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Confessions and Criticisms
Confessions and Criticisms

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Confessions and Criticisms
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.
At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.
Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.
During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.
"If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Confessions and Criticisms

Chapter I

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

Line 1
In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.
Line 2
At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.
Line 3
Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.
Line 4
During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.
Line 5
"If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"”

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.

1869

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

acting

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

adding

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

amused

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

becoming

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

called

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

civil

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

Counter-Love

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

Department

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

Dock

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

dollars

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

Dresden

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

earned

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

easily

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

engineer

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

engineering

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

fifty

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

go

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

Harper's

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

hydrographic

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

income

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

intention

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

living

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

Love

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

Magazine

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

New

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

old

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

paid

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

parental

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

period

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

Polytechnic

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

professional

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

published

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

Putnam's

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

received

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

revived

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

Saxony

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

School

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

sent

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

sonnets

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

story

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

studying

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

twenty-three

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

two

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

unnecessary

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

warnings

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

way

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

Weekly

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.

why

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

From this reading "If fifty dollars can be so easily earned," I thought, "why not go on adding to my income in this way from time to time?"

writer

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

From this reading At that period I had no intention of becoming a professional writer: I was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Saxony.

writing

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

From this reading Years before, I had received parental warnings--unnecessary, as I thought--against writing for a living.

years

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

From this reading In 1869, when I was about twenty-three years old, I sent a couple of sonnets to the revived _Putnam's Magazine_.

York

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

From this reading During the next two years, however, when I was acting as hydrographic engineer in the New York Dock Department, I amused myself by writing a short story, called "Love and Counter-Love," which was published in _Harper's Weekly_, and for which I was paid fifty dollars.