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Clotelle

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Clotelle is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By William Wells Brown • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Clotelle

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXIV Reading 1/7

Clotelle William Wells Brown

Cover illustration for Clotelle

Chapter XXIV

Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Clotelle is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters. The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them. By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother. If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves. Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

Clotelle

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Clotelle is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

Line 2

The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

Line 3

By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

Line 4

If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

Line 5

Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

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.

Blood noun US /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading “Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.”

All words in this reading · 67

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.

a

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

and

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

any

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

appeared

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

are

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

From this reading If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

been

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

before

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

Being

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

By

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

came

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

children

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

code

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

committed

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

condition

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

corpse

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

daughters

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

day

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

death

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

difficulties

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

Dr

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

earth

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

follow

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

free

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

From this reading If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

given

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

had

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

her

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

his

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

If

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

From this reading If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

illness

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

in

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

is

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

From this reading If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

its

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

laws

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

like

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

Marion

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

Morton

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

mother

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

negro

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

new

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

no

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

not

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

of

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

on

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

one

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

presuming

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

scarcely

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

shock

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

single

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

Slave

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

slaves

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

From this reading If the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves.

Southern

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

States

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

subject

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

that

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

THE

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

their

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

From this reading By the laws of the Slave States, the children follow the condition of their mother.

them

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

third

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

thought

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

to

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

unacquainted

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

unforeseen

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

From this reading The corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them.

upon

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

veins

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

wife

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

From this reading THE death of Dr. Morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters.

with

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

From this reading Being unacquainted with the Southern code, and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins, Dr. Morton had not given the subject a single thought.

Chapter 24 of Clotelle by William Wells Brown holds 35 sentences, grouped into 7 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 24 of Clotelle contain?

Chapter 24 holds 35 sentences of Clotelle, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 of Clotelle by William Wells Brown exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 35 sentences, grouped into 7 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 24 of Clotelle?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 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.

Can chapter 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 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.

Questions about reading Clotelle

Common questions about reading Clotelle by William Wells Brown on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Clotelle?

Yes. All 2012 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #241 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Clotelle is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #241, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Clotelle take to read?

About 167 minutes of reading across 403 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Clotelle section by section

How to work through Clotelle section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 39 chapters of Clotelle to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Clotelle

Words and structures a reader meets early in Clotelle, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Years: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Clotelle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
South: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Clotelle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Noted: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Clotelle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beautiful: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Clotelle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.