Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 22

'You!' said the Caterpillar contemptuously. 'Who are YOU?'

• You: Referring to Alice, expressing disbelief or scorn. [ju]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• contemptuously: in a scornful or disrespectful manner. [kənˈtɛmˌpʧuəsli]
• Who: asking for identification [hu]
• are: form of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• YOU: Referring to Alice, demanding her identity. [ju]

Which brought them back again to the beginning of the conversation.

• Which: referring to the Caterpillar's question [wɪʧ]
• brought: past tense of 'bring', meaning to cause to come with [brɔt]
• them: referring to Alice and the Caterpillar [ðɛm]
• back: to the original place or condition [bæk]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• to: indicating direction or destination [tɪ]
• the beginning: the starting point [ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• of: indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• the conversation: the exchange of words between Alice and the Caterpillar. [ðə ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]

'Why?' said the Caterpillar.

• Why: Asking for the reason or purpose. [waɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

Here was another puzzling question; and as Alice could not think of any good reason, and as the Caterpillar seemed to be in a VERY unpleasant state of mind, she turned away.

• Here: in or at this place [hir]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• another: one more; an additional [əˈnəðər]
• puzzling: causing confusion or difficulty in understanding [ˈpəzəlɪŋ]
• question: a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]
• and: connecting two clauses [ənd]
• as: because; since [ɛz]
• Alice: referring to the character Alice. [ˈælɪs]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing ability [kʊd]
• not: negation [nɑt]
• think: to have a thought or idea [θɪŋk]
• of: expressing relationship or belonging [əv]
• any: one or some; used to refer to an unspecified amount or number of something [ˈɛni]
• good: of high quality; beneficial [gʊd]
• reason: a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event [ˈrizən]
• and: connecting two clauses [ənd]
• as: because; since [ɛz]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• seemed: appeared to be [simd]
• to be: to exist or occur [tɪ bi]
• in: expressing location or condition [ɪn]
• a: indefinite article [ə]
• VERY: extremely; greatly [ˈvɛri]
• unpleasant: not enjoyable; disagreeable [ənˈplɛzənt]
• state: condition; situation [steɪt]
• of: expressing relationship or belonging [əv]
• mind: a person's thoughts and feelings [maɪnd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• turned: past tense of 'turn', meaning to change direction [tərnd]
• away: to move in a different direction. [əˈweɪ]

'Come back!' the Caterpillar called after her. 'I've something important to say!'

• Come back: An imperative phrase urging someone to return to the speaker's location. [kəm bæk]
• the Caterpillar: Referring to a specific caterpillar, likely a character in a story. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• called after her: shouted or spoke loudly to get her attention as she was moving away. [kɔld ˈæftər hər]
• I've: Contraction of 'I have', indicating possession or a completed action. [aɪv]
• something important: referring to a piece of information or a matter of significance. [ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• to say: to utter or express verbally. [tɪ seɪ]

This sounded promising, certainly: Alice turned and came back again.

• This sounded promising: This situation or statement appeared to offer a good chance of success or a positive outcome. [ðɪs ˈsaʊndɪd ˈprɑməsɪŋ]
• certainly: Without a doubt; definitely. [ˈsərtənli]
• Alice turned: Alice rotated her body to face the opposite direction. [ˈælɪs tərnd]
• and came back again: and returned to the place she had left. [ənd keɪm bæk əˈgɛn]

'Keep your temper,' said the Caterpillar.

• Keep your temper: An idiom meaning to remain calm and avoid getting angry. [kip jʊr ˈtɛmpər]
• said the Caterpillar: The Caterpillar spoke these words. [sɛd ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

'Is that all?' said Alice, swallowing down her anger as well as she could.

• Is that all: A question expressing disappointment or surprise that something is not more significant or extensive. [ɪz ðət ɔl]
• said Alice: Alice spoke these words. [sɛd ˈælɪs]
• swallowing down: Suppressing or holding back. [sˈwɑloʊɪŋ daʊn]
• her anger: The feeling of being upset or annoyed. [hər ˈæŋgər]
• as well as: To the same extent or degree. [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• she could: She was able to. [ʃi kʊd]

'No,' said the Caterpillar.

• No: A negative response. [noʊ]
• said the Caterpillar: The Caterpillar spoke this word. [sɛd ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

Alice thought she might as well wait, as she had nothing else to do, and perhaps after all it might tell her something worth hearing.

• Alice thought: Alice considered or believed. [ˈælɪs θɔt]
• she might as well wait: she should wait because there was no better alternative. [ʃi maɪt ɛz wɛl weɪt]
• as she had nothing else to do: because she had no other activities or obligations. [ɛz ʃi hæd ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls tɪ du]
• and perhaps after all: and maybe eventually. [ənd pərˈhæps ˈæftər ɔl]
• it might tell her: the Caterpillar might reveal to Alice. [ɪt maɪt tɛl hər]
• something worth hearing: information that is interesting or valuable. [ˈsəmθɪŋ wərθ ˈhirɪŋ]

'I'm afraid I am, sir,' said Alice; 'I can't remember things as I used—and I don't keep the same size for ten minutes together!'

• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• afraid: feeling fear or apprehension; in this context, used as a polite expression of regret or disagreement [əˈfreɪd]
• I am, sir: polite affirmation, addressing someone respectfully as 'sir' [aɪ æm sər]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• I can't: contraction of 'I cannot', expressing inability [aɪ kænt]
• remember: to recall something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbər]
• things: events, facts, or details [θɪŋz]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• I used: short for 'I used to', indicating a past habit or state [aɪ juzd]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• I don't: contraction of 'I do not', expressing negation [aɪ doʊnt]
• keep: to maintain or stay in a certain state [kip]
• the same size: referring to her physical dimensions not remaining constant [ðə seɪm saɪz]
• for: during a period of time [fər]
• ten minutes: a short duration of time [tɛn ˈmɪnəts]
• together: in succession; without interruption, emphasizing the rapid changes [təˈgɛðər]

'Can't remember WHAT things?' said the Caterpillar.

• Can't: contraction of 'cannot', expressing inability [kænt]
• remember: to recall something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbər]
• WHAT: used to ask for specific information [wət]
• things: plural of 'thing', referring to objects, events, or concepts [θɪŋz]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the character of the Caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

'Well, I've tried to say "HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE," but it all came different!' Alice replied in a very melancholy voice.

• Well: an introductory word, often used to start a sentence or indicate a pause [wɛl]
• I've: contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]
• tried: past participle of 'try', meaning to make an effort [traɪd]
• to say: to utter words [tɪ seɪ]
• HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE: the title/first line of a poem [haʊ dɔθ ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈbɪzi bi]
• but: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• it: refers to the attempt to recite the poem [ɪt]
• all: completely [ɔl]
• came: past tense of 'come', meaning to result or turn out [keɪm]
• different: not the same; altered [ˈdɪfərənt]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• replied: past tense of 'reply', meaning to answer [rɪˈplaɪd]
• in: expressing the manner or style of the reply [ɪn]
• a very melancholy voice: a sad and thoughtful tone [ə ˈvɛri ˈmɛlənˌkɑli vɔɪs]

'Repeat, "YOU ARE OLD, FATHER WILLIAM,"' said the Caterpillar.

• Repeat: to say something again [rɪˈpit]
• YOU ARE OLD, FATHER WILLIAM: the title/first line of a poem [ju ər oʊld ˈfɑðər ˈwɪljəm]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the character of the Caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

Alice folded her hands, and began:—

• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• folded: past tense of 'fold', meaning to bend or креасе [ˈfoʊldɪd]
• her: possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]
• hands: plural of 'hand', the body part [hænz]
• and: conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• began: past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn-]

'You are old, Father William,' the young man said,

• You: second person singular pronoun, referring to Father William [ju]
• are: present tense of 'be' [ər]
• old: advanced in years [oʊld]
• Father: term of respect for an elderly man [ˈfɑðər]
• William: the name of the person being addressed [ˈwɪljəm]
• the young: being in an early stage of life or development [ðə jəŋ]
• man: an adult male [mæn]

'And your hair has become very white;

• And: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• your: possessive pronoun, referring to Father William [jʊr]
• hair: the strands that grow on the head [hɛr]
• has: third person singular present tense of 'have' [həz]
• become: past participle of 'become', meaning to come to be [bɪˈkəm]
• very: to a great degree [ˈvɛri]
• white: lacking color; pale [waɪt]

And yet you incessantly stand on your head—

• And: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• yet: nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]
• you: second person singular pronoun, referring to Father William [ju]
• incessantly: without interruption; constantly [ˌɪnˈsɛsəntli]
• stand: to be in an upright position [stænd]
• on: supported by [ɔn]
• your: possessive pronoun, referring to Father William [jʊr]
• head: the part of the body above the neck [hɛd-]

Do you think, at your age, it is right?'

• Do you think: asking for someone's opinion or belief about something [du ju θɪŋk]
• at your age: considering how old someone is [æt jʊr eɪʤ]
• it is right: whether something is morally or ethically correct or appropriate [ɪt ɪz raɪt]

'In my youth,' Father William replied to his son,

• In my youth: during the time when I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]
• Father William: a character in the poem, referred to by his title and name [ˈfɑðər ˈwɪljəm]
• replied to his son: answered his son [rɪˈplaɪd tɪ hɪz sən]

'I feared it might injure the brain;

• I feared: I was afraid [aɪ fɪrd]
• it might injure: it could potentially harm [ɪt maɪt ˈɪnʤər]
• the brain: the organ in the head responsible for thought, feeling, and control of the body [ðə breɪn]

But, now that I'm perfectly sure I have none,

• But, now that I'm perfectly sure: However, since I am completely certain [bət naʊ ðət əm ˈpərfəktli ʃʊr]
• I have none: I do not have a brain [aɪ hæv nən]

Why, I do it again and again.'

• Why, I do it again and again: Therefore, I repeat the action many times [waɪ aɪ du ɪt əˈgɛn ənd əˈgɛn]

'You are old,' said the youth, 'as I mentioned before,

• You are old: You are advanced in age [ju ər oʊld]
• said the youth: the young person speaking [sɛd ðə juθ]
• as I mentioned before: as I previously stated [ɛz aɪ ˈmɛnʃənd ˌbiˈfɔr]

And have grown most uncommonly fat;

• And have grown: And you have become [ənd hæv groʊn]
• most uncommonly fat: extremely overweight [moʊst ˌənˈkɑmənli fæt]

Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door—

• Yet you turned: Despite that, you performed [jɛt ju tərnd]
• a back-somersault: an acrobatic movement where one flips backwards [ə back-somersault]
• in at the door: entering through the doorway [ɪn æt ðə dɔr]