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Poor Folk
Poor Folk

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Poor Folk is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
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MAKAR DIEVUSHKIN.
September 28th.
MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.
Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.
In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.
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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.

Poor Folk

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Poor Folk is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MAKAR DIEVUSHKIN.
Line 2
September 28th.
Line 3
MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.
Line 4
Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.
Line 5
In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.
/ɪn fækt hiː hæz lɔːst hɪz ˈtempər əˈɡen ənd dɪˈklerz ðæt hiː ɪz ˈbiːɪŋ rɑːbd/

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.

declares verb US /dɪˈklerz/

third-person singular of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading “In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.”

earrings noun US /ˈɪrɪŋz/

plural of “earring” — jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe

From this reading “MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.”

emerald noun US /ˈemrəld/

a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone

From this reading “MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.”

God's noun US /ɡɑːdz/

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

pearl noun US /pɜːrl/

a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading “MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.”

robbed verb US /rɑːbd/

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading “In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.”

September noun US /sepˈtembər/

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading “September 28th.”

veritable adjective US /ˈverɪtəbəl/

often used as intensifiers

From this reading “Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.”

All words in this reading · 51

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.

28th

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

From this reading September 28th.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

ALEXIEVITCH

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

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

burnverbUS /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

Bwikov

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

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

costnounUS /kɑːst/

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

DEARESTnounUS /ˈdɪrəst/

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

declaresverbUS /dɪˈklerz/

third-person singular of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

DIEVUSHKIN

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

From this reading MAKAR DIEVUSHKIN.

earringsnounUS /ˈɪrɪŋz/

plural of “earring” — jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

emeraldnounUS /ˈemrəld/

a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

holenounUS /hoʊl/

an opening into or through something

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

jeweller's

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

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

MAKAR

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

From this reading MAKAR DIEVUSHKIN.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

MonsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/

a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

sakenounUS /seɪk/

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading September 28th.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

tempernounUS /ˈtempər/

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading In fact, he has lost his temper again, and declares that he is being robbed.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--For God’s sake go to the jeweller’s, and tell him that, after all, he need not make the pearl and emerald earrings.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

veritableadjectiveUS /ˈverɪtəbəl/

often used as intensifiers

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Monsieur Bwikov says that they will cost him too much, that they will burn a veritable hole in his pocket.

Chapter 17 of Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoyevsky holds 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 Poor Folk contain?

Chapter 17 holds 180 sentences of Poor Folk, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoyevsky exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 Poor Folk?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 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 Poor Folk

Common questions about reading Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoyevsky on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Poor Folk?

Yes. All 3043 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2302 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Poor Folk is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2302, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Poor Folk take to read?

About 253 minutes of reading across 609 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Poor Folk section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of Poor Folk 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 Poor Folk

Words and structures a reader meets early in Poor Folk, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Dearest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor Folk; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Barbara
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor Folk; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alexievna
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor Folk; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Happy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poor Folk; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.