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A History of American Literature Since 1870
A History of American Literature Since 1870

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870 is here in full — 387 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
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LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.
On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....
The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.
There is a lack of boldness and power.
Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A History of American Literature Since 1870

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870 is here in full — 387 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.
Line 2
On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....
Line 3
The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.
/ðə ˈerə ʌv ˈdʒiːnjəs ənd ˈvɪɡər ðæt siːmd ˈredi tuː bɜːrst ɑːn ʌs ˈoʊnli ə fjuː mʌnθs əˈɡoʊ hæz nɑːt bɪn fʊlˈfɪld/
Line 4
There is a lack of boldness and power.
/ðer ɪz ə læk ʌv ˈboʊldnəs ənd ˈpaʊər/
Line 5
Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."
/men duː nɑːt siːm tuː straɪk aʊt ɪn nuː pæðz æz ˈbreɪvli æz ʌv oʊld/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

barren adjective US /ˈbærən/

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading “On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....”

boldness noun US /ˈboʊldnəs/

the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger

From this reading “There is a lack of boldness and power.”

bravely adverb US /ˈbreɪvli/

in a courageous manner

From this reading “Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."”

editorial adjective US /ˌedəˈtɔːriəl/

of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives

From this reading “On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....”

era noun US /ˈerə/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading “The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.”

fulfilled adjective US /fʊlˈfɪld/

completed to perfection

From this reading “The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.”

paths noun US /pæðz/

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading “Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."”

vigor noun US /ˈvɪɡər/

forceful exertion

From this reading “The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

few months adjective + noun counted as “few month”

In this reading “The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.”

Round Table noun + noun

a meeting of peers for discussion and exchange of views

In this reading “On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....”

Talk with verb + particle

In this reading “On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....”

without hope preposition + noun

In this reading “On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....”

All words in this reading · 76

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

12

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

1866

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

boldnessnounUS /ˈboʊldnəs/

the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger

From this reading There is a lack of boldness and power.

bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/

in a courageous manner

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

burstverbUS /bɜːrst/

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/

made known or openly avowed

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

editorialadjectiveUS /ˌedəˈtɔːriəl/

of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

entitledadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪtəld/

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

eranounUS /ˈerə/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

fieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

fulfilledadjectiveUS /fʊlˈfɪld/

completed to perfection

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is a lack of boldness and power.

lacknounUS /læk/

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading There is a lack of boldness and power.

LATERadverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

low-water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

markverbUS /mɑːrk/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

MennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

pathsnounUS /pæðz/

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

PlainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

POETSnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading There is a lack of boldness and power.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

RoundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

SOUTHnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Men do not seem to strike out in new paths as bravely as of old."

TablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

TalkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is a lack of boldness and power.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

vigornounUS /ˈvɪɡər/

forceful exertion

From this reading The era of genius and vigor that seemed ready to burst on us only a few months ago has not been fulfilled.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

WritersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading LATER POETS OF THE SOUTH The year 1866 saw the low-water mark, perhaps, not only of the American novel, but of American literature generally.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading On May 12 of this year _The Round Table_ of New York, in an editorial entitled "Plain Talk with American Writers," declared that "The literary field was never so barren, never so utterly without hope of life....

Chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870 by Fred Lewis Pattee holds 387 sentences, grouped into 78 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870 contain?

Chapter 13 holds 387 sentences of A History of American Literature Since 1870, unabridged, divided into 78 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870 by Fred Lewis Pattee exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 387 sentences, grouped into 78 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 13 of A History of American Literature Since 1870?

Work through the 78 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 78 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Yes. All 7966 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #42593 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #42593, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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Vocabulary met early in A History of American Literature Since 1870

Words and structures a reader meets early in A History of American Literature Since 1870, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Lifespans
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A History of American Literature Since 1870; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
People
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A History of American Literature Since 1870; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Still
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A History of American Literature Since 1870; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Living
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A History of American Literature Since 1870; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.