In Thank You M'am, what is unusual about Mrs. Jones's behavior?

When beginning to read Thank You M'am by Langston Hughes, the reader has certain expectations after reading that Mrs. Jones " kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter." The reader is soon aware that Mrs. Jones will not tolerate bad behavior for any reason and she sets high standards. Accordingly, having stopped the boy and picked up her own purse, Mrs. Jones may be expected to take him straight to the police station, and the boy certainly fears just such a thing which is why he is so anxious to get away from her if possible. However, after the boy (Roger) tries to steal her purse, Mrs. Jones is more concerned about his dirty face and the fact that he looks hungry than her purse and his attempted theft.

Mrs. Jones's behavior reveals her social awareness and her propensity to consider Roger's position rather than her own. This is most unusual but Mrs. Jones's kindness does not stop at her ability to recognize Roger's vulnerability. She sets a fine example and even gives him the precious $10 he needs to buy the blue suede shoes he craves. It is particularly significant as Mrs. Jones is not a wealthy woman (as evidenced by her own circumstances) and parting with her hard-earned $10 will no doubt require sacrifice on her part. 

Mrs. Jones does not know Roger and she has no idea whether he will put her $10 to good use. She doesn't know whether he will learn his lesson but she hopes that her message is powerful enough to have a positive effect on the boy.  What is also unusual is that she makes no demands on Roger, expecting nothing in return for her kindness except to remind him to "behave."  

In The Old Man and the Sea, what is the connection or difference between suffering and being a man?

The theme of suffering and how that impacts manhood is prevalent in The Old Man and the Sea. Santiago has very definite ideas of what suffering should be to a man. The story shows different types of suffering, and different ways of dealing with that suffering as a man. The first example in the book of dealing with suffering stoically as a man is when the old man goes to wake up Manolin (the boy) on the 85th day. He apologizes for waking Manolin, who responds "Qua Va [something like "no worries"]. It is what a man must do." In their culture, a man does not suffer and complain about it.

The old man went out the door and the boy came after him. He was sleepy and the old man put his arm across his shoulders and said, “I am sorry.” “Qua Va,” the boy said. “It is what a man must do.”

Santiago has hooked his marlin and is tired and in pain. He does not admit his suffering, possibly not even recognizing it himself fully.

“Bad news for you, fish,” he said and shifted the line over the sacks that covered his shoulders. He was comfortable but suffering, although he did not admit the suffering at all.

In contrast, at the end of the story, Santiago admits his suffering in a moment of vulnerability to Manolin when he returns with the skeleton of the marlin.

Manolin: "How much did you suffer?”

“Plenty,” the old man said.

Santiago imagines that the marlin jumped out of the water as a sort of macho show of strength and manhood. He wishes he could return the gesture, but sees his cramped hand as a sign of emasculation.

I wonder why he jumped, the old man thought. He jumped almost as though to show me how big he was. I know now, anyway, he thought. I wish I could show him what sort of man I am. But then he would see the cramped hand. Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so.

Santiago identifies suffering as part of being a man, as the following quote demonstrates. He sees his abilities as an extension of his manhood.

“I’ll kill him though,” he said. “In all his greatness and his glory.” Although it is unjust, he thought. But I will show him what a man can do and what a man endures.

Santiago sees DiMaggio's ability to perform even when in pain as a positive sign of manhood. He doubts his own ability to fight when he is in pain the way that cornered animals do, and looks up to their endurance. From here we see that he sees the ability to endure suffering as something very admirable.

I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the pain of the bone spur in his heel. What is a bone spur? he asked himself. Un espuela de hueso. We do not have them. Can it be as painful as the spur of a fighting cock in one’s heel? I do not think I could endure that or the loss of the eye and of both eyes and continue to fight as the fighting cocks do. Man is not much beside the great birds and beasts.

He tells himself that pain does not matter to a man to remind himself of his value of having the ability to struggle through his pain and get the job done, because pain does not matter to a man in his viewpoint.

After he judged that his right hand had been in the water long enough he took it out and looked at it. “It is not bad,” he said. “And pain does not matter to a man.”

The following quote is significant because it elaborates on the idea that not only does he believe that suffering is a part of being a man, there is a specific way for men to suffer. 

You are killing me, fish, the old man thought. But you have a right to. Never have I seen a greater, or more beautiful, or a calmer or more noble thing than you, brother. Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who. Now you are getting confused in the head, he thought. You must keep your head clear. Keep your head clear and know how to suffer like a man. Or a fish, he thought.

How is Willy Loman a tragic Hero in a Death of a Salesman? Or, is he not?

It is has been debatable whether Willy is a tragic hero, or just a tragic character. However, what makes a character a "hero" are the potentially redeeming traits that may help the character serve a higher purpose, should the character learn to change. 

The redeeming qualities of Willy Loman are evident toward the end of his life, and after many tragic mistakes. Such mistakes constitute Willy's essential flaw, which is where the term "tragic" would come from; Willy is, essentially, his own enemy. 

Now that it is clear as to what makes him tragic, what are the redeeming qualities that would make him a hero?

First, Willy recognizes in the conversation with Bernard, Charley's son, that Biff's life changed the moment he (Biff) caught Willy with a mistress. This is something Willy had been denying to himself for years while blaming Biff for his own failures. Before this moment, Willy had never admitted his own influence in the downward spiral that has become Biff's life. 

