Oxbridge Interview Questions English Literature

Oxbridge Interview Questions English Literature The OE Blog In a new series of blogs aimed at demystifying the Oxbridge interview process, we will individually explore real interview questions released by Oxford University and consider ways to tackle them and use them as springboards for discussion in front of an admissions panel. This week we consider a genuine question posed by admissions tutor Lynn Robinson, of Regent’s Park College to students applying to study English Literature: “Why do you think an English student might be interested in the fact that Coronation Street has been running for 50 years?” There are many different valid ideas an English student could bring to this question and it is important to remember that with these open ended questions the aim is to provoke discussion and raise interesting issues- so there is no single ‘right’ answer. Here are some different ways one might go about tackling the question: Interrogate the Question There is clearly a big difference between a popular television show and the English literary canon, so rather than dive straight into reasons, an interesting first step might be to think about the very different media of novels, print literature and televised drama; the different experiences they evoke and the different audiences they attract. It might be worth tackling some preconceived notions about the ‘types of people’ who are interested in literature and soaps, and whether these stereotypes are accurate or not. Think Laterally The popularity of a long enduring television show may be compared to the timeless appeal of certain novels and works of literature like Pride and Prejudice or Shakespeare. One could draw similarities between the way in which both Coronation Street and Pride and Prejudice deal with very universal questions, issues and ideas about the human condition and consider if this is the reason for their continued popularity. This could lead on to a discussion about the relevance of literary works and whether a text has the same ‘value’ if it does not directly relate to issues that are immediate and relevant to the reader. Pay Attention to Detail The question specifically asks why the student may be interested not in Coronation Street itself, but in the fact that it has been running for a long time, which suggests a specific focus on the reaction of an audience to the show, and what it is that makes a work of art popular and successful. This could result in a discussion of popular works of literature like the Twilight series, which are hugely successful and read by millions of people all over the world but are not necessarily considered ‘high art’ or ‘great literature’. Or of more demanding works like the novels of James Joyce, or the plays of Samuel Beckett, which are renowned for being difficult to understand and engage with, yet are considered to be of great ‘worth’ and high literary status. Feed into Wider Issues Admissions tutors will frequently use interview questions as a springboard to nudge a student towards a big issue or idea that is fundamental to the subject they are applying to study. Looking for ways in which the interview questions lead into such issues and showing that you are aware of them by widening the discussion is a great way to prove that you would be a perceptive and intelligent student to teach. In this case you might allow your discussion of the difference between ‘popular’ and ‘valuable’ television or literature to lead into the wider issue of whether popularity diminishes the value of a work of art, and whether an unpopular text should be considered less successful. A major literary question this could lead into would be the issue of the English canon how is it determined whether a certain text should be included in the canon or not, and what is the difference between the ‘success’ of writers who achieve canonical status and those who achieve popular succ ess?

How Gender Roles Influence on Society - Free Essay Example

Both present and past societies follow trends of grouping one another into factions in order to raise themselves up on a pedestal. Stereotypes divide the world, whether they be good or bad. Throughout history, the people in power have been men in wealth. Although the roles of these males having power has decreased, gender roles are still prevalent in todays society and these roles have played a part in society for hundreds of years including in Puritan societies. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller exemplifies why gender roles have a negative impact on society as these roles significantly impact the individual lives in the community of Salem, revealing the difficulty to revolt against powerful figures in society. Women in Puritan society such as Elizabeth Proctor and Mary Warren face challenges in the quest for equality, and these roles lead to stereotypes of submissive women that hold them back from reaching their full potential. Mary Warren is struggling to escape male authority and abuse as she cannot do all of the requests of men as some of these men are enemies (624). Mary Warren allows John to be abusive because these actions are normal and hold no consequences. Had Mary Warren abused John, she would have major punishments. When Mary Warren does not speak up about the abuse, an endless cycle begins with men are the abusers and the women are the abused. Elizabeth Proctor took great care of her family and John Proctor because Puritan society requires that women should take care of their husbands and children (602). The gender roles for males and females play a pivotal role because women cannot obtain positions of power as they are focused on raising the family. This hurts society as a who le because males hold all of the positions of power despite the fact that they are only half of the population. Salem focuses on how in general, how women tend to be more emotional than men. Elizabeth is weeping and she covers her face when John is admitting to witchcraft, which will likely lead to his death (673). The stereotype that women are fragile and emotional falls into false and forced gender roles. This stereotype hurts all members of the community because women have a weak image which leads to men not showing their emotions in response. Females in Salem allow stereotypes that hold women back from being treated as equal in the Puritan society. A patriarchal Puritan society allows men to hold power and authority, leading to males such as John Proctor and Danforth to misuse that power. John orders people out of my house! when the court falsely accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft (621). John Proctor knows he has the power to overrule a decision from a judge because his society has taught him that a male with money has more power than the law. When John knows he is more powerful than the laws, he is unafraid to defy them. While Abigail accuses him that he still loves her, John feels [they] did not ever touch one another, whether this be true or false (578). It is difficult for John Proctor to answer honestly because the male gender role is associated with being strong for their family and being loyal. If John were to admit to adultery, he would be looked down upon as weak because society needs him to be a perfect man. John cannot admit to his mistakes because patriarchal societies tell men that they can do no wrong and make no mis takes. Danforth believes that the town should hang [the witches] over the town and nail their names to the church doors (678). Danforth does this because he needs to have a non tarnished image as a leader. Danforth cannot admit to his mistakes about the previous hangings because of the standards of a patriarchal society, similar to John Proctor. John Proctor and Danforth use the Puritan male dominated society to abuse and misuse their powers in order to demonstrate how they value their respect and authority in the community more than anything else. Abusive men and mistreated women in a patriarchal society such as Salem leads to gender roles that negatively influence an entire community. Gender roles and stereotypes are factors that influence a society by creating divided groups of people, instead of one united community. When a group is divided, a power struggle ensues for one who can gain the most amount of power. When a community is united and does not divide themselves up over race or political party, a sense of unity and respect for one another is achieved that many countries, religious groups, and groups of people have never achieved.

