Who is the speaker and what is subject of the poem "Caged Bird"?

"Caged Bird" is a poem by Maya Angelou. It consists of six stanzas, of which two discuss the thoughts of the "free bird" and four the thoughts of the "caged bird." The poem is written in the third person and the speaker is not identified. The point of view is omniscient. The speaker has access to the minds and interior thoughts of both birds. The birds are presented as highly anthropomorphized with both birds having human thoughts and feelings, albeit with the caged bird being the more humanized of the two. While the free bird sings of ordinary events in the life of birds, the speaker states:

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom

While on the literal level, this poem compares and contrasts two types of birds, on a metaphorical level this is a poem about black people in the United States. The "caged bird" is a reference to slavery and to the white oppression of black people. The song of the caged bird is artistic creation, particularly the musical and literary creations, of African-Americans.

What are some quotes that support the theme "It's a sin to hurt an innocent person" in To Kill a Mockingbird?

There are a number of places where this theme occurs. 

First, the title of the book comes from the words of Atticus who says that it is sin to kill a mockingbird.  He says these words in the context of Jem and Scout getting air guns.  Atticus says that they should never shoot mockingbirds.  Jem and Scout are perplexed. So, Scout asks Ms. Maudie. Ms. Maudie explains that Atticus right, because mockingbirds only do good. Here is the excerpt:

“Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

To be sure, these words do not speak directly of the evils of hurting innocent people, but the lesson is there and develops.

Second, in a stern conversation between Atticus and Jem, Atticus says that when a white man harms a black man, the white man is trash.  These words come in the context of the trial of Tom Robinson, where people are harming an innocent man – Tom Robinson. Here are the words:

As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it— whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”

Finally, arguably the strongest words on this topic come during the trial. Atticus says that he pities Mayella, but his pity does not extend as far as harming an innocent man. Here are the words of Atticus:

“I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt.”

How does O. Henry’s use of irony create a humorous tone?

My favorite use of irony in "The Ransom of Red Chief" is the verbal irony that happens at the end of Bill and Sam's letter to Ebenezer Dorset.  

These terms are final, and if you do not accede to them no further communication will be attempted.

Two Desperate Men.

Remember that Bill and Sam are two "hardened" criminals that have kidnapped a child.  They are dangerous men presumably because they are desperate enough to try anything . . . including kidnapping. At least that's the message that would be sent if the kidnappers were anybody other than Bill and Sam and the victim was anybody other than Johnny Dorset.  In this case, Bill and Sam are desperate to get rid of Johnny.  They are at their wits end.  They are scared of Johnny and desperate to escape his enthusiasm.  

The other irony that is humorous to me is situational irony.  I mentioned before that Bill and Sam are criminals that are willing to kidnap a young boy.  They should be cruel enough to control and scare little Johnny Dorset.  That's what readers would expect to happen; however, the absolute opposite is what happens. Bill and Sam actually cower from Johnny and have zero control over this kid.  Ironically enough, they don't get any ransom money.  In fact Bill and Sam end up paying Ebenzer to take his kid back.  So for all of their trouble, Bill and Sam actually lost money.  That story is hilarious, because everything that happens is ironic.  

Why was it important for the Articles of Confederation to limit the power of the government?

It was important for the plan of government created by the Articles of Confederation to limit the power of the federal government. We had just fought a war against Great Britain because we felt the British government had abused its power and violated the rights of the colonists. Thus, to ease the fears of the American people about having too strong of a government, we needed to create a plan of government that limited the power of the federal government.

The plan created by the Articles of Confederation did this. It created a weak federal government. The federal government was unable to tax its people. It couldn’t require people to join the military. The federal government was also not able to control trade. The power of executive branch was limited. A three-person committee ran the executive branch instead of having one person in charge of the executive branch.

While the creation of a weak federal government eventually caused problems for our country, it was something that needed to be created because of our negative experiences under British rule with a strong leader and a powerful government.

In The Bronze Bow, in what ways does Jesus appeal to Daniel in Chapter 15?

