Curt Southern
eNotes Educator
Achievements
21
Educator Level
10789
Answers Posted
475
Answers Bonused
About
I am currently an adjunct professor at Community College of Beaver County, which is located just outside of Pittsburgh, where I teach introductory early childhood education classes several evenings a week. In addition to teaching college courses, I own two childcare facilities in the surrounding Pittsburgh area and have over 20 years of teaching experience as an elementary/middle school educator. I am the proud mother of three successful children and enjoy playing the piano in my spare time.
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Recent Activity
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Answered a Question in The Giver
Announcements in the community do not single people out because indirect chastisement in the form of a public announcement is typically sufficient to produce the appropriate remorse. There are also... -
Answered a Question in 1984
In Orwell's classic novel 1984, the proles are the oppressed working-class proletariat that makes up the vast majority of Oceania's population. The proles are portrayed as poor, incompetent people... -
Answered a Question in Julius Caesar
Following Brutus's significant interaction with Cassius during the Lupercal festivities, Cassius instructs Brutus to grab Casca by the sleeve as he passes by to inquire about the events that... -
Answered a Question in A Rose for Emily
In the first paragraph of Faulkner's celebrated short story "A Rose for Emily," the narrators mention that Miss Emily's "manservant," Tobe, is the only person who was seen going in and out of her... -
Answered a Question in Night
Following the Jewish New Year in chapter 5, the Blockälteste announces to the prisoners that there will be another selection process and gives them valuable advice for passing the selection. The... -
Answered a Question in The Giver
Jonas's community is founded on the principles of Sameness, which completely eliminates individual choice and censors knowledge in order to maintain a safe, stable, and comfortable society.... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
Tituba is depicted as a compassionate, naive woman who is manipulated by Abigail Williams and perpetuates the witchcraft hysteria the moment she recognizes she is the scapegoat. Tituba is Reverend... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
Part of what makes Gatsby such a tragic figure is the way people completely neglect him at his funeral. Nick Carraway, Gatsby's one true friend, assumes the responsibility of organizing his funeral... -
Answered a Question in The Cask of Amontillado
Fortunato is portrayed as a popular, outgoing Italian man who is an epicure and views himself as a connoisseur of fine wine. Fortunato is also a wealthy man and purchases large quantities of... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
Tybalt is referred to as "deaf to peace" and portrayed as a hot-tempered aristocrat who is a sworn enemy of the Montagues and willing to defend his family's name at all costs. In act 1, scene 5,... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
This quote is spoken by Nick Carraway in chapter 1 as he begins to recall the "history of the summer" he met Jay Gatsby. After recently moving to the East Coast with plans of entering the bond... -
Answered a Question in The Giver
In Jonas's community, knowledge is censored and the only books citizens have access to are the generic Book of Rules and necessary reference volumes approved by the Committee of Elders. In every... -
Answered a Question in The Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield is depicted as a hypercritical, mentally ill teenager who has a warped view of reality and is known for his ridiculous hyperboles. In the opening paragraph of the story, Holden... -
Answered a Question in To Kill a Mockingbird
Dill and Scout learn a lot from their enlightening conversation with Dolphus Raymond outside of the courthouse. The first thing the children learn is that Dolphus Raymond is not actually in the... -
Answered a Question in The Giver
In Jonas's community, the Committee of Elders chooses each person's Assignment after carefully observing them, analyzing their abilities, and considering their interests. Each adolescent is... -
Answered a Question in Othello
As part of Iago's evil scheme to avenge Othello for passing him over as lieutenant and possibly sleeping with his wife, he plans to obtain Desdemona's handkerchief, which was Othello's first gift... -
Answered a Question in To Kill a Mockingbird
Miss Maudie is portrayed as a morally upright, progressive woman, who acts as one of Jem and Scout's surrogate mothers by offering them support during trying times. Miss Maudie is a positive role... -
Answered a Question in Fahrenheit 451
While Montag travels downstream alongside the group of traveling intellectuals, he laments that he does not feel sorry for Mildred, who is in immediate danger because she lives in a city on the... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
Prior to act 2, Mary Warren is depicted as a timid, frightened teenager who fears Abigail Williams's retribution. Similar to the other girls, Mary Warren is too passive and weak to challenge... -
Answered a Question in Lord of the Flies
In chapter 4, several littluns build sandcastles on the beach and are absorbed in their game when Roger and Maurice purposely destroy their creations on the way to the bathing pool. The three... -
Answered a Question in Monster
At the beginning of Steve's screenplay, he flashes back to a scene when he was attending Mr. Sawicki's film workshop class at Stuyvesant High School. In the flashback, Mr. Sawicki has just finished... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
Reverend Hale plays a prominent role in The Crucible and is initially summoned by Reverend Parris to investigate witchcraft in Salem. Reverend Hale is portrayed as a zealous intellectual who... -
Answered a Question in To Kill a Mockingbird
The Tom Robinson trial has a significant effect on Maycomb's small community, and particularly the Finch family. Atticus receives criticism from his racist neighbors and family members for... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
