What is the significance of the “world of grownups" throughout the novel Lord of the Flies?

At the end of Chapter 5, Ralph and Piggy lament about their situation and wish that there were "grownups" around to take control of the situation. Piggy comments,

"Grownups know things...They wouldn't quarrel---" (Golding 94).

Then, Ralph desperately says,

"If only they could send us something grownup...a sign or something" (Golding 94).

The next chapter opens with an air battle taking place about ten miles above the island. A paratrooper is shot out of the sky and descends onto the island. Ironically, the "sign" from the grownups is actually a dead paratrooper. It is significant to note that the same barbaric, savage behavior that is prevalent throughout the island, is also common in the "world of grownups." Adults are plagued with the same inherent wickedness as the boys, and therefore behave like savages by going to war against one another. While Piggy and Ralph look up to adults, they naively believe that the "adult world" is less savage and more structured. Golding is suggesting that human wickedness and affinity for violence is prevalent from youth to adulthood, and the most obvious example of disregard for humanity is in the event of war. At the end of the novel, a naval officer lands on the island just as Ralph escapes the forest fire with the savages at his heels. The naval officer says,

"I should have thought that a pack of British boys---you're all British, aren't you?---would have been able to put up a better show than that---I mean---" (Golding 202).

His comments are hypocritical because he is actually a participant in a war, which is essentially no different than the boys dressing up like savages and hunting Ralph. It turns out that the "world of grownups" is just as depraved as the boys' savage society on the island.

What is Grover's character about in The Lightning Thief?

Grover has two functions in The Lightning Thief. On the surface, he is supposed to be Percy’s guardian, protecting him from the evil that tends to be attracted to the Half-Bloods. Obviously, he is not very good at it. He serves as the “comic relief,” injecting humor into the many dangerous episodes to lighten the tone, preventing it from becoming too dark and threatening.

Grover also serves as a foil, a character that is paired with the protagonist to allow the protagonist to seem more “heroic.” While Grover is often cowardly, Percy is courageous. In instances where Percy does not have information about the gods, Grover supplies that information. Grover’s silliness allows Percy to seem more mature and commanding.

In the theory of the Hero’s Quest, the hero always goes on his quest with companions. One of these can be a “fool,” such as Grover is. The companions are essential to the quest, as they highlight the qualities of the hero in the story and help him along the way. Other examples are Frodo with the other hobbits in The Lord of the Rings, Dorothy with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter with Hermione and Ron Weasley. Thus, Annabelle and Grover are the typical companions of Percy Jackson, the hero on a quest.

Why does Mayella think that Atticus is mocking her in To Kill a Mockingbird ?

Mayella Ewell believes that Atticus is "sassing" her when he calls her "ma'am" and "Miss Mayella."

Mayella tells Judge Taylor that Atticus is mocking her when he has actually addressed her in terms of politeness. The judge informs Mayella that Mr. Finch is not making fun of her. Then, the judge asks her, "What's the matter with you?" because he is amazed that she knows nothing about manners or the diction of polite people.
Hearing all this, Scout wonders if Mayella has never been called "Miss" before, and this is the reason that she would take offense with common courtesy. Scout asks herself, "What on earth was her life like?"

After extracting from Mayella what her life is like as the children fend for themselves because the relief check is not enough, or her father squanders it, Atticus asks her if she has any friends. Mayella repeats the words questioningly. Atticus responds again,

"Yes, don't you know anyone near your age, or older, or younger? Boys and girls? Just ordinary friends?"

Something about this question enrages Mayella. "You makin' fun o'me again, Mr. Finch?" Atticus lets this question be the answer. Then, he asks her about what happened with Tom Robinson. It is obvious that Mayella tries to remember what to say. When Atticus asks her if Tom hit her, Mayella first says that she cannot remember, then she says, "I mean yes I do, he hit me." And, she begins crying. When Judge Taylor scolds her, "Don't you cry, young woman--" she cries more.
Again Mayella "sniffed wrathfully" and looks at Atticus, saying, "I'll answer any question you got--get me up her an' mock me , will you? I'll answer any question you got--"

While Mayella confuses Atticus's professional politeness as mocking her, nevertheless, she is aware that Atticus asks her such specific and numerous questions because he hopes to discredit her testimony. She is uncomfortable because she has never been on a witness stand; however, her real discomfiture comes from the fact that she is well aware that she is falsifying her testimony. 

