as you like it essay questions

• As You Like It

William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Play Summary
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 4
• Act II: Scene 5
• Act II: Scene 6
• Act II: Scene 7
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 4
• Act III: Scene 5
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Act V: Scene 2
• Act V: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 4
• Act V: Epilogue
• Character Analysis
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Critical Essay
• The Natural and the Artificial in As You Like It
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. List the "town" characters in the play, enumerate their attributes, and discuss how they reflect town life. Use the same format for the "country" characters.

2. There are four pairs of lovers in the play. Characterize each couple and discuss the concept of love that they represent.

3. Give several examples showing how Shakespeare uses language to indicate class differences among the characters.

4. There are many words in the play that have changed in their meanings since Shakespeare's time. Make a list of those significant words that are germane to a thorough understanding the play. Discuss how only a present-day meaning of the words can bring about a misunderstanding of the play.

5. What purpose does Rosalind's disguise serve in the play?

6. Discuss the advantages of "town life" over that of "country life." Reverse the situation. How does Shakespeare resolve this debate?

7. Of different types of love shown in the play, which does Shakespeare seem to favor? In which characters does this evince itself and to what extent?

8. Discuss the various types of humor in the play. Compare or contrast the wit of Touchstone with that of Jaques; with Corin; and with Rosalind.

9. Why is it necessary for the main characters to meet climactically in the Forest of Arden?

10. The Forest of Arden has been said to be, in actuality, the Forest of the Ardennes on the Meuse River in Europe. Yet, there is a Forest of Arden in England. Where do you think it is located? Why?

11. List the masque-like elements in the play.

12. What stage conventions were popular with Elizabethan audiences? Give specific references from the play to support your answers.

13. What use does Shakespeare make of shifting his scenes — that is, from a courtly scene to a pastoral scene, etc.?

14. Where is the dramatic climax in the play? Where is the literary climax in the play?

15. How do the characters reflect the time in which Shakespeare wrote?

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As You Like It

William shakespeare, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's As You Like It . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

As You Like It: Introduction

As you like it: plot summary, as you like it: detailed summary & analysis, as you like it: themes, as you like it: quotes, as you like it: characters, as you like it: symbols, as you like it: literary devices, as you like it: quizzes, as you like it: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of As You Like It

Other books related to as you like it.

• Full Title: As You Like It
• When Written: 1598-1600
• Where Written: Stratford, England
• When Published: 1623, First Folio
• Literary Period: The Renaissance (1500-1600)
• Genre: Comedy
• Setting: French Court and the Forest of Arden
• Climax: Rosalind, dressed as Ganymede, sets the terms for the marriages of all the characters that surround her, assuring Orlando that she will use her magic to bring Rosalind to him, promising Phebe that “he” will marry her if “he” ever marries a woman, and making Phebe promise that she will otherwise marry Silvius

Extra Credit for As You Like It

Shakespeare or Not? There are some who believe Shakespeare wasn't educated enough to write the plays attributed to him. The most common anti-Shakespeare theory is that Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays and used Shakespeare as a front man because aristocrats were not supposed to write plays. Yet the evidence supporting Shakespeare's authorship far outweighs any evidence against. So until further notice, Shakespeare is still the most influential writer in the English language.

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• As You Like It

Background of the Play

According to modern critics, As You Like It is a play written for the audience of the twenty-first century. Though it is placed in Elizabethan culture and uses its aesthetic, political, social, and literary culture. It is a finger placed on the pulse of the future. It is an escape from the world of troubles, worries, and corruption to a world of enchantments and mythology.

Critics often describe it as a satire on the pastoral ideal; and a celebration of the pastoral spirit that cannot be bound. The audience loves some scenes, particularly in the forest of Arden, where love-oriented and cheerful banter dominates. In comparison to scenes at Fredrick’s court and Oliver’s home, which are dominated by gloom and battle-filled air.

Though there is no record available about the performance of this play, scholars speculate it was written probably in 1598, and first performed in 1599. It was part of First Folio, published in 1623. The time of its preparation was Shakespeare’s culmination period.

It is much different from other comedies because it mixes different cultures, traditions, and people from different classes. Christian, Pagan, and classical traditions are mixed into each other. It contains elements of a fairytale as well as rudiments of Italian romances. It contains traces of magic as well. It shows an oscillation from prose to verse.

This play gives some most profound human feelings in their most original form, which touches the hearts of the audience. This place is also important because of some references; one of foremost importance is the forest of Arden (Arden Woods). It refers to Ardennes as well forest near Shakespeare’s residence. This clarifies the historical existence of Shakespeare.

Its plot is derived from Rosalynde , which was based on a fourteenth-century poem The Tale of Gamelyn. Though Shakespeare took the plot from another work, he improved characters like Rosalind, Jacques, and Touchstone. The poem was more action-oriented, while Shakespeare made the play more reflection oriented, changing the role of philosophers. It is placed beautifully between Shakespeare’s post-tragic romances and comedies.

Pastorals were a familiar genre in that period, so it overlaps with other Pastoral works like Philip Sidney’s The Lady of May and Spenser’s The Shepheardes Calender . We can conclude that it is a romantic comedy which encapsulates world affairs ranging from the grave to amorous ones.

As You Like It Summary

Act i: scene i.

In the opening scene, Orlando is shown talking to his servant Adam. He is complaining about his brother’s behavior and maltreatment. He is weary of him that how he is an obstacle in his advancement and doesn’t let him be a part of the sophisticated, cultured class. This all is heard by Oliver and gets angry with his younger brother’s complaints. He blames him that either he wants education or the property that his father has bequeathed. Oliver tries to calm Orlando while the servant is scolded. Orlando’s status is established as the play’s hero when he describes himself having the virtues his father had.

Oliver calls for Charles, the court wrestler, and he tells the news regarding duke’s court. The elder duke has been ousted by his younger brother from his court and now stays in Arden like ‘Robin Hood.’ While his daughter, Rosalind, remains at court because she is favored by the younger Duke’s daughter, Celia. Charles brings the news that Duke has announced wrestling matches, and Orlando wants to fight against him in disguise. He warns that if he did so, he would be harmed. Oliver responds by telling him to do as much harm as he can do him; this clarifies his position as the villain. He despises him because he is the most beloved and benevolent of the three brothers.

Act I: Scene II

In this scene, Rosalind and Celia make their first appearance. Rosalind mourns her father’s disappearance while Celia tries to console her. Rosalind wants to fall in love, which will occupy her mind, and this will let her get rid of distracting thoughts. Then the court fool Touchstone comes, and they greet him. He tries to cheer them up with his jokes. In a few whiles, a courtier Monsieur La Beau comes and informs them regarding the wrestling match.

A shift from prose to blank verse is noticed, and Duke Fredrick enters, gravity pervades. He asks the ladies to entreat the young man (Orlando) to quit the competition because it may have grave consequences. But he insists and wants to test him at this competition. He surprises all and defeats Charles, and asks for a second competition but is not possible because Charles is taken away. His victory pleases the ladies, and Rosalind gives him her chain. When Fredrick asks about his name, he is astonished because he is his old enemy’s son. Orlando is charmed by Rosalind’s beauty.

Act I: Scene III

Rosalind talking to Celia confesses her love for Orlando and even refers to him as her ‘child’s father.’ Fredrick, infuriated at her previous behavior, comes and tells her that she has to leave the palace within ten days. And if she didn’t leave, she will be killed for this crime to appear within the premises of the court. She pleads to revise his decision because she is not a traitor. But Duke refuses to do so. Rosalind and Celia vow never to separate from each other and decide to leave the palace together. They decide to take the court jester Touchstone along with them. They fear to leave the court in their original identity, so they decide to leave disguised. Celia disguises herself as a woman named Aliena, while Rosalind disguises herself as a man named Ganymede. They gather the jewels they will take along with them to Arden.

Act II: Scene I

In the second act, Duke is shown in the forest extolling the beauties of pastoral life. He praises the brooks, trees, stones, and all other things that are there in the forest. He tells his company to learn from the wonders which lie scattered in the forest. He expresses his regret at the harm caused to animals in the forest due to their hunt. He is informed that Jacques is sentimental because of the wounded deer and laments its injuries. He asks to be led to the place where Jacques is because it gives him pleasure to talk to Jacques. They leave to search for him.

Act II: Scene II

Duke Fredrick is informed that Rosalind, Celia, and Touchstone are missing. He is told that they were praising Orlando and talked about being in love with him. They suspect that they may be with him. Oliver is summoned to court to be investigated regarding the probe.

Act II: Scene III

In this scene, Adam and Orlando meet. Adam tells him that Oliver is planning to kill him; he has plotted against him in the fight and had convinced Charles to kill him. He informs Orlando that he is still persistent and will kill him, whatever the method. He warns him to leave home as soon as possible because, at his success in the wrestling match, Oliver is jealous. At this, Orlando tells him that he will face his brother now to get his due share in the property. He will leave his home if he can help him make proper arrangements and stays by his side. Both of them agree and leave together for the forest of Arden.

Act II: Scene IV

Touchstone, Rosalind, and Celia have reached the forest of Arden. They are much tired, and Touchstone shows somewhat regret at leaving the court. Their mood is softened by woodland shepherds Corin and Silvius, who speak of love. Silvius accuses Corin that he has never been a true lover himself. He says that he admires Phebe. This reminds Rosalind of Orlando, while Touchstone recalls his love when he was a young man. Touchstone calls Corin, and Rosalind asks him about food and lodgings, which are arranged. They purchase a cottage to live while a flock of sheep to get them something to feed.

