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John Barleycorn
John Barleycorn

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 89 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 21 of John Barleycorn by Jack London holds 89 sentences, grouped into 18 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 21 of John Barleycorn contain?

Chapter 21 holds 89 sentences of John Barleycorn, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of John Barleycorn by Jack London exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 89 sentences, grouped into 18 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 21 of John Barleycorn?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 John Barleycorn

Common questions about reading John Barleycorn by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of John Barleycorn?

Yes. All 3960 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #318 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of John Barleycorn is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #318, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does John Barleycorn take to read?

About 330 minutes of reading across 792 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read John Barleycorn section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of John Barleycorn 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 John Barleycorn

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

Election
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
California
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ridden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for John Barleycorn
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But behold!
As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.
I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.
It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.
Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.
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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.

John Barleycorn

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 89 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
But behold!
Line 2
As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.
Line 3
I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.
Line 4
It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.
Line 5
Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

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.

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.”

All words in this reading · 80

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1894

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

a

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

acquainted

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

act

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

adventure-path

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

adventures

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

again

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

alki

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

and

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

armed

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

As

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

barber-shops

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

Barleycorn

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

be

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

behold

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

From this reading But behold!

blind

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

bunch

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

But

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

From this reading But behold!

by

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

Des

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

drinking

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

establishments

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

flasks

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

furniture

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

genial

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

hang-out

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

I

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

in

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

into

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

invited

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

Iowa

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

It

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

jingled

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

John

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

lighted

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

made

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

main

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

man

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

men

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

met

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

might

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

Moines

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

moved

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

of

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

on

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

one

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

opened

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

or

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

out

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

pigs

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

plumbing

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

pocket

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

prohibition

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

railroad

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

saloon

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

soon

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

state

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

stiffs

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

stores

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

strangers

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

street

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

such

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

the

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

through

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

to

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

together

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

townsmen

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

up

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

various

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

variously

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

wandered

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

was

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

way

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

well

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

From this reading It might be in a saloon with jingled townsmen, or with a genial railroad man well lighted up and armed with pocket flasks, or with a bunch of alki stiffs in a hang-out.

went

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

From this reading As soon as I went out on the adventure-path I met John Barleycorn again.

when

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.

with

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

world

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

From this reading I moved through a world of strangers, and the act of drinking together made one acquainted with men and opened the way to adventures.

Yes

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

From this reading Yes; and it might be in a prohibition state, such as Iowa was in 1894, when I wandered up the main street of Des Moines and was variously invited by strangers into various blind pigs--I remember drinking in barber-shops, plumbing establishments, and furniture stores.