In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, what crucial detail is revealed about Tom Robinson?

In Chapter 18, it is revealed that Tom Robinson has a crippled left arm. When Mayella Ewell is on the witness stand accusing Tom of beating her, Atticus asks Tom Robinson to stand up so Mayella could get a closer look at him. When Tom Robinson stands, the entire courtroom sees that his left arm is twelve inches shorter than his other arm, and it hangs "dead" at the side of his body. Scout also mentions that the end of his left arm is shriveled. Reverend Sykes leans over and tells Jem that Tom caught his arm in a cotton gin when he was a child, and it tore Tom's muscles from his bone.

This is a crucial detail in the case against Tom Robinson because the fact that his left arm is unusable means that he could not have been responsible for Mayella's injuries. Mayella's right side of her face was badly beaten, and her neck had bruises the entire way around it. Whoever beat Mayella, must have been left-handed and had strong enough hands to choke her. Tom Robinson's left hand was useless, but it was revealed that Bob Ewell was, in fact, left-handed. Later on in the trial, Atticus explains Bob's motivation to assault his daughter and blame Tom Robinson for her injuries. Unfortunately, Tom is convicted of raping and beating Mayella despite the overwhelming evidence that suggests otherwise.

Which images in Emily Dickinson's poem were the most vivid for you?

Emily Dickinson's poem, "Because I could not stop for death," is one that explains how death can be perceived. In this poem, she personifies death, making it seem as though Death is a real person who is coming to take her for a ride  and onward to the end of her life. One of the most vivid images in the poem is the portrayal of Death as a kind, patient person. Dickinson uses the word 'kindly' to describe death. She says "he kindly stopped for me." This image of kind Death goes against many portrayals of death as either violent or mean or awful. Dickinson lets the reader know that sometimes death can be a gentle process, a kind one. As Death leads her on her journey, it takes her on a tour of her life and she finds that not only is she not afraid, she is at peace. Therefore, the image of Death as a kind, gentle force forms a vivid theme in this poem.

What is surprising about the attitude of the two convicts (Magwitch and Compeyson) towards one another in Great Expectations?

In the past, Magwitch and Compeyson had been partners in the thieving business. Compeyson had been planning to swindle Miss Havisham out of her money by marrying her and then leaving her (with her money). When they were both captured, they turned on each other, informing the police of the other’s criminal intentions. Though they had been imprisoned together on the prison ship, they let their hated of each other grow. When they escaped, instead of aiding each other, they fought in the ditch. This allowed the soldiers (accompanied by Joe and Pip) to come on them and re-arrest both of them. They kept this hatred going for years. When Magwitch returned to England as Provis, Compeyson tracked him down. It was he who informed the police of Magwitch’s return. Magwitch was arrested and imprisoned, where he died. Compeyson died as he and Magwitch fell off the ship. 

How would you describe the one-dimensional society of Herbert Marcuse?

In his 1964 book One-Dimensional Man, Herbert Marcuse argues that social repression in both the West and the Soviet Union led to a similar limitation in thoughts and behaviors in both societies. The world becomes "one-dimensional" through the repression of opposition and restriction of critical thinking. Marcuse argues against positivism in the social sciences and supports "negative thinking" as resistance to positivist ideology. His text focuses especially on critiques of capitalism. Under capitalism, according to Marcuse, people operate like cogs within the machinery of the economy, working long hours in order to buy the newest available consumer products. He argues against consumerism, commodification, and a culture that encourages people to dedicate an unhealthy amount of time and energy to work in order to purchase new items for consumption. According to the text, all aspects of life under capitalism become dominated by the driving force of the economy, and people lose the dimensions of life that allow them individuality and humanity. He compares this to social repression within the Soviet Union, which similarly used the state to limit the capacity of people to think critically or act individually.

Why does Ammu recognize Velutha as "the God of Small Things"?

Ammu first mentions the idea of “The God of Small Things” in Chapter 11, after she has a dream of a man with one arm holding her close. Not only is the man holding her close, but Ammu and this man are almost the center of attention in a crowd. In the dream, we don’t know who this man is, but it is suggested that he is “The God of Loss” or “The God of Small Things.”  