My Future Career As A Mental Health Counselor - 2126 Words

It is my belief that in order to be a successful counselor, you must have the skills and ability to listen; especially without judgement. My desire is to work mainly with adolescents and their families inside and outside of schools; I will focus on resolving the identity versus role confusion conflict. I have enjoyed learning about the different techniques and theories of counseling; I am sure each theory is very useful in many ways. I can see myself using different parts of each in my future career as a Mental Health Counselor. However, there are particular theories and techniques that seem to fit into the practice of counseling in the schools more than others. I am particularly drawn to the practicality of Cognitive Behavior Therapy,†¦show more content†¦60). He also acknowledges the power of the past and early traumatic childhood experiences in preventing people from living happy, healthy, well-adjusted lives. (Corey, 2013, p. 63) I agree more with Erikson’s psych osocial perspective than Freud’s psychosexual stages in that people continue to develop socially throughout their lives and that there are specific events to be resolved in each stage of life (Corey, 2013, p. 63). As each client is different, I will apply the concepts accordingly to each individual. I believe Adolescents are in their genital stage and they at this point in their lives are going through a lot of changes, not only within their social circle, but in their family circle as well. During this stage, they are testing limits, breaking dependent ties and trying to establish an identity. My clients are focused on finding their identity, figuring out their life goals, and life’s meanings. But instead of having my clients lie on a couch and tell me all about their dreams, goals, and life experiences, I would use Adler’s life style assessment to learn about their family background and early childhood experiences which may have played an important role in their lives. Adlerian Therapy I would incorporate Adlerian Therapy into my practice to guide how I counsel my clients. Unlike Freud, Adler stresses choice and responsibility, meaning in life and the striving for success, completion and perfection (Corey, 2013,

A Solution to the Population Problem - 1724 Words

Increasing importance has been placed upon population and population growth over the course of the past few centuries. Scientists are frenetically searching for the solution to this issue, and their outcomes are bleak. They are telling the world that if population growth does not slow, the earth will swell to a capacity too large to sustain itself and the conclusion will be apocalyptic. Explanations are numerous, however viable solutions are difficult to find. Adherents to the Malthusian theory, such as Garrett Hardin, author of the article There Is No Global Population Problem, believe that this extreme growth in population will hinder economic development, therefore the industrialized nations must fight to control the population†¦show more content†¦The biggest failure of Hardin’s argument of deglobalization is that he overlooks the real problem behind overpopulation in many of these countries, which is the consumption of resources by the Western world. â€Å" A population that is under 5% of the world’s population generates and consumes 25% of the global GNP† (Porter and Sheppard, 1998 Pg. 136) This rabid consumption by the most well off countries pushes the global south deeper into poverty, which is a root cause of population growth. Although Hardin admits â€Å"Americans are too comfortable to try hard to find an answer.† (Hardin 1989 Pg. 49) he neglects to mention that a good deal of the population problem is caused by the unceasing consumption by our country. If the problem is deglobalized, as Hardin suggests, the Western world will essentially be turning its back on the problem it created. The demographic transition theory, which Gerard Piel supports in his article, offers up a more educated solution to the population problem. The theory claims population growth is related to economic achievements; the more advanced countries increase their life spans, enabling more people to mature to the reproductive years, which in turn leads to an increase in population growth. The growth is then kept in check by technological advances, namely birth control, but also by the fact that a smaller family is ideal since agriculture is not the main source of income and more people is no longer more help, just more mouths toShow MoreRelated The Problem of Population Growth and the Solution of Population Planning3072 Words   |  13 PagesThe Problem of Population Growth and the Solution of Population Planning INTRODUCTION Human population growth, overpopulation, and earth’s biological carrying capacity have been concerns of scientists for many years. In 1679 Antoni van Leeuwenhoek estimated that the maximum number of people Earth can support is 13.4 billion and estimates have continued to vary drastically since then (Cohen, 1995). There are many ecological indicators, including desertification and water problems, whichRead MorePossible Solutions to Ease the Growing Problem of Over-Population846 Words   |  3 Pagesof us on a global scale for society. Our population growth has exploded since 1967, let alone back in 1750. Since 1967, the world population has doubled and annually grows around 80 million people a year; that’s around 2.5 people every Second. Societies speculation of overpopulation has went from a probability to a growing fear of what the future may hold for the global economy. Some countries have taken measures, either by law or trend, to lower population growth yet and som e have no idea where toRead MorePso Algorithm