The machines come to symbolize the false hopes and promises of the modern age. The narrator's suspicion of these machines is conveyed in his descriptions of the major's case. While the machine works upon his injured hand, the major merely looks out the window. Like the narrator, he is detached. Nevertheless, as the code hero, he goes through the motions; he adheres to the form required of him despite meaninglessness.

profound political, administrative, and social changes in the british isles.

simplify brackets

8 - 2a - 7 = a + 40

simplify 8 - 2a - 7 to -2a + 1

-2a + 1 = a + 40

add 2a to both sides

1 = a + 40 + 2a

simplify a + 40 + 2a to 3a + 40

1 = 3a + 40

subtract 40 from both sides

1 - 40 = 3a

simplify 1 - 40 o -39

-39 = 3a

divide both sides by 3

-39/3 = a

simplify 39/3 to 13

-13 = a

switch sides

a = -13

civil disobedience, refusal to obey the demands or commands of a government or occupying power, without resorting to violence or active measures of opposition

the corporations allowed investment without risk of personal property, fueling the growth of new businesses.