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My Bondage and My Freedom
My Bondage and My Freedom

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for My Bondage and My Freedom
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UPFIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECONDPRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCEREASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCESSCENE IN TREADING YARDTAKEN ILLUNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEYESCAPE TO ST.
MICHAEL’STHE PURSUITSUFFERING IN THE WOODSDRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’SBEARING OF MASTER THOMASTHE SLAVE IS NEVER SICKNATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESSLAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.
The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.
The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.
I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.
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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.

My Bondage and My Freedom

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UPFIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECONDPRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCEREASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCESSCENE IN TREADING YARDTAKEN ILLUNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEYESCAPE TO ST.
Line 2
MICHAEL’STHE PURSUITSUFFERING IN THE WOODSDRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’SBEARING OF MASTER THOMASTHE SLAVE IS NEVER SICKNATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESSLAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.
Line 3
The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.
Line 4
The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.
Line 5
I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.”

All words in this reading · 106

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.

a

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

AGAIN

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

all

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

and

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

as

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

AT

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

BACK

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

be

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

BEARING

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

bitter

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

breaking

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

BRUTALITY

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

but

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

carried

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

CHANCE

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

chapter

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

CIRCUMSTANCES

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

COVEY

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

COVEY'S

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

DRIVEN

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

during

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

each

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

ESCAPE

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

EXPECT

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

EXPERIENCE

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

fair

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

features

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

FEIGN

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

FIRST

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

FOR

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

foregoing

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

has

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

have

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

heart

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

his

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

horrid

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

I

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

idea

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

ILL

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

IN

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

incidents

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

IS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

its

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

lash

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

LAZINESS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

life

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

MASTER

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

may

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

me

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

merciless

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

MICHAEL'S

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

MONTHS

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

Mr

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

my

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

NARRATING

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

NATURAL

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

NEVER

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

no

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

OF

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

once

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

own

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

period

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

PRELIMINARIES

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

process

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

PURSUIT

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

reader

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

REASONS

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

repeat

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

representation

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

SCENE

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

SECOND

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

separate

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

SEVERER

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

shocking

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

SICK

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

SICKNESS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

SIX

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

SLAVE

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

SLAVEHOLDERS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

SLAVES

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

ST

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

subjected

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

SUFFERING

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

SUMMED

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

TAKEN

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

THAN

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

THE

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

there

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

THOMAS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

through

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

TO

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

transaction

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

TREADING

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

true

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

UNUSUAL

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

UP

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

victim

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

violence

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

was

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

From this reading I have no heart to repeat each separate transaction, in which I was victim of his violence and brutality.

week

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

where

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

which

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

From this reading The reader has but to repeat, in his own mind, once a week, the scene in the woods, where Covey subjected me to his merciless lash, to have a true idea of my bitter experience there, during the first period of the breaking process through which Mr. Covey carried me.

with

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

From this reading The foregoing chapter, with all its horrid incidents and shocking features, may be taken as a fair representation of the first six months of my life at Covey’s.

WOODS

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

From this reading MICHAEL’S—THE PURSUIT—SUFFERING IN THE WOODS—DRIVEN BACK AGAIN TO COVEY’S—BEARING OF MASTER THOMAS—THE SLAVE IS NEVER SICK—NATURAL TO EXPECT SLAVES TO FEIGN SICKNESS—LAZINESS OF SLAVEHOLDERS.

YARD

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

From this reading EXPERIENCE AT COVEY’S SUMMED UP—FIRST SIX MONTHS SEVERER THAN THE SECOND—PRELIMINARIES TO THE CHANCE—REASONS FOR NARRATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES—SCENE IN TREADING YARD—TAKEN ILL—UNUSUAL BRUTALITY OF COVEY—ESCAPE TO ST.

Chapter 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass holds 102 sentences, grouped into 21 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 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom contain?

Chapter 17 holds 102 sentences of My Bondage and My Freedom, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 102 sentences, grouped into 21 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 17 of My Bondage and My Freedom?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 My Bondage and My Freedom

Common questions about reading My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of My Bondage and My Freedom?

Yes. All 5258 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #202 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of My Bondage and My Freedom is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #202, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does My Bondage and My Freedom take to read?

About 438 minutes of reading across 1052 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read My Bondage and My Freedom section by section

How to work through My Bondage and My Freedom section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of My Bondage and My Freedom 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 My Bondage and My Freedom

Words and structures a reader meets early in My Bondage and My Freedom, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Reception
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Bondage and My Freedom; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Speech
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Bondage and My Freedom; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Finsbury
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Bondage and My Freedom; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Bondage and My Freedom; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.