How is the theme of discrimination prominent in the poem "The Ballad of the Landlord"?

In Langston Hughes's poem "The Ballad of the Landlord," an African-American tenant is complaining to the landlord about the repairs needed in his run-down apartment. The tenant has a leaky roof and broken steps, but the landlord does nothing to fix them. Instead, the landlord threatens the tenant with eviction, turning off the tenant's heat, and throwing him out on the street. These are all crimes on the landlord's part, but it is the tenant who is thrown in jail for threatening the landlord. The poem shows the effects of discrimination, as the African-American tenant is denied proper and well-kept housing but is jailed when he tries to complain. Society has deemed that the landlord, who is likely white, has the right to jail the tenant and does not have to provide sufficient housing to him.

How does Shakespeare use language for effect in Sonnet 18?

There are many ways in which Shakespeare manipulates language in Sonnet 18. The most obvious of these may be his extensive use of metaphor; that is, how youth and mortality are conveyed through natural motifs. Whereas "darling buds of May" (Line 3) and a lover who is "temperate" (Line 2) come to symbolize youth, "rough winds" (Line 3) and "shade" (Line 11) are associated with time, mortality, and death. Although the lover is like a spring day, s/he will eventually be "[shaken]" (Line 3) by the harsh reality of time. That is why the speaker decides to immortalize him or her in verse; in this way, the lover's "eternal summer shall not fade" (Line 9).

Another interesting use of language includes economic or financial metaphors. Indeed, the speaker notes that "summer's lease hath all too short a date" (Line 4), and that the lover will not lose all "possession" (Line 10) of his or her beauty. In this way, youth is compared to a commodity which is not infinite; ultimately, it will run out, and we will die. It is only through poetry that we have any chance of permanence in love. 

Thus, Shakespeare combines more esoteric metaphors (that is, from nature) with more practical or daily ones (that is, from finance). This clever intermingling of spheres adds to the uniqueness and power of the poem. Shakespeare reaches beyond the abstract, and brings his poetry into "real world" situations. 

We can also note that Sonnet 18, like all Shakespearean sonnets, is written in iambic pentameter, and consists of 14 lines. Its rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg) creates musicality. Also, we should note that Sonnet 18 makes use of a volta, or turn; in the final couplet, the speaker reinforces his belief that love and poetry can be eternal ("and this gives life to thee" [Line 14]). This is just one example of how Shakespeare's structural choices enhance his poetic language.

What kind of information could you include in a news article about the arrival of Mr. Bingley in town in Pride and Prejudice?

In general, let me suggest that you're not limited to writing about only the details included in the text of the novel. For instance, you might start by describing how the neighborhood families are excited to meet Mr. Bingley and form a friendship with him, and about how his attendance is expected at the upcoming ball. You might also describe how Mr. Bennet has already gone out to meet Mr. Bingley and form a friendship with him. But then, you can freely imagine more about what the characters are thinking.

You know how news articles often include statements from people involved in the story? Try including some of these: just think about how each character usually talks, and make up some statements for that character. You can also include details about who that person is, and how that person moves as he or she speaks. Here's an example: "Asked what she thought about Mr. Bingley's arrival in town, Mrs. Bennet, a frazzled mother of five daughters and the lucky neighbor of Mr. Bingley, reported that she was 'overwhelmed with excitement' regarding the new neighbor. 'Yes, yes, my girls will certainly be getting to know Mr. Bingley very well in the coming weeks, I expect!' she said, shaking out her shawl and inspecting it for imperfections. 'And my youngest daughter Lydia, being so tall, will certainly capture Bingley's eye at the ball! Yes, you can write that down! The other ladies of Hertfordshire don't stand a chance!'"

Aside from writing about Mr. Bingley's arrival and the other characters' reactions, you can also give background information about him. You know how news articles often start by telling the immediate story, and then they get more general, giving background information about what had happened before or what else is related to the issue? Do that, too! You can include some details about Netherfield, the estate where Mr. Bingley lives. Or, describe the details of the upcoming ball which Mr. Bingley is expected to attend. Who else is rumored to be in attendance? Where will it be held? etc.

