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Complete Short Works of George Meredith
Complete Short Works of George Meredith

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith is here in full — 154 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
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This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.
He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.
Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.
Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?
He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Complete Short Works of George Meredith

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith is here in full — 154 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.
/ðɪs ɪz ðə pəˈθetɪk ˈmætər ʌv maɪ ˈstɔːri ənd ɪt riˈkwaɪərz ˈpɔɪntɪŋ aʊt bɪˈkɔːz hiː ˈnevər kʊd ɪkˈspleɪn wʌt ɪt wɑːz ðæt siːmd tuː hɪm soʊ ˈkruːəl ɪn ɪt fɔːr hiː wɑːz noʊ ˈbrɪljənt sʌn ʌv ˈfɔːrtʃən hiː wɑːz noʊ ɡreɪt priˈtendər nʌn ʌv ðoʊz huː ɑːr ˈlɑːdʒɪkli dɪˈspleɪst frʌm ðə haɪts ðeɪ hæv bɪn reɪzd tuː ˈmænəfestli kriˈeɪtəd tuː ʃoʊ ðə ˈmɔːrəl ɪn ˈprɑː.və.dəns/
Line 2
He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.
/hiː wɑːz ˈmɑːdəst rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ ˈhʌmbli kənˈtentəd ə ˈdʒentəlmənli ˈrezɪdəns əˈpiːzd hɪz æmˈbɪʃən/
Line 3
Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.
Line 4
Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?
/waɪ ðen wɑːz ðə ˈterəbəl test brɔːt tuː ber əˈpɑːn hɪm ʌv ɔːl men/
Line 5
He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

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.

appeased verb US /əˈpiːzd/

past form of “appease” — cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

From this reading “He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.”

displaced verb US /dɪˈspleɪst/

past form of “displace” — cause to move, usually with force or pressure

From this reading “This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.”

gentlemanly adjective US /ˈdʒentəlmənli/

befitting a man of good breeding

From this reading “He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.”

logically adverb US /ˈlɑːdʒɪkli/

according to logical reasoning

From this reading “This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.”

perilously adverb US /ˈperələsli/

in a dangerous manner

From this reading “He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.”

pretender noun US /priˈtendər/

a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)

From this reading “This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.”

strikingly adverb US /ˈstraɪkɪŋli/

in a striking manner

From this reading “He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.”

willingness noun US /ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/

cheerful compliance

From this reading “Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.”

All words in this reading · 108

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/

the state of being absent

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

ambitionnounUS /æmˈbɪʃən/

a cherished desire

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

appeasedverbUS /əˈpiːzd/

past form of “appease” — cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

bearverbUS /ber/

have

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

befalling

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

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/

of surpassing excellence

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

DesignnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

displacedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪst/

past form of “displace” — cause to move, usually with force or pressure

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

gentlemanlyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəlmənli/

befitting a man of good breeding

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

heightsnounUS /haɪts/

a high place

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

humblyadverbUS /ˈhʌmbli/

in a humble manner

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

logicallyadverbUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkli/

according to logical reasoning

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

manifestlyadverbUS /ˈmænəfestli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

meteorically

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

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

perilouslyadverbUS /ˈperələsli/

in a dangerous manner

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

pointingverbUS /ˈpɔɪntɪŋ/

-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

PopularadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələr/

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

pretendernounUS /priˈtendər/

a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

ProvidencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

punishmentnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

the act of punishing

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/

get something; come into possession of

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/

third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/

not arrogant or presuming

From this reading He was modest, retiring, humbly contented; a gentlemanly residence appeased his ambition.

schemenounUS /skiːm/

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

shedverbUS /ʃed/

get rid of

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

sonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

strikinglyadverbUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋli/

in a striking manner

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

testnounUS /test/

trying something to find out about it

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

unmeritedadjective

not merited or deserved

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading This is the pathetic matter of my story, and it requires pointing out, because he never could explain what it was that seemed to him so cruel in it, for he was no brilliant son of fortune, he was no great pretender, none of those who are logically displaced from the heights they have been raised to, manifestly created to show the moral in Providence.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, then, was the terrible test brought to bear upon him, of all men?

willingnessnounUS /ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/

cheerful compliance

From this reading Popular, he could own that he was, but not meteorically; rather by reason of his willingness to receive light than his desire to shed it.

worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading He was one of us; no worse, and not strikingly or perilously better; and he could not but feel, in the bitterness of his reflections upon an inexplicable destiny, that the punishment befalling him, unmerited as it was, looked like absence of Design in the scheme of things, Above.

Chapter 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith by George Meredith holds 154 sentences, grouped into 31 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 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith contain?

Chapter 2 holds 154 sentences of Complete Short Works of George Meredith, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith by George Meredith exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 154 sentences, grouped into 31 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 2 of Complete Short Works of George Meredith?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Complete Short Works of George Meredith

Common questions about reading Complete Short Works of George Meredith by George Meredith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Complete Short Works of George Meredith?

Yes. All 7365 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4499 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Complete Short Works of George Meredith is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4499, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Complete Short Works of George Meredith take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1473 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through Complete Short Works of George Meredith section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in Complete Short Works of George Meredith

Words and structures a reader meets early in Complete Short Works of George Meredith, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Excursion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Complete Short Works of George Meredith; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beyond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Complete Short Works of George Meredith; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Immediate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Complete Short Works of George Meredith; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Suburbs
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Complete Short Works of George Meredith; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.