Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 49

The Gryphon sat up and rubbed its eyes: then it watched the Queen till she was out of sight: then it chuckled. 'What fun!' said the Gryphon, half to itself, half to Alice.

• The Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]
• sat up: moved from a lying or reclining position to a sitting position [sæt əp]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• rubbed: to move one's hand or a cloth repeatedly back and forth on a surface [rəbd]
• its eyes: the organs of sight belonging to the Gryphon [ɪts aɪz]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• it: referring to the Gryphon [ɪt]
• watched: looked at attentively over a period of time [wɔʧt]
• the Queen: a female monarch or the wife of a king [ðə kwin]
• till: up to the time that; until [tɪl]
• she: referring to the Queen [ʃi]
• was out of sight: no longer visible [wɑz aʊt əv saɪt]
• then: after that [ðɛn]
• it: referring to the Gryphon [ɪt]
• chuckled: laughed quietly or inwardly [ˈʧəkəld]
• What fun: an exclamation expressing enjoyment or amusement [wət fən]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: referring to the Gryphon [ðə gryphon]
• half to itself: speaking quietly, as if to no one in particular [hæf tɪ ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• half to Alice: partly addressing Alice [hæf tɪ ˈælɪs]

'What IS the fun?' said Alice.

• What IS the fun: An inquiry about the source of amusement or enjoyment [wət ɪz ðə fən]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]

'Why, SHE,' said the Gryphon. 'It's all her fancy, that: they never executes nobody, you know.

• Why, SHE: expressing surprise or mild protest, followed by a reference to a female character [waɪ ʃi]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: referring to the Gryphon [ðə gryphon]
• It's: contraction of 'it is', where 'it' refers to the situation or subject being discussed [ɪts]
• all her fancy: entirely a product of her imagination or whim [ɔl hər ˈfænsi]
• that: used to refer to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• they: referring to an unspecified group of people in authority [ðeɪ]
• never executes nobody: grammatically incorrect, but meaning 'never executes anybody'; 'executes' means to put someone to death as a legal punishment [ˈnɛvər ˈɛksəˌkjuts ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• you know: used to seek agreement or understanding from the listener [ju noʊ]

'Everybody says "come on!" here,' thought Alice, as she went slowly after it: 'I never was so ordered about in all my life, never!'

• Everybody: every person [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]
• says: utters words [sɪz]
• come on: an expression of encouragement or urging to proceed [kəm ɔn]
• here: in this place or situation [hir]
• thought: mentally considered [θɔt]
• Alice: the name of the character thinking [ˈælɪs]
• as: while [ɛz]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• went: moved or traveled [wɛnt]
• slowly: at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]
• after it: following behind something or someone, in this case, the Gryphon [ˈæftər ɪt]
• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• never: at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
• was so ordered about: given instructions or commands in a bossy or domineering way [wɑz soʊ ˈɔrdərd əˈbaʊt]
• in all my life: during the entire course of my existence [ɪn ɔl maɪ laɪf]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]

They had not gone far before they saw the Mock Turtle in the distance, sitting sad and lonely on a little ledge of rock, and, as they came nearer, Alice could hear him sighing as if his heart would break.

• They: referring to Alice and the Gryphon [ðeɪ]
• had not gone: had not traveled [hæd nɑt gɔn]
• far: a long distance [fɑr]
• before: earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• they: referring to Alice and the Gryphon [ðeɪ]
• saw: perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character, a turtle made of mock (imitation) ingredients [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• in the distance: far away [ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]
• sitting: being in a seated position [ˈsɪtɪŋ]
• sad: feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy [sæd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• lonely: sad because one has no friends or company [ˈloʊnli]
• on: supported by [ɔn]
• a little ledge: a small, narrow shelf or projection [ə ˈlɪtəl lɛʤ]
• of rock: made of stone [əv rɑk]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• as: while [ɛz]
• they: referring to Alice and the Gryphon [ðeɪ]
• came nearer: approached; got closer [keɪm ˈnɪrər]
• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• could hear: was able to perceive sound [kʊd hir]
• him: referring to the Mock Turtle [ɪm]
• sighing: emitting a long, deep breath, often expressing sadness or relief [saɪɪŋ]
• as if: in a way that suggests [ɛz ɪf]
• his heart: the organ that pumps blood through the body [hɪz hɑrt]
• would break: would be overcome with grief or sorrow [wʊd breɪk]

She pitied him deeply. 'What is his sorrow?' she asked the Gryphon, and the Gryphon answered, very nearly in the same words as before, 'It's all his fancy, that: he hasn't got no sorrow, you know.