For more ideas, refer to the first three chapters of the novel, where you'll find more information about Bingley and the neighborhood's anticipation of, and reaction to, his arrival.

How does the Chief Elder describe Jonas's assignment?

The Chief Elder describes Jonas's assignment as a selection, unique from all the other assignments given that day. He has been selected to be the next Receiver of Memory. This is a very rare selection since the current Receiver of Memory will only have one successor.

She notes that the rule states that Jonas's training cannot be overseen or changed during the process by her or her colleagues on the Committee. Jonas will be set apart from the community while the current Receiver trains him to be the next Receiver. While training and becoming the Receiver is extremely painful, Jonas will be the most honored person in the community if he succeeds.

The chief Elder ends by detailing the five essential qualities a Receiver must have: intelligence, integrity, courage, the ability to acquire wisdom, and the Capacity to See Beyond. The Chief Elder is unable to describe the Capacity to See Beyond because she does not understand it, but she says that the Receiver has identified Jonas as someone who has this capacity.

What does Ken ask the oracle?

When the Egypt gang gets the idea for the Oracle of Thoth, there's a bit of competition between April and Toby regarding how the process will work. Toby's plan is selected by the children as the best way to go about it. According to his plan, a question for the oracle will be hand-written and placed in the beak of Thoth (the stuffed owl) without anyone else seeing it. The children will leave without finding out what the question was; the next day, they will see if Thoth has delivered an answer. The lot falls to Ken to ask the first question, which is ironic, because he is the one who is the least interested in the game and the oracle. However, he comes up with a question and leaves it in the owl's beak overnight. When the children assemble the next day, April acts as high priestess. She reads Ken's question, "Will I be a big league star someday?" Surprisingly, when she turns the paper over, an answer has been scrawled on the back. The answer is, "Man is his own star, and that soul who can be honest, is the only perfect man." The children are astounded and mystified as to how the answer came to be there. Later, Toby reveals that he sneaked back to Egypt overnight and wrote the answer--which he had found in a book of familiar quotations.

How does Mrs. Joe's tragic end represent the Victorians' abuse of women?

In Victorian England, the role of women was a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, they were seen as “the angel in the house,” a phrase from a poem of the same name by Coventry Patmore published in 1854. In this poem, the woman is presented as the center of the home, around whom both husband and children rotate. The woman is placed on a pedestal and always protected from the unpleasantries of life.

In reality, the role of a woman was one in which she was in constant labor, unless she was very wealthy and had servants to do all the hard work. She was viewed as physically and mentally unable to do much thinking, and so was relegated to being a wife and mother. If she failed to marry, she was placed under the “protection” of her nearest male relative.

Women in Victorian England were at the mercy of men and had few rights. While Dickens presents women of varying personalities, they were still subject to abuse by husbands and others with little recourse. Mrs. Joe and Estella are both victims of physical abuse. Mrs. Joe was beaten savagely, eventually dying from the consequences of her injuries. Though Mrs. Joe was unpleasant, Dickens grants her some measure of redemption in the change in her personality as a result of her tragedy. Estella was beaten by her husband, Bentley Drummle, a nemesis of Pip’s. Though this "discipline" might have been more common and acceptable in Victorian England than it is now, it is obvious that Dickens presents all such instances as the work of villains. Like his depiction of children, Dickens reveals women to be victims of the injustice of their time. It was one of many aspects of society that Dickens wished to see reformed.

Who are the main characters in The Wednesday Wars?

The protagonist of the book is Holling Hoodhood, a seventh grader at Camillo Junior High in Long Island during the 1960s. He thinks his teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates him, and he has to spend Wednesday afternoons with her because he does not go to Hebrew school or Catechism like the other students. Mrs. Baker is a strict teacher whose husband is sent to fight in Vietnam, but she turns out to be a very caring person. The other main characters are Holling's sister, Heather, who is an idealistic hippie, and his tuned-out parents, Mr. Hoodhood (an architect) and Mrs. Hoodhood. Holling's nemesis is Doug Sweiteck, a fellow student who is troublesome and has an older brother. Holling also spends time with Meryl Lee Kowalski, who has been in love with Holling for a number of years.