Best & Co.

The Message behind Candide In the story Candide, written by Voltaire, there are several lessons that are meant to be learned. Voltaire’s satirical approach entices the reader to want to continue reading the story, find out what happens next, and really try to read between the lines for the deeper meaning. He makes a major point with his statement, “Cultivate your garden.” Those three powerful words combine together in response to the apathy or lack of concern created by philosophical optimism…

The passage is about the dramatic change in Lieutenant Cross after the death of Ted Lavender. He realized that he loved Martha, more than his fellow soldiers which ultimately caused the death of Lavender. Lieutenant Cross’s revelation made him a better leader; because he finally has opened his eyes and change his focus to what is important. “He felt shame”, he hated the fact that he put his love for Martha before his team. Lieutenant Cross fantasizes about Martha every day of the war knowing he…

The President's Plate Joyce’s family was gathered around the table to celebrate her special day. Today, Joyce has turned five years old. After summer, she will go to school with the big kids. “Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Joyce!”The family sings loudly and off-key. “Sto Lat!” Busia sings. Busia is Joyce’s grandmother. Busia cuts the cake. She puts a piece of cake and a scoop of ice cream on each plate. “The president’s plate goes to Joyce. Happy Birthday, sweetie, may you live…

Mrs. Price believes it is Rachel’s sweater because Sylvia Saldivar said that it belongs to Rachel. Sylvia noticed that Rachel was quite skinny and thought she would fit the sweater. However, she also may not have liked Rachel so much so she decided to embarrass her. In Eleven, in lines 33-36 it says, “An ugly sweater like that, all raggedy and old, but Mrs. Price believes her. Mrs. Price takes the sweater and puts it right on my desk, but when I open my mouth nothing comes out.” Mrs. Price…

Charlie Chaplin The Speech Charlie Chaplin directed, produced, and starred in the film “The Great Dictator” in 1940. The film was considered by most a propaganda film that showed through comic satire that those that were against us as a country were incapable, untrustworthy cowards. The idea was to create something that would lead the audience to those same conclusions. The speech included in the film became an iconic proclamation of our own issues in the United States at the time. In the film,…

no one in particular, “Anyone know how to read French? It’s in my cell phone.” Jenny replied, “No, but Google does. Hand me your phone.” The doctor scrolled up to the picture he took that night in the museum. “Here you go little lady, take your best shot.” “What did you find?” John asked. “I found a small handwritten book, and what appeared to be a note and a quatrain that was not yet entered into the book. All of which I found in a secret hiding place in the wall.” “I see.” “That’s…

Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House depicts the tale of four strangers in a dark secluded house called Hill House. One important character is Eleanor Vance, the improbable protagonist of this novel. Throughout the novel we see instances of her deteriorating mental stability through her childish behavior, her insecurities, her over active imagination, and her “connection” to the house, all of which lead to her unfortunate death. From the very start we see Eleanor as childish. We…

explicit through the dehumanising effects of war on innocent lives. Despite inhumane conditions being present amongst humanity, through the protagonist Guido Orefice, Benigni highlights that such horrendous suffering also has the power to elicit the best in humanity. Furthermore, Benigni reveals that whenever an individual faces adversity with enormous strength and fortitude, life becomes more ‘beautiful’ and they can transcend life’s tragedies. By utilising various filmic features, Benigni…

I was impressed when I read Closer. Unlike the previous plays, this one features multiple locations, and that makes the story feel more realistic. In our last discussion, when we were talking about Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, I remember somebody bringing up the fact that the film version had Honey passed out inside a car, while the play had her in the house bathroom. Considering that this scene is the one where Nick and Martha try to have sex, it makes more sense to have Honey (Nick’s wife)…

The significance of the telephone holds important meaning throughout the novel but it is first introduced in the first chapter as the fifth guest at the dinner table. When the phone rings in the first chapter it best represents the hidden connection between wealthy East and West Egg to the lower class Valley of Ashes. An affair is typically known as a type of secret but with the affair between Tom and Myrtle it is well known across East and West Egg. Although it is well known, nobody dares to…