• She: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• pitied: felt sorrow and compassion for [ˈpɪˌtid]
• him: referring to the Mock Turtle [ɪm]
• deeply: very much; intensely [ˈdipli]
• What is his sorrow: an inquiry about the cause of his sadness [wət ɪz hɪz ˈsɑroʊ]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• asked: posed a question [æst]
• the Gryphon: referring to the Gryphon [ðə gryphon]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the Gryphon: referring to the Gryphon [ðə gryphon]
• answered: replied [ˈænsərd]
• very nearly: almost; close to [ˈvɛri ˈnɪrli]
• in the same words: using the same vocabulary and phrasing [ɪn ðə seɪm wərdz]
• as before: as previously stated [ɛz ˌbiˈfɔr]
• It's: contraction of 'it is', where 'it' refers to the situation or subject being discussed [ɪts]
• all his fancy: entirely a product of his imagination or whim [ɔl hɪz ˈfænsi]
• that: used to refer to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• he hasn't got no sorrow: grammatically incorrect, but meaning 'he doesn't have any sorrow' [hi ˈhæzənt gɑt noʊ ˈsɑroʊ]
• you know: used to seek agreement or understanding from the listener [ju noʊ]

So they went up to the Mock Turtle, who looked at them with large eyes full of tears, but said nothing.

• So: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• they: referring to a group of people, likely Alice and another character [ðeɪ]
• went up: approached; moved towards [wɛnt əp]
• to the Mock Turtle: a character in the story, named Mock Turtle [tɪ ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• who: referring to the Mock Turtle [hu]
• looked at them: gazed at them; directed their sight towards them [lʊkt æt ðɛm]
• with large eyes: eyes that are big in size [wɪθ lɑrʤ aɪz]
• full of tears: containing tears; indicating sadness or emotion [fʊl əv tɪrz]
• but: however; introducing a contrast [bət]
• said nothing: did not speak; remained silent [sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ]

'This here young lady,' said the Gryphon, 'she wants for to know your history, she do.'

• This here young lady: A colloquial way of saying 'This young lady here,' emphasizing the person being referred to [ðɪs hir jəŋ ˈleɪdi]
• said the Gryphon: The Gryphon is speaking [sɛd ðə gryphon]
• she wants for to know: A somewhat archaic or dialectal way of saying 'she wants to know'. The 'for to' is an intensifier, though grammatically non-standard [ʃi wɔnts fər tɪ noʊ]
• your history: The Mock Turtle's personal story or past [jʊr ˈhɪstəri]
• she do: A dialectal or emphatic way of saying 'she does'. It reinforces the statement that the young lady wants to know the history [ʃi du]

'I'll tell it her,' said the Mock Turtle in a deep, hollow tone: 'sit down, both of you, and don't speak a word till I've finished.'

• I'll tell it her: I will tell the story to her [aɪl tɛl ɪt hər]
• said the Mock Turtle: the speaker is the Mock Turtle [sɛd ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• in a deep, hollow tone: describing the Mock Turtle's voice as low and resonant, possibly suggesting sadness or solemnity [ɪn ə dip ˈhɑloʊ toʊn]
• sit down: an instruction to take a seat [sɪt daʊn]
• both of you: referring to Alice and another character [boʊθ əv ju]
• and: conjunction connecting two commands [ənd]
• don't speak a word: do not say anything [doʊnt spik ə wərd]
• till: until; up to the time that [tɪl]
• I've finished: until I have completed speaking [aɪv ˈfɪnɪʃt]

So they sat down, and nobody spoke for some minutes.

• So: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• they: referring to Alice and another character [ðeɪ]
• sat down: took a seat [sæt daʊn]
• and: conjunction connecting two events [ənd]
• nobody spoke: no one said anything [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi spoʊk]
• for some minutes: for a period of several minutes [fər səm ˈmɪnəts]

Alice thought to herself, 'I don't see how he can EVEN finish, if he doesn't begin.' But she waited patiently.

• Alice thought to herself: Alice considered internally [ˈælɪs θɔt tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• I don't see: I do not understand [aɪ doʊnt si]
• how: in what way [haʊ]
• he: referring to the Mock Turtle [hi]
• can EVEN finish: emphasizing the difficulty of finishing [kən ˈivɪn ˈfɪnɪʃ]
• if: conditional; introducing a condition [ɪf]
• he: referring to the Mock Turtle [hi]
• doesn't begin: does not start speaking [ˈdəzənt bɪˈgɪn]
• But: however; introducing a contrast [bət]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• waited patiently: waited without complaint or impatience [ˈweɪtɪd ˈpeɪʃəntli]

'Once,' said the Mock Turtle at last, with a deep sigh, 'I was a real Turtle.'