Act II: Scene V

Jacques, Amiens, and other lords are enjoying the forest. Amiens sings while the rest of the courtiers sing in chorus with him, Jacques tells them to continue it. They praise the forest because it is a serene place, and there are no enemies except ‘winter and rough weather.’ Some of the men are told to prepare the meal. Jacques says that he tries to avoid Duke senior because he thinks of him as ‘too disputable.’

Act II: Scene VI

Adam and Orlando are seen walking in the forest, stumbling. In stark contrast to the last scene where meals were arranged for both the parties, the characters in this scene are starved. Orlando and Adam are hungry but can’t find a meal. Adam stumbles while Orlando supports him, saying that he will find him food and shelter.

Act II: Scene VII

In this scene, Duke senior is seen searching for Jacques. He reaches where Jacques is sitting; the meal is prepared. He is asked by Jacques to join him in the meal. Jacques tells him that he has seen Touchstone, the jester, and wishes to wear a motley coat like him. He expresses his desire to blow air at people’s faces for their follies. Duke knows that he can’t do so because he has spent and amorous, libertine past. Suddenly Orlando arrives with a bare sword in his hand and orders them not to take a single morsel before he comes back. But when he sees Duke senior, he apologizes and is warmly greeted. He leaves to take back Adam with him. At this, Jacques gives a philosophical account of the life of man; he describes seven stages of life. He calls life a stage while men are mere actors. These life stages include the infancy, schoolboy age, lover age, soldier age justice age, absentminded-old age, and the senile age. Jacques is cynic of human beings and expresses his disgust for them. As Jacques finishes, Adam sings a song. Then enter Adam and Orlando, Duke expresses his joy at the coming of his old friend’s son and welcomes them. The duke holds Adam’s hand, and the whole company leaves happily.

Act III: Scene I

Oliver is summoned to Duke’s court, and Fredrick orders him to bring Orlando, alive or dead, to his court within twelve months. If he didn’t bring him to court within the mentioned period of time, he would lose all his property as well as the right to live in this territory. He responds by saying that he never loved his brother and will fetch him soon. The Duke scorns him for his vile nature and not loving his brother. He asks his men to take him out of court.

Act III: Scene II Summary

Orlando is wandering in the forest and is lovesick for Rosalind. He sticks love poems for her throughout the forest and carves Rosalind’s name on trees throughout. While he is doing so, Touchstone and Corin enter discussing the merits of living in the countryside in comparison to life at court. Rosalind enters disguised as Ganymede and reads a poem. Touchstone shows his disgust for the poem because it, according to him, is jagged. Then they ask the men to leave them alone. Celia tells Rosalind that she knows the man who stuck the poems to trees, and reveals that he was wearing Orlando’s chain. This agitates her mind, and when she comes to know that it was Rosalind, romantic feelings overcome her. Orlando and Jacques are seen coming towards them; they hide. Orlando tells Jacques of his love for Rosalind and is questioned by him, which he satisfactorily answers.

When Jacques goes, and Orlando is left alone, disguised Rosalind approaches him. She wants to conceal her original identity. She tells him that she can cure his illness, the condition for it would be to focus his affection towards her and to call her Rosalind. Though Orlando is skeptic of doing this, he agrees, and they leave for her cottage.

Act III: Scene III

Touchstone and Audrey, a countrywoman, are courting. The couple is incongruous because the wench is an unsophisticated, uncultured, and simpleton woman, almost opposite of Touchstone. The jester asks her to accompany him to a church vicar to get them married. According to him, this will legitimatize their love. They are watched by Jacques when they are going to the house of Sir Oliver Mar-text. Jacques thinks of them not befitting to each other. He leads them away from Sir Oliver’s and tells them to find them a better person.

Act III: Scene IV

Rosalind is seen anxiously waiting for Orlando, but he doesn’t come. She discusses him emotionally with Celia. Celia expresses her doubt about his love. Rosalind tells her that she met her father in disguise; he couldn’t recognize her. She doesn’t bother about her father’s presence; Orlando’s presence worries her. To their relief, Corin and Silvius come and change the topic.

Act III: Scene V

Silvius is seen pleading Phebe for her favor while she warns him not to come near her. Celia, Rosalind secretly watch him. At this rejection, Phebe is told that she will come to know the pain when she is in love. While Phebe responds that men aren’t emotionally hurt. At this, Rosalind comes and joins them. She rebukes Phebe for her stubbornness. She tells her to take anything that is offered and be grateful for it.

Phebe is charmed by Ganymede’s (Rosalind) appearance and praises ‘his’ (her) appearance and talk. As Rosalind leaves, she talks about her and is now happy with Silvius because he talks of love. She tells Silvius that she will love her but as a neighbor.

Act IV: Scene I

Jacques and Rosalind (still disguised) are seen bantering about melancholy. Jacques tells her that he is melancholy because he has traveled much. Rosalind replies that she prefers that talk of a jester to the silence of a sage. At Orlando’s entrance, Jacques leaves, and they are left alone. They talk about love and flirt with each other. She reprimands him for not keeping his promise and compares him to a snail. They talk about kissing; later, she adds that no man has ever died for love. When Rosalind tells her that her talk is lamenting, she gets cheerful, and they talk about marriage. They engage in a mock wedding ceremony. Then she talks about life after her marriage that if her husband isn’t caring, she will go for somebody else. Later Orlando leaves for the duke’s residence to attend the dinner he has arranged and promises to come back in two hours. Rosalind tells him that if he didn’t come back, he wouldn’t be given any favor anymore.

Act IV: Scene II

Jacques and lords are busy hunting, and a deer is caught. Last time he was grieving the wounds of the deer, but this time he is cheerful and wants to present it to the duke. They merrily sing songs. He says that he will present it to duke the way a trophy was presented to a Roman conqueror.

Act IV: Scene III

Orlando has again failed to come in time. Rosalind and Celia wonder about the reasons for his being late. Silvius comes and hands her a letter from Phebe. It has love contents, and she reads it aloud, jesting with Silvius. A few whiles later, she sends Silvius away.

Oliver arrives at their cottage in search of Rosalind. He tells her that a snake had coiled around his neck, and his brother protected him from it, but a lioness attacked him then. Orlando killed the lioness but was injured. After that, he discovered that he wrongly hated his brother. Both of them then left for Duke senior’s residence, and from there, he asked him to bring Ganymede this handkerchief. Though disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind swoons. She is sure that Oliver will tell his brother that this fainting was a pretense.

Act V: Scene I

Audrey and Touchstone converse about their marriage. Audrey tells him that Sir Mar-text was good to wed them, but he tries to postpone this issue to a later time. He tells her that there is a youth in the forest who is in love with her. While they converse, a rustic youth William comes. Touchstone asks him that if he is wise, he responds in affirmative. At this Touchstone replies: the fool doth think he is wise and embarrasses him. He warns the youth not to come near to Audrey. Corin comes and informs him that Ganymede and Aliena want him to come.

Act V: Scene II

Oliver has fallen in love with Aliena and confesses it to his brother Orlando. He says that he will leave all that his father has left, to Orlando and will lead his life like a shepherd. She has agreed to marry him, and they will get married soon. Ganymede enters and talks about Aliena and Oliver’s love at first sight. Orlando expresses his grief because Rosalind is not there. Ganymede tells him that if he comes to his (Rosalind’s, she is disguised) house, he will make him get her through magic. But before that, Oliver and Aliena need to get married.

Phebe and Silvius enter. Phebe expresses her love for Ganymede, which she denies to requite because he doesn’t love ‘any woman.’

Act V: Scene III

Touchstone is happy and tells Audrey that the next day they will get married. Duke’s two pages are with them. They sing while the couple enjoys their songs. Touchstone is cynical of the time that he has wasted before and praises the pages for their songs.

Act V: Scene IV

In the last scene, Duke senior, Rosalind, and Celia (still disguised), Jacques, Orlando, Oliver, Silvius, and Phebe are all together. Rosalind confirms that couples will get married. Rosalind and Celia leave, while Duke senior and Orlando comment that he looks like Rosalind.

Touchstone and Audrey arrive there; he is seen commending himself for marriage to Audrey, calling it a noble deed. Jacques praises his wit. He then describes seven levels of a lie.

Rosalind and Celia are led by the Greek god of marriage, Hymen. Hymen speaks in blank verse. He proceeds to marry each of the four couples, which are Audrey and Touchstone, Celia and Oliver, Silvius and Phebe, Rosalind, and Orlando. A wedlock hymn is sung. Jacques de Boys, Orlando, and Oliver’s brother arrive, bringing the news that Duke Fredrick has changed by the charm of a religious man. He has decided to return the dukedom back to his brother. All are happy at this news, while Jacques, the philosopher, announces to leave their company. The scene ends in dancing.

Rosalind speaks the epilogue. She hopes that all would have enjoyed the play who bids farewell to the audience.

As You Like It Characters Analysis

Adam is the aged servant of De Boys. He encourages Orlando, calling him the true heir of his father. He is the one who suffers with him on the journey and stays by his side all along.

Amiens is Duke senior’s courtier. He has left court with him for Arden.

Audrey is a simpleton shepherdess. She marries Touchstone. She is an ignorant person and the dullest of Shakespearean female characters. She doesn’t even understand Touchstone’s ridicule.

