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The mule-bone
The mule-bone

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The mule-bone is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The mule-bone
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
[Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]
JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.
DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.
DAISY TAYLOR.
Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.
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 mule-bone

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The mule-bone is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]
Line 2
JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.
Line 3
DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.
Line 4
DAISY TAYLOR.
/ˈdeɪzi ˈteɪlər/
Line 5
Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.
/ˈmeθədəst dəˈmestɪk ˈsɜːrvənt plʌmp dɑːrk ənd ˈseksi ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəs ʌv kloʊðz ənd əˈpiːl ˈfɪkəl/

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.

arrogant adjective US /ˈerəɡənt/

having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

From this reading “JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.”

Baptist noun US /ˈbæptəst/

follower of Baptistic doctrines

From this reading “DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.”

fickle adjective US /ˈfɪkəl/

marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments

From this reading “Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.”

Guitarist noun US /ˌɡɪˈtɑːrɪst/

a musician who plays the guitar

From this reading “JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.”

Methodist adjective US /ˈmeθədəst/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley

From this reading “JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.”

self-conscious adjective US /ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəs/

aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts

From this reading “Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.”

sexy adjective US /ˈseksi/

marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest

From this reading “Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.”

wittily adverb US /ˈwɪtəli/

in a witty manner

From this reading “DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.”

All words in this reading · 57

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 [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

agressive

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

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

appealverbUS /əˈpiːl/

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

arrogantadjectiveUS /ˈerəɡənt/

having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

BaptistnounUS /ˈbæptəst/

follower of Baptistic doctrines

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

CARTERnounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/

Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/

clothing in general

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

DAISYnounUS /ˈdeɪzi/

any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl

From this reading DAISY TAYLOR.

DancernounUS /ˈdænsər/

a performer who dances professionally

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

DAVE

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

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

dialoguenounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/

a conversation between two persons

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

directionsnounUS /dərˈekʃənz/

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

domesticadjectiveUS /dəˈmestɪk/

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

fickleadjectiveUS /ˈfɪkəl/

marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

GuitaristnounUS /ˌɡɪˈtɑːrɪst/

a musician who plays the guitar

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

happy-go-luckyadjective

cheerfully irresponsible

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

JIM

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

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

MethodistadjectiveUS /ˈmeθədəst/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

NotenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

plumpadjectiveUS /plʌmp/

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/

with speed

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

self-consciousadjectiveUS /ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəs/

aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

self-importantadjective

having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

sexyadjectiveUS /ˈseksi/

marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest

From this reading Methodist, domestic servant, plump, dark and sexy, self-conscious of clothes and appeal, fickle.

slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

TAYLORnounUS /ˈteɪlər/

United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)

From this reading DAISY TAYLOR.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

Transcriber's

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

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

typo's

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

From this reading [Transcriber’s Note: A few obvious typo’s in stage directions have been fixed, though nothing in the dialogue has been changed.]

unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

WESTONnounUS /ˈwestən/

United States photographer(1886-1958)

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading JIM WESTON: Guitarist, Methodist, slightly arrogant, agressive, somewhat self-important, ready with his tongue.

wittilyadverbUS /ˈwɪtəli/

in a witty manner

From this reading DAVE CARTER: Dancer, Baptist, soft, happy-go-lucky character, slightly dumb and unable to talk rapidly and wittily.

Chapter 1 of The mule-bone by Langston Hughes holds 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 1 of The mule-bone contain?

Chapter 1 holds 409 sentences of The mule-bone, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The mule-bone by Langston Hughes exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 mule-bone?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 82 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 mule-bone

Common questions about reading The mule-bone by Langston Hughes on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The mule-bone?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The mule-bone is used?

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

How long does The mule-bone take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The mule-bone section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The mule-bone 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 mule-bone

Words and structures a reader meets early in The mule-bone, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The mule-bone, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The mule-bone, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The mule-bone, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.