How can I write a successful essay on Joyce Carol Oates's novel Wonderland?

One way you can write a successful essay on this novel is to look at how Oates's Wonderland parallels Lewis Carroll's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland because it is obvious Oates uses Carroll's novel as the framework for hers. Like Alice, Jesse finds new worlds and meets zany characters that parallel characters we find in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and like Alice, Jesse discovers worlds and characters that are out of proportion, where emotions, ideas, and appearance are all grossly exaggerated. 

Another way to approach an essay on this novel is to look at the themes that run through it. One theme that is predominant is that of identity. Jesse's identity is always in question and seems to hinge on whether or not he is involved in a meaningful pursuit. In addition, his last name changes frequently, and since so much of our identity is tied to what we are named or name ourselves, this is significant. Last, as a doctor, Jesse has the power to cure his patients, but he does not seem to be able to 'cure' himself. A diagnosis for what ails him is elusive. You can tie this to identity, as well.

Another theme is the idea of what shapes a life's path, personality or fate? In many ways, Jesse's life's path twists and turns in ways over which he has little, if any, control. But in other ways, it is his personality that leads him to make certain decisions, which in turn lead to consequences and circumstances he may have avoided were he to have made a different choice. 

Another approach you can take is to examine the novel to see if/how it meets (or not) the criteria to be called a Gothic novel. There are many who critique Oates's work through that lens. Most Gothic novels contain a number of similar characteristics, including a gloomy or decaying setting, many with secret passages, trapdoors, or other mysterious architectural features; a damsel in distress who is rescued by a romantic hero; romance; ancient curses or prophecies; and a supernatural element. 

A concise, focused thesis that makes a clear argument and solid research from credible sources will help you make the most of your argument. Good luck!

`(-1, 2), 5x + 3y = -4` Find the distance between the point and the line.

Given (-1, 2) `5x+3y=-4`

`5x+3y=-4`

`5x+3y+4=0`

Let A=5, B=3, C=4, x1=-1, and y1=2

Find the distance between the point and the line using the formula

`d=|Ax_1+By_1+C|/sqrt(A^2+B^2)`

`d=|(5)(-1)+(3)(2)+4|/sqrt(5^2+3^2)`

`d=|-5+6+4|/sqrt(34)=5/sqrt(34)=.8575`

The distance between the point and the line is .8575 units.

What is the best known index fossil called?

The term "index fossils" refers to varieties of fossils which can be used in relative dating to approximate the (unknown) time period of another fossil. Index fossils are characteristically widespread in terms of geographic space but exist during a rather narrow window of time. In this way, if one particular kind of fossil is found all over the planet but only during a certain time period, we can associate this fossil with that particular time period. Let's imagine a scenario where paleontologists are digging in a particular area and they find two fossils-- one of which they know the age of, and one they do not. Using the first fossil as an index, the paleontologist could infer that the second fossil was formed during the same time period.

Ammonoids, also called ammonites, are the best known index fossils and are regularly used to provide approximate dates for other fossils. Because ammonoids were so widespread and underwent a variety of morphological changes, they can be reliably used to approximate dates for other fossils based upon already known variations through time. Ammonoids can be used to date from about the Devonian Period (419 million years ago) to the Cretacious Period (66 million years ago), when they disappeared along with numerous dinosaur species. 

In Wonder, how did August's mom feel about him losing his hearing aids?

In chapter 108 (called "Voices in the Dark"), August gets in a scuffle at the fairgrounds and ends up having to stand up for himself.  Unfortunately, he loses his expensive hearing aids in the process.  When August first gets his hearing aids, his mother talks about how much money they cost and gives August a poncho to wear over them if it ever rains.  This would generally lead the reader to believe that August's mom would be upset if August lost them.  Instead, due to his bravery against the older seventh graders, August's mom does not even mention the hearing aids when he gets home.  She simply looks "worried," but she is happy to have her son back in her arms.  Eventually, they find the broken hearing aids in Edward's locker.  Edward is the main bully who attacked August.  August decides not to press charges on Edward.