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The Waste Land
The Waste Land

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Waste Land is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Waste Land
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
42.
Id. iii, verse 24.
46.
I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.
The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.
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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 Waste Land

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Waste Land is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
42.
Line 2
Id. iii, verse 24.
Line 3
46.
Line 4
I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.
/aɪ æm nɑːt fəˈmɪljər wɪð ðə ɪɡˈzækt ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən ʌv ðə ˌtæˈroʊ pæk ʌv kɑːrdz frʌm wɪtʃ aɪ hæv ˈɑːbviəsli dɪˈpɑːrtɪd tuː suːt maɪ oʊn kənˈviːnjəns/
Line 5
The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also thecrowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

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.

associate verb US /əˈsoʊsiət/

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

convenience noun US /kənˈviːnjəns/

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading “I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.”

disciples noun US /dɪˈsaɪpəlz/

plural of “disciple” — someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

Frazer noun US /ˈfreɪzər/

English social anthropologist noted for studies of primitive religion and magic (1854-1941)

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

hooded verb US /ˈhʊdɪd/

past form of “hood” — cover with a hood

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

Phoenician noun US /fəˈniːʃən/

a member of an ancient Semitic people who dominated trade in the first millennium B.C.

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

Tarot noun US /ˌtæˈroʊ/

any of a set of (usually 78) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used for playing card games and for divination by fortunetellers

From this reading “I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.”

traditional adjective US /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

consisting of or derived from tradition

From this reading “The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.”

All words in this reading · 68

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.

24

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

From this reading Id. iii, verse 24.

42

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

From this reading 42.

46

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

From this reading 46.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

associateverbUS /əˈsoʊsiət/

make a logical or causal connection

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/

past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

cardsnounUS /kɑːrdz/

a game played with playing cards

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

conveniencenounUS /kənˈviːnjəns/

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/

plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

DeathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

departedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪd/

well in the past; former

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

disciplesnounUS /dɪˈsaɪpəlz/

plural of “disciple” — someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

Emmaus

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

executedadjectiveUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪd/

put to death as punishment

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

fitsnounUS /fɪts/

plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

FrazernounUS /ˈfreɪzər/

English social anthropologist noted for studies of primitive religion and magic (1854-1941)

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

HangedverbUS /hæŋd/

past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

hoodedverbUS /ˈhʊdɪd/

past form of “hood” — cover with a hood

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

IdnounUS /ɪd/

a state in the Rocky Mountains

From this reading Id. iii, verse 24.

iiinoun

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

From this reading Id. iii, verse 24.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

IVnoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

MannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

membernounUS /ˈmembər/

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

MerchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

packverbUS /pæk/

arrange in a container

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

PartnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

PhoeniciannounUS /fəˈniːʃən/

a member of an ancient Semitic people who dominated trade in the first millennium B.C.

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

SailornounUS /ˈseɪlər/

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

suitverbUS /suːt/

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

TarotnounUS /ˌtæˈroʊ/

any of a set of (usually 78) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used for playing card games and for divination by fortunetellers

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

traditionaladjectiveUS /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

consisting of or derived from tradition

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

VnounUS /viː/

a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

versenounUS /vɜːrs/

literature in metrical form

From this reading Id. iii, verse 24.

WaternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading The Hanged Man, a member of the traditional pack, fits my purpose in two ways: because he is associated in my mind with the Hanged God of Frazer, and because I associate him with the hooded figure in the passage of the disciples to Emmaus in Part V. The Phoenician Sailor and the Merchant appear later; also the “crowds of people,” and Death by Water is executed in Part IV.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I am not familiar with the exact constitution of the Tarot pack of cards, from which I have obviously departed to suit my own convenience.

Chapter 2 of The Waste Land by T. S. (Thomas Stearns) Eliot holds 178 sentences, grouped into 36 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of The Waste Land contain?

Chapter 2 holds 178 sentences of The Waste Land, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Waste Land by T. S. (Thomas Stearns) Eliot exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 178 sentences, grouped into 36 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of The Waste Land?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Waste Land

Common questions about reading The Waste Land by T. S. (Thomas Stearns) Eliot on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Waste Land?

Yes. All 358 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1321 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Waste Land is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1321, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Waste Land take to read?

About 29 minutes of reading across 72 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Waste Land section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 2 chapters of The Waste Land 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 Waste Land

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

Sibyllam
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Waste Land; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Quidem
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Waste Land; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cumis
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Waste Land; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Oculis
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Waste Land; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.