As Ammu dreams, Estha and Rahel watch her carefully so that they don’t wake her up. When she does wake up, she quickly realizes that the twins have just spent time with Velutha because of the wood shavings in their hair. This makes her realize who “The God of Small Things” is (Chapter 11):

By not mentioning his name, she sensed that a pact had been forged between her Dream and the World. And that the midwives of that pact were, or would be, her sawdust-coated two-egg twins. She knew who he was - the God of Loss, the God of Small Things. Of course she did.

While this may be the first moment that Ammu realizes her feelings for Velutha, the romantic relationship has been developing all along: from the time they were younger, when Velutha no longer had to stretch out his hands to give her gifts, to now, when her children refer to him as their best friend. Ammu almost predicts a tragic end by warning her children not to get too close to Velutha because something bad might happen.

Due to their opposing social statuses, both Ammu and Velutha know that their relationship has no viable future. Their love affair is all they have (Chapter 21):

Even later, on the thirteen nights that followed this one, instinctively they stuck to the Small Things. The Big Things ever lurked inside. They knew that there was nowhere for them to go. They had nothing. No Future. So they stuck to the small things.

Because of the narrative structure of the novel, the events are not presented in the order that they happen chronologically. However, the novel ends at a place that we could almost consider as the beginning - it’s the beginning of Ammu and Velutha’s love affair. Ammu leaves by telling Velutha “Tomorrow,” and he confirms “Tomorrow.”

Velutha becomes “The God of Small Things” because their relationship can only unfold and develop day by day, no matter how strong or legitimate their feelings are for each other.

How does the proverb "appearances are often deceptive" relate to Pride and Prejudice?

Deceptive appearances play a major role in driving the plot of Pride and Prejudice. If we take the character of Mr Wickham, for example, he uses deception to trick Elizabeth Bennett into believing that he was duped out of his inheritance by Mr Darcy. In reality, Wickham squandered his inheritance and attempted to marry Georgiana Darcy but Elizabeth is oblivious to what really happened and takes Wickham's side. This deception directly contributes to Elizabeth snubbing Darcy in chapter 34, when he proposes marriage. 

Similarly, Caroline Bingley provides another example of a deceptive appearance, specifically in her relationship with Jane Bennett. On the surface, she is very friendly and welcoming towards Jane. She even invites her to stay at Netherfield. But Caroline's friendship with Jane  is based on deception and Elizabeth Bennett is the first character to see through it, as she states in chapter six: "their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration." 

Caroline's deception drives the plot by separating Jane from Mr Bingley. Firstly, by having the party leave Netherfield and move to London, and secondly, by admitting to Jane that she intends for her brother to marry Mr Darcy's sister, Georgiana.

While, in the short term, both Caroline and Mr Wickham succeed in manipulating other characters by deception, their true motives are eventually exposed. This is one of Austen's most important messages, that deception is not the way to win a person's heart.  

Describe the Indonesian Massacre of 1965 in terms of who, what, where, when, why and how.

The past year (2015) marked the fiftieth anniversary of one of the greatest political purges of the Twentieth Century. In Indonesia, beginning in October of 1965, an attempt to eradicate the communist party in Indonesia was instigated.

What--The Indonesian Massacre was a political purge that resulted in an estimated 500,000 deaths due to mass killings. Over one million "suspects" were imprisoned during the purge.

Where-- The killings started in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and spread to Central and East Java. Eventually, the purge would spread to Bali.

When--The destruction commenced in October of 1965 after a failed coup attempt and peaked in November and December before slowing in the early part of 1966.

Who--the primary target of the killings were communists (Indonesian Communist Party (PKI),) ethnic Chinese and alleged leftists. The instigators of the purge were the Indonesian government and the military leadership. It has been alleged that the United States Central Intelligence Agency was complicit in the slaughter.

Why--The Indonesian massacre was prompted in order to prevent a communist takeover of the government. Racism and religious prejudice also played a role. The purge occurred during the height of the Cold War and was seen as a victory by many Western democracies.

How--Thousands of local vigilantes and army units killed actual and alleged PKI members. Few details of the killings have emerged because the Indonesian government did not change for thirty years after the massacre and attempted to hide their crimes.