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A Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. I
A Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. I

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. I
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
"I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. I

Chapter II

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
Line 2
Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
Line 3
And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
Line 4
"I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
Line 5
Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “"'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “"'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “"I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

absolute

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

adds

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

adverse

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

almost

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

any

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

aspects

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

best

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

book

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

cardinal

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

criticism

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

depths

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

describes

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

directness

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

equal

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

essential

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

find

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

finds

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

force

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

former

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

French

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

grace

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

gracefully

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

greatest

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

Hugo

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

human

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

humanity

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

insight

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

intensity

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

interprets

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

judgment

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

Les

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

man

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

Maupassant

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

Miserables

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

moral

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

narrative

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

nature

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

new

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

Passing

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

penetrated

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

penned

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

perfect

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

produced

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

purpose

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

qualities

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

recall

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

romance

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

silent

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

sincerity

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

struggle

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

style

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

three

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

Tolstoi

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

From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:

treats

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

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

type

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

Une

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

vantage-ground

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

Victor

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

Vie

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'

vision

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

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

viz

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."

work

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

From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....

writer

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

From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'