• Once: introducing a story that happened in the past [wəns]
• said the Mock Turtle: the speaker is the Mock Turtle [sɛd ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• at last: finally; after some time [æt læst]
• with a deep sigh: indicating sadness, weariness, or relief [wɪθ ə dip saɪ]
• I: referring to the Mock Turtle [aɪ]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• a real Turtle: a genuine turtle, as opposed to a Mock Turtle [ə ril ˈtərtəl]

These words were followed by a very long silence, broken only by an occasional exclamation of 'Hjckrrh!' from the Gryphon, and the constant heavy sobbing of the Mock Turtle.

• These words: Refers to the preceding statements or dialogue [ðiz wərdz]
• were followed: Came after; were succeeded by [wər ˈfɑloʊd]
• by: Indicates the agent or cause of the action [baɪ]
• a very long silence: An extended period of quiet with no sound [ə ˈvɛri lɔŋ ˈsaɪləns]
• broken: Interrupted; disturbed [ˈbroʊkən]
• only: Solely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• by: Indicates the means or agent of the interruption [baɪ]
• an occasional exclamation: An infrequent, sudden, and loud utterance [ən ɔˈkeɪʒənəl ˌɛkskləˈmeɪʃən]
• of: Indicates the content or nature of the exclamation [əv]
• Hjckrrh: A nonsensical sound, likely representing a cough or other guttural noise [hjckrrh]
• from: Indicates the source of the exclamation [frəm]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]
• and: Connects two elements of the sentence [ənd]
• the constant heavy sobbing: Continuous, loud, and distressed crying [ðə ˈkɑnstənt ˈhɛvi ˈsɑbɪŋ]
• of: Indicates the source of the sobbing [əv]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character, a turtle that is not real [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]

Alice was very nearly getting up and saying, 'Thank you, sir, for your interesting story,' but she could not help thinking there MUST be more to come, so she sat still and said nothing.

• Alice: The main character in the story [ˈælɪs]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• very nearly: Almost; close to [ˈvɛri ˈnɪrli]
• getting up: Standing; rising from a seated position [ˈgɪtɪŋ əp]
• and: Connects two actions [ənd]
• saying: Uttering words [seɪɪŋ]
• Thank you, sir: A polite expression of gratitude, addressed to a male [θæŋk ju sər]
• for: Indicates the reason for gratitude [fər]
• your interesting story: The story that the person has told [jʊr ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ ˈstɔri]
• but: Introduces a contrast [bət]
• she: Refers to Alice [ʃi]
• could not help: Was unable to avoid [kʊd nɑt hɛlp]
• thinking: Believing; having the opinion [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
• there MUST be: There definitely is [ðɛr məst bi]
• more to come: Additional information or events that will follow [mɔr tɪ kəm]
• so: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• she: Refers to Alice [ʃi]
• sat still: Remained seated and unmoving [sæt stɪl]
• and: Connects two actions [ənd]
• said nothing: Did not speak [sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ]

'When we were little,' the Mock Turtle went on at last, more calmly, though still sobbing a little now and then, 'we went to school in the sea.

• When: At the time that [wɪn]
• we: Refers to a group including the speaker [wi]
• were little: Young in age [wər ˈlɪtəl]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character, a turtle that is not real [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• went on: Continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]
• at last: Finally; after a delay [æt læst]
• more calmly: In a more peaceful and composed manner [mɔr ˈkɑmli]
• though: Despite the fact that [ðoʊ]
• still: Even now; continuing to [stɪl]
• sobbing: Crying with convulsive gasps [ˈsɑbɪŋ]
• a little: Slightly; somewhat [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• now and then: Occasionally; from time to time [naʊ ənd ðɛn]
• we: Refers to a group including the speaker [wi]
• went to school: Attended an educational institution [wɛnt tɪ skul]
• in: Indicates location [ɪn]
• the sea: The ocean [ðə si]

'Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asked.

• Why: asking for a reason [waɪ]
• did you call: past tense of 'call', meaning to give a name or refer to someone as [dɪd ju kɔl]
• him: referring to a male person or character previously mentioned [ɪm]
• Tortoise: a slow-moving reptile with a shell; here, used as a name [ˈtɔrtəs]
• if: introducing a condition or possibility [ɪf]
• he wasn't one: questioning whether the person referred to as 'him' was actually a tortoise [hi ˈwəzənt wən]
• Alice: a proper noun, referring to the character Alice [ˈælɪs]