Why: The point the author is trying to make to his readers is that even though Grant and Lee were very different, they wanted to achieve the same goal for America at the time. Grant and Lee both wanted it to be one nation again but how they approached it was different. They also did this without fighting with each other on the differences in their actions. They had created some of the greatest memories in American History all while making the nation one again.

Who: The author is Bruce Catton, he wrote Grant and Lee as a study in contrasts.

What: This text is about two generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Throughout the text the author explains how these two men were bringing the Civil War to an end, but how each of them did it differently. This is shown when the author states that "Grant was a modern man emerging; beyond him, ready to come on the stage, was the great age of steel and machinery, of crowded cities and restless burgeoning vitality" (Catton 2). The author then says "Lee might have ridden down from the old age of chivalry, lance in hand, silken banner fluttering overhis head" (Catton 2). Even though he describes the men differently they are achieving the same goal.

What and Why: In the beginning of the story, Marcia expressed that the first time she saw Masha, she was wearing her skirt. I feel that this has a deeper meaning because later on we learn that Masha had to follow strict rules which limited what she can do and wear. Marcia saw Marsha a lot throughout the hotel and was curious about her way of life. Masha no longer worked at the hotel and Marcia spend years looking for her. This leads me to believe that Marcia was trying to express to her readers that even though something may not seem like an important part of your life in that moment, it may be in the future.

How: After all this time, Marcia was thinking about Masha because she made an impact on her. She explains this by saying "I still had the illustrated collection of Pushkin fairy tales Masha had requested". Reading this sentence you may not think it has much meaning, but after a few weeks Marcia was still thinking of Masha even though she has not known her for that long. Marcia is persuading the audience to think this way by expressing little things she remembers of Masha and things Masha has taught her even though they were only acquaintances. It helps the readers relate it back to their own lives by thinking about anyone who may have impacted them even if it did not seem like it at the time.

How well?: Personally, I feel that she could've expanded more on her journey on finding Masha, but I feel that the reason why she was so determined to find her again was clear. She explained multiple times why Masha has made an impact on her.

Who: Marcia DeSanctis was a network news reporter and is now writing a memoir. She still loves to travel and every hotel door she opens is like a new opportunity for her.