Celia is Rosalind’s cousin and Duke Fredrick’s daughter. She is Rosalind’s confidante and stays by her throughout the play, bearing the hardships. She is the reason behind Rosalind’s falling in love. Because she had told her to go and congratulate Orlando. She is later disguised as Aliena and marries Oliver. Celia is a stronger woman than her cousin. Because when Rosalind assumes male disguise, she shows contempt for women while she reproves her for that.

Charles is a court wrestler. He is used by Oliver to kill Orlando but gets defeated.

Corin is a shepherd and defends pastoral life. He befriends Rosalind, Celia, and Touchstone. Though Touchstone abuses him for being simpleton, he defends himself successfully.

J acques de Boys

Jacques de Boys is Orlando and Oliver’s brother. He brings the news of Fredrick’s conversion into a good man. He can be called a mediator between good and evil forces.

Duke Fredrick

Fredrick has usurped the throne from his elder brother. He is Celia’s father. He is a one-dimensional villain and can be called a type. His character is almost irrelevant and doesn’t make an appearance after a religious conversion.

Duke Senior

He is the exiled duke from whom his younger brother has taken all his property. He lives in the forest of Arden. He is a benevolent patriarchal figure in the forest and rules his loyal subjects there. His dialogue closes the play, and he is the one who opens the scene in the forest. He is in love with natural life and praises the beauties of pastoral life, comparing it to the perilous air of court.

Hymen is the Greek god of marriage. He appears in the last scene and leads the wedding ceremony of the couples. His presence confirms that this forest is something away from the worries of the world.

Jacques is a philosopher and a lord in attendance to Duke senior. He is a melancholy person. He is considered as Touchstone’s foil because both are witty, who reflect on the misery, beauty, and irony of the world. He looks a misanthrope and is a different character in the forest. He considers all human beings as usurpers laying into ruins the beauty of the world. He can be seen as the earliest environmentalist in literature.

Le Beau is Fredrick’s courtier. He brings the news of duke’s displeasure at the ladies’ bold step to approach Orlando.

Sir Oliver Mar-text

He is a vicar and is about to officiate the marriage ceremony of Touchstone and Audrey but is interrupted by Jacques.

Oliver is Orlando’s elder brother and has usurped Orlando’s properties. Initially, he plays the role of a villain. He evolves later, changes into a good man, and vows to lead a life like a shepherd. He is jealous of his brother, who is well-loved by people, and he is paid no proper attention. He hates Orlando and plans to kill him. He falls in love with Celia and gets married to her in the end.

Orlando is the principal male protagonist of this play and son of Sir Roland de Boys. He is not given proper value at his home, and by showing discontent leads to his miseries. His brother hates him, and he plans to kill him. He leaves his home for the forest. He falls in love with Rosalind and she with him. He is a modest person and without boasting defeats Charles and looks shy when Rosalind and Celia approach him. His name is an anagram of his father’s name, and his servant calls him the true image of his father. This shows his abilities and competence. In the forest, it is noticed that he doesn’t assert himself much, and this shows his abilities to reconcile to the feminine gender. He is a gentle person and shows his gentle upbringing in the initial scenes in the forest. He combines passion and aggression in himself. He shows himself the most competent character in the play. He marries Rosalind in the end.

Phebe is a shepherdess who is loved by Silvius. She is indifferent towards him and falls in love with Ganymede. But in the end, he agrees to meet Silvius. She is the most ignorant of Shakespearean female characters.

Rosalind is Duke Senior’s daughter and resides with her uncle Fredrick at his palace. She is exiled because she has approached Orlando, son of duke’s old enemy. She falls in love with Orlando and leaves the palace with her cousin Celia.

She later disguises as Ganymede and, in the end, marries Orlando. She is the play’s central character. She speaks most of the dialogues and brings the play to an end. She has become melancholy because her father has been ousted from the court, and along with that, Orlando is away from her. She can’t stand this men’s apparel (disguise) but successfully maintains it until the time comes to throw it away.

She is deeply in love with Orlando and is in need of a man figure in her life, which she gets in the form of Orlando. Though she shows her sovereignty when disguised as a man but becomes subservient when it comes to her original and marries Orlando.

He is a shepherd and deeply in love with Phebe. She scorns him but eventually is able to marry her.

Touchstone is a court jester at Fredrick’s court. He leaves court with Celia and Rosalind for the forest. He is a witty person, and his name fits him well. He discloses the realities of other characters when they talk to him. He is a foil for Jacques and is a philosopher as well a worldly man. He is out of place in the forest and constantly makes the audience feel that he is not happy there.

He falls in love with Audrey and, in the end, marries her. He looks at things from a different angle. He criticizes Orlando’s poetry and calls it pedantic. He criticizes Corin for not having learned court manners. He considers himself something between a fool and a wise man. His role in this play is there as relief from comic realism. His dialogues preempt laughter as well as thoughts in the audience.

William is a person from the countryside and is in love with Audrey. Touchstone threatens him, never to be seen near her.

Themes in As You Like It

Pastoral life.

As You Like It shows Shakespeare’s partiality towards rural life. He shows his contempt for court life in this play through the mouth of different characters. He, through the court’s disorder and deterioration, shows the political decline. He depicts the movement towards the gradual meanness of human beings in court life. He has shown how materialistic competition leads to conflict between brothers. Duke senior introduces this life by saying that in this life, there is no danger except winter. In pastoral life, there is no property and social position, which is the secret of the serenity of this life.

Though the journey to the forest is difficult, it is a blessing for those who successfully reach there. This life is a liberation from oppression and strips human beings from the evils they have acquired in court life. It is a morally pure realm and has transforming capabilities.

Fortune versus Nature

In this play, there is a conflict between fortune and nature. Fortune represents the materialistic forces, while nature represents the purifying forces. Here this competition is shown when the audience comes to know that Fredrick was benefited over duke senior by fortune and led to the usurpation of power.

Celia, in a dialogue, says that the fortune she has will be equally divided between her and Rosalind. Thus ending the injustice, thus challenging the goddess of fortune. Goddess nature was considered as blind, while nature was considered to be controlling people’s innately good values and promotes virtues. In Duke senior, we can see that he has given up the fortune and is now living a virtuous life. We can conclude that the plays come to enjoy the virtues of nature when they give up their fortune.

If we compare time in court contrasted with time in the forest, we can see that in the former, it’s a threat while in the latter, it’s a blessing. In court, whenever the time is mentioned, we can see that there are deadlines and characters are threatened.

There are threats of executions, exile, and arrest. In the forest, there are no such events, and time is shown without intervals. It is shown in a dialogue between Touchstone and Jacques as a vast eternity in which the characters gradually diminish. Jacques further elucidates it as the seven ages of men, excluding violence from it.

As stated earlier that there are no artificialities in the forest, time is not measured by clocks rather by the passing of the day. In short, time in the forest is subjective, not objective; each character sees it from his own novel perspective. Thus it is not a misery rather a benefaction.

Sexual Identity

In As You Like It , sexual identity is thoroughly examined. This is done through the character of Rosalind. She is disguised as Ganymede and remains so throughout. She can throw away the disguise when she enters the forest, but she doesn’t do so. Critics agree that she does so to get rid of the submissive role she has to play due to being female. She reverts the roles when courting Orlando and is in control of the further movement. In those days, female roles were played by young male actors, so it adds to the beauty of the play to transform a single male actor to perform different roles dexterously.

Acting and the Stage

In this play, we can see there are numerous references made to stage, acting, play, and characters. Firstly, it is evident in the case of Rosalind, who is disguised as Ganymede and asks him to ‘play the knave with him.’ She can say much about the role of the lover as well the role of man, and she successfully plays the role of a man. She points out that he doesn’t play a proper lover because he is tidy and not disheveled.

Jacques draws an analogy between seven ages of man and between acts of a play. Duke senior refers to the world as a stage at the arrival of Orlando. He calls this life both a tragedy and a comedy. ‘All the world is a stage’ is the most evidence of this fact. It strengthens this Shakespearean belief of the world as a stage. He believes in the inability of actors to bring any change to the script or their roles and uses befitting metaphors for this purpose.

Familial Relationships

Like some other Shakespearean plays, familial relationships are also the focus in this play. Conflicts are going on between brothers for property, money, or leading role. This is shown in the case of Orlando and Oliver as well in the case of Duke senior and Fredrick. It is excellently portrayed how fortune ruins relationships, and nature mends them.

As You Like It Literary Analysis

In Shakespearean plays, we see elements in binaries, and these binaries are shown in contrast. We can see that there is a tension between natural and artificial, love and hatred, rustic and court life, serenity and conflict, gentle and pastoral characters. This is shown very well using the forest, court, imagery, and the witty dialogues of the sage characters. Virtue and evil are shown using the conflict going on in court life. Language and style are usefully employed by the playwright to add a realistic touch to the pastoral idealism. It is an idyllic utopia woven using the philosophical dialogues and some dystopian scenes.

Historical Context

Like other comedies, the historical context is mixed to alienate the audience. Shakespeare has used the forest of Arden as the setting while the court’s location is not mentioned. This way, the playwright has put forth the evils prevalent in court and those usually seen in the city life. Thus the audience doesn’t take it as an offense and realize the importance of rural life. This historical context also helps challenge gender roles.

Lyrical Interludes

Using songs and poems, Shakespeare has emphasized the romantic and pastoral aspects of this play. Five songs are performed, more than any other play. Different forms of verse are used in this play, which adds to its pastoral beauty. Half of the play is written in prose, while the sudden interludes signify the romantic outbursts in rustic life. Using a lyrical interlude, the chorus affirms that nature is the safest place for human beings. To shortly state, these lyrical interludes present nature’s rhythm.

