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Our Nig
Our Nig

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Our Nig is here in full — 116 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Harriet E. Wilson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 1 of Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson holds 116 sentences, grouped into 24 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 1 of Our Nig contain?

Chapter 1 holds 116 sentences of Our Nig, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 116 sentences, grouped into 24 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 Our Nig?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 Our Nig

Common questions about reading Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Our Nig?

Yes. All 1628 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #584 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Our Nig is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #584, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Our Nig take to read?

About 135 minutes of reading across 326 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Our Nig section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of Our Nig 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 Our Nig

Words and structures a reader meets early in Our Nig, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Smith
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Nig; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mother
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Nig; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grief
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Nig; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beyond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Our Nig; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Our Nig
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.
Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!
MOORE.
LONELY MAG SMITH!
See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Our Nig

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Our Nig is here in full — 116 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.
Line 2
Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!
Line 3
MOORE.
Line 4
LONELY MAG SMITH!
Line 5
See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.
All words in this reading · 60

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

all

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
as

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
beyond

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
broken

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
day

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
desolate

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
die

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
downcast

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
eyes

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
fate

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
feared

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
First

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
For

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
Grief

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
griefs

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
hath

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
heart

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
heavy

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
her

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
hung-up

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
In

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
it

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
its

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
leaves

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
live

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
lone

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
LONELY

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

From this reading LONELY MAG SMITH!

Pending verification
Lorn

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
loved

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
lute

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
MAG

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

From this reading MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.

Pending verification
master-chord

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
MOORE

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

From this reading MOORE.

Pending verification
MOTHER

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

From this reading MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.

Pending verification
MY

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

From this reading MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.

Pending verification
ne'er

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
Oh

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
only

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
or

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
other

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
sad

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
See

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
she

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
Since

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
SMITH

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

From this reading MAG SMITH, MY MOTHER.

Pending verification
spoken

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
that

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
the

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
tie

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
walks

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
when

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
which

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
wide

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
with

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

From this reading See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.

Pending verification
without

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
world

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification
young

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

From this reading Oh, Grief beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day its master-chord was broken!

Pending verification