In Chapter 15, Daniel begins to travel routinely to Capernaum in the mornings and nights the hear Jesus preach. Although Daniel does not always understand what Jesus is talking about, there is hope and promise in Jesus' messages which appeal to Daniel. Daniel enjoys traveling in the mornings to see Jesus because the scenery is alive and there is much anticipation to hear Jesus speak to the crowds. Daniel tells his sister that there is a stillness in Jesus' deep, steady voice which makes his messages unforgettable. He mentions that in the mornings when Jesus speaks, nothing seems impossible. Daniel believes that the kingdom of God is nearer whenever he listens to Jesus. He is not sure if Jesus has been training for an upcoming battle with the Romans, but Daniel knows that Jesus has the strength of God in him. Daniel does not fully understand Jesus' plans or his messages, which is why he continually returns to listen to Jesus speak. Jesus is an intriguing figure who appeals to Daniel, and Daniel wishes to unlock the secrets in Jesus' messages.

Why did Tom and Becky decide to go for a picnic?

Interesting question! In the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Tom and Becky decided to go for a picnic.

When Becky first instigated the idea, her motives were quite different. At the time, she was upset with Tom. He was talking to another girl (Amy Lawrence), despite their “engagement” and his declaration of love to her. Consequently, she wanted to gain his attention and get revenge. As the text shows:

“she [Becky] glanced ever so furtively at Tom, but he talked right along to Amy Lawrence about the terrible storm on the island”

However, Tom and Becky’s relationship was eventually mended. Consequently, the picnic soon had a different purpose. Although the purpose was not initially revealed, Tom and Becky were quite excited. As the text reveals:

“The child’s [Becky] delight was boundless; and Tom’s not more moderate.”

Eventually, the readers ascertain the reason for the picnic. For Tom and Becky, the picnic represented their “wedding.” Becky even saved a piece of their “wedding cake” to keep for later.

Thus, the picnic served multiple purposes. Initially, Becky instigated the idea for revenge and to gain Tom’s attention again; however, as the book progressed, it is clear that the picnic became their “wedding” in the children’s minds.

How did Feudalism impact the lives of people living in Western Europe?

For much of the Middle Ages, Feudalism dominated the lives of those who lived in Western Europe. But its impact on individuals depended chiefly on their social position. The king or ruler, for example, sat at the top of the feudal chain and brought great benefits. By distributing his kingdom among his nobles, he received the loyalty of these men and the guarantee of an army during times of war. 

Similarly, the noblemen beneath the king also derived many benefits from the feudal system. The king granted them lands and titles while they received the loyalty of those below them, namely knights.But there were some drawbacks to this situation, as demonstrated by this primary source from 1110 in which a man called Bernard Atton did homage to his lord:

And the lord may take the revenues and the products of the year, if the relief is not paid to him, and also money rents. 

In other words, this relationship could cost a tenant financially, if he did not pay the necessary tax, like the right to inherit a piece of land, at the right time. (You can see more examples of these rules in the first reference link provided).

But, the vast majority of people in Western Europe were neither kings nor noblemen and, for them, life under Feudalism was very tough. While peasants and serfs (unfree peasants) had a right to their land and to protection from their lord, they had very little social and economic freedom. Serfs, for example, could not leave their manor without permission and had to pay taxes to their lord for basic rights. If a serf married, for example, he had to pay a tax to his lord called a merchet. Similarly, the heriot, or death tax, was owed to the lord when a serf died. 

Serfs also had to work on their lord's land, or demesne, to produce food for his family, while simultaneously working their own land for the same reason. The serf did not benefit from any surplus produce: this was sold at market and the money given to the lord. 

This situation was only alleviated when the Black Death hit Western Europe in 1347. The high death toll, which historians estimate is between one-third and one-half of the European population, created better opportunities and higher wages for peasants, as the high death killed so many existing workers. This has led some historians to call this period, "The Golden Age of the Labourer," though this is a hotly-debated topic. You can read more about it in the second reference link provided.