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Sister Carrie
Sister Carrie

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of Sister Carrie is here in full — 673 sentences across 135 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sister Carrie
Context Illustration Reading 1/134 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.
"You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.
No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.
Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.
She breathed deeply and with delight.
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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 XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of Sister Carrie is here in full — 673 sentences across 135 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/134 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.
Line 2
"You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.
Line 3
No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.
/noʊ ˈlɔːŋɡər ˈeni niːd ʌv ˈklaɪmɪŋ ˈsevrəl flaɪts ʌv steps tuː ə smɔːl kuːp ʃerd wɪð əˈnʌðər/
Line 4
Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.
/ˌɪnˈsted ə kəmˈperətɪvli lɑːrdʒ ənd kəˈmoʊdiəs ˈtʃeɪmbər wɪð kənˈviːnjənsɪz nɑːt ˌenˈdʒɔɪd baɪ ðə smɔːl fraɪ ˈoʊvərˈhed/
Line 5
She breathed deeply and with delight.
/ʃiː briːðd ˈdiːpli ənd wɪð dɪˈlaɪt/

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.

commodious adjective US /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading “Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.”

comparatively adverb US /kəmˈperətɪvli/

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading “Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.”

conveniences noun US /kənˈviːnjənsɪz/

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading “Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.”

coop noun US /kuːp/

a farm building for housing poultry

From this reading “No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.”

elf noun US /elf/

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading “AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.”

flights noun US /flaɪts/

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading “No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.”

fry verb US /fraɪ/

be excessively hot

From this reading “Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.”

lackeys noun US /ˈlækiz/

plural of “lackey” — a male servant (especially a footman)

From this reading “"You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

breathedadjectiveUS /briːðd/

uttered without voice

From this reading She breathed deeply and with delight.

BUYverbUS /baɪ/

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

Carrie

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

commodiousadjectiveUS /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

conveniencesnounUS /kənˈviːnjənsɪz/

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

coopnounUS /kuːp/

a farm building for housing poultry

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading She breathed deeply and with delight.

delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading She breathed deeply and with delight.

dressing-room

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

ELFnounUS /elf/

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

enjoyedverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪd/

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

flightsnounUS /flaɪts/

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

fryverbUS /fraɪ/

be excessively hot

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

GOLDnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

InsteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

lackeysnounUS /ˈlækiz/

plural of “lackey” — a male servant (especially a footman)

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

LANDnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

Madenda

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

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/

above your head; in the sky

From this reading Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/

have in common; held or experienced in common

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

stepsnounUS /steps/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

THISdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

WILLmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND: WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY When Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You are to use this room, Miss Madenda," said one of the stage lackeys.

Chapter 38 of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser holds 673 sentences, grouped into 135 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 38 of Sister Carrie contain?

Chapter 38 holds 673 sentences of Sister Carrie, unabridged, divided into 135 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 38 of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 673 sentences, grouped into 135 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 38 of Sister Carrie?

Work through the 135 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 135 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 38 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 38 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.