In chapter 7, Tom Buchanan confronts Jay Gatsby at the Plaza Hotel by exposing him as a bootlegger in front of Daisy, which effectively ends their affair. Daisy recognizes the value of her secure... -
Answered a Question in Of Mice and Men
George and Lennie have a unique, close-knit friendship founded on loyalty, camaraderie, and understanding. Typically, migrant workers travel alone and experience arduous, lonesome lives. The fact... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
At the end of the first chapter, Nick Carraway arrives home after spending the evening with the Buchanans and witnesses his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, stretching out his arms toward the green light... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
Prior to act 4, scene 3, Juliet visits Friar Laurence's cell to seek assistance in avoiding her upcoming marriage to Paris. Friar Laurence comes up with a clever scheme that requires Juliet to... -
Answered a Question in The Giver
In chapter 4, Jonas arrives at the House of the Old to complete several of his volunteer hours. Upon entering the House of the Old, Jonas begins taking care of an elderly woman named Larissa. Jonas... -
Answered a Question in Macbeth
In act one, scene three, Macbeth and Banquo receive several favorable prophecies from the Three Witches on the heath. After Macbeth is told he will become the Thane of Cawdor and future King of... -
Answered a Question in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Percy faces several challenges in chapter 21 when he arrives at Olympus with Zeus's master bolt. The first challenge Percy faces concerns winning Zeus's favor. Although Percy possesses the master... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio is killed by Tybalt in act 3, scene 1 when he attempts to defend Romeo's honor. Tybalt seeks vengeance for Romeo's trespass at his uncle's ball and is unaware that Romeo has secretly... -
Answered a Question in Of Mice and Men
When Lennie enters Crooks's room in chapter 4, Crooks eventually warms up to him and confides in Lennie by sharing information about his upbringing and background. Crooks tells Lennie that he was... -
Answered a Question in The Pedestrian
In Bradbury's short story "The Pedestrian," the protagonist, Leonard Mead, is an outcast in the dystopian society, where the majority of the population remains indoors glued to their televisions,... -
Answered a Question in The Sniper
The main conflict in Liam O'Flaherty's short story "The Sniper" is a man-versus-man conflict. It is a kill-or-be-killed scenario for the Republican sniper, who must outwit his enemy before it is... -
Answered a Question in 1984
In Orwell's classic novel 1984, the Ministry of Truth's primary focus is on producing government propaganda and altering historical records to coincide with Big Brother's current claims. In short,... -
Answered a Question in To Kill a Mockingbird
When Jem and Scout attend First Purchase African M. E. Church with Calpurnia for Sunday service, they are greeted with open arms and hospitality by the majority of the congregation. The only person... -
Answered a Question in 1984
In Orwell's dystopian nation of Oceania, the authoritarian regime controls every aspect of society in order to exercise complete dominance over the country and population. The essence of Big... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
In the famous balcony scene, Juliet expresses several concerns regarding Romeo and their newfound love. Juliet's chief concern has to do with Romeo's family, which is the sworn enemy of the... -
Answered a Question in Monster
Before the trial commences, Steve incorporates a flashback of his film club mentor, Mr. Sawicki, giving his class valuable advice regarding screenplays. In the flashback, Steve is sitting in his... -
Answered a Question in Fahrenheit 451
During Beatty's lecture in part 1, he tells Montag that media and technology dramatically sped up everything to a "snap ending" in the twentieth century. According to Beatty, people in Bradbury's... -
Answered a Question in 1984
In Oceania, the totalitarian regime controls virtually every aspect of society and manipulates the population through the use of propaganda, hysteria, violence, and censorship. One of the most... -
Answered a Question in Holes
In chapter 13, Stanley discovers a gold lipstick tube belonging to the infamous Kissin' Kate Barlow while digging his hole. However, Stanley feels obligated to give the gold tube to X-Ray, who gets... -
Answered a Question in The Catcher in the Rye
Holden briefly discusses Allie's death in chapter 5 while he is writing a composition about his brother's baseball glove for his roommate Stradlater, who is currently on a date with Jane Gallagher.... -
Answered a Question in The Lady, or the Tiger?
The main conflict of the story concerns the princess's difficult decision to spare her lover's life or lead him to certain death. Stockton's open ending revolves around the princess's internal... -
Answered a Question in The Necklace
In "The Necklace," Monsieur Loisel is portrayed as a selfless, humble man, who is willing to make sacrifices to please his entitled wife and protect his reputation. Unlike his materialistic,... -
Answered a Question in Of Mice and Men
In chapter 3, an external conflict exists between Carlson and Candy regarding Candy's ancient dog. When Carlson enters the bunkhouse, he immediately begins complaining about the smell of the old... -
Answered a Question in The Giver
In chapter 20, the specifics of Jonas's escape plan are described. In the upcoming weeks before the annual December Ceremony, the Giver plans to transfer memories of courage and strength to Jonas.... -
Answered a Question in Lord of the Flies
In the first chapter of the novel, Ralph dives into the natural bathing pool and asks Piggy if he is going to jump in. Piggy replies by blaming his asthma and saying he cannot swim well. Ralph... -
Answered a Question in Julius Caesar
As the procession leaves for the Coliseum, Cassius and Brutus linger behind and Cassius mentions to Brutus that he seems less affectionate and welcoming than normal. Cassius says, "Brutus, I do... -
Answered a Question in Hatchet
In chapter 18, Brian makes several trips to the submerged plane and manages to cut a hole in the tail of the plane big enough for him to enter. Eventually, Brian discovers the survival pack against...
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