Second, Willy is able to discern, also for the first time in his life, something other than the shallow end of things. While he does not mend his relationship with Biff, he is able to finally realize, toward the end, that their riff was caused, precisely, because of how much they once loved and admired one another.

Third, Willy realizes that all these years seeking for the superficial joys of life has rendered him quite poor. He has "no seeds" planted from which his kids can reap any profits. The sad scene where Willy tries to plant the seeds that he purchased  at the hardware store, right on his concrete floor, is a strong metaphor of his life: his eternal search for quick and easy money did not allow him to build upon what really mattered. 

Fourth, Willy decides that he can still make amends for his family. Unfortunately, the only way for this to happen, according to Willy, is by committing suicide; he feels that he can only help his family start over by removing himself and letting them cash in his life insurance policy. 

This latter fact is what seals Willy's status as a tragic hero: he is willing to end his life on behalf of his family after years of being selfish and self-centered. He has changed, and is desperate to redeem himself. His death will put an end to the endless years of wasted time and money that he has caused by dragging his family around, in search of an nonexistent dream. Therefore, Willy's entire life is his tragedy. The fact that he will make the ultimate sacrifice to make amends for what he has done to his family is what renders him a "hero" in the literary sense. 

How many children does Bob Cratchit have in A Christmas Carol?

Bob Cratchit and his wife have six children.  The eldest is Martha, who is old enough to have a job as an apprentice to a milliner.  She comes home late from work for Christmas dinner and her mother frets about the time.  The second oldest daughter is Belinda.  The oldest son is Peter.  He is also older, as his father discusses him getting a job in the near future.  Martha, Belinda, and Peter are all helpful in assisting with the preparation and serving of the special meal.  There are two younger children, a boy and a girl, whose names are not mentioned.  They are playful and they beg Martha to hide before their father gets home.  Last there is Tiny Tim, who is crippled.  He is well behaved and has a cheerful attitude.

What are three human foods that bacteria help produce?

Bacteria is very useful in producing food. In fact, bacteria helps in the production of all the produce, cereals, etc., by keeping the soil enriched with nutrients.

A specific example of this is seen with legumes (including lentils, peas, beans, soybeans, etc.) which are common protein rich food. These plants form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil. The bacteria enrich these crops with nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form usable by the plant.

Another example of bacteria used in food production is that of making yogurt (or curd). Lactobacilli are commonly used for this purpose throughout the world. Dried (and fermented) meat products such as salami, pepperoni, etc. are made by using starter cultures. For this purpose lactic bacteria are used, which add flavor and color to the dried meat. 

A large number of other examples especially from the dairy industry can also be used.

Hope this helps. 

How could you use the number and type of reactants to identify a type of chemical reaction?

There are six types of chemical reactions. Each type can usually be identified by the number and types of reactants:

1. A synthesis or combination reaction has two or more reactants, usually elements. These form one product. For example:

`2 Mg + O_2 -> 2 MgO`

2. A decompostion reaction has only one reactant. It breaks down into two or more products. Example:

`2 H_2O_2 -> 2 H_2O + O_2`

3. A single replacement reaction has two reactants, an element and an ionic compound. The element replaces an element in the compound, producing a different compound and element. Example:

`Zn + CuCl_2 -> ZnCl_2 + Cu`

4.  A double replacement reaction has two ionic compounds as reactants and as products. The ions switch places:

`NaCl_((aq)) + AgNO3_((aq)) -> AgCl_((s)) + NaCl_((aq))`

5. A combustion reaction has a hydrocarbon and oxygen as reactants. Its products are carbon dioxide and water. Example:

`CH_4 + 2 O_2 -gt CO_2 + 2 H_2O `

6. An acid-base reaction is a type of double replacement reaction in which the reactants are an acid (contains the H+ ion) and a base (contains an OH- ion). It produces water and a salt. Example:

`KOH + HCl -> H_2O + KCl` 

How people can be influenced by our different cultures?

Culture is multifaceted and includes our languages, architecture, work, food, artistic expression, religion, health practices, and beliefs about the world and ourselves. Even this list is not enough to sum up culture. Anthropologists like to say that anything not biological (and found in our DNA) is culture. Culture is constantly transmitted, and communicated: "passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. ... [by] symbolic communication ... learned and deliberately perpetuated in a society through its institutions" (Texas A&M University).

Sometimes cultural change is very quick--think of how often slang terms change. Cultural change is generally very slow--think of how the styles of houses have changed over the past two thousand years.

Culture has a huge impact on humans because it shapes the lives we live. Perhaps the biggest impact culture has on humans is how it contributes to the health or sickness of our bodies. Beliefs about health and how to stay healthy differ from culture to culture. In general, we agree that people need adequate food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, these aren't always available to people, partly due to another aspect of culture: economy. Economic systems can create or be influenced  by class systems. Where a class or caste system is in place, some people are valued as better than others, and these people live better, safer, healthier lives. 

You can think about this in your own life, too! What kinds of food does your family like to eat? Are these foods healthy? What kind of activities do you do for fun? What kind of house do you live in? What words would you use to describe your best friend? What kind of transportation do you use, and why do you choose this? These are all questions to do with how culture affects your life every day.