Is Developed By The Social Behavior Patterns Of The Organisms That Exist Essay1658 Words   |  7 Pagesglobal optimization algorithms, the PSO algorithm is applied for solving various optimization problems easily. In the PSO technique, a population called as a swarm of candidate solutions are encoded as particles in the search space. Initially, PSO begins with the random initialization of the population. These particles move iteratively through the D-dimensional search space to search the optimal solutions, by updating the position of each particle. During the movement of the swarm, a vector Xi=(Xi1Read MoreOverpopulation Crisis1246 Words   |  5 Pagescould also be part of the solution. A few of these factors are discussed in an interview with Melanie Asriel, the Psychological Sciences Instructor at WKU of Glasgow, Kentucky. According to Melanie Asriel, â€Å"The lack of family planning and contraceptive use has contributed to th is problem†¦contraception, education, and the including of available abortion†¦all kinds of education, such as, sex education, contraceptive education†¦ would be my solution to an over-population problem† (M. Asriel, personal communicationRead MoreOverpopulation And The Problem Of Overpopulation1388 Words   |  6 Pagescondition wherein the total population of a particular region far exceeds the carrying capacity of the region. Although the term by and large refers to the ratio between population and the available area, the ratio between the population and available resources cannot be ignored. First, the rate at which the population is growing; the data compiled by the United Nations shows that the world population grew by 30 percent between 1990 and 2010. Second, the distribution of population; with China and IndiaRead More2. 4 Economic Load Dispatch With Transmission Losses : Analysis1484 Words   |  6 Pageswith Transmission Losses The transmission losses cannot be neglected particularly when long distance transmission of power is involved. While developing the ELD policy, transmission losses P_L are considered. Mathematically, the ELD optimization problem is defined as Min F=∑_(i=1)^(N_g)ââ€"’ã€â€"f_i (P_(g_i ) ) ã€â€" (2.4) Transmission loss P_L can be expressed as a function of generator power through B-coefficients. The simplest form of lossRead MoreA Copula-Based EDA For a Class of Continuous Multiobjective Problems1100 Words   |  5 PagesMultiobjective Problems 1 Introduction An optimisation problem consist of trying to find the optimal solution in a set of good solution, finding this optimal solution has a relation with the specific area of research problem, this kind of problem which have two or more objective function to reach are called multiobjective problem, those objectives are usually contradictory each others, the optimisation of this problems enter in Decision making of a huge industrial and research problems. To solve thisRead MoreThe Problem Of The Overpopulation Problem1122 Words   |  5 PagesPerhaps one solution for the overpopulation problem is to provide all children, who have reached puberty with Reproductive Education License of Four (REL4). REL4 is a two-step solution program that will provide education and contraception, which will decrease the population growth. Jennifer Weeks (2015) article, â€Å"Global Population Growth,† discusses the number of women without access to birth control. Research conducted by a nonprofit organization showed nearly 225 million women globally, includingRead MoreThe Development Of Australia And Japan1488 Words   |  6 Pagescountries, in food, culture, location, population and many other aspects. But one of the things that brings these two very different countries together is the issue of an ageing population. It is estimated that, with a rapidly increasing elderly population, Japan is well on its way to lose about half its workforce by 2060, which would weaken its status as an economic superpower and weaken its economy to the point of ruin. Australia is also facing a similar ageing population crisis. Although in the past AustraliaRead MoreWhat Are the Problems of Continued Urbanisation? Discuss in Relation to One Area of the World and Evaluate the Possible Solution.1539 Words   |  7 PagesWhat are the problems of continued urbanisation? Discuss in relation to one area of the world and evaluate the possible solution. 1528words Urbanisation is a global problem with various impacts in different fields. â€Å"Urbanisation is the transformation of society from rural life to life in towns and cities† McDonald and McMillen (2010, p.8). The United Nations published, that in 1950 there was 2.54 billion of the population which equivalent to 29.1% of the world population was living in cities

The Political Career of Kamarajar - 1582 Words

The political career of Kumaraswamy Kamaraj (1903-1975) spanning about 50 years, cutting across the colonial and post-independent phases, of Indian history, is indeed an enviable record. Representing a novel political culture neither bordering on Gandhian thought and action nor possessing the anglicised sophistication and cosmopolitanism of the Nehruvian vision, Kamaraj, rose from an underprivileged background, stood forth as a sober and robust figure winning the confidence and respect of the common people. He showed a rare political acumen and the uncanny ability to grasp social and political realities from the grass roots level upwards. A hard core political realist, his political life was never governed by any high theories or fancy†¦show more content†¦E V Ramasamy was arrested in December 1938 and imprisoned for a year. This confrontation sharpened the conflict between the non-Brahmins and Brahmins within the Congress organisation. The agitation was continued till Rajaji had to opt for making