The Pastoral

Pastoral is a poem describing shepherds and describing their rustic life. This may include some artificial elements like eloquence. Pastoralism impacted English life from 1550 to 1750. Shakespeare treated the pastoral somewhat ambiguously and has used it to create comedy. On one side, Orlando is shown leaving everything back in the palace and sticking poems to trees while Jacques is a philosopher shown in the forest. In the end, when everything is fine, all except Jacques leave for court, this shows it may be an endorsement or satire on the pastorals, the choice is readers’! As You Like It !

Similes are also prevalent, like other figurative uses of language like imagery, setting, wordplay, etc. Certain similes were familiar for the London audience then, like the analogy of weeping to the fountain of Diana. This is a reference to the statue of the aforementioned goddess in Cheapside London. Some similes mentioning animals can also be seen in this play.

Orlando refers to himself like a doe in search of her fawn; Jacques likens himself to weasel and rooster. Like these other objects are also used to describe the features relevant to them. Thus the befitting use of similes adds to the meaning of dialogues. The use of all these, along with the romances excellently employed, make it a successful romantic comedy.

Marginalization of Plot

In contrast to other Shakespearean plays, in this play, there can be a clear marginalization of plot noticed. Some scholars even blame him for neglect. As we can see that there is a sudden conversion of villains from evil to good for which he is usually criticized. Shakespeare has dealt with the plot summarily, and that reflects his intention not to make it the essence of the play. Thus limiting the plot has led to the strengthening of characters.

Gender Roles

Gender roles are not only important in the play’s technical context rather in historical context as well. These depict the widespread sexism in the Elizabethan era as well as the subordinate role in that hierarchical society. This was the undisputed division of society that women didn’t question, but Shakespeare, through the character of Rosalind, has questioned. Roles were fixed, and nobody could rebel against them. This has bound not only women but men as well. An instance of it is Rosalind disguised as Ganymede when she swoons at the news of Orlando’s injury. Oliver says, ‘You a man! You lack a man’s heart.’

Celia and Rosalind, in a conversation, say that women are marketable and have a quantifiable value. Thus the forest of Arden is free from the curse of dowry like other curses. Shakespeare softens the perception of masculine than hardening that of the feminine.

London, at that time, had a population of about two lacs and was different from country life in many respects. Thus the people coming from these two backgrounds were foreigners to each other. Shakespeare brings them together, and with the use of rural characters like Audrey and William, produce a comic effect. Though the playwright focuses primarily on the love stories still there is depiction of rural life and its values.

There are many allusions in this play. Some of them are Hymen, the Greek goddess of marriage, Arden, which refers to the Arden woods as well as Ardennes in France. In a dialogue, Celia, referring to fools, suggests the banishment of satire through a royal order.

More From William Shakespeare

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream
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• Twelfth Night
• The Taming of the Shrew
• Much Ado About Nothing
• The Comedy of Errors

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Essays on As You Like It

Brief description of as you like it.

As You Like It is a comedy by William Shakespeare, first published in 1623. The play follows the story of Rosalind, who flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia, to find safety and eventually love in the Forest of Arden. The play explores themes of love, disguise, gender roles, and the contrast between court life and rural life.

Importance of Writing Essays on This Topic

Essays on As You Like It are significant for academic and personal exploration as they provide an opportunity to analyze Shakespeare's portrayal of love, gender, and society. Such essays also allow students to delve into the characters' complexities and the play's enduring relevance in contemporary society.

Tips on Choosing a Good Topic

• Consider the themes: Choose topics that allow for in-depth exploration of themes such as love, gender, nature, and the contrast between court and country life.
• Character analysis: Select topics that delve into the motivations, actions, and development of pivotal characters like Rosalind, Orlando, and Touchstone.
• Relevance: Opt for topics that allow for connections between the play and present-day societal, gender, or cultural issues.

Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics.

• Explore the theme of love and its various manifestations in As You Like It.
• Discuss how the play challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.
• Argue for or against the idea that the forest is portrayed as a place of freedom and transformation in the play.

Reflective Essay Topics

• Reflect on the significance of disguise and role-playing in the play.
• Discuss how the character of Rosalind challenges societal norms and expectations.
• Reflect on the role of nature and the pastoral in As You Like It.

Concluding Thought

As You Like It offers a rich tapestry of themes and characters to explore through essay writing. By critically engaging with the play's content, students can gain a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's work and its enduring relevance. Dive into the world of As You Like It and let your critical thinking flourish.

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How to write better ChatGPT prompts in 5 steps

ChatGPT is the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool that's taken the world by storm. While there's always the possibility it will simply make stuff up , there's a lot you can do when crafting prompts to ensure the best possible outcome. That's what we'll be exploring in this how-to.

In this article, we'll show you how to write prompts that encourage the large language model (LLM) that powers  ChatGPT to provide the best possible answers. 

Also: Have 10 hours? IBM will train you in AI fundamentals - for free

Writing effective prompts, known as prompt engineering, has even become its own highly-paid discipline . Who knows? These tips could help you build the skills to become one of those highly paid prompt engineers. Apparently, these gigs can pay from $175,000 to $335,000 per year.  

How to write effective ChatGPT prompts

1. talk to the ai like you would a person.

One of the more interesting things I had to get used to when working with ChatGPT is that you don't program it, you talk to it. As a formally trained programmer, I've had to leave a lot of habits by the wayside when engaging with AI. Talking to it (and with it) requires a mindset shift.

When I say talk to it like a person, I mean talk to it like you would a co-worker or team member. If that's hard to do, give it a name. Alexa is taken, so maybe think of it as "Bob". This naming helps because when you talk to Bob, you might include conversational details, little anecdotes that give your story texture.

Also:   How to use ChatGPT to write code

When talking to a person, it would be natural for them to miss your point initially and require clarification, or veer away from the topic at hand and need to be wrangled back. You might need to fill in the backstory for them, or restate complex questions based on the answers they give you. 

This is called interactive prompting. Don't be afraid to ask multi-step questions: ask, get a response, and based on that response, ask another question. I've done this myself, sometimes 10 or 20 times in a row, and gotten very powerful results. Think of this as having a conversation with ChatGPT.

2. Set the stage and provide context

Writing a ChatGPT prompt is more than just asking a one-sentence question. It often involves providing relevant background information to set the context of the query.

Let's say that you want to prepare for a marathon (for the record, I do not run, dance, or jump -- this is merely an example). You could ask ChatGPT:

How can I prepare for a marathon?

However, you'll get a far more nuanced answer if you add that you're training for your first marathon. Try this instead: 

I am a beginner runner and have never run a marathon before, but I want to complete one in six months. How can I prepare for a marathon?

By giving the AI more information, you're helping it return a more focused answer. Even with ChatGPT's help, there's no way I'm going to run a marathon (unless I'm doing it with a V-Twin motor under my seat). Here are two more examples of questions that provide context:

I am planning to travel to Spain in a few months and would like to learn some basic Spanish to help me communicate with local residents. I am looking for online resources that are suitable for beginners and provide a structured and comprehensive approach to learning the language. Can you recommend some online resources for learning Spanish as a beginner?

In this case, rather than just asking about learning resources, the context helps focus the AI on learning how to communicate on the ground with local residents. Here's another example: 

I am a business owner interested in exploring how blockchain technology can be used to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency. I am looking for a clear and concise explanation of the technology and examples of how it has been used in the context of supply chain management. Can you explain the concept of blockchain technology and its potential applications in supply chain management?

In this example, rather than just asking for information on blockchain and how it works, the focus is specifically on blockchain for supply chain efficiency and how it might be used in a real-world scenario. 

Also:  How to use Image Creator from Microsoft Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator) Lastly, let's get into how to construct a detailed prompt. 

One note: I limit the answer to 500 words because ChatGPT seems to break when asked to produce somewhere between 500 and 700 words, leaving stories mid-sentence and not resuming properly when asked to continue. I hope future versions provide longer answers, because premises like this can generate fun story beginnings: 

Write a short story for me, no more than 500 words. The story takes place in 2339, in Boston. The entire story takes place inside a Victorian-style bookstore that wouldn't be out of place in Diagon Alley. Inside the store are the following characters, all human: The proprietor: make this person interesting and a bit unusual, give them a name and at least one skill or characteristic that influences their backstory and possibly influences the entire short story. The helper: this is a clerk in the store. His name is Todd. The customer and his friend: Two customers came into the store together, Jackson and Ophelia. Jackson is dressed as if he's going to a Steampunk convention, while Ophelia is clearly coming home from her day working in a professional office. Another customer is Evangeline, a regular customer in the store, in her mid-40s. Yet another customer is Archibald, a man who could be anywhere from 40 to 70 years old. He has a mysterious air about himself and seems both somewhat grandiose and secretive. There is something about Archibald that makes the others uncomfortable. A typical concept in retail sales is that there's always more inventory "in the back," where there's a storeroom for additional goods that might not be shown on the shelves where customers browse. The premise of this story is that there is something very unusual about this store's "in the back." Put it all together and tell something compelling and fun.

You can see how the detail provides more for the AI to work with. First, feed "Write me a story about a bookstore" into ChatGPT and see what it gives you. Then feed in the above prompt and you'll see the difference.

3. Tell the AI to assume an identity or profession

One of ChatGPT's coolest features is that it can write from the point of view of a specific person or profession. In a previous article, I showed how you can make ChatGPT write like a pirate or Shakespeare , but you can also have it write like a teacher, a marketing executive, a fiction writer -- anyone you want. 

