How would you characterize the three men in Jerome's Three Men in a Boat?

The narrator is known as J. We don’t know what he does for a living, but he’s an avid storyteller. He likes to go off on tangents whenever something reminds him of a story from the past. We get the impression that he’s somewhat lazy. He says in Chapter XV: “I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” Yet he seems to be the one who holds the...

The narrator is known as J. We don’t know what he does for a living, but he’s an avid storyteller. He likes to go off on tangents whenever something reminds him of a story from the past. We get the impression that he’s somewhat lazy. He says in Chapter XV: “I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” Yet he seems to be the one who holds the group together.

William Stanley Harris is another gentleman who doesn’t seem to have a “real” job. And he’s the kind of person who thinks he knows how to do something, when it turns out that he really doesn’t. In Chapter XI, he tries to make scrambled eggs for breakfast for everyone. This attempt does not go well.

George works at a bank six days a week. Yet J. claims that George sleeps there the whole time. Perhaps the responsibilities of his job foster his tendencies to be more organized and decisive than his two friends are. He can sometimes become confused or clumsy. But he steps up and cooks Irish stew one night – something the other two men could not have done or even initiated.

What was the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case?

The Dred Scott case involved two separate issues. One was whether Scott, as an enslaved man, had a right to sue in court. The other was whether Scott, having spent some of his life in free territory, was even enslaved at all. On the first issue, the Court ruled that Scott had no right to sue in court, and indeed that, as a black man, had "no rights a white man was bound to respect."...

The Dred Scott case involved two separate issues. One was whether Scott, as an enslaved man, had a right to sue in court. The other was whether Scott, having spent some of his life in free territory, was even enslaved at all. On the first issue, the Court ruled that Scott had no right to sue in court, and indeed that, as a black man, had "no rights a white man was bound to respect." These were the words of Chief Justice Roger Taney, who further ruled that Scott had not in fact become free by living in free territory. In fact, he went well beyond the issues raised in the case by asserting that the Missouri Compromise, which declared most of the northern portion of the Louisiana Purchase free territory, was unconstitutional. The Court's decision basically invalidated attempts to restrain the spread of slavery into the territories. Predictably, this outraged antislavery Northerners and delighted Southerners. It also raised questions about whether popular sovereignty, the preferred remedy to the issue of slavery's expansion, was constitutional. When northern Democrats continued to advocate this solution, southerners bolted from the party in 1860.

Define the word resilience and give specific examples of characters in literature who exemplify this trait.

The word resilience comes from the Latin resili, meaning "to spring back, rebound" (Dictionary.com). When used as an adjective, resilience relates to one's "ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy" (Dictionary.com). Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games is an example of a resilient character. She faces much adversity in the novel when she volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games, but remains resilient and is ultimately triumphant....

The word resilience comes from the Latin resili, meaning "to spring back, rebound" (Dictionary.com). When used as an adjective, resilience relates to one's "ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy" (Dictionary.com). Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games is an example of a resilient character. She faces much adversity in the novel when she volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games, but remains resilient and is ultimately triumphant. Harry Potter is another example of a resilient character in literature. His parents were murdered when he was only a year old and then he is sent to live with his aunt and uncle who neglect and emotionally abuse him on a regular basis. Once he discovers his heritage as a wizard and is sent to school to learn the magical arts, he then becomes a target for his ultimate nemesis. Harry encounters adversity constantly in his life, but never gives up. He is resilient.

In the novel The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, who is the main villain and why? Lieutenant Kotler or Bruno's father?

Although Bruno's father is responsible for ordering unspeakable acts of violence, Lieutenant Kotler is the novel's main antagonist.Lieutenant Kotler is arrogant, immoral, and violent throughout the novel. Kotler treats Bruno like a baby and displays contempt towards him. Kotler is "two-faced" and disrespects the Commandant by having an affair with his wife. Kotler is also violent and shows a lack of empathy for Pavel and Shmuel. When Pavel accidently spills wine on Kotler, Kotler...

Although Bruno's father is responsible for ordering unspeakable acts of violence, Lieutenant Kotler is the novel's main antagonist. Lieutenant Kotler is arrogant, immoral, and violent throughout the novel. Kotler treats Bruno like a baby and displays contempt towards him. Kotler is "two-faced" and disrespects the Commandant by having an affair with his wife. Kotler is also violent and shows a lack of empathy for Pavel and Shmuel. When Pavel accidently spills wine on Kotler, Kotler ruthlessly beats the weak old man. Kotler accuses Shmuel of stealing food from Bruno's fridge and also beats him badly. Shmuel comments on how Kotler is feared by the Jews inside the camp. His direct interactions with the prisoners depict his character to be personally involved in the annihilation of the Jews, whereas the Commandant's position is further removed. Also, Kotler has no redeeming qualities and proves to be a disloyal soldier.

Maria's story about Bruno's father sheds light on his kind, caring nature. Bruno's father is misguided and has no choice but to obey Hitler's orders. He treats his children with respect and even listens to his wife when she tells him Auschwitz is no place to raise children. The reader feels sympathy for Bruno's father at the end of the novel when he loses his son and his position. Despite giving the orders to systematically slaughter thousands of Jews, he has no choice but to obey Hitler's commands. Bruno also looks up to his father, unlike Lieutenant Kotler, who he despises.

What is the theme of the book The Last of the Mohicans?