Hindi an optional subject in schools in February 1940. At this crucial moment, Rajajis candidate, C P Subbiah, was defeated by K Kamaraj with the support of the Brahmin leader, Satyamurthi. Kamaraj was elected as the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress in 1940, the post which he held till he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1954. The advent of Kamaraj as the party boss from a low caste non-Brahmin background made a powerful appeal to the vast non-Brahmin majority and attracted the non-Brahmin elites and the political-minded elements who had long resented the power and privileges of the Brahmins, and broadened the social base of the Congress.7 The non-Brahmin presence in the Congress gained ground, rallying around Kamaraj, a rustic leader who transformed the Congress into a peoples party championing the causes of the lower castes. Kamaraj grew steadily from strength to strength displaying his organising skills to control men and matters. During these years his contact with the people and the respect

Piracy and Copyright Infringement - 1116 Words

If I post a poem on my Facebook site and someone cuts and pastes it on their site is that a case for stealing my intellectual property? According to our textbook, If you purchase a music CD, copy it in large quantities and then sell the copies to all of your friends, then you are guilty of copyright infringement and have violated intellectual property rights. In other words, you are a pirate! This is a significant issue; in fact, some researchers have estimated that in Third World countries, 90% of all new software is pirated (5). However, regarding the poetry example, the answer is it depends. If it is a poem by Emily Dickinson that is in the public domain and not copyrighted, the answer is no, you have not stolen intellectual property. Thankfully, no one can be prosecuted for copyright violation simply for quoting. But if the poem is your original poem and you own the rights to it through a Creative Commons copyright with all rights reserved, and someone steals it, this would be theft of intellectual property. As a poem is a completed work, unlike a quote or an excerpt, and could affect the poets ability to profit from selling his or her work and this could be construed as a violation versus the posting of other written material. When deciding a copyright case, the courts traditionally evaluate: the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes (for example, was the originalShow MoreRelatedThe Internet And Piracy That Will Kill Film Essay881 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to movie star Helen Mirren, â€Å"It ll be the Internet and piracy that will kill film.† With the invention of the internet sharing content has been made significantly easier. 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The Lost Symbol Chapter 26-29 Free Essays

string(30) " was practically defining it\." CHAPTER 26 Professor Langdon?† Sato said. â€Å"You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you okay?† Langdon hoisted his daybag higher onto his shoulder and laid his hand on top of it, as if somehow this might better hide the cube-shaped package he was carrying. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 26-29 or any similar topic only for you Order Now He could feel his face had gone ashen. â€Å"I’m . . . just worried about Peter.† Sato cocked her head, eyeing him askew. Langdon felt a sudden wariness that Sato’s involvement tonight might relate to this small package that Solomon had entrusted to him. Peter had warned Langdon: Powerful people want to steal this. It would be dangerous in the wrong hands. Langdon couldn’t imagine why the CIA would want a little box containing a talisman . . . or even what the talisman could be. Ordo ab chao? Sato stepped closer, her black eyes probing. â€Å"I sense you’ve had a revelation?† Langdon felt himself sweating now. â€Å"No, not exactly.† â€Å"What’s on your mind?† â€Å"I just . . .† Langdon hesitated, having no idea what to say. He had no intention of revealing the existence of the package in his bag, and yet if Sato took him to the CIA, his bag most certainly would be searched on the way in. â€Å"Actually . . .† he fibbed, â€Å"I have another idea about the numbers on Peter’s hand.† Sato’s expression revealed nothing. â€Å"Yes?† She glanced over at Anderson now, who was just arriving from greeting the forensics team that had finally arrived. Langdon swallowed hard and crouched down beside the hand, wondering what he could possibly come up with to tell them. You’re a teacher, Robert–improvise! He took one last look at the seven tiny symbols, hoping for some sort of inspiration. Nothing. Blank. As Langdon’s eidetic memory skimmed through his mental encyclopedia of symbols, he could find only one possible point to make. It was something that had occurred to him initially, but had seemed unlikely. At the moment, however, he had to buy time to think. â€Å"Well,† he began, â€Å"a symbologist’s first clue that he’s on the wrong track when deciphering symbols and codes is when he starts interpreting symbols using multiple symbolic languages. For example, when I told you this text was Roman and Arabic, that was a poor analysis because I used multiple symbolic systems. The same is true for Roman and runic.† Sato crossed her arms and arched her eyebrows as if to say, â€Å"Go on.† â€Å"In general, communications are made in one language, not multiple languages, and so a symbologist’s first job with any text is to find a single consistent symbolic system that applies to the entire text.† â€Å"And you see a single system now?† â€Å"Well, yes . . . and no.