Also: How ChatGPT can rewrite and improve your existing code  

For example, I can ask ChatGPT to describe the Amazon Echo smart home device, but to do so from the point of view of a product manager, a caregiver, and a journalist in three separate prompts: 

From the point of view of its product manager, describe the Amazon Echo Alexa device. From the point of view of an adult child caring for an elderly parent, describe the Amazon Echo Alexa device. From the point of view of a journalist, describe the Amazon Echo Alexa device.

Try dropping these three prompts into ChatGPT to see its complete response. 

I've pulled a few lines from ChatGPT's responses, so you can see how it interprets different perspectives.  From the product manager identity:  I can confidently say that this is one of the most innovative and revolutionary products in the smart home industry.

From the caregiver identity:  The device's ability to set reminders and alarms can be particularly helpful for elderly individuals who may have trouble remembering to take their medication or attend appointments.

Also:   5 ways to explore the use of generative AI at work

And from the journalist identity:  From a journalistic perspective, the Echo has made headlines due to privacy concerns surrounding the collection and storage of user data.

You can see how different identities allow the AI to provide different perspectives as part of its response. To expand this, you can let the AI do a thought experiment. Let's look at some of the issues that went into the creation of something like Alexa:

The year is 2012. Siri has been out for the iPhone for about a year, but nothing like an Alexa smart home device has been released. The scene is an Amazon board meeting where the Echo smart assistant based on Alexa has just been proposed.  Provide the arguments, pro and con, that board members at that meeting would have been likely to discuss as part of their process of deciding whether or not to approve spending to invest in developing the device.  Feel free to also include participation by engineering design experts and product champions, if that provides more comprehensive perspective.

It's also good to know that making minor changes to your prompts can significantly change ChatGPT's response. For example, when I changed the phrase, "Provide the arguments, pro and con, that..." to "Provide the pro and con arguments as dialogue, that...," ChatGPT rewrote its answer, switching from a list of enumerated pros and cons to an actual dialogue between participants.

4. Keep ChatGPT on track

As mentioned above, ChatGPT has a tendency to go off the rails, lose track of the discussion, or completely fabricate answers. 

There are a few techniques you can use to help keep it on track and honest.

One of my favorite things to do is ask ChatGPT to justify its responses. I'll use phrases like "Why do you think that?" or "What evidence supports your answer?" Often, the AI will simply apologize for making stuff up and come back with a new answer. Other times, it might give you some useful information about its reasoning path. In any case, don't forget to apply the tips I provide for having ChatGPT cite sources .

Also:  My two favorite ChatGPT Plus features and the remarkable things I can do with them

If you have a fairly long conversation with ChatGPT, you'll start to notice that the AI loses the thread. Not that that's unique to AIs -- even in extended conversations with humans, someone is bound to get lost. That said, you can gently guide the AI back on track by reminding it what the topic is, as well as what you're trying to explore.

5. Don't be afraid to play and experiment

One of the best ways to up your skill at this craft is to play around with what the chatbot can do.

Try feeding ChatGPT a variety of interesting prompts to see what it will do with them. Then change them up and see what happens. Here are five to get you started:

• Imagine you are a raindrop falling from the sky during a thunderstorm. Describe your journey from the moment you form in the cloud to the moment you hit the ground. What do you see, feel, and experience?
• You are a toy that has been left behind in an attic for decades. Narrate your feelings, memories of playtimes past, and your hopes of being rediscovered.
• Write the final diary entry of a time traveler who has decided to settle down in a specific era, explaining why they chose that time and what they've learned from their travels.
• Imagine a dialogue between two unlikely objects, like a teacup and a wristwatch, discussing the daily routines and challenges they face.
• Describe a day in an ant colony from the perspective of an ant. Dive deep into the politics, challenges, and social structures of the ant world.

Pay attention not only to what the AI generates, but how it generates what it does, what mistakes it makes, and where it seems to run into limits. All of that detail will help you expand your prompting horizons.

More prompt-writing tips 

• Feel free to re-ask the question. ChatGPT will often change its answer with each ask.
• Make small changes to your prompts to guide it into giving you a better answer.
• ChatGPT will retain its awareness of previous conversations as long as the current page is open. If you leave that page, it will lose awareness. To be clear, ChatGPT will also sometimes lose the thread of the conversation without reason, so be aware you may need to start over from time to time.
• Similarly, opening a new page will start the discussion with fresh responses.
• Be sure to specify the length of the response you want. Answers over about 500 words sometimes break down. 
• You can correct and clarify prompts based on how the AI answered previously. If it's misinterpreting you, you may be able to just tell it what it missed and continue.
• Rephrase questions if ChatGPT doesn't want to answer what you're asking. Use personas to elicit answers that it might not otherwise want to give.
• If you want sources cited , tell it to support or justify its answers.
• ChatGPT custom instructions are now available to free users. You can  give ChatGPT a set of prompts that are always available , so you don't have to retype them.
• Keep experimenting.
• Consider getting the ChatGPT Plus subscription . You can then use your own data for powerful analytics . You can also pull data from the Web . 
• Try asking the same question of Gemini  (formerly Bard) or Copilot (formerly Bing Chat). Both will interpret your prompts differently and answer differently. This is effectively getting a second opinion on your prompt, and can give you alternate perspectives.
• Ask for examples. If you want to see how well ChatGPT understands what you're asking for, ask it "Can you give me three examples of how that works?" or similar questions.
• Ask it to repeat parts of your original requests back to you. For example, if you feed it an article to analyze, you can tell it something like, "Just to be sure you understand, please echo back the first three headlines," or "I want to be sure you understand what I mean, so summarize the main conflict discussed in this article." 
• Sometimes ChatGPT just fails. Keep trying, but also be willing to give up and move on to other tools. It's not perfect...yet.

What type of prompts work best with ChatGPT? 

Part of what makes ChatGPT so compelling is you can ask it almost anything. That said, keep in mind that it's designed to provide written answers. If you want a list of websites, you're better off talking to Google. 

Also:  How to use DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT

If you want some form of computation, talk to Wolfram Alpha . Give ChatGPT open-ended prompts, encourage creativity, and don't be afraid to share personal experiences or emotions. Plus, keep in mind that the AI's knowledge ends in 2021  for ChatGPT 3.5 and December 2023 for ChatGPT 4 in ChatGPT Plus.

How can I adjust the complexity of ChatGPT responses?

You can directly specify the complexity level by including it in your prompt. Add "... at a high school level" or "... at a level intended for a Ph.D. to understand" to the end of your question. You can also increase complexity of output by increasing the richness of your input. The more you provide in your prompt, the more detailed and nuanced ChatGPT's response will be. You can also include other specific instructions, like "Give me a summary," "Explain in detail," or "Provide a technical description."

Also:  How does ChatGPT actually work?

You can also pre-define profiles. For example, you could say "When evaluating something for a manager, assume an individual with a four-year business college education, a lack of detailed technical understanding, and a fairly limited attention span, who likes to get answers that are clear and concise. When evaluating something for a programmer, assume considerable technical knowledge, an enjoyment of geek and science fiction references, and a desire for a complete answer. Accuracy is deeply important to programmers, so double-check your work."

If you ask ChatGPT to "explain C++ to a manager" and "explain C++ to a programmer," you'll see how the responses differ.

What do I do if ChatGPT refuses to answer or I don't like its answer? 

There are some guardrails built into ChatGPT. It tends to shut down if you ask it political questions, for example. That's what's built into the system. While you might be able to tease out an answer, it's probably not going to provide great value. That said, feel free to keep trying with different phrasing or perspectives. 

You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly update newsletter on Substack , and follow me on Twitter at @DavidGewirtz , on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz , on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz , and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV .

More on AI tools

Google releases two new free resources to help you optimize your ai prompts, my top 5 tools to beat distractions and get more writing done - or any work, really, create your own e-book using ai for just $25.

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World Intellectual Property Day 2024: Date, history, significance and everything that you need to know

World intellectual property day 2024: from history to significance, here is all that you need to know about the special day..

World Intellectual Property Day 2024: Innovation and creativity breeds more when we protect intellectual properties. They help us to boost confidence, get recognition for the properties that we have created and help us to innovate more and provide better things to the world. However, when intellectual properties are not safeguarded and are left open for piracy, they are prone to be stolen by others – this can further lower morale and the sense of innovation and creativity. Every year, World Intellectual Property Day is observed to create more awareness about intellectual property rights and why they should be safeguarded. As we gear up to celebrate the special day, here are a few things to keep in mind.

ALSO READ: Intellectual Property Rights : A smarter way to reform education sector

Every year, World Intellectual Property Day is observed on April 26. This year, World Intellectual Property Day falls on Friday.

In 1883, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed which further established protection for intellectual properties. This was aimed to protect inventions, trademarks, and industrial designs. In 1970, the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization came to be known as WIPO. In 1974, WIPO became a specialised agency of the United Nations. WIPO helps in collaborating with the member states for the formation of laws, registration of intellectual properties and protection of intellectual properties.

Significance:

The theme for this year's World Intellectual Property Day is - IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity. The best way to celebrate this day is by educating ourselves about the various laws about intellectual property protection. We can further host a panel discussion to understand the role of intellectual property for boosting innovation and creativity. We can also discuss the importance of intellectual property protection. We should urge young minds to be more creative and innovative as well.

