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Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Ethan Frome is here in full — 441 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Ethan Frome
Context Illustration Reading 10/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.
But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life thereor rather its negationmust have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.
I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfieldthe nearest habitable spotfor the best part of the winter.
I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.
During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ethan Frome

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Ethan Frome is here in full — 441 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 10/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 46–50

Line 1
Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.
Line 2
But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life thereor rather its negationmust have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.
Line 3
I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpentersstrike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfieldthe nearest habitable spotfor the best part of the winter.
Line 4
I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.
Line 5
During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

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.

carpenters noun US /ˈkɑːrpəntərz/

plural of “carpenter” — a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects

From this reading “I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.”

chafed adjective US /tʃeɪft/

painful from having the skin abraded

From this reading “I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.”

degenerate noun US /dɪˈdʒenərət/

a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

From this reading “Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.”

employers noun US /emˈplɔɪərz/

plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading “I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.”

habitable adjective US /ˈhæbətəbəl/

fit for habitation

From this reading “I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.”

libraries noun US /ˈlaɪbreriːz/

plural of “library” — a room where books are kept

From this reading “Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.”

negation noun US /nəˈɡeɪʃən/

a negative statement; a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement

From this reading “But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.”

trolley noun US /ˈtrɑːli/

a wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity

From this reading “Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.”

All words in this reading · 124

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 Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/

past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

Bettsbridge

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

bicyclenounUS /ˈbaɪsɪkəl/

a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

carpentersnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntərz/

plural of “carpenter” — a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

chafedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪft/

painful from having the skin abraded

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

climatenounUS /ˈklaɪmət/

the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

connectedadjectiveUS /kəˈnektɪd/

being joined in close association

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

Corbury

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

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

deadnessnoun

the quality of being unresponsive; not reacting; as a quality of people, it is marked by a failure to respond quickly or with emotion to people or events

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

degeneratenounUS /dɪˈdʒenərət/

a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/

not as far along as normal in development

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

deliverynounUS /dɪˈlɪvəri/

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

employersnounUS /emˈplɔɪərz/

plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

Ethan

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

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

FallsnounUS /fɔːlz/

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

Frome's

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

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

graduallyadverbUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəli/

in a gradual manner

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

habitableadjectiveUS /ˈhæbətəbəl/

fit for habitation

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/

plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

hypnotising

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

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

jobnounUS /dʒɑːb/

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

JunctionnounUS /ˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

the place where two or more things come together

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

librariesnounUS /ˈlaɪbreriːz/

plural of “library” — a room where books are kept

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

long-drawn

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

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

nearestadverbUS /ˈnɪrəst/

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

negationnounUS /nəˈɡeɪʃən/

a negative statement; a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/

everlastingly; for all time

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

power-house

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

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

recreationnounUS /ˌrekriˈeɪʃən/

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

ruraladjectiveUS /ˈrʊrəl/

living in or characteristic of farming or country life

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

scatteredadjectiveUS /ˈskætərd/

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

Shadd's

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

sheetnounUS /ʃiːt/

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

shutverbUS /ʃʌt/

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

skiesnounUS /skaɪz/

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

snownounUS /snoʊ/

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

spotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

Starkfield

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

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

stayverbUS /steɪ/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

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

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

theatresnounUS /ˈθiːətərz/

plural of “theatre” — a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

townsnounUS /taʊnz/

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

trolleynounUS /ˈtrɑːli/

a wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/

an energetic style

From this reading During the early part of my stay I had been struck by the contrast between the vitality of the climate and the deadness of the community.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I had been sent up by my employers on a job connected with the big power-house at Corbury Junction, and a long-drawn carpenters’ strike had so delayed the work that I found myself anchored at Starkfield—the nearest habitable spot—for the best part of the winter.

YnounUS /waɪ/

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But when winter shut down on Starkfield and the village lay under a sheet of snow perpetually renewed from the pale skies, I began to see what life there—or rather its negation—must have been in Ethan Frome’s young manhood.

youthnounUS /juːθ/

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Yet I had come in the degenerate day of trolley, bicycle and rural delivery, when communication was easy between the scattered mountain villages, and the bigger towns in the valleys, such as Bettsbridge and Shadd’s Falls, had libraries, theatres and Y. M. C. A. halls to which the youth of the hills could descend for recreation.

Chapter 1 of Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton holds 441 sentences, grouped into 89 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Ethan Frome contain?

Chapter 1 holds 441 sentences of Ethan Frome, unabridged, divided into 89 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 441 sentences, grouped into 89 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 1 of Ethan Frome?

Work through the 89 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 89 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Ethan Frome

Common questions about reading Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Ethan Frome?

Yes. All 1758 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4517 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Ethan Frome is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4517, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Ethan Frome take to read?

About 146 minutes of reading across 352 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Ethan Frome section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of Ethan Frome to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Ethan Frome

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

Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ethan Frome; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Various
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ethan Frome; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
People
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ethan Frome; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Generally
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ethan Frome; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.