.... Gene was always concerned with his schoolwork. He seemed to be studying at almost every free moment he had. On the other hand, Finny was a natural athlete and schoolwork was not his top priority. Their friendship perplexed the boys and the readers as no one could entirely understand what the attraction was. Even though it seemed like a strange and complicated friendship, Finny and Gene developed a strong bond. Unfortunately a strong bond could not withstand Gene's insecurities, as he faltered in Finny's unknown pressures of conforming. Another important theme is conformity. Conformity refers to the choices young people make regarding going along with the c ....

.... can get confusing. The most important function of the Chorus is that it encourages the audience to be patient and reminds them to use their imagination to envision the events that occur in the play, to really imagine the royal courts of England and France, and to really imagine the battle scenes with all the horses and men. The prologue to the beginning of this play calls upon the "Muse" to help present the play. The chorus explains to the audience of the difficulties faced in presenting this play. It is difficult to transform a small stage to represent the English or French Courts, or the battlefield in France. They apologize, telling the audience, "But pardon, gent ....

.... First, one creates a maxim and considers whether the maxim could be a universal law for all rational beings. Second, one determines whether rational beings would will it to be a universal law. Once it is clear that the maxim passes both prongs of the test, there are no exceptions to this formula. The initial stage of the Universal Law Formation of the Categorical Imperative requires that a maxim be universally applicable to all rational beings. The next logical step is then to apply the second stage of the test. The second requirement is that a rational being would will this maxim to become a universal law. In testing this part, you must decide whether in every case ....

.... that life throws his or her way. Delaying gratification as Peck puts it is “a process of scheduling the pain and pleasure of life in such a way as to enhance the pleasure by meeting and experiencing the pain first and getting it over with.”(p. 19) I feel Peck’s point is to save the good things for last so that you can always have something to look forward to and an incentive to finish whatever task is at hand. Good scheduling skills and the lack of procrastination are very important in delaying gratification. Responsibility is very important in solving life’s problems. Peck says that we must accept responsibility for a problem before the problem ....

.... my prince! How glad we are…”(p.120). Also, because Odysseus had not returned home to Ithaca, many men tried to wed his wife, Penelopeia, so that they could rule his kingdom. Odysseus was also an epic hero because he had human weaknesses. One of his weaknesses was that he was arrogant. Even after he defeated Polyphemos (the Cyclops) Odysseus stayed longer just so he could taunt him. He “…wanted to shout out again…although [his] comrades…tried to coax [him] not to do it” (p.110). Odysseus, against his crew’s wishes, shouted, “…Cyclops! if ever a man asks you who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder ....

.... (a writer in the story). Even after there was good evidence that a supernatural thing was happening to Thad, Pangborn did not believe him, because that is what a real person would do. They would be skeptical until they witnessed something themselves. Finally, he began to believe, but not until about three-quarters of the way through. Even then, he wasn't sure. Other similar things happened too. George Stark, the "villain" of the story, was Thad's penname come to life. Stephen King made that seem possible with his explanation that Thad had a brain tumor when he was a child. It was not, however, a normal brain tumor. The doctor removed an eye, some teeth, some finger ....

.... others use religion, fatalism and liberalism to confront their struggles. In order to understand Rieux’s humanism one must define humanism. It is a mode of thought that the human is in priority. The human cannot be forgotten or disgraced. The humanist cares for people and shows compassion and understanding. Rieux demonstrates this perfectly when talking with Rambert. Rambert wants to leave the town. Rieux, being the professional, denies him a pass. However, the humanistic personality allows him to feel sorry for Rambert. He understood his predicament and wanted Rambert to keep him informed of his progress. Rambert takes offense to this without knowing that ....

.... by Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands. I read this book on the recommendation of a good friend who knows I am interested in birds and thought I might get something out of it. Indeed, the few parts of the book actually about the Gouldian Finches of the Galapagos Islands are fascinating. The book records in detail some of the trials the Dr. Peter Grant family endured in studying these birds on a hot volcanic rock. However, the writers and editors of the book avoid simple logic and put a spin on history that is misleading. The facts and logic presented in The Beak of the Finch really make the book's author out to be a closet creationist.   It just so happened that a ....