Classics
A:
In the novel "The Great Gatsby," the character Jay Gatsby owns a mansion that took him 3 years to save the necessary funds to purchase. It's estimated that he bought the home in 1922.
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Q: What Is the Relationship Between Harry Potter and the NEWTs?
A: Because Harry Potter did not attend Hogwarts for his seventh and final year, he did not take the N.E.W.T.s, which are the exams young wizards about to graduate must take before finishing school. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter novels, has given no indication that Harry ever returned to Hogwarts to finish his final year, though she has said that Hermione Granger did so. -
Q: What Is the Moral of the Fairy Tale, "The Princess and the Pea?"
A: There are several morals that can be derived from "The Princess and the Pea." However, the most popular one is that people should not judge others based on their appearances. -
Q: How Many Books Did Shakespeare Write?
A: Although William Shakespeare did not write actual books, he wrote 38 plays during his career as a playwright. His earliest written plays included "Richard III" and "Henry VI." -
Q: How Did Shakespeare Become Famous?
A: Within two years of writing his first play, "Henry VI, Part One," which put him on London's theatrical map, Williams Shakespeare was so famous that established playwright Robert Greene referred to him as an "upstart crow" in a critique of his work. Shakespeare wrote "Henry VI, Part One" while still living in his native Stratford. Shortly thereafter, he moved to London to continue writing plays as well as acting. -
Q: What Were Shakespeare's Occupations?
A: In addition to being an actor, playwright, and entrepreneur, it is thought that Shakespeare may have also worked as a horse attendant and assistant schoolmaster. There are several years of Shakespeare's life for which there is no existing account, and scholars merely speculate on his occupation during those years, notes Biograph.com. -
Q: How Many Times Is Love Mentioned in the Bible?
A: The number of times that love is mentioned in the Bible depends on the version of the Bible. In the King James Version, love is mentioned 310 times, 131 times in the Old Testament and 179 times in the New Testament. -
Q: What Is a Classic Tragedy?
A: A classical tragedy is the story of a hero (or heroine) who experiences a reversal of fortune set in motion by the gods as a result of hubris. Oedipus is one example of a classical tragedy. -
Q: What Are Some Examples of Irony in "Lord of the Flies?"
A: William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" has many examples of irony, several of which are rooted in statements the young boys make about order and culture, which they later fail to uphold. One of the most obviously ironic quotes comes from the violent antagonist Jack who, early in the book, states, "We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages." -
Q: How Did Hercules Die?
A: Though the stories of Hercules' death have varying details, all recount that the Greek hero suffered the effects of an intense poison and ultimately died on a funeral pyre. His immortal spirit ascended to Olympus to stay with the gods. -
Q: How Many Plays and Sonnets Did Shakespeare Write?
A: Most scholars accept that William Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets. Additionally, he wrote four longer poems. Though he may have written other plays, they are lost to history. -
Q: Why Did William Shakespeare Write "Romeo and Juliet?"
A: William Shakespeare was inspired to write "Romeo and Juliet" by a poem titled "Romeus and Juliet" by Arthur Brooks. In fact, Shakespeare's play shares many of the details of Brooks' poem. The story, however, was a commonly told one throughout Europe and was not unique to Brooks either. -
Q: How Many Books Has C.S. Lewis Written?
A: Writer Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis composed 74 books, including several essay collections published after his death. Lewis is best known for his fictional work, particularly "The Chronicles of Narnia," though most of Lewis' books are nonfiction works. -
Q: Why Do We Need to Study Philippine Literature?
A: While most Philippine literature was written under the significant influence of the occupying Spanish powers during the 1800s, there is also a viable body of work written in the 20th and 21st centuries that makes an important contribution to world literature, which makes it a worthwhile culture to analyze. Philippine literature includes poetry, metrical romances, educational and religious prose, religious and secular drama and modern nationalist literature. -
Q: What Reason Does Macbeth Give for Killing Duncan's Two Guards?
A: Macbeth kills the two drunken guards in a rage, claiming that it was them that had killed King Duncan, as they were covered in the king's blood. This happens in Act II, Scene III in William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Macbeth." -
Q: How Is Gatsby Different From His Guests?
A: Gatsby is different from all of his party guests in that he does not drink or socialize and remains a perfect gentleman all night. This heavily contrasts Gatsby from his belligerently drunk guests and foreshadows Gatsby's greater goal and purpose. -
Q: What Is "In Another Country" by Ernest Hemingway?
A: "In Another Country" is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway. It was published in 1927 as part of his "Nick Adams" series. The story revolves around the character of Nick as he recuperates in a Milan hospital during World War I. -
Q: Why Did Thoreau Leave Walden Pond?
A: In his book, "Walden; or Life in the Woods," American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau explained that he left his life at Walden Pond after two years and two months because he felt he could not afford to spend more time there. From Walden Pond, Thoreau moved back to Concord, N.H. -
Q: What Are Examples of Asides in "Romeo and Juliet"?
A: Romeo speaks an aside in Act II, Scene ii of "Romeo and Juliet" when he is standing beneath the balcony where Juliet is speaking, unaware that anyone hears her. Juliet is professing her love for Romeo, and he says "Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?" -
Q: Why Did the Capulets and Montagues Hate Each Other?
A: It is presumed that the Montagues and the Capulets hated one another because both families wanted to be the most powerful in Verona. The famous play “Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare never fully explains the reason behind the feud, though it is assumed to have lasted for many years. -
Q: What Are Some Examples of Romanticism in "Frankenstein"?
A: The novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley contains several romanticist themes, including the enthusiastic and almost surreal characterization of nature. Additionally, Shelley's characters are driven by larger-than-life emotions, another staple component of romanticist fiction. Finally, there is the call for humans to press the boundaries of their own existence and understanding. -
Q: What Are Examples of Personification in "Hamlet"?
A: "The world's grown honest" and "For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak / With most miraculous organ" are both quotes from Act II, scene ii that are examples of personification in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." Personification is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are given traits normally ascribed to humans. In the above examples, the world and murder are given human qualities.