In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, what is the significance of some of the places?

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee exposes the debilitating and often tragic consequences of stereotyping, judging others based on race or social status and the potential for good even in the face of, in this case, an unjust outcome. Atticus knows that Tom will be found guilty even though he will make a compelling case, showing Tom's innocence. Maycomb County is just too prejudiced. He explains to Scout why he will still defend Tom:

"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," (ch 9).

Maycomb County itself is, therefore, a very significant place in understanding the eventual outcome of Tom Robinson's trial. As a "southern" town, the reader expects complications and comes to realize how deep-seated the injustice is. The jail is also central to the plot and is described by Scout as "a miniature Gothic joke," (ch 15) and the fact that the same building can be described as either a  "good solid respectable" building or "a Victorian privy," reflects the contradictory principles of the residents in Maycomb County. The courthouse continues the apparent contradiction. It previously burned down and all that remained were the old columns. Having preserved the columns, despite them have no useful purpose, does nothing other than to preserve the past. Segregation is obvious and, during the court session, the black people are required to sit in the gallery. The reader draws some hope from Reverend Sykes's invitation to the Finch children to join them on the balcony  which may suggest that, perhaps, a new generation has the potential to change Maycomb County and make a difference. Jem is convinced that Tom will be confirmed as innocent as there is no other logical conclusion and cannot believe the outcome as he is sure that "We've got him." The developments in the courthouse have significance as Atticus consistently undermines the Ewells' testimony but to no avail.  

The Finch household stands as the place of reason, understanding and tolerance. Unfortunately it will not be enough to overcome the narrow-mindedness of Maycomb County.   

What is the theme of "The Destructors"?

The young teens who form Blackie's gang in theory should be at the age where they are beginning the process of losing their innocence and naivety. However, it is clear from their speech and actions that they have already reached this stage of cynical world-weariness. They have become old before their time, and in a very real sense have not been allowed a "proper" childhood due to the rigours and stresses of war. This is a fact they cannot escape, for they are literally surrounded by the detritus of wartime, meeting in a car park which was the site of the last bomb of the first blitz and surrounded by bombed buildings.

Interestingly they try to impose an "order" on to their surroundings but it is obvious that this order is merely destruction - as they themselves have been "destroyed" by the war, now they are only able to mimic these acts of destruction on their environment to express their anger and loss.

Why is Atticus the most empathetic character in To Kill a Mockingbird?Give 3 reasons supported by quotes for each reason.

    Atticus's empathetic qualities are certainly one of his strongest character traits in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus's conscious effort to understand and sensitively consider the feelings of others is not only a fine moral attribute, but it is one of the qualities that makes him a fine father and lawyer. Of all the characters in the novel, Atticus's empathetic nature stands above all others, and this genuinely honest and humanitarian aspect actually works to his disadvantage at times.
    One of the early examples Atticus displays is his handling of the senior Walter Cunningham's debt. Knowing Cunningham has no money to pay him, Atticus tells him to let "it be the worst of your worries." Cunningham anonymously leaves his payments,

... a load of stove wood in the back yard. Later a sack of hickory nuts appeared on the back steps. With Christmas came a crate of smilax and holly. That spring we found a crokersack of turnip greens.

Atticus never acknowledges the receipt of payment, knowing it would embarrass the poor but honest Cunningham. (In the film version, this scene is emphasized more strongly, when Scout calls Atticus out to meet Cunningham; both men are uneasy about the meeting, and Atticus later explains to Scout that it would have been better to have let him leave his goods without an announcement of his presence.)
    Atticus's oft repeated advice to "climb into his skin and walk around in it" is first offered to Scout concerning her understanding of Miss Caroline's actions on the first day of school.

... We could not expect her to learn all of Maycomb's ways in one day, and we could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.

    Perhaps most importantly was Atticus's unselfish decision to defend Tom Robinson, knowing it would cause his family problems from many indignant white citizens of Maycomb. Atticus explains to Scout that "if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town." He later tells his brother, Jack, "... do you think I could face my children otherwise?"
    Atticus even tries to understand Bob Ewell after being spit upon.

    "Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility... So, if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one beating, that's something I'll gladly take."

What is globalization? Please list its advantages and disadvantages.

