Jamie Wheeler
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About
I hold a M.A. and B.A. in literature, currently writing my Ph.D in American Literature, specifically John Steinbeck's female characters. I have been teaching both Freshman and Sophomore literature at the college level for about ten years.
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Recent Activity
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Answered a Question in The Devil and Tom Walker
Washington's archetype was Faust, based on the play by Christopher Marlowe (and perhaps other sources of the Faust legend as well.) Faust is the man who sells his soul to... -
Answered a Question in The Odyssey
Odysseus could not have killed all the suitors without their help, which he requests. You will find the scene of their slaughter in Book XXII. Here is an excerpt: They therefore aimed... -
Answered a Question in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
In both the first chapter, and throughout the novel, Alexie illustrates the plight of Native American life of the Reservation (or "the rez".) A possible thesis statment might be: In "Tonto... -
Answered a Question in The Odyssey
This is actually in Book XI (not XII). Odysseus cannot hug her, no matter how much he wants to, for his mother is now a "shade," living in Hades. There is a division between flesh and... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
Here's one, spoken by the Friar, in 3.3.130-134, in which he compares Romeo's intelligence to a careless solider whose gun powder explodes in his face, because he is either too inexperienced... -
Answered a Question in Iliad
The number three is a recurrent theme in Greek mythology. For the Greeks, this number was understood to mean several things. First, "three" could stand for the three most powerful gods, Zeus,... -
Answered a Question in The Shakespeare Stealer
Julia helps Widge by practicing with him every day. When the day of the performance finally arrives, Widge knows his lines so well that he feels that he truly is Ophelia. Widge does so... -
Answered a Question in A Canticle for Leibowitz
The eye is symbolic of the poet's conscience, as explained in an excerpt from this article by Mark McVann: The poet-sirrah is plagued by his glass eye, which symbolizes conscience, and not only his... -
Answered a Question in Go Tell It on the Mountain
In addition to Greg's answer, and to be a bit more blunt and specific, Baldwin's book is frequently still banned because of its frank discussion of homosexuality, a taboo in many high school... -
Answered a Question in The Tell-Tale Heart
I assume you want some guidance in understanding the quotation? If so, this is meant to get us into the narrator's state of mind. He has been watching and waiting for the old man to... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
In addition to Rene's answer, it must be understood that the girls willingly participate in this activity. None were coerced. They are intrigued by the mysticism of Tituba's Caribbean... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
There are probably a number of statements Nick makes about Tom, but the most meaningful to me is in the Chapter Nine, where Nick finally reaches an epiphany about Tom, and Daisy as well. He... -
Answered a Question in Night
In the beginning of Weisel's story, he has almost no relationship with his father. His father is a busy community leader and his duties leave little time for interaction with his son. ... -
Answered a Question in Rules of the Game
Waverly Jong is the protagonist. It is Waverly who becomes the chess champion, against many odds. Her mother, Lindo Jong, can be described as the antagonist. Although her... -
Answered a Question in The Canterbury Tales
Although it may not be the easiest thing for modern ears to interpret, the signifance of Chaucer's work cannot be overstated. For one thing, Chaucer championed the vernacular in his work,... -
Answered a Question in Lord of the Flies
In addition to the excellent answer above, I think another reason is human beings desire to believe that if they should ever be tested, that the positive aspects of human nature will "bleach out"... -
Answered a Question in Julius Caesar
The storm is symbolic of the crisis in Rome and for Caesar that will follow. Casca, in lines 53-58 warns Cassius. Casca connects the treachery on earth to the anger in the... -
Answered a Question in Beowulf
In addition to Rene's answer, I would also argue that the showing off the Grendel's arm is a way for Beowulf to symbolically "shout from the rafters" his success where other warriors have... -
Answered a Question in A&P
Well, one is the disparity between the vacationing, monied class to which Queenie and her entourage belong and to the resident, working class to which Sammy is a member. Sammy longs to not... -
Answered a Question in Tess of the d'Urbervilles
A pure woman Is tess a pure woman? of course she is, she was rob of her innocence , but the fact still remains that she was pure at heart. My first question is, what do you mean by "pure"? ... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
To add to tthakker's excellent answer, I am thinking of the adage, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." In adding the undebiably "spicy" Abigail to the mix, John has unwittingly made a stew too... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
The Friar definitely oversteps his position, but he like everyone else, is bound by Fate! Fate is the most responsible, and in some ways fate is a real character in Romeo and Juliet. From the very... -
Answered a Question in The Tell-Tale Heart
Ahhh...Poe is the master of suspense. From the opening lines, the reader has a sense of foreboding. S/he knows the old man is in danger and completely clueless as to the narrator's... -
Answered a Question in Anthills of the Savannah
Anthills, both metaphorically and literally, contain strength and numbers not readily visible on the surface. In Achebe's novel, a few examples of this truism are the represenations of the... -
Answered a Question in Macbeth