† Langdon’s experience with the rotational symmetry of ambigrams had taught him that symbols sometimes had meanings from multiple angles. In this case, he realized there was indeed a way to view all seven symbols in a single language. â€Å"If we manipulated the hand slightly, the language will become consistent.† Eerily, the manipulation Langdon was about to perform was one that seemed to have been suggested by Peter’s captor already when he spoke the ancient Hermetic adage. As above, so below. Langdon felt a chill as he reached out and grasped the wooden base on which Peter’s hand was secured. Gently, he turned the base upside down so that Peter’s extended fingers were now pointing straight down. The symbols on the palm instantly transformed themselves. â€Å"From this angle,† Langdon said, â€Å"X-I-I-I becomes a valid Roman numeral–thirteen. Moreover, the rest of the characters can be interpreted using the Roman alphabet–SBB.† Langdon assumed the analysis would elicit blank shrugs, but Anderson’s expression immediately changed. â€Å"SBB?† the chief demanded. Sato turned to Anderson. â€Å"If I’m not mistaken, that sounds like a familiar numbering system here in the Capitol Building.† Anderson looked pale. â€Å"It is.† Sato gave a grim smile and nodded to Anderson. â€Å"Chief, follow me, please. I’d like a word in private.† As Director Sato led Chief Anderson out of earshot, Langdon stood alone in bewilderment. What the hell is going on here? And what is SBB XIII? Chief Anderson wondered how this night could possibly get any stranger. The hand says SBB13? He was amazed any outsider had even heard of SBB . . . much less SBB13. Peter Solomon’s index finger, it seemed, was not directing them upward as it had appeared . . . but rather was pointing in quite the opposite direction. Director Sato led Anderson over to a quiet area near the bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson. â€Å"Chief,† she said, â€Å"I trust you know exactly where SBB Thirteen is located?† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"Do you know what’s inside?† â€Å"No, not without looking. I don’t think it’s been used in decades.† â€Å"Well, you’re going to open it up.† Anderson did not appreciate being told what he would do in his own building. â€Å"Ma’am, that may be problematic. I’ll have to check the assignment roster first. As you know, most of the lower levels are private offices or storage, and security protocol regarding private–â€Å" â€Å"You will unlock SBB Thirteen for me,† Sato said, â€Å"or I will call OS and send in a team with a battering ram.† Anderson stared at her a long moment and then pulled out his radio, raising it to his lips. â€Å"This is Anderson. I need someone to unlock the SBB. Have someone meet me there in five minutes.† The voice that replied sounded confused. â€Å"Chief, confirming you said SBB?† â€Å"Correct. SBB. Send someone immediately. And I’ll need a flashlight.† He stowed his radio. Anderson’s heart was pounding as Sato stepped closer, lowering her voice even further. â€Å"Chief, time is short,† she whispered, â€Å"and I want you to get us down to SBB Thirteen as quickly as possible.† â€Å"Yes, ma’am.† â€Å"I also need something else from you.† In addition to breaking and entering? Anderson was in no position to protest, and yet it had not gone unnoticed by him that Sato had arrived within minutes of Peter’s hand appearing in the Rotunda, and that she now was using the situation to demand access to private sections of the U.S. Capitol. She seemed so far ahead of the curve tonight that she was practically defining it. You read "The Lost Symbol Chapter 26-29" in category "Essay examples" Sato motioned across the room toward the professor. â€Å"The duffel bag on Langdon’s shoulder.† Anderson glanced over. â€Å"What about it?† â€Å"I assume your staff X-rayed that bag when Langdon entered the building?† â€Å"Of course. All bags are scanned.† â€Å"I want to see that X-ray. I want to know what’s in his bag.† Anderson looked over at the bag Langdon had been carrying all evening. â€Å"But . . . wouldn’t it be easier just to ask him?† â€Å"What part of my request was unclear?† Anderson pulled out his radio again and called in her request. Sato gave Anderson her BlackBerry address and requested that his team e-mail her a digital copy of the X-ray as soon as they had located it. Reluctantly Anderson complied. Forensics was now collecting the severed hand for the Capitol Police, but Sato ordered them to deliver it directly to her team at Langley. Anderson was too tired to protest. He had just been run over by a tiny Japanese steamroller. â€Å"And I want that ring,† Sato called over to Forensics. The chief technician seemed ready to question her but thought better of it. He removed the gold ring from Peter’s hand, placed it in a clear specimen bag, and gave it to Sato. She slipped it into her jacket pocket, and then turned to Langdon. â€Å"We’re leaving, Professor. Bring your things.† â€Å"Where are we going?† Langdon replied. â€Å"Just follow Mr. Anderson.† Yes, Anderson thought, and follow me closely. The SBB was a section of the Capitol that few ever visited. To reach it, they would pass through a sprawling labyrinth of tiny chambers and tight passages buried beneath the crypt. Abraham Lincoln’s youngest son, Tad, had once gotten lost down there and almost perished. Anderson was starting to suspect that if Sato had her way, Robert Langdon might suffer a similar fate. CHAPTER 27 Systems security specialist Mark Zoubianis had always prided himself on his ability to multitask. At the moment, he was seated on his futon along with a TV remote, a cordless phone, a laptop, a PDA, and a large bowl of Pirate’s Booty. With one eye on the muted Redskins game and one eye on his laptop, Zoubianis was speaking on his Bluetooth headset with a woman he had not heard from in over a year. Leave it to Trish Dunne to call on the