Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers
The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers is here in full — 396 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.
But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?
The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.
Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.
Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers is here in full — 396 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.
/ɪf səkˈses laɪz ɪn ˈhævɪŋ wʌt juː wɑːnt ðen maɪ θriː ˈfɑːrmər frendz hæv əˈteɪnd ɪt/
Line 2
But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?
/bʌt səmˈtaɪmz aɪ lʊk æt ðem ənd ˈwʌndər ɪz ɪt wʌt wʌns ðeɪ ˈwɔːntɪd/
Line 3
The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.
/ðə ˈleɪdi ʌv ðə ˈroʊzɪz aɪ æm ʃʊr ʃiː hæz ə ˈstɔːri aɪ æm nɑːt ʃʊr ʃiː wɪl nɑːt sʌm deɪ hæv əˈnʌðər ˈʃʊrli ðer ɑːr θɪŋz hɜːr hændz maɪt tʌtʃ ˈferər ˈiːvɪn ðæn ˈroʊzɪz/
Line 4
Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.
/ˈleɪdi tuː hæz noʊ ˈstɔːri ənd ɪz tuː ˈhɑːrti ənd ˈhæpi tuː noʊt ðə fækt bʌt wen aɪ siː hɜːr lɪft ɪn ə strɔːŋ braʊn ɡræsp ə ˈjeloʊ ˈdʌklɪŋ aɪ rɪˈmɛm.bər ðer ɑːr hedz ˈiːvɪn mɔːr ˈɡoʊldən ənd ˈdaʊni/
Line 5
Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

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.

downy adjective US /ˈdaʊni/

like down or as soft as down

From this reading “Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.”

duckling noun US /ˈdʌklɪŋ/

flesh of a young domestic duck

From this reading “Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.”

ensconced verb US /ɪnˈskɑːnst/

past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly

From this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

fairer adjective US /ˈferər/

comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading “The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.”

farmhouse noun US /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/

house for a farmer and family

From this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

homeless noun US /ˈhoʊmləs/

someone unfortunate without housing

From this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

philosophies noun US /fəˈlɑːsəfiz/

plural of “philosophy” — a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

From this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

shaping noun US /ˈʃeɪpɪŋ/

any process serving to define the shape of something

From this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

old farmhouse adjective + noun

In this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

look at verb + particle

take into consideration for exemplifying purposes

In this reading “But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?”

some day adjective + noun

In this reading “The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.”

ensconced in verb + particle counted as “ensconce in”

In this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

looks back verb + particle counted as “look back”

look towards one's back

In this reading “Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.”

lies in verb + particle counted as “lie in”

originate (in)

In this reading “If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

attainedadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnd/

achieved or reached

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

brownnounUS /braʊn/

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

carriesnounUS /ˈkæriz/

plural of “carry” — the act of carrying something

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

cozilyadverb

in a cozy manner

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

daughtersnounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/

like down or as soft as down

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

ducklingnounUS /ˈdʌklɪŋ/

flesh of a young domestic duck

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/

past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

factnounUS /fækt/

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

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

faireradjectiveUS /ˈferər/

comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

farmernounUS /ˈfɑːrmər/

a person who operates a farm

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/

house for a farmer and family

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

fearlessadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrləs/

oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

fitverbUS /fɪt/

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/

yet to be or coming

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

graspverbUS /ɡræsp/

hold firmly

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

headsnounUS /hedz/

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

homelessnounUS /ˈhoʊmləs/

someone unfortunate without housing

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

liesnounUS /laɪz/

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

liftverbUS /lɪft/

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

looksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

personalitynounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

philosophiesnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfiz/

plural of “philosophy” — a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

RosesnounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/

not agitated; without losing self-possession

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

shapingnounUS /ˈʃeɪpɪŋ/

any process serving to define the shape of something

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

sonsnounUS /sʌnz/

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

splendidadjectiveUS /ˈsplendɪd/

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

surelyadverbUS /ˈʃʊrli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

TwonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

unhoused

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

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/

the general location where something is

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

whithersoever

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

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The Lady of the Roses, I am sure she has a story; I am not sure she will not some day have another; surely there are things her hands might touch fairer even than roses.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lady Three, cozily ensconced in her snug old farmhouse, looks back into her homeless past, forward into her unhoused future, fearless in the knowledge that whithersoever she goes she carries with her a serene personality that will always be shaping its whereabouts to fit it, but her eyes are bright with philosophies that might have sent forth sons and daughters to splendid living.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading But sometimes I look at them and wonder, Is it what once they wanted?

yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Lady Two has no story, and is too hearty and happy to note the fact, but when I see her lift in a strong brown grasp a yellow duckling, I remember there are heads even more golden and downy.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If success lies in having what you want, then my three farmer friends have attained it.

Chapter 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers by Winifred Margaretta Kirkland holds 396 sentences, grouped into 80 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 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers contain?

Chapter 5 holds 396 sentences of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers by Winifred Margaretta Kirkland exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 396 sentences, grouped into 80 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 5 of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers

Common questions about reading The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers by Winifred Margaretta Kirkland on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers?

Yes. All 2417 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #42691 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #42691, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers take to read?

About 201 minutes of reading across 484 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers section by section

How to work through The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other 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 Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Being
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Woman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diller
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Place
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joys of Being a Woman, and Other Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.