Compare Macbeth's Killing of Duncan and Banquo compare macbeth's reasons for killing duncan with those for killing banquo There are some significant differences. In the killing of Duncan,... -
Answered a Question in The Scarlet Letter
A leech is a blood sucking insect. Very unattractive little guys. A leech is also a homophone for a person who attaches themselves to you, like Chillingsworth does to Dimmesdale. -
Answered a Question in The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer's tales are chiefly (but loosely based) on biblical morality. Characters are either punished or rewarded for their adherence to moral law. The audience should take something... -
Answered a Question in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Well, if I were you, I would try to be clever and amuse your teacher. You could definitely go for a comical "Scooby Doo" ending! Let's say that in the confrontation with the... -
Answered a Question in Lord of the Flies
Probably the main theme of the novel is the very fine line between civility and savagery. The pinnacle of civility is held to be English life, which is echoed in the quote. Golding is saying that... -
Answered a Question in The Crucible
The two previous answers are excellent, but I would like to add another motivating factor. Abby has constructed a lie that she is unable to extricate herself from...like a drowning person,... -
Answered a Question in A Rose for Emily
To "vanquish them horse and foot" means that she sent all comers away, be they on horses or walking. Here she is not being compared to anything per se, but her actions help the townspeople... -
Answered a Question in A Rose for Emily
I think the narrator (do not confuse the narrator with the author) feels a great deal of guilt about the town's treatment of Emily. She may be "mad" and "murderous" but her isolation and... -
Answered a Question in To Kill a Mockingbird
The description of the Radley home is early on in Chapter One. Lee's characterization makes the house have a gothic feel, and is almost a character in and of itself. Here is Scout's... -
Answered a Question in Men of Iron
Thank you all for responding. I now ask all you professionals if iti is true that grammar is only taught in parochial schools. My teacher friend in public schools says... -
Answered a Question in A Rose for Emily
5 Sections = ? Faulkner divided "A Rose for Emily" into five distinct sections. I was curious what effect this formal division had on you as you read the story, and what meaning anyone saw in it.... -
Answered a Question in Treasure Island
Well, there were a number of plans to divide the treasure. At first, Jim Hawkins, Dr. Livesly and Squire Trelawney, are in possession of the map (found in Bones' treasure chest). The... -
Answered a Question in From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
In the case of both of the siblings, Claudia and Jamie, they go from being rather immature and self-centered to learning to rely on one another and see the value in the other's abilities. ... -
Answered a Question in Hamlet
You'll find the Ghost of King Hamlet's explanation in Act 1, Scene 5. Here, he tells his son exactly how Claudius murdered him, by pouring a vial of poison in his ear while he napped, and how... -
Answered a Question in The Chrysanthemums
I would say there are a couple of reasons Elisa rejects this description. For one, even though she projects a no-nonsense image, she actually longs for a soft place to rest, mentally, that... -
Answered a Question in Romeo and Juliet
Lord Capulet, none too pleased to learn that his daughter is refusing to marry Paris, calls Juliet a "mistress minion", a "green sickness carrion" and a "tallow face." This is a very... -
Answered a Question in Wuthering Heights
Well, for the most part it's hard to be a fan of Edgar's. He seems so weak in comparison to other characters. When Heathcliff decries his own looks in favor of Edgars, and wishes he had... -
Answered a Question in The Yellow Wallpaper
In addition to merehughes excellent answer, I would just like to add that perhaps one of the reasons Gilman was able to depict madness with such a chilling accuracy is that she herself was... -
Answered a Question in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
I find the "you" to be the distorted and disconnected consciousness of Modernism. Isn't it incredible that someone as young as Eliot could have penned a poem so nuanced with pain and... -
Answered a Question in The Great Gatsby
I am more inclined, like bmadnick, to be sympathetic to Nick and his cold plunge into the dark waters of the elite of the Jazz Age. Nick may be unreliable in some respects, but I think he has... -
Answered a Question in Beowulf
Oh, absolutely! What could cement his reputation more than fighting the beast bare handed? All the greatest Danish warriors had become cheese for Grendel's Triscuits, even with... -
Answered a Question in The Cask of Amontillado
We never know what exactly Fortunado has done to so enrage Montressor. He does not ever explicity say what the man has done; the only motivation appears to be an abhorrence to the... -
Answered a Question in The Lovely Bones
Susie narrates her tale from Heaven; she was killed and left buried in a frozen field. If you mean the actual state where she lived when she was alive, I don't believe Sebold ever... -
Answered a Question in The Man to Send Rain Clouds
Though Silko's story is very short, a lot happens and is implied. The two young Native American men, Leon and Ken, find the old man, Teofolio, dead under a tree. The rising action... -
Answered a Question in The Diary of a Young Girl
Good question! Since Anne's diary ends so abruptly when their hiding place is discovered, it is not immediately known. The official Anne Frank.org site, however, tells what happened to at... -
Answered a Question in Pride and Prejudice
I would say that Jane and Bingley seem the happiest and of course, Elizabeth and Darcy. Jane and Bingley work it out sooner than Elizabeth and Darcy, but Jane has not the problems of pride...
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