Tapatrisha is Content Producer with Hindustan Times. She covers stories related to health, relationships, and fashion. ...view detail

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How Pew Research Center will report on generations moving forward

Journalists, researchers and the public often look at society through the lens of generation, using terms like Millennial or Gen Z to describe groups of similarly aged people. This approach can help readers see themselves in the data and assess where we are and where we’re headed as a country.

Pew Research Center has been at the forefront of generational research over the years, telling the story of Millennials as they came of age politically and as they moved more firmly into adult life . In recent years, we’ve also been eager to learn about Gen Z as the leading edge of this generation moves into adulthood.

But generational research has become a crowded arena. The field has been flooded with content that’s often sold as research but is more like clickbait or marketing mythology. There’s also been a growing chorus of criticism about generational research and generational labels in particular.

Recently, as we were preparing to embark on a major research project related to Gen Z, we decided to take a step back and consider how we can study generations in a way that aligns with our values of accuracy, rigor and providing a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue.

A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations.

We set out on a yearlong process of assessing the landscape of generational research. We spoke with experts from outside Pew Research Center, including those who have been publicly critical of our generational analysis, to get their take on the pros and cons of this type of work. We invested in methodological testing to determine whether we could compare findings from our earlier telephone surveys to the online ones we’re conducting now. And we experimented with higher-level statistical analyses that would allow us to isolate the effect of generation.

What emerged from this process was a set of clear guidelines that will help frame our approach going forward. Many of these are principles we’ve always adhered to , but others will require us to change the way we’ve been doing things in recent years.

Here’s a short overview of how we’ll approach generational research in the future:

We’ll only do generational analysis when we have historical data that allows us to compare generations at similar stages of life. When comparing generations, it’s crucial to control for age. In other words, researchers need to look at each generation or age cohort at a similar point in the life cycle. (“Age cohort” is a fancy way of referring to a group of people who were born around the same time.)

When doing this kind of research, the question isn’t whether young adults today are different from middle-aged or older adults today. The question is whether young adults today are different from young adults at some specific point in the past.

To answer this question, it’s necessary to have data that’s been collected over a considerable amount of time – think decades. Standard surveys don’t allow for this type of analysis. We can look at differences across age groups, but we can’t compare age groups over time.

Another complication is that the surveys we conducted 20 or 30 years ago aren’t usually comparable enough to the surveys we’re doing today. Our earlier surveys were done over the phone, and we’ve since transitioned to our nationally representative online survey panel , the American Trends Panel . Our internal testing showed that on many topics, respondents answer questions differently depending on the way they’re being interviewed. So we can’t use most of our surveys from the late 1980s and early 2000s to compare Gen Z with Millennials and Gen Xers at a similar stage of life.

This means that most generational analysis we do will use datasets that have employed similar methodologies over a long period of time, such as surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. A good example is our 2020 report on Millennial families , which used census data going back to the late 1960s. The report showed that Millennials are marrying and forming families at a much different pace than the generations that came before them.

Even when we have historical data, we will attempt to control for other factors beyond age in making generational comparisons. If we accept that there are real differences across generations, we’re basically saying that people who were born around the same time share certain attitudes or beliefs – and that their views have been influenced by external forces that uniquely shaped them during their formative years. Those forces may have been social changes, economic circumstances, technological advances or political movements.

When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

The tricky part is isolating those forces from events or circumstances that have affected all age groups, not just one generation. These are often called “period effects.” An example of a period effect is the Watergate scandal, which drove down trust in government among all age groups. Differences in trust across age groups in the wake of Watergate shouldn’t be attributed to the outsize impact that event had on one age group or another, because the change occurred across the board.

Changing demographics also may play a role in patterns that might at first seem like generational differences. We know that the United States has become more racially and ethnically diverse in recent decades, and that race and ethnicity are linked with certain key social and political views. When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

Controlling for these factors can involve complicated statistical analysis that helps determine whether the differences we see across age groups are indeed due to generation or not. This additional step adds rigor to the process. Unfortunately, it’s often absent from current discussions about Gen Z, Millennials and other generations.

When we can’t do generational analysis, we still see value in looking at differences by age and will do so where it makes sense. Age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. And even if age gaps aren’t rooted in generational differences, they can still be illuminating. They help us understand how people across the age spectrum are responding to key trends, technological breakthroughs and historical events.

Each stage of life comes with a unique set of experiences. Young adults are often at the leading edge of changing attitudes on emerging social trends. Take views on same-sex marriage , for example, or attitudes about gender identity .

Many middle-aged adults, in turn, face the challenge of raising children while also providing care and support to their aging parents. And older adults have their own obstacles and opportunities. All of these stories – rooted in the life cycle, not in generations – are important and compelling, and we can tell them by analyzing our surveys at any given point in time.

When we do have the data to study groups of similarly aged people over time, we won’t always default to using the standard generational definitions and labels. While generational labels are simple and catchy, there are other ways to analyze age cohorts. For example, some observers have suggested grouping people by the decade in which they were born. This would create narrower cohorts in which the members may share more in common. People could also be grouped relative to their age during key historical events (such as the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic) or technological innovations (like the invention of the iPhone).

By choosing not to use the standard generational labels when they’re not appropriate, we can avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or oversimplifying people’s complex lived experiences.

Existing generational definitions also may be too broad and arbitrary to capture differences that exist among narrower cohorts. A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations. The key is to pick a lens that’s most appropriate for the research question that’s being studied. If we’re looking at political views and how they’ve shifted over time, for example, we might group people together according to the first presidential election in which they were eligible to vote.

With these considerations in mind, our audiences should not expect to see a lot of new research coming out of Pew Research Center that uses the generational lens. We’ll only talk about generations when it adds value, advances important national debates and highlights meaningful societal trends.

• Age & Generations
• Demographic Research
• Generation X
• Generation Z
• Generations
• Greatest Generation
• Methodological Research
• Millennials
• Silent Generation

Kim Parker is director of social trends research at Pew Research Center

How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time

Who are you the art and science of measuring identity, u.s. centenarian population is projected to quadruple over the next 30 years, older workers are growing in number and earning higher wages, teens, social media and technology 2023, most popular.

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How to Do Hanging Indent in Word for Your Essay? [For Students]

Referencing can be a really dreadful task, especially when you're required to follow specific formatting styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago. These styles often demand hanging indents for organizing the bibliography page, and getting them right can be a challenge. In this article, we'll show you how to add hanging indents in Microsoft Word, making it easier for students to format their references correctly.

Hanging Indents in APA, MLA and Chicago Style

When crafting essays in some of the most widely used academic styles, like APA, MLA, and Chicago, proper formatting is key. One essential element for a well-organized bibliography in all three of these academic styles is the hanging indent .

A hanging indent is a specific text formatting technique where the first line of a paragraph remains flush with the left margin, while all subsequent lines are indented a designated amount. In the context of bibliographies, this creates a visually distinct presentation for each source.

The first line of each citation (typically the author's name) starts at the left margin, while subsequent lines (publication details, title, etc.) are indented by half an inch.

Similar to APA, the first line (usually the title of the work) stands out at the left margin, and subsequent lines containing author information and publication details are indented by half an inch.

The first line of each reference (often the author's name) remains flush with the left margin, while the following lines with publication details are indented slightly (specific indentation amount may vary depending on the reference type).

To ensure accessibility across various devices, including mobile, Windows, and Mac, I'll be using WPS Office for this demonstration. I've found WPS Office to be an incredibly user-friendly office suite, and the fact that it's available for free makes it even more appealing, especially for students. By following along with the steps using WPS Office, you can avoid any potential confusion and seamlessly navigate through the demo.

WPS Office is also compatible with all Word document versions and offers the convenience of converting your papers to PDF without losing formatting, making it a versatile and reliable choice for academic and professional tasks alike.

How to Do Hanging Indent Quickly in Word for Your Essay

Working on essays and formatting them according to the required academic style is crucial because grades depend on it. Moreover, many academic styles require hanging indents in references, so learning how to create hanging indents in Word can be very useful and rewarding!

Since hanging indent is a feature that is not readily visible in the interface, it can be a bit challenging to find while formatting citations in Word. Let's dive right in and explore two different methods to add hanging indents in Word using WPS Office, which can be extremely helpful for students in the long run.

Using Paragraph Option

Let's see how we can add a hanging indent in Word using the paragraph options.

Step 1 : Let's open the document in WPS Office where we need to do the formatting.

Step 2 : Select the text using your mouse on which you want to apply hanging indent formatting.

Step 3 : Right-click to open the context menu, and then click on "Paragraph" to access the paragraph options.

Step 4 : Now, in the Indentation section, navigate to the "Special" field and select "Hanging" from the options.

Step 5 : Ensure that the indent is set to "0.5" in the "By" field. Pay attention to the unit of measurement next to the "By" field and make sure it is set to "inch".

Step 6 : Once the indentation settings have been adjusted, click on OK.

Using the Ruler

Another method that involves using the ruler to add a hanging indent is a rather interactive approach. Let's explore the steps to add a hanging indent using the ruler.

Step 1 : Select the text on WPS Office that you want to format.

Step 2 : After selecting the text, go to the "View" tab in the ribbon menu and ensure that the "Ruler" option is checked to display the ruler.

Step 3 : Now, on the ruler, drag the bottom triangle to add the hanging indent. Ensure that you move the ruler by just 0.5 inches to apply the formatting according to the academic style.

