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The Aspern Papers
The Aspern Papers

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Aspern Papers is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Macmillan and Co., 1888.
I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.
It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.
It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.
Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Aspern Papers

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Aspern Papers is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Macmillan and Co., 1888.
Line 2
I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.
Line 3
It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.
Line 4
It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.
Line 5
Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

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.

Serenity noun US /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

All words in this reading · 90

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.

1888

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

a

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

advance

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

and

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

as

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

ask

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

be

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

bold

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

business

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

but

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

Co

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

conception

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

confidence

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

cut

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

don't

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

dropped

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

footing

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

for

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

friendly

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

from

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

fruitful

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

general

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Gordian

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

had

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

has

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

have

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

her

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

I

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

idea

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

in

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

into

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

invented

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

is

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

It

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

knot

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

largest

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

liberal

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

lips

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

little

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

lodger

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

Macmillan

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

made

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

man

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

me

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

mean

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

most

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Mrs

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

my

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

nature

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

not

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

of

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

off

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

on

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

practical

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Prest

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

rise

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

risen

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

scheme

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

severed

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

she

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

short

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

should

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

Simply

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

singular

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

sometimes

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

struck

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

such

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

supposed

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

take

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

taken

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

that

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

the

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

them

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

they

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

thing

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

think

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

throw

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

to

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

truth

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

unaided

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

view

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

was

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

who

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

whole

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

with

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

without

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

women

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

would

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

you

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

Chapter 1 of The Aspern Papers by Henry James holds 178 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 1 of The Aspern Papers contain?

Chapter 1 holds 178 sentences of The Aspern Papers, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Aspern Papers by Henry James exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 178 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 1 of The Aspern Papers?

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 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 The Aspern Papers

Common questions about reading The Aspern Papers by Henry James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Aspern Papers?

Yes. All 1965 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #211 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Aspern Papers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #211, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Aspern Papers take to read?

About 163 minutes of reading across 393 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Aspern Papers section by section

How to work through The Aspern Papers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of The Aspern Papers 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 The Aspern Papers

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Aspern Papers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Macmillan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Aspern Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Taken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Aspern Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Prest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Aspern Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Confidence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Aspern Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.