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The Jacket (The Star-Rover)
The Jacket (The Star-Rover)

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Jacket (The Star-Rover)
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.
I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.
I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.
In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.
And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.
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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.

The Jacket (The Star-Rover)

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.
Line 2
I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.
Line 3
I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.
Line 4
In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.
Line 5
And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

Murderers noun US /ˈmurderers/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

Warden noun US /ˈwɔːr.dən/

The chief official or governor in charge of a prison institution.

From this reading “Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.”

All words in this reading · 77

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

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

all

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

any

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

Atherton

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

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

awaiting

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

break

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

From this reading In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

damned

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

died

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

doubt

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

execution

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

feel

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

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

Folsom

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

glad

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

greater

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

heart

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

hearts

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

holds

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

humbled

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

invulnerable

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

jacket

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

job

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

king

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

knows

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

MurderersnounUS /ˈmurderers/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

own

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

political

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

pride

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

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

Quentin

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

rose

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

Row

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

San

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

sit

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

spirit

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

taught

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

there

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

thinks

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

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

times

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.

tortures

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

tried

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

From this reading In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.

triumphant

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

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

vain

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

From this reading In vain Warden Atherton tried to break my spirit.

walls

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

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

WardennounUS /ˈwɔːr.dən/

The chief official or governor in charge of a prison institution.

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Warden Atherton, when he thinks of me, must feel anything but pride.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I have taught him what spirit is, humbled him with my own spirit that rose invulnerable, triumphant, above all his tortures.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And there were times, beyond any shadow of doubt, when he would have been glad had I died in the jacket.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I sit here in Folsom, in Murderers’ Row, awaiting my execution; Warden Atherton still holds his political job and is king over San Quentin and all the damned within its walls; and yet, in his heart of hearts, he knows that I am greater than he.