Shortcut for Hanging Indents in Word

Here's a breakdown on how to quickly apply hanging indents in Microsoft Word using keyboard shortcuts, whether you're on Windows or Mac:

Shortcut for Windows:

Step 1 : Open your Microsoft Word document on your Windows system.

Step 2 : Highlight the text you want to format with a hanging indent.

Step 3 : Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard.

Shortcut for Mac:

Step 1 : Open your Microsoft Word document on your Mac.

Step 2 : Select the text you want to format with a hanging indent.

Step 3 : Press Shift + Command + T on your keyboard.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert Word to PDF Without Losing Format

APA, MLA, and Chicago formatting can be tricky, but the real test comes when converting your work to a PDF. Often, this final step disrupts your carefully crafted format, leading to frustration. WPS PDF is a student-friendly tool that simplifies this process, helping you maintain consistent formatting without the stress. It ensures your paper looks as it should, preventing those moments when you're tempted to pull your hair out.

WPS Office is a complete tool that allows you to create, edit, and format documents with ease. It supports all major Word document formats, so you don't need to worry about compatibility issues. With its simple interface and robust features, WPS Office is perfect for students and writers who need to follow strict formatting guidelines.

Let's explore how users can convert their Word documents into PDF format using WPS Office.

Step 1 : Open your written essay document in WPS Office.

Step 2 : Click on the Menu button located in the top left corner.

Step 3 : In the menu, click on "Save as", and then select "Other formats" from the flyout menu.

Step 4 : Now, you will see the Save option. Choose "PDF Format" from the "File Type" field.

Step 5 : Finally, click Save to convert your Word document to PDF .

FAQs About Hanging Indents in Word

Q1. where is hanging indent in word on mac.

Hanging indent is present in the paragraph options on Mac. Simply click on the "Format" menu, then choose "Paragraph," and you'll find it there.

Q2. Why is my hanging indent not working?

Possible Reasons for Hanging Indent Issue:

Hard or soft returns after each line : This disrupts the natural flow of the text, causing the hanging indent to apply to the entire text instead of just the selected part. Remove any hard or soft returns after each line to overcome this issue. Lines should wrap naturally without any inserted returns to ensure the hanging indent works properly.

Incorrect application of the hanging indent : Incorrectly following the steps to apply the hanging indent can lead to the entire text being indented instead of just the desired portion. Follow these steps carefully to ensure that you add the indent correctly:

Step 1 : Navigate to the Format menu.

Step 2 : Choose "Align & Indent" followed by "Indent options".

Step 3 : Within the Indent options, select "Special".

Step 4 : Click on the arrows in the Special menu and choose "Hanging".

Step 5 : Finally, press the "Apply" button.

Q3. Do you need a hanging indent?

Hanging indents make it easier to spot the gaps between different citations and find authors' names in a bibliography. It's important to format your works cited or bibliography correctly. This format enhances readability by visually separating each entry, making it quicker to find author names. It also ensures a neat and organized look, which is essential for maintaining a professional appearance. While hanging indents are standard for styles like Chicago, APA, or MLA, it's always a good idea to check your assignment guidelines to see if this formatting is required before you begin writing.

Learn Indent Essentials with WPS Office

Formatting is crucial when writing an academic paper, and understanding the significance of elements like hanging indents is key, especially in major formatting styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. Learning how to apply hanging indents and properly cite references is essential to avoid losing marks unnecessarily. With WPS Office, managing formatting becomes effortless, thanks to its user-friendly features and integrated AI for document handling. Download WPS Office now to streamline your document creation and ensure your academic papers meet the required standards.

• 1. How can we make text paragraphs indent automatically
• 2. How to increase or decrease indent in WPS Writer
• 3. How to Double Space in Word for Your Essay: A Guide for Students
• 4. How to indent the second line in WPS Writer
• 5. How to create a hanging indent in WPS Writer
• 6. How to set hanging indentation in word?

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As You Like It

By william shakespeare, as you like it quotes and analysis.

"Sweet masters, be patient. For your father's remembrance, be at accord." Adam, 1.1

Adam is a servant to the de Boys family who, despite his closer connection to Orlando, now serves Oliver, the eldest brother set to inherit their father's estate. Here, Adam entreats the brothers to get along in order to honor their father's memory. Adam's place in their feud is reminiscent of the biblical Adam's role in the conflict between his sons, Cain and Abel, which ended with Cain's murder of his brother. This exchange foreshadows the brothers' ongoing conflict and Oliver's later attempt to have his brother killed.

"Marry, I prithee, do, to make sport withal; but love no man in good earnest, nor no further in sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honor come off again." Celia, 1.2

When Rosalind and Celia talk at the beginning of the play, Rosalind asks Celia what she thinks about love and marriage. Here, Celia argues that love is associated with foolishness, and that it is simply a sport they can use to entertain themselves. Of course, audiences will soon see the power of love overwhelm Rosalind and her relationship with Celia fade into the background.

"I'll have no worse a name than Jove's own page, And therefore look you call me Ganymede. But what will you be called?" Rosalind, 1.3

When Rosalind assumes her identity as a boy, she chooses the name Ganymede as her alter ego. This was a particularly significant name at the time the play was performed: in early modern English vernacular, "Ganymede" was a slang term for a boy involved in a sexual relationship with another (usually older) man. Thus, Rosalind's name choice foreshadows the development of intimacy between Orlando and "Ganymede."

"We that are true lovers run into strange capers. But as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly." Touchstone, 2.4

In a moment of wisdom, Touchstone (the "fool") pauses from his typical criticism of lovers and instead offers insight into the complex nature of love and desire. Here, he suggests that love certainly inspires foolish behavior, but that that folly is part of being human. The play – and many of Shakespeare's other comedies – seems to delight in this very assertion, in which ridiculous plots reveal deeper truths about human nature.

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages." Jacques, 2.7

In what is likely the most famous quotation from the play, Jacques here compares life to a performance, and men and women to actors on the stage. Here, Jacques clearly makes a self-referential comment on the relationship between theater and reality, suggesting that the two depend on one another (and thereby validating the role of theater in early modern English life).

"Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy. This wide and universal theater Presents more woeful pageants than the scene Wherein we play in." Duke Senior, 2.7

In another meta-theatrical comment, Duke Senior here presents a somewhat bleak outlook on life, comparing it to "woeful pageants" and thereby expressing despair about the concept of life as a performance. However, he finds some solace in the fact that suffering is universal, and that someone somewhere is experiencing their own "woeful pageant" that is likely worse than his own. Duke Senior therefore comes to represent a more pessimistic perspective about the relationship between theater and reality.

"I met the duke yesterday and had much question with him: he asked me of what parentage I was. I told him, of as good as he. So he laughed and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando?" Rosalind, 3.4

In this quotation, Rosalind (disguised as Ganymede) recalls her encounter with her exiled father, whom she has not seen in quite some time. Her reaction to their reunion is markedly nonchalant, as she pushes thoughts of her family to the side once she starts thinking about Orlando. This quotation highlights the play's portrayal of love as an all-encompassing emotion that can swiftly unseat other important bonds.

"I protest her frown might kill me." Orlando, 4.1

In this quotation, Orlando asserts that Rosalind's frown would be so devastating to him that he would die. Of course, this is a hyperbolic assertion and something that Touchstone would most likely satirize. Here, however, Orlando parrots the voices of Petrarchan poets who presented themselves as so dedicated to their beloveds that their physical health was at the mercy of the woman's facial expressions. Shakespeare himself often satirizes this tradition in his plays as well as his Sonnets, in which he celebrates a distinctly "ugly" woman (the mistress known as the 'dark lady') to challenge Petrarchan notions of beauty and desire.

"Come, woo me, woo me, for now I am in a holiday humor and like enough to consent. What would you say to me now, an I were your very, very Rosalind?" Rosalind, 4.1

Disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind encourages Orlando to test out his seduction skills on her. Rosalind in disguise provides a low-stakes outlet for Orlando to express his love, and she herself is able to get closer to Orlando without the pressure of measured, courtly "wooing." Many critics have pointed out that it is Rosalind's disguise that allows her and Orlando's love to flourish, as they both perceive "Ganymede" as a means of fulfilling their desire without consequences.

"It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue." Rosalind, Epilogue

At the conclusion of the play, Rosalind (no longer disguised as Ganymede) remarks that it is traditionally a male character who speaks at the end of a performance. Notably, however, the character of Rosalind would have been played by a boy, and so the play ironically comments on the nature of early modern English theater and the fact that women were excluded from acting on the stage.

As You Like It Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for As You Like It is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What elements of drama were used?

As You Like It by William Shakespeare, like many of his plays, incorporates various elements of drama. Here are unique examples of how certain factors are used inside the play to set the scene, in addition to the story, define characters, and...

Describe the life of the old Duke in the Forest of Arden.

Duke Senior inhabits a cave in the forest of Ardenne where he spends time with other noblemen who have joined him. He is described as living like Robin Hood with his band of men.

Explain how Duke Ferderick had come to this position?

Duke Frederick is the younger brother of Duke Senior, he usurped (stole) his position and banished his brother.

Study Guide for As You Like It

As You Like It study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About As You Like It
• As You Like It Summary
• Character List

Essays for As You Like It

As You Like It literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of As You Like It.