Globalization is the process by which the economies of countries around the world become increasingly integrated over time. This integration occurs as technological advances expedite the trade of goods and services, the flow of capital, and the migration of people across international borders. Without a doubt, globalization has had a number of positive effects on nations and businesses around the world. Yet the concept—once regarded as almost universally positive—has undergone a bit of a reassessment in recent years.

"The plain truth is that market liberalization by itself does not lift all boats, and in some cases, it has caused severe damage to poor nations," the Business Week article admitted. "What's more, there's no point denying that multinationals have contributed to labor, environmental, and human rights abuses as they pursue profit around the globe."

Globalization gives companies access to wider markets and consumers access to a greater variety of goods and services. But the benefits of globalization are not always shared by all of the parties involved in trade. Unfortunately, developing countries—which need the potential benefits of globalization the most—are often the losers. "The downside of global capitalism is the disruption of whole societies, from financial meltdowns to practices by multinationals that would never be tolerated in the West," the Business Week article noted. "Industrialized countries have enacted all sorts of worker, consumer, and environmental safeguards since the turn of the century, and civil rights have a strong tradition. But the global economy is pretty much still in the robber-baron age."

The potential problems with globalization are not limited to developing nations, however. Some workers in advanced economies—particularly those in unskilled jobs and belonging to labor unions—feel that they are being increasingly displaced by low-wage competition in developing countries. Some of these workers are unable to make the transition to skilled jobs and service-oriented industries.

Is Kapugen an animal or a human in Julie of the Wolves?I just want to know, and is he a boy or a girl?

There are two Kapugens in the story, one human and one animal.  The first of them is Miyax' father, Kapugen.  Miyax loves her father, with whom she lives at seal camp for many years in between the time her mother dies and she is sent away to school.  Kapugen is an Eskimo who is close to the earth and the natural world.  He had had a job as a mangaer of a reindeer herd, and was a deft hunter of seals.  Miyax has wonderful memories of her father, who taught her the rich culture of the Eskimo.  American civilization is encroaching on the Eskimo ways, and most of the natives have both Eskimo and American names.  Miyax is called Julie, and Kapugen is called Charles Edwards, but when they are together during the years at seal camp, Miyax insists that they call each other by their Eskimo names, Miyax and Kapugen.

When Miyax is lost on the tundra and befriends the wolf pack which helps her to survive, she gives each wolf a name as she learns their individual characteristics.  She names the boldest and strongest of the cubs Kapugen after her father, and affectionately calls him Kapu for short.  Miyax tells Kapu that he is "very fearless and very smart...special...wealthy and the leader of the puppies".  There is no doubt in her mind that he will grow up to be a great wolf and a strong leader, and so she names him after the man she respects the most in her life, her father Kapugen.

What is the law in Umofia concerning the bride-price of a woman who runs away from her husband in Things Fall Apart?

The only rule is that the in-laws must return the bride-price. In chapter 10, the egwugwu are introduced. They sit as judges for all matters of the Ibo court. They hear a case in which a woman has escaped her husband, and he demands the bride-price returned. However, he treated her so poorly during their marriage, even beating her while she was pregnant & when she was ill, that his in-laws see no reason to return her or the bride-price.

The interesting thing about this case is that the egwugwu rule in favor of the wife and her family, and against the husband. But, we know that one of the judges is Okonkwo himself, who regularly beats his wives. It is clear that spousal abuse is a crime in the Ibo community, & Okonkwo fiercely believes in the laws of the village, even so far as to rule against a man who has broken one. Yet Okonkwo himself breaks this law as well. This reveals the paradox in his character. 

Why was the allusion of Shadrach used in To Kill a Mockingbird?What was the effect created by it?

Shadrach was one of three brothers in the book of Daniel who were told to bow down and worship a god other than the God of Israel. The three brothers had been taught all their life to never worship another God (Exodus 20), no matter what. As the crowds bowed to a statue of a Babylonian god, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood. The king was infuriated and ordered the boys to be thrown in the furnace. They were tied and tossed into the flames; however, the only thing burnt were the ropes. They walked out unharmed. Growing up in the South, Jem and Scout would have been very familiar with all the old Bible stories, familiar enough that even the little pranks they played would be laced with Biblical allusions. They tied Eunice Ann Simpson to the furnace which would have been incredibly hot and told her to have enough faith and she'd get out and not be burnt. She said she was tired of playing Shadrach and was still hot. I believe the effect is humorous especially for readers who have grown up in Sunday School and recognize the Biblical story is one about faith while the kids have used it for a prank.