In Bud, Not Buddy, what did Bud do to Todd and why did he do it?

In Chapter 2, Todd Amos is beating up Bud when Mrs. Amos walks into the bedroom. Todd lies to his mother and fakes an asthma attack. Todd points to Bud's hand mark on his face, and Todd's parents make Bud sleep in the ominous looking shed. After Bud escapes a swarm of attacking hornets in the shed, he sneaks back into the Amos' house to get revenge on Todd. Bud quietly fills a glass with warm water and sneaks into Todd's room while he is asleep. Bud puts Todd's fingers in the glass and hopes that it will make Todd pee his bed. This doesn't work, and Bud decides to pour water over Todd's hand to get him to pee the bed. After another failed attempt to make Todd pee, Bud pours the warm water on Todd's pajama pants. Bud's final attempt is a success, and Todd Amos pees his bed. Todd had accused Bud of looking like a bed-wetter in front of Mrs. Amos earlier, which embarrassed Bud. Bud understands how embarrassing it is to be labeled a bed-wetter, and he decides to seek revenge on Todd for sticking a pencil up his nose, beating him up, calling him Buddy, and lying to Mrs. Amos who made Bud sleep in the shed.

In Bud, Not Buddy why did the people in the food line pretend that Bud's name was Clarence?

In Chapter Six of Bud, Not Buddy, Bud accidentally oversleeps and is late to line up at the mission for his breakfast. By the time that he arrives, the line is already two blocks long. As Bud waits in line, the man who allows people to enter the mission cuts off the line; the folks remaining will not be fed today. Bud tries to argue with the man, but is met with a slap on the hand. However, before Bud can leave, someone grabs him by the neck, calls him "Clarence," and begins to scold him for being late. 

Eventually, Bud understands that these strangers are only trying to help him. They pretend that he is their son, "Clarence," in order to negotiate Bud closer to the front of the line--in other words, the part of the line that will be served breakfast.

Bud is able to receive oatmeal, milk, and an apple, which he eats with his temporary "family." His "parents" even coax his "siblings" to share their brown sugar with him as a topping for his oatmeal.

Thanks to the generosity and quick thinking of the strangers in the food line, Bud is able to continue on his journey to find his father with a full stomach. 

In The Sign of the Beaver, what kind of trees do Matt and his father use to build their cabin?

In Chapter One, Matt remembers how he helped his father cut down spruce trees to build their log cabin. He is especially proud when he recalls his efforts to haul, square, and notch the trees for assembling. Fondly, he reminisces about how he helped to raise every log of their cabin and how he carefully fitted the notches on each end.

The roof of the log cabin is made of cedar splints and pine boughs which Matt himself helped to fasten down. He notices with great satisfaction that the new corn and pumpkin seedlings are beginning to sprout. Surveying the property, he concludes that his mother will have no cause to be ashamed of their simple home when she arrives. As the chapter begins, Matt's father has gone to Massachusetts to fetch his mother, sister, and the new baby; left behind, Matt has been charged with guarding the cabin and their new garden patch.

What do the firemen do when nights get dull? Does Montag participate?

At the beginning of the novel, Montag watches the Mechanical Hound "sleep" in its kennel, located in a dark corner of the firehouse. After he smokes a cigarette, the narrator describes what goes on during dull nights at the firehouse. On dull nights, the firemen set the ticking combinations of the olfactory system of the Mechanical Hound and let small animals loose for the Hound to seize and kill. The firemen let loose rats, chickens, and cats, while they make bets on which animal will be the first to get caught by the Hound. The Mechanical Hound kills the animals by stabbing them with a four-inch steel needle that protrudes from its nose and injects morphine or procaine into its prey. Montag no longer partakes in the betting because two years ago he lost a week's salary, which upset his wife. While the firemen bet downstairs, Montag lies in his bunk and listens to them laugh and yell while the Hound traps and kills the various animals.

How is Jack symbolized as a dictator in Lord of the Flies?

Jack displays several personality traits that connect his role as a leader, to that of a dictator throughout the novel Lord of the Flies. Historically, dictators are selfish individuals who rule via fear and violence. During the first assembly meeting, Jack suggests that he should be the leader of the group because he is the head boy and lead in the choir. Similar to the character of a dictator, Jack assumes that he is the most capable leader. Dictators are typically inconsiderate of others. Jack shares this character trait by constantly bullying Piggy, and suggesting that they use a littlun to simulate attacking a real pig. Throughout history, dictators have made outrageous claims in hopes to persuade the masses. Similarly, Jack makes the false claim that Ralph is a coward and attempts to usurp power. Dictators have a tendency to use fear to manipulate their followers to act in their best interests. For instance, Saddam Hussien used "fear of the Western world" to influence his troops to resist American forces. Jack uses the "fear of the beast" to coerce his followers in looking to him for protection and influence. Dictators also use fear and violence to maintain control over the population. Jack threatens Samneric to join his tribe, and they obey him because they fear the repercussions. Much like dictators, Jack likes to take chances and engages in risky behavior. Hitler risked starting World War II by invading Poland. Jack risks open conflict with Ralph and his followers when he steals Piggy's glasses. Jack eventually gains control over the majority of the boys on the island, but as we see from a later scene, his power will soon be challenged by another ruthless character, Roger. Likewise, many dictators lost their authority during coups within their party.

What can you infer about Mrs. Sommers' past?

From her longings and desires on her shopping trip, the reader can infer that Mrs. Sommers has long practiced self-denial, but she has not always had to be so frugal and responsible for others; she was once able to purchase items that were not "necessities," and she was independent.

Mrs. Sommers' knowledge of quality materials contained in the gloves and silk stockings and polished kid-leather boots which she purchases suggest her prior acquaintance with such luxuries: "It was a long time since Mrs. Sommers had been fitted with gloves." Further, after she purchases the gloves, silk stockings, and leather boots, Mrs. Sommers feels transformed to her younger years. She experiences a renewed feeling of "assurance, a sense of belonging to the well-dressed multitude." Truly, she enjoys her return to this realm and her escape from a life of "enforced frugality." 

Clearly, Mrs. Sommers demonstrates a nostalgic desire to reclaim her appearance of days long past as she has equated her youth and pre-marriage self with luxuries and a sense of independence.

What were some of the issues that led Martin Luther to break with the Catholic Church?

As a Catholic priest, Martin Luther was greatly disturbed by the practice of selling indulgences; also, he was greatly troubled by the structure of the authority of the Church and the power that its hierarchy wielded.

Luther felt that the Church had become corrupt in its power. People were led to believe that if they contributed to the Church, their sins could be forgiven. Luther felt that the Pope had no power from God to absolve people from their sins simply because they transferred money to the Church. In essence, he felt that the Church was stealing from people through the selling of indulgences as well as by making them work on church grounds for free and by forcing them to tithe.

Luther was also disturbed by the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church which gave great power to the cardinals and bishops over the other members of the clergy. In addition, because the Catholic Church was a political power as well as a religious one, cardinals often had significant roles in secular affairs, as well as within governments. 

Luther's 95 Theses that he nailed to a church door became famous and grew to be one of the most influential figures in European history. Certainly, his writings helped to cause friction within the Catholic Church and initiate the Protestant Reformation.