• Relations On the Stage Between Older and Younger Men in 1 Henry IV and As You Like It
• Which Side of the Fence? Questioning Sexuality in As You Like It
• As Rosalind Likes It
• Call Me Rosalind: Gender and Gender Stereotyping in As You Like It
• Colliding Worlds: Green World Theory vs. Marxist Theory

Lesson Plan for As You Like It

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to As You Like It
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• As You Like It Bibliography

E-Text of As You Like It

As You Like It E-Text contains the full text of As You Like It

• List of Characters
• List of Scenes

Wikipedia Entries for As You Like It

• Introduction
• Date and text

• Share full article

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Guest Essay

What Sentencing Could Look Like if Trump Is Found Guilty

By Norman L. Eisen

Mr. Eisen is the author of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.”

For all the attention to and debate over the unfolding trial of Donald Trump in Manhattan, there has been surprisingly little of it paid to a key element: its possible outcome and, specifically, the prospect that a former and potentially future president could be sentenced to prison time.

The case — brought by Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, against Mr. Trump — represents the first time in our nation’s history that a former president is a defendant in a criminal trial. As such, it has generated lots of debate about the case’s legal strength and integrity, as well as its potential impact on Mr. Trump’s efforts to win back the White House.

A review of thousands of cases in New York that charged the same felony suggests something striking: If Mr. Trump is found guilty, incarceration is an actual possibility. It’s not certain, of course, but it is plausible.

Jury selection has begun, and it’s not too soon to talk about what the possibility of a sentence, including a prison sentence, would look like for Mr. Trump, for the election and for the country — including what would happen if he is re-elected.

The case focuses on alleged interference in the 2016 election, which consisted of a hush-money payment Michael Cohen, the former president’s fixer at the time, made in 2016 to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. Mr. Bragg is arguing that the cover-up cheated voters of the chance to fully assess Mr. Trump’s candidacy.

This may be the first criminal trial of a former president in American history, but if convicted, Mr. Trump’s fate is likely to be determined by the same core factors that guide the sentencing of every criminal defendant in New York State Court.

Comparable cases. The first factor is the base line against which judges measure all sentences: how other defendants have been treated for similar offenses. My research encompassed almost 10,000 cases of felony falsifying business records that have been prosecuted across the state of New York since 2015. Over a similar period, the Manhattan D.A. has charged over 400 of these cases . In roughly the first year of Mr. Bragg’s tenure, his team alone filed 166 felony counts for falsifying business records against 34 people or companies.

Contrary to claims that there will be no sentence of incarceration for falsifying business records, when a felony conviction involves serious misconduct, defendants can be sentenced to some prison time. My analysis of the most recent data indicates that approximately one in 10 cases in which the most serious charge at arraignment is falsifying business records in the first degree and in which the court ultimately imposes a sentence, results in a term of imprisonment.

To be clear, these cases generally differ from Mr. Trump’s case in one important respect: They typically involve additional charges besides just falsifying records. That clearly complicates what we might expect if Mr. Trump is convicted.

Nevertheless, there are many previous cases involving falsifying business records along with other charges where the conduct was less serious than is alleged against Mr. Trump and prison time was imposed. For instance, Richard Luthmann was accused of attempting to deceive voters — in his case, impersonating New York political figures on social media in an attempt to influence campaigns. He pleaded guilty to three counts of falsifying business records in the first degree (as well as to other charges). He received a sentence of incarceration on the felony falsification counts (although the sentence was not solely attributable to the plea).

A defendant in another case was accused of stealing in excess of $50,000 from her employer and, like in this case, falsifying one or more invoices as part of the scheme. She was indicted on a single grand larceny charge and ultimately pleaded guilty to one felony count of business record falsification for a false invoice of just under $10,000. She received 364 days in prison.

To be sure, for a typical first-time offender charged only with run-of-the-mill business record falsification, a prison sentence would be unlikely. On the other hand, Mr. Trump is being prosecuted for 34 counts of conduct that might have changed the course of American history.

Seriousness of the crime. Mr. Bragg alleges that Mr. Trump concealed critical information from voters (paying hush money to suppress an extramarital relationship) that could have harmed his campaign, particularly if it came to light after the revelation of another scandal — the “Access Hollywood” tape . If proved, that could be seen not just as unfortunate personal judgment but also, as Justice Juan Merchan has described it, an attempt “to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election.”

History and character. To date, Mr. Trump has been unrepentant about the events alleged in this case. There is every reason to believe that will not change even if he is convicted, and lack of remorse is a negative at sentencing. Justice Merchan’s evaluation of Mr. Trump’s history and character may also be informed by the other judgments against him, including Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling that Mr. Trump engaged in repeated and persistent business fraud, a jury finding that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll and a related defamation verdict by a second jury.

Justice Merchan may also weigh the fact that Mr. Trump has been repeatedly held in contempt , warned , fined and gagged by state and federal judges. That includes for statements he made that exposed witnesses, individuals in the judicial system and their families to danger. More recently, Mr. Trump made personal attacks on Justice Merchan’s daughter, resulting in an extension of the gag order in the case. He now stands accused of violating it again by commenting on witnesses.

What this all suggests is that a term of imprisonment for Mr. Trump, while far from certain for a former president, is not off the table. If he receives a sentence of incarceration, perhaps the likeliest term is six months, although he could face up to four years, particularly if Mr. Trump chooses to testify, as he said he intends to do , and the judge believes he lied on the stand . Probation is also available, as are more flexible approaches like a sentence of spending every weekend in jail for a year.

We will probably know what the judge will do within 30 to 60 days of the end of the trial, which could run into mid-June. If there is a conviction, that would mean a late summer or early fall sentencing.

Justice Merchan would have to wrestle in the middle of an election year with the potential impact of sentencing a former president and current candidate.

If Mr. Trump is sentenced to a period of incarceration, the reaction of the American public will probably be as polarized as our divided electorate itself. Yet as some polls suggest — with the caveat that we should always be cautious of polls early in the race posing hypothetical questions — many key swing state voters said they would not vote for a felon.

If Mr. Trump is convicted and then loses the presidential election, he will probably be granted bail, pending an appeal, which will take about a year. That means if any appeals are unsuccessful, he will most likely have to serve any sentence starting sometime next year. He will be sequestered with his Secret Service protection; if it is less than a year, probably in Rikers Island. His protective detail will probably be his main company, since Mr. Trump will surely be isolated from other inmates for his safety.

If Mr. Trump wins the presidential election, he can’t pardon himself because it is a state case. He will be likely to order the Justice Department to challenge his sentence, and department opinions have concluded that a sitting president could not be imprisoned, since that would prevent the president from fulfilling the constitutional duties of the office. The courts have never had to address the question, but they could well agree with the Justice Department.

So if Mr. Trump is convicted and sentenced to a period of incarceration, its ultimate significance is probably this: When the American people go to the polls in November, they will be voting on whether Mr. Trump should be held accountable for his original election interference.

What questions do you have about Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial so far?

Please submit them below. Our trial experts will respond to a selection of readers in a future piece.

Norman L. Eisen investigated the 2016 voter deception allegations as counsel for the first impeachment and trial of Donald Trump and is the author of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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• Life & Culture

New Florida story from Stephen King is a ‘Cujo’ sequel

• Colette Bancroft Times staff

Stephen King’s new short story collection, “You Like It Darker,” won’t be published until May 21, but I’ve gotten my mitts on an early copy, and the book has some treats for Florida fans — among them a sequel to one of his most terrifying books, “Cujo.”

First is the cover, with what looks like a seascape with a palm-studded island at dusk — until you notice the teeth and realize it’s a monstrously huge alligator.

King, who has owned a home on Casey Key in Sarasota County for a couple of decades, sets one of the book’s stories on a fictional barrier island he dubs Rattlesnake Key. Not to be confused with the real Rattlesnake Key , off Terra Ceia in Manatee County, King’s Rattlesnake Key lies off Sarasota just south of his likewise fictional Duma Key, a volcanically haunted island that, at the end of his 2008 novel of that name , was entirely sucked under the waves by a hurricane.

The new story is titled “Rattlesnakes,” and not just because of the island’s name. Its narrator is Vic Trenton, the father of Tad, the little boy who died in “Cujo,” and the husband, now widower, of Donna Trenton, the heroic mother who battled a rabid St. Bernard for three days trying to save her son.

Vic is in his seventies now, retired from the advertising business. Tad’s death shattered their marriage, but Vic and Donna eventually reunited; now he’s mourning her death from cancer.

An old friend offers him the use of his posh beach house, and Vic takes him up on it. Rattlesnake Key is high-end residential, not tourist territory, and in August it’s pretty much deserted — especially in the year when the story is set, amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Vic soon meets one of the neighbors — one his host has warned him about, a pleasant older woman named Allie Bell. She goes for walks on the island’s main road every day, not with a St. Bernard but with a toddler-size twin stroller that has no toddlers in it.

Vic and Allie have something in common: Both have lost beloved children. When Allie’s twins, Jacob and Joseph, were 4 years old, they slipped out a door unnoticed by their parents and headed through a wooded area for the beach. Among the trees, they fell into a rattlesnake wallow, occupied by dozens of snakes.

That was 40 years ago, but their deaths were so horrific Allie’s trauma is permanent. Each day she drapes clean shorts and shirts on the stroller seats and takes her boys for a walk, chattering away as one wheel of the stroller squeaks repeatedly.

Vic is kind to her, understanding her sorrow and unsure how firm her grasp is on reality. “I know they aren’t there,” she tells him. “And yet sometimes they are .”

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Just how much they are there Vic will learn, to his peril. If you’ve ever wished to be all alone on a Florida island, this story might make you rethink that. And King proves he can make even an empty stroller terrifying. Squeak .

Copy Desk Chief and Books Critic

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