The Fountains of Silence: Chapters 1–15

by Ruta Sepetys
Set in Spain during the 1950s, this novel tells the story of how Daniel, an eighteen-year-old American tourist, falls in love with a local girl, Ana, who lost her family during the Spanish Civil War.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–15, Chapters 16–40, Chapters 41–78, Chapters 79–117, Chapters 118–149
40 words 60 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. caudillo
    a military dictator in a Spanish-speaking country
    In the center box of the bullring sits Spain’s dictator, Generalísimo Francisco Franco. They call him El Caudillo—leader of armies, hero by the grace of God.
  2. concierge
    a caretaker in an apartment complex or hotel
    Ana hands the sewing kit to the concierge and heads quickly for the staff elevator.
  3. atrophy
    any weakening or degeneration
    And now, after twenty years of nationwide atrophy, Generalísimo Franco is finally allowing tourists into Spain.
  4. transpire
    come about, happen, or occur
    Many are unaware of what transpired in Spain decades earlier.
  5. adamant
    impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason
    His mother, born in Spain, is adamant he speak the language of her country.
  6. frugal
    avoiding waste
    Daniel won’t tire of photography, but he is tired of frugal listeners who are generous with opinion.
  7. fickle
    marked by erratic changeableness in affections
    Everyone knows she’s fickle.
  8. fascist
    relating to authoritarian hierarchical government
    She has no idea she is held by Purificación Torres Pérez, or that Puri wears a black apron bearing the red arrows of the Falange, the Spanish fascist movement.
  9. bassinet
    a basket (usually hooded) used as a baby's bed
    20 116 will be returned to her ruffled bassinet in the nursery.
  10. apprehend
    take into police custody
    What would happen if Spanish girls wore pants on the street? Would they be apprehended?
  11. stifle
    conceal or hide
    Ana stifles a laugh, trying to contain her wide smile.
  12. repression
    a state of forcible subjugation
    When I first went there, to Spain in ’55, you had the feeling of depression when you got into Spain, repression.
  13. disport
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
    Everybody was careful what they said, what they did, how they disported themselves.
  14. bohemian
    unconventional or nonconformist in appearance and behavior
    Rebellious, bohemian, vulgar. These are the words used to describe Miguelín, the new bullfighter.
  15. adversity
    a state of misfortune or affliction
    “Gold is tried by fire and brave men by adversity,” says Rafa.
  16. magnate
    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
    In public, his mother is the wife of an oil magnate and appears completely American.
  17. contingent
    determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
    In the fall he’ll enter Texas A&M University and following graduation he’ll join the family oil operation—his college tuition is contingent upon it.
  18. subordinate
    lower in rank or importance
    In Spain, women must adhere to strict subordinate roles in the domestic arts.
  19. complement
    either of two parts that create a whole
    When God made the first man, he thought: It is not good for man to be alone. And he made the woman, to help him and keep him company, and to be used as a mother. God’s first idea was “man.” He thought about the woman later, as a necessary complement, that is, as something useful.
  20. bulbous
    rounded and bulging
    His dress shirt flaps, untucked over his bulbous waistline.
  21. offbeat
    strikingly unconventional
    Certainly less polished than Shep Van Dorn, Ben looks offbeat, like a stout philosophy professor who sleeps in his clothes.
  22. pariah
    a person who is rejected from society or home
    Spain was run by Franco and was a bit of a pariah state.
  23. burnish
    enhance, improve, or perfect something
    The U.S. in partial exchange for the base rights was willing, in effect, to help burnish Franco’s image.
  24. disposition
    your usual mood
    Her disposition is always calm and sweet.
  25. destitute
    poor enough to need help from others
    The orphanage provides shelter for destitute mothers and their newborns.
  26. reprimand
    censure severely or angrily
    Puri once asked about the backdoor arrivals, but was reprimanded. “Being nosy is a sin. Don’t ask so many questions.”
  27. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    Ben Stahl, seated next to Daniel, sips his scotch and watches the guests intently.
  28. subtlety
    a fine difference in meaning, opinion, or attitude
    For accurate reporting you have to find the perfect word. The perfect word captures every subtlety. The perfect word shows true comprehension.
  29. brash
    offensively bold
    But here in Spain, her demeanor suddenly feels brash next to Ana’s gentle sincerity.
  30. corpulent
    excessively large
    A corpulent, gray-haired gentleman with wire-rimmed glasses enters.
  31. oblige
    provide a service or favor for someone
    “All right, then. May I take your picture, Buttons?” The boy obliges, striking a well-practiced pose.
  32. overt
    open and observable; not secret or hidden
    Although the glances aren’t overt, Daniel feels the eyes of the locals.
  33. throng
    a large gathering of people
    Ana pulls Daniel by the sleeve into a throng of people boarding a car.
  34. reverberate
    ring or echo with sound
    Loud snores reverberate from his unhinged mouth.
  35. brooding
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Although energetic and sunny in public, Rafa is brooding. He is the bull. He watches, quietly gathers pieces, and puts things together.
  36. materialize
    come into being; become reality
    “It’s like eating a flower.”
    Ana smiles as the portrait materializes.
  37. bracero
    a Mexican laborer working in the U.S. for a limited time
    “Braceros,” says Daniel, “manual laborers from Mexico working in Texas. At the end of the day they’re inspected and searched, to make sure they haven’t stolen anything.”
  38. evocative
    serving to bring to mind
    The photo is so evocative she can imagine the colors.
  39. lavish
    characterized by extravagance and profusion
    A lavish garden party. Carpets of thick grass surround a swimming pool that sparkles like a suit of lights. Groups of glamorous people cocktail and make merry against the backdrop of a massive estate.
  40. oblivious
    lacking conscious awareness of
    Dozens of carefree people—happy instead of lonely—oblivious to the camera.
Created on Mon Apr 25 12:01:27 EDT 2022 (updated Fri Apr 29 09:08:01 EDT 2022)