The Last of the Mohicans is one of five novels written by James Fenimore Cooper, which collectively are referred to as The Leatherstocking Tales.  Many people (wrongfully, in my opinion) dismiss these books as simplistic action stories with little character development and little analytical theme material.  In fact, I see several themes running through The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the other four Leatherstocking novels.

It is impossible to consider any...

The Last of the Mohicans is one of five novels written by James Fenimore Cooper, which collectively are referred to as The Leatherstocking Tales.  Many people (wrongfully, in my opinion) dismiss these books as simplistic action stories with little character development and little analytical theme material.  In fact, I see several themes running through The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the other four Leatherstocking novels.

It is impossible to consider any novel that deals with westward expansion and colonization without considering the theme of clashing cultures, and the destruction of the culture of the Native Americans.  The novel, quite literally, is about the end of the Mohican tribe, when Uncas, the son of the last chief, is killed.  Even before this, we see the decay of the tribe through the encroaching involvement of the white people. 

We also see the theme of the importance of heredity, family heritage, and obligations.  Uncas, as the "last of the Mohicans," receives the leadership of the tribe from his father Chingachgook, along with the responsibilities that accompany it. 

How does John Steinbeck develop his theme(s) on the nature of power?

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck shows us two forms of power, principally through two characters: Curley and Slim. 

Curley's power comes from his wealth and status: he's the owner's son, and for that reason, the farmhands must do as he says. However, the farmhands resent Curley, and find him belligerent and combative (Candy says that Curley's "pretty handy", meaning he likes to start fights). Curley seems well aware of this, and so he makes a point to enforce his authority whenever possible ("Well, nex' time you answer when your spoken to"). In this way, Steinbeck seems to make the point that Curley's power isn't genuine. The men do listen to Curley, as they are essentially forced to, but they have no real respect for him. 

Slim, on the other hand, gets his power from his great skill as a jerkline skinner (mule-team driver). He is a wise man who's well-respected by everyone on the farm, including Curley.

Curley said, "Well, I didn't mean nothing, Slim. I just ast you."

Slim said, "Well, you been askin' me too often. I'm gettin' God damn sick of it. If you can't look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me."

"I'm jus' tryin to tell you I didn't mean nothing," said Curley. "I jus' thought you might of saw her."

In these lines, Slim rebukes Curley. We can gather from the context that Curley has (yet again) accused Slim of flirting with his wife, and this time Slim will not tolerate the accusation. Although Curley is the boss's son, the fact that Curley responds so deferentially to Slim suggests that Slim has the power here. Indeed, in this scene Slim's rebuke puts some fire in the other farmhands, who ordinarily wouldn't dare talk back to Curley:

“Why’n’t you tell her to stay the hell home where she belongs?” said Carlson. “You let her hang around bunk houses and pretty soon you’re gonna have som’pin on your hands and you won’t be able to do nothing about it.”

Curley whirled on Carlson. “You keep outa this les’ you wanta step outside.”

Carlson laughed. “You God damn punk,” he said. “You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an’ you couldn’t make it stick. Slim throwed a scare into you. You’re yella as a frog belly. I don’t care if you’re the best welter in the country. You come for me, an’ I’ll kick your God damn head off.”

Candy joined the attack with joy. “Glove fulla vaseline,” he said disgustedly.

Slim's power is also shown in another scene, where Carlson is offering to shoot Candy's dog. The old dog is in a very bad way: he's blind, missing teeth and cannot chew his own food, but Candy doesn't want to kill the dog as he's had him so long. 

“Carl’s right, Candy. That dog ain’t no good to himself. I wisht somebody’d shoot me if I get old an’ a cripple.” Candy looked helplessly at him, for Slim’s opinions were law.

In the end, it is Slim's words that convince Candy to allow Carlson to shoot the old dog. 

Slim's power has been made known to us from the beginning, when he is first introduced to us: "His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love."

Steinbeck's message, then, is that true power and true authority must be earned. Slim's power is genuine because he has earned it through his wisdom and skill. Curley does have his own form of power, but it's false and illusory, and is easily shattered when confronted by true power and authority. 

What are some thesis statements for the novelette Of Mice and Men? I was supposed to write an essay regarding major themes in this story. I chose...

A thesis statement should accomplish three things:

1. It should make a specific argument about the topic.


2. It should give the reader a preview of what will be discussed in the paper that follows it.


3. It should include a "so what?" - why are you making the argument you are making? Why should the audience care? In this case, what is the purpose of Steinbeck using these particular themes? What is he trying to say?

Based on what you have in your question, I would start with a thesis like this:

"In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the companionship between two friends, the impossibility of the American dream, and the state of misfits in society in order to ________________________"

Options to put in the blank:

• "demonstrate the futility of hard work and cooperation as sufficient to achieve success."


• "show the powerlessness of the working class."


• "demonstrate how striving for a dream can destroy relationships."


• something else you come up with while writing the body paragraphs :)

Whatever you decide to put in that blank is the concept that will tie together these three themes. Remember that themes are there to get a message across to the audience, so as you look for evidence of each of the three things you mentioned above, consider how each relate to the message (or messages) Steinbeck is trying to get across about how the world works. 

Remember, when you start writing a paper with a thesis, it is only a "working thesis." That means it can and probably will change a little bit (or even a lot!) as you find evidence and write your analysis of that evidence. Don't be afraid to go back and adjust your thesis, or change it entirely as you write the essay!