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Sister Carrie
Sister Carrie

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Sister Carrie is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sister Carrie
Context Illustration Reading 1/66 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:
"What's the matter with him?
Is he hurt badly?"
"It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.
He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.
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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.

Sister Carrie

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Sister Carrie is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/66 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:
Line 2
"What's the matter with him?
Line 3
Is he hurt badly?"
/ɪz hiː hɜːrt ˈbædli/
Line 4
"It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.
Line 5
He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

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.

block noun US /blɑːk/

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

detained verb US /dɪˈteɪnd/

past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

outlaw noun US /ˈaʊtlɔː/

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

pilgrim noun US /ˈpɪlɡrəm/

someone who journeys in foreign lands

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

settling noun US /ˈsetəlɪŋ/

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

solemnly adverb US /ˈsɔːləmli/

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading “"It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.”

travelled adjective US /ˈtrævəld/

familiar with many parts of the world

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

waking adjective US /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading “A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:”

All words in this reading · 58

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

badlyadverbUS /ˈbædli/

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading Is he hurt badly?"

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

blocknounUS /blɑːk/

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

cabnounUS /kæb/

a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

Carrie

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

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

DETAINEDverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/

past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

disturbedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbd/

having the place or position changed

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Is he hurt badly?"

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "What's the matter with him?

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

Hurstwood

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

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

hurtverbUS /hɜːrt/

be the source of pain

From this reading Is he hurt badly?"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Is he hurt badly?"

isn't

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

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

lawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "What's the matter with him?

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

OUTLAWnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔː/

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

PILGRIMnounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəm/

someone who journeys in foreign lands

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

reachverbUS /riːtʃ/

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

safelyadverbUS /ˈseɪfli/

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

SPIRITnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/

familiar with many parts of the world

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading "It isn't anything very serious," Hurstwood said solemnly.

wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW: THE SPIRIT DETAINED The cab had not travelled a short block before Carrie, settling herself and thoroughly waking in the night atmosphere, asked:

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was very much disturbed over his own situation, and now that he had Carrie with him, he only wanted to get safely out of reach of the law.

What's

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

From this reading "What's the matter with him?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "What's the matter with him?

Chapter 24 of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser holds 331 sentences, grouped into 67 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 24 of Sister Carrie contain?

Chapter 24 holds 331 sentences of Sister Carrie, unabridged, divided into 67 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 331 sentences, grouped into 67 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 24 of Sister Carrie?

Work through the 67 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 67 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 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 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 Sister Carrie

Common questions about reading Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sister Carrie?

Yes. All 12164 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5267 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sister Carrie is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5267, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sister Carrie take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2433 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sister Carrie section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Sister Carrie 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 Sister Carrie

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sister Carrie, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Caroline
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Meeber
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boarded
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.