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Footsteps of Fate
Footsteps of Fate

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Footsteps of Fate is here in full — 294 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Footsteps of Fate
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
E.A. PETHERICK & CO.
INTRODUCTION.
_THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.
New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.
These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Footsteps of Fate

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Footsteps of Fate is here in full — 294 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
E.A. PETHERICK & CO.
Line 2
INTRODUCTION.
/ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
Line 3
_THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.
Line 4
New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.
/nuː ˈraɪtərz nuː ˈɑːrtɪsts nuː kəmˈpoʊzərz ərˈaɪz ɪn rɪˈvoʊlt əˈɡenst wʌt hæz dɪˈlaɪtəd ðer ˈɡrændfɑːðərz ənd ˈsætəsfaɪd ðer ˈfɑːðərz/
Line 5
These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

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.

composers noun US /kəmˈpoʊzərz/

plural of “composer” — someone who composes music as a profession

From this reading “New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.”

effete adjective US /eˈfiːt/

affected, overrefined, and effeminate

From this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

esthetic adjective US /esˈθetɪk/

concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste

From this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

grandfathers noun US /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading “New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.”

lax adjective US /læks/

lacking in rigor or strictness

From this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

obsolete adjective US /ˈɑːbsəliːt/

no longer in use

From this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

phalanx noun US /ˈfeɪlæŋks/

any of the bones of the fingers or toes

From this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

recurring adjective US /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/

coming back

From this reading “_THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

young men adjective + noun

In this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

new race adjective + noun

In this reading “These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.”

arise in verb + particle

In this reading “New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 E.A. PETHERICK & CO.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

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 _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/

come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

artistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

COnounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading E.A. PETHERICK & CO.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

composersnounUS /kəmˈpoʊzərz/

plural of “composer” — someone who composes music as a profession

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

contemporariesnounUS /kənˈtempəreriz/

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/

greatly pleased

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

DUTCHadjectiveUS /dʌtʃ/

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading E.A. PETHERICK & CO.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

effeteadjectiveUS /eˈfiːt/

affected, overrefined, and effeminate

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

estheticadjectiveUS /esˈθetɪk/

concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/

happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

graduallyadverbUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəli/

in a gradual manner

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

grandfathersnounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/

with unflagging resolve

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

INTRODUCTIONnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading INTRODUCTION.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

laxadjectiveUS /læks/

lacking in rigor or strictness

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/

no longer in use

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

PETHERICK

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

From this reading E.A. PETHERICK & CO.

phalanxnounUS /ˈfeɪlæŋks/

any of the bones of the fingers or toes

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

phenomenonnounUS /fəˈnɑːmənɑːn/

any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

pressedadjectiveUS /prest/

compacted by ironing

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

racenounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

recurringadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/

coming back

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

revoltnounUS /rɪˈvoʊlt/

organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

revolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/

a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

satisfiedadjectiveUS /ˈsætəsfaɪd/

filled with satisfaction

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

SENSITIVISTS

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

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

serriedadjective

(especially of rows as of troops or mountains) pressed together

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading _THE DUTCH SENSITIVISTS._ In the intellectual history of all countries we find the same phenomenon incessantly recurring.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

winverbUS /wɪn/

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading New writers, new artists, new composers arise in revolt against what has delighted their grandfathers and satisfied their fathers.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

youthsnounUS /juːðz/

plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading These young men, pressed together at first, by external opposition, into a serried phalanx, gradually win their way, become themselves the delight and then the satisfaction of their contemporaries, and, falling apart as success is secured to them, come to seem lax, effete and obsolete to a new race of youths, who effect a fresh esthetic revolution.

Chapter 1 of Footsteps of Fate by Louis Couperus holds 294 sentences, grouped into 59 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 Footsteps of Fate contain?

Chapter 1 holds 294 sentences of Footsteps of Fate, unabridged, divided into 59 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Footsteps of Fate by Louis Couperus exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 294 sentences, grouped into 59 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 Footsteps of Fate?

Work through the 59 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 59 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 Footsteps of Fate

Common questions about reading Footsteps of Fate by Louis Couperus on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Footsteps of Fate?

Yes. All 2966 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34678 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Footsteps of Fate is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34678, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Footsteps of Fate take to read?

About 247 minutes of reading across 594 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Footsteps of Fate section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of Footsteps of Fate 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 Footsteps of Fate

Words and structures a reader meets early in Footsteps of Fate, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Petherick
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Footsteps of Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Introduction
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Footsteps of Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dutch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Footsteps of Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sensitivists
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Footsteps of Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.