and keeping up with the perpetually changing Party propaganda line.

8). Facecrime. This is an example of Newspeak (see point 10) and is related to point 4. Using telescreens, the Thought Police can closely monitor facial expressions and other forms of body language to determine if someone is guilty of treacherous thoughts.

9). Parsons is a fanatically loyal Party member. As such, he is despised by Winston, despite his outward friendliness. He and his family are almost model citizens, so it comes as something of a shock when Parsons's daughter turns him in to the Thought Police. Apparently, he said "down with Big Brother!" in his sleep. Even Party zealots can unconsciously resist Big Brother, it would seem.

10). Newspeak is a kind of official jargon and is the only approved language in Oceania. The language perfectly reflects the official ideology, as it is often meaningless, contradictory and highly simplistic. Newspeak is particularly fond of syllabic abbreviations, such as "IngSoc" (English Socialism), and compound words such as "Doublethink," (see above)  and "Goodsex," which is the only prescribed form of sexual intercourse. "Goodsex" refers to sexual activity between a man and a woman for the purposes of procreation.

The whole purpose of Newspeak is to keep its level of expressiveness and meaning as restricted as possible in order to ensure that the Party may manipulate and control it more effectively for its own ends.

11). The Chestnut Tree Cafe is a place where people go after they have been tortured by the Ministry of Love for crimes against the Party. Despite having all the trappings of a normal cafe, it is a grim, depressing place, perfect for un-persons. It is like purgatory in that it is not the final resting place but the penultimate one. In this case, it is the penultimate place where each individual goes before being totally destroyed. Winston and Julia end up there after they have been tortured. However, there is no longer any love between them. In fact, there is nothing there at all.

12). O'Brien is a high-ranking government official, an elite member of the Inner Party. He poses as a member of The Brotherhood, an undergound resistance movement, in order to trap Winston and Julia. He later presides over Winston's brutal torture sessions.

13). Emmanuel Goldstein is the alleged head of The Brotherhood, a subversive, counterrevolutionary group dedicated to overthrowing the Party. We are never actually sure that he exists; it is entirely possible he is just an invention of the Party used to try and smoke out potential subversives. Winston is certainly convinced of his existence, and his conviction is strengthened when he and Julia go to visit O' Brien in his flat. O'Brien says he will give Winston some books written by Goldstein that set out in great detail how to overthrow the Party and what kind of system can be put in its place.

14). Syme, though a minor character, is very important due to the insight he provides into life in Oceania and how the system works. He is a colleague of Winston, someone who works in the Records Department. His role involves the compilation of the 11th edition of a Newspeak Dictionary. Although fiercely loyal to the regime, Syme is correctly predicted by Winston to be vaporized. He is simply way too intelligent and vocal to thrive under the existing regime.

15). Winston's Diary is incredibly important to him because it is the only place where he can truly be free. In a brutal, totalitarian society in which thoughts, deeds, and actions are constantly controlled and monitored, the diary provides Winston with a much-needed sanctuary where he can step back from the madness, lies, and sheer sense of hopelessness surrounding him and cling, however tenuously, to a sense of who he really is. The diary is the only thing that Winston possesses which can give him any sense of identity in a society in which the faintest trace of individuality is ruthlessly crushed.

When does Ponyboy realize Darry really does care for him?

When Ponyboy initially runs away from home, he believes that Darry doesn't care about him and only views Ponyboy as another mouth to feed. At the end of chapter 6, Pony is sitting in the hospital's waiting room and sees Darry leaning in the doorway with his hands in his pocket. Ponyboy then looks closely at his older brother and notices that Darry is crying. Suddenly, Ponyboy realizes that Darry really does care about him....

When Ponyboy initially runs away from home, he believes that Darry doesn't care about him and only views Ponyboy as another mouth to feed. At the end of chapter 6, Pony is sitting in the hospital's waiting room and sees Darry leaning in the doorway with his hands in his pocket. Ponyboy then looks closely at his older brother and notices that Darry is crying. Suddenly, Ponyboy realizes that Darry really does care about him. Ponyboy mentions that all those times Darry had yelled at him, he was actually trying to tell Pony that he was concerned about his well-being. As Ponyboy is passionately hugging Darry, he realizes for the first time that Darry had a silent fear of losing another person he loved. Essentially, Ponyboy misinterpreted his brother's affection and finally realizes that Darry loves him when they see each other for the first time after the abandoned church fire.

What are some quotations from A Separate Peace that show peace and conflict in the scene where Gene visits Finny in the infirmary?

In chapter 5, the closest quotes that show peace and conflict during Gene's visit to Finny are below:

"I don't know; I must have just lost my balance. It must have been that. I did have this idea, this feeling that when you were standing there beside me, y—I don't know. I had a kind of feeling. But you can't say anything for sure from just feelings. And this feeling doesn't make any sense. It was a crazy idea. I must have been delirious. So I just have to forget it. I just fell . . . that's all . . . I'm sorry about that feeling I had."

He was never going to accuse me. It was only a feeling he had, and at this moment, he must have been formulating a new commandment in his personal decalogue: never accuse a friend of a crime if you only have a feeling he did it. And I thought we were competitors. It was so ludicrous I wanted to cry.

In the first quote, Finny hints that he had suspicions about Gene's involvement in his accident. However, since he only has his feelings to go by, he refuses to make accusations. 

In the second quote, Gene comes to the grim realization that he's been mistaken about Finny, and he becomes ashamed of the way he's treated him.The conflict first originated in Gene's mind. However, the tension between the two is clear in the two quotes above.

Gene visits Finny again later in the book, and we find them reconciled in chapter 12. Here, your best bet for quotes about peace and conflict are:

. . . I've gotten awfully mad sometimes and almost forgotten what I was doing. I think I believe you . . . Something just seized you. It wasn't anything you really felt against me, it wasn't some kind of hate you've felt all along. It wasn't anything personal.

. . . Tell me how to show you. It was just some ignorance inside me,some crazy thing inside me, something blind, that's all it was.

. . . I believe you. It's okay because I understand and I believe you. You've already shown me and I believe you.

Is Leslie a brave character?

Yes, I believe that Leslie is a brave character.  

Leslie's family has recently moved to the area, which means that Leslie is the new girl in school.  That is a scary situation for most kids.  Leslie very easily could have shied away from the other kids and hoped that some of them approached her.  That's not Leslie though.  During the first week of school, she bravely walks up to the clearly defined running races...

Yes, I believe that Leslie is a brave character.  

Leslie's family has recently moved to the area, which means that Leslie is the new girl in school.  That is a scary situation for most kids.  Leslie very easily could have shied away from the other kids and hoped that some of them approached her.  That's not Leslie though.  During the first week of school, she bravely walks up to the clearly defined running races at recess.  Not only is Leslie brave enough to approach the group on her own, but she is also brave enough to approach a group that is completely male.  It has to be obvious to her that the activity is boy only.  Nevertheless, Leslie asks to participate.  Then she wins, and she wins over and over again.  

Another example of Leslie's bravery is when she goes into the bathroom to find out what is wrong with Janice Avery.  Avery is a complete bully, and she could physically or verbally harm Leslie in this situation.  Leslie takes the risk.  

Leslie also bravely crosses the bridge into Terabithia while the stream below is flowing dangerously.  Unfortunately that brave act winds up killing her, but the act was indeed brave.