night of a play-off game. Confirming her social ineptitude yet again, his former colleague had chosen the Redskins game as a perfect moment to chat him up and request a favor. After some brief small talk about the old days and how she missed his great jokes, Trish had gotten to her point: she was trying to unmask a hidden IP address, probably that of a secure server in the D.C. area. The server contained a small text document, and she wanted access to it . . . or at the very least, some information about whose document it was. Right guy, wrong timing, he had told her. Trish then showered him with her finest geek flattery, most of which was true, and before Zoubianis knew it, he was typing a strange-looking IP address into his laptop. Zoubianis took one look at the number and immediately felt uneasy. â€Å"Trish, this IP has a funky format. It’s written in a protocol that isn’t even publicly available yet. It’s probably gov intel or military.† â€Å"Military?† Trish laughed. â€Å"Believe me, I just pulled a redacted document off this server, and it was not military.† Zoubianis pulled up his terminal window and tried a traceroute. â€Å"You said your traceroute died?† â€Å"Yeah. Twice. Same hop.† â€Å"Mine, too.† He pulled up a diagnostic probe and launched it. â€Å"And what’s so interesting about this IP?† â€Å"I ran a delegator that tapped a search engine at this IP and pulled a redacted document. I need to see the rest of the document. I’m happy to pay them for it, but I can’t figure out who owns the IP or how to access it.† Zoubianis frowned at his screen. â€Å"Are you sure about this? I’m running a diagnostic, and this firewall coding looks . . . pretty serious.† â€Å"That’s why you get the big bucks.† Zoubianis considered it. They’d offered him a fortune for a job this easy. â€Å"One question, Trish. Why are you so hot on this?† Trish paused. â€Å"I’m doing a favor for a friend.† â€Å"Must be a special friend.† â€Å"She is.† Zoubianis chuckled and held his tongue. I knew it. â€Å"Look,† Trish said, sounding impatient. â€Å"Are you good enough to unmask this IP? Yes or no?† â€Å"Yes, I’m good enough. And yes, I know you’re playing me like a fiddle.† â€Å"How long will it take you?† â€Å"Not long,† he said, typing as he spoke. â€Å"I should be able to get into a machine on their network within ten minutes or so. Once I’m in and know what I’m looking at, I’ll call you back.† â€Å"I appreciate it. So, are you doing well?† Now she asks? â€Å"Trish, for God’s sake, you called me on the night of a play-off game and now you want to chat? Do you want me to hack this IP or not?† â€Å"Thanks, Mark. I appreciate it. I’ll be waiting for your call.† â€Å"Fifteen minutes.† Zoubianis hung up, grabbed his bowl of Pirate’s Booty, and unmuted the game. Women. CHAPTER 28 Where are they taking me? As Langdon hurried with Anderson and Sato into the depths of the Capitol, he felt his heart rate increasing with each downward step. They had begun their journey through the west portico of the Rotunda, descending a marble staircase and then doubling back through a wide doorway into the famous chamber directly beneath the Rotunda floor. The Capitol Crypt. The air was heavier here, and Langdon was already feeling claustrophobic. The crypt’s low ceiling and soft uplighting accentuated the robust girth of the forty Doric columns required to support the vast stone floor directly overhead. Relax, Robert. â€Å"This way,† Anderson said, moving quickly as he angled to the left across the wide circular space. Thankfully, this particular crypt contained no bodies. Instead it contained several statues, a model of the Capitol, and a low storage area for the wooden catafalque on which coffins were laid for state funerals. The entourage hurried through, without even a glance at the four-pointed marble compass in the center of the floor where the Eternal Flame had once burned. Anderson seemed to be in a hurry, and Sato once again had her head buried in her BlackBerry. Cellular service, Langdon had heard, was boosted and broadcast to all corners of the Capitol Building to support the hundreds of government phone calls that took place here every day. After diagonally crossing the crypt, the group entered a dimly lit foyer and began winding through a convoluted series of hallways and dead ends. The warren of passages contained numbered doorways, each of which bore an identification number. Langdon read the doors as they snaked their way around. S154 . . . S153 . . . S152 . . . He had no idea what lay behind these doors, but at least one thing now seemed clear–the meaning of the tattoo on Peter Solomon’s palm. SBB13 appeared to be a numbered doorway somewhere in the bowels of the U.S. Capitol Building. â€Å"What are all these doorways?† Langdon asked, clutching his daybag tightly to his ribs and wondering what Solomon’s tiny package could possibly have to do with a door marked SBB13. â€Å"Offices and storage,† Anderson said. â€Å"Private offices and storage,† he added, glancing back at Sato. Sato did not even glance up from her BlackBerry. â€Å"They look tiny,† Langdon said. â€Å"Glorified closets, most of them, but they’re still some of the most sought-after real estate in D.C. This is the heart of the original Capitol, and the old Senate chamber is two stories above us.† â€Å"And SBB Thirteen?† Langdon asked. â€Å"Whose office is that?† â€Å"Nobody’s. The SBB is a private storage area, and I must say, I’m puzzled how–â€Å" â€Å"Chief Anderson,† Sato interrupted without looking up from her BlackBerry. â€Å"Just take us there, please.