... the opportunities available to people. Therefore, education was not always readily available. Instead, people relied on life experiences and common sense to guide them. This was no exception with writer and poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Though he lacked a formal education (http://www.virginia.edu/literature/chaucer /defense 2), Chaucer rose to a prominent government position (Anderson 84). In addition, his literary works show that he was extremely well read (Williams 1). The effects of Chaucer's education can be seen through his ability to write work that would appeal to its readers, his utilization of various writin ...

... microcosm of relationships among people or groups of people. This microcosm is demonstrated by the activity on a ballroom floor, namely, at the Eastern Province Open Ballroom Dancing Championships for which Willie is practicing. This microcosm may be seen in different manners and different levels. On page 46, Sam illustrates his idealized scenario of this microcosm on a universal level as he explains to Hally that collisions do not take place at the championships: "And it's beautiful because that is what we want life to be." Sam then goes on to illustrate the real-life scenario on a personal level, explaining interp ...

... their military prowess, winning the approval of other knights and the attention of the ladies Sir Gawain After his baptism as a child, Gawain was set adrift in a casket, being eventually rescued by a poor fisherman. In youth, he made his way to Rome where he obtained his education. Having been knighted by Pope Sulpicius, he returned to Britain and the court of the High-King, Arthur, where he was re-united with his parents Sir Galahad Sir Galahad was called a Grail knight because he went in search for the Holy Grail. His father was named Sir Lancelot and his mother was given to the name Elaine. ...

... For instance, she recites poetry, the ideas of great philosophers, and most importantly, facts about the world’s history. When she first speaks to Montag of these illicit things, he is taken aback and begins to question all that he has been told. Not trusting his current knowledge and cursed with a burning curiosity, Montag begins collecting books from the fires. One by one he reads the books, but they make no sense to him and he looks to others for help. Unfortunately, Clarisse mysteriously disappeared and is later reported dead. But, Montag did not give up. He soon remembers an old retired English professor, ...

... the better claim� (line 6-7). What make it better was “it was grassy and wanted wear� (line 8). It was something that was obviously not for everyone because it seems that the other people take the more popular one. “And both that morning equally lay/ In leaves no step had trodden black� (line 11). No one had yet to pass by on this road since the leaves have fallen. “I kept the first for another day� (line 13). The desire to travel down both paths is expressed and is not unusual, but “knowing how way leads onto way� (line 14). The speaker of this poem realizes that the decision is not just ...

... women by treating them like slaves. Their only role in the man’s life was to help him achieve a higher stature by working for him. The Ibo tribe’s definition of family was much different than it was in many other parts of the world in the eighteen-hundreds. Okonkwo’s "whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness" (13). The way Achebe described Okonkwo’s family and his tribe showed that in Ibo society, anything strong was related to man, and anything weak was related to woman. As a child, Okonkwo was teased by other kids when they called his father "Agbala". "Agbala" is a Ibo word u ...

... find a way to provide for his family that sent Mr. Shimerda into a depressing downward spiral that left him no foreseeable alternative but to take his own life. The first descriptions of Mr. Shimerda are that of a successful businessman that had always provided well for his family. I noticed how white and well-shaped his own hands were. They looked calm, somehow, and skilled. His eyes were melancholy, and were set back deep under his brow. His face was ruggedly formed, but it looked like ashes – like something from which all the warmth and light had dried out. Everything about this old man was in keeping w ...

... three times. He then tied a lock of his hair with a thread to keep the witches away. "You do that when you've lost a horseshoe that you've found, instead of nailing it up over the door, but I hadn't ever heard anybody say it was any way to keep of bad luck when you'd killed a spider."(Twain 5). In chapter four Huck sees Pap's footprints in the snow. So Huck goes to Jim to ask him why Pap is here. Jim gets a hair-ball that is the size of a fist that he took from an ox's stomach. Jim asks the hair-ball; Why is Pap here? But the hair-ball won't answer. Jim says it needs money, so Huck gives Jim a counterfeit quarter. ...

... up living his life happily. Miss Havisham is a lady who had to have luxury and riches to make her happy. Herbert, Pip, and Miss Havisham are related to this statement, "wealth is no substitute for happiness." In this novel, Herbert is portrayed to us as being rather plain and simple. When we first are introduced to Mr. Herbert Pocket in Chapter 16, he is rather down to earth. His living quarters don't consist of anything expensive and luxurious. For example, (pg. 732) Herbert says "this is my little bedroom, rather musty, …the furniture is hired for the occasion." He is just a man managing to get along and b ...

... men, Chaucer has a way of showing their capabilities through the stories. Although, their abilities are not always positive. Disguised in the form of love stories, Chaucer portrays how women easily lead men to their downfall. This is most evident in the tales told by the Knight, the Miller, the Franklin, and the Nun’s Priest. In the Knight’s Tale, two cousins fall for the fair Emelye. They are both in love with her after glancing at her from a prison tower. Not only has Emelye’s beauty made Arcite and Palamon love her, but it has made them become hostile towards each other. "We strive as did the houndes f ...