† Anderson clenched his jaw and guided them on in silence through what was now feeling like a hybrid self-storage facility and epic labyrinth. On almost every wall, directional signs pointed back and forth, apparently attempting to locate specific office blocks in this network of hallways. S142 to S152 . . . ST1 to ST70 . . . H1 to H166 HT1 to HT67 . . . Langdon doubted he could ever find his way out of here alone. This place is a maze. From all he could gather, office numbers began with either an S or an H depending on whether they were on the Senate side of the building or the House side. Areas designated ST and HT were apparently on a level that Anderson called Terrace Level. Still no signs for SBB. Finally they arrived at a heavy steel security door with a key-card entry box. SB Level Langdon sensed they were getting closer. Anderson reached for his key card but hesitated, looking uncomfortable with Sato’s demands. â€Å"Chief,† Sato prompted. â€Å"We don’t have all night.† Anderson reluctantly inserted his key card. The steel door released. He pushed it open, and they stepped through into the foyer beyond. The heavy door clicked shut behind them. Langdon wasn’t sure what he had hoped to see in this foyer, but the sight in front of him was definitely not it. He was staring at a descending stairway. â€Å"Down again?† he said, stopping short. â€Å"There’s a level under the crypt?† â€Å"Yes,† Anderson said. â€Å"SB stands for `Senate Basement.’ â€Å" Langdon groaned. Terrific. CHAPTER 29 The headlights winding up the SMSC’s wooded access road were the first the guard had seen in the last hour. Dutifully, he turned down the volume on his portable TV set and stashed his snacks beneath the counter. Lousy timing. The Redskins were completing their opening drive, and he didn’t want to miss it. As the car drew closer, the guard checked the name on the notepad in front of him. Dr. Christopher Abaddon. Katherine Solomon had just called to alert Security of this guest’s imminent arrival. The guard had no idea who this doctor might be, but he was apparently very good at doctoring; he was arriving in a black stretch limousine. The long, sleek vehicle rolled to a stop beside the guardhouse, and the driver’s tinted window lowered silently. â€Å"Good evening,† the chauffeur said, doffing his cap. He was a powerfully built man with a shaved head. He was listening to the football game on his radio. â€Å"I have Dr. Christopher Abaddon for Ms. Katherine Solomon?† The guard nodded. â€Å"Identification, please.† The chauffeur looked surprised. â€Å"I’m sorry, didn’t Ms. Solomon call ahead?† The guard nodded, stealing a glance at the television. â€Å"I’m still required to scan and log visitor identification. Sorry, regulations. I’ll need to see the doctor’s ID.† â€Å"Not a problem.† The chauffeur turned backward in his seat and spoke in hushed tones through the privacy screen. As he did, the guard stole another peek at the game. The Redskins were breaking from the huddle now, and he hoped to get this limo through before the next play. The chauffeur turned forward again and held out the ID that he’d apparently just received through the privacy screen. The guard took the card and quickly scanned it into his system. The D.C. driver’s license showed one Christopher Abaddon from Kalorama Heights. The photo depicted a handsome blond gentleman wearing a blue blazer, a necktie, and a satin pocket square. Who the hell wears a pocket square to the DMV? A muffled cheer went up from the television set, and the guard wheeled just in time to see a Redskins player dancing in the end zone, his finger pointed skyward. â€Å"I missed it,† the guard grumbled, returning to the window. â€Å"Okay,† he said, returning the license to the chauffeur. â€Å"You’re all set.† As the limo pulled through, the guard returned to his TV, hoping for a replay. As Mal’akh drove his limo up the winding access road, he couldn’t help but smile. Peter Solomon’s secret museum had been simple to breach. Sweeter still, tonight was the second time in twenty-four hours that Mal’akh had broken into one of Solomon’s private spaces. Last night, a similar visit had been made to Solomon’s home. Although Peter Solomon had a magnificent country estate in Potomac, he spent much of his time in the city at his penthouse apartment at the exclusive Dorchester Arms. His building, like most that catered to the super-rich, was a veritable fortress. High walls. Guard gates. Guest lists. Secured underground parking. Mal’akh had driven this very limousine up to the building’s guardhouse, doffed his chauffeur’s cap from his shaved head, and proclaimed, â€Å"I have Dr. Christopher Abaddon. He is an invited guest of Mr. Peter Solomon.† Mal’akh spoke the words as if he were announcing the Duke of York. The guard checked a log and then Abaddon’s ID. â€Å"Yes, I see Mr. Solomon is expecting Dr. Abaddon.† He pressed a button and the gate opened. â€Å"Mr. Solomon is in the penthouse apartment. Have your guest use the last elevator on the right. It goes all the way up.† â€Å"Thank you.† Mal’akh tipped his hat and drove through. As he wound deep into the garage, he scanned for security cameras. Nothing. Apparently, those who lived here were neither the kind of people who broke into cars nor the kind of people who appreciated being watched. Mal’akh parked in a dark corner near the elevators, lowered the divider between the driver’s compartment and the passenger compartment, and slithered through the opening into the back of the limo. Once in back, he got rid of his chauffeur’s cap and donned his blond wig. Straightening his jacket and tie, he checked the mirror to make sure he had not smeared his makeup. Mal’akh was not about to take any chances. Not tonight. I have waited too long for this. Seconds later, Mal’akh was stepping into the private elevator. The ride to the top was silent and smooth. When the door opened, he found himself in an elegant, private foyer. His host was already waiting. â€Å"Dr. Abaddon, welcome.† Mal’akh looked into the man’s famous gray eyes and felt his heart begin to race. â€Å"Mr. Solomon, I appreciate your seeing me.† â€Å"Please, call me Peter.† The two men shook hands. As Mal’akh gripped the older man’s palm, he saw the gold Masonic ring on Solomon’s hand . . . the same hand that had once aimed a gun at Mal’akh. A voice whispered from Mal’akh’s distant past. If you pull that trigger, I will haunt you forever. â€Å"Please come in,† Solomon said, ushering Mal’akh into an elegant living room whose expansive windows offered an astonishing view of the Washington skyline. â€Å"Do I smell tea steeping?† Mal’akh asked as he entered. Solomon looked impressed. â€Å"My parents always greeted guests with tea. I’ve carried on that tradition.† He led Mal’akh into the living room, where a tea service was waiting in front of the fire. â€Å"Cream and sugar?† â€Å"Black, thank you.† Again Solomon looked impressed. â€Å"A purist.† He poured them both a cup of black tea. â€Å"You said you needed to discuss something with me that was sensitive in nature and could be discussed only in private.† â€Å"Thank you. I appreciate your time.† â€Å"You and I are Masonic brothers now. We have a bond. Tell me how I can help you.† â€Å"First, I would like to thank you for the honor of the thirty-third degree a few months ago. This is deeply meaningful to me.† â€Å"I’m glad, but please know that those decisions are not mine alone. They are by vote of the Supreme Council.† â€Å"Of course.† Mal’akh suspected Peter Solomon had probably voted against him, but within the Masons, as with all things, money was power. Mal’akh, after achieving the thirty-second degree in his own lodge, had waited only a month before making a multimillion-dollar donation to charity in the name of the Masonic Grand Lodge. The unsolicited act of selflessness, as Mal’akh anticipated, was enough to earn him a quick invitation into the elite thirty-third degree. And yet I have learned no secrets. Despite the age-old whispers–â€Å"All is revealed at the thirty-third degree†Ã¢â‚¬â€œMal’akh had been told nothing new, nothing of relevance to his quest. But he had never expected to be told. The inner circle of Freemasonry contained smaller circles still . . . circles Mal’akh would not see for years, if ever. He didn’t care. His initiation had served its purpose. Something unique had happened within that Temple Room, and it had given Mal’akh power over all of them. I no longer play by your rules. â€Å"You do realize,† Mal’akh said, sipping his tea, â€Å"that you and I met many years ago.† Solomon looked surprised. â€Å"Really? I don’t recall.† â€Å"It was quite a long time ago.† And Christopher Abaddon is not my real name. â€Å"I’m so sorry. My mind must be getting old. Remind me how I know you?† Mal’akh smiled one last time at the man he hated more than any other man on earth. â€Å"It’s unfortunate that you don’t recall.† In one fluid motion, Mal’akh pulled a small device from his pocket and extended it outward, driving it hard into the man’s chest. There was a flash of blue light, the sharp sizzle of the stun- gun discharge, and a gasp of pain as one million volts of electricity coursed through Peter Solomon’s body. His eyes went wide, and he slumped motionless in his chair. Mal’akh stood up now, towering over the man, salivating like a lion about to consume his injured prey. Solomon was gasping, straining to breathe. Mal’akh saw fear in his victim’s eyes and wondered how many people had ever seen the great Peter Solomon cower. Mal’akh savored the scene for several long seconds. He took a sip of tea, waiting for the man to catch his breath. Solomon was twitching, attempting to speak. â€Å"Wh-why?† he finally managed. â€Å"Why do you think?† Mal’akh demanded. Solomon looked truly bewildered. â€Å"You want . . . money?† Money? Mal’akh laughed and took another sip of tea. â€Å"I gave the Masons millions of dollars; I have no need of wealth.† I come for wisdom, and he offers me wealth. â€Å"Then what . . . do you want?† â€Å"You possess a secret. You will share it with me tonight.† Solomon struggled to lift his chin so he could look Mal’akh in the eye. â€Å"I don’t . . . understand.† â€Å"No more lies!† Mal’akh shouted, advancing to within inches of the paralyzed man. â€Å"I know what is hidden here in Washington.† Solomon’s gray eyes were defiant. â€Å"I have no idea what you’re talking about!† Mal’akh took another sip of tea and set the cup on a coaster. â€Å"You spoke those same words to me ten years ago, on the night of your mother’s death.† Solomon’s eyes shot wide open. â€Å"You . . . ?† â€Å"She didn’t have to die. If you had given me what I demanded . . .† The older man’s face contorted in a mask of horrified recognition . . . and disbelief. â€Å"I warned you,† Mal’akh said, â€Å"if you pulled the trigger, I would haunt you forever.† â€Å"But you’re–â€Å" Mal’akh lunged, driving the Taser hard into Solomon’s chest again. There was another flash of blue light, and Solomon went completely limp. Mal’akh put the Taser back in his pocket and calmly finished his tea. When he was done, he dabbed his lips with a monogrammed linen napkin and peered down at his victim. â€Å"Shall we go?† Solomon’s body was motionless, but his eyes were wide and engaged. Mal’akh got down close and whispered in the man’s ear. â€Å"I’m taking you to a place where only truth remains.† Without another word, Mal’akh wadded up the monogrammed napkin and stuffed it into Solomon’s mouth. Then he hoisted the limp man onto his broad shoulders and headed for the private elevator. On his way out, he picked up Solomon’s iPhone and keys from the hall table. Tonight you will tell me all your secrets, Mal’akh thought. Including why you left me for dead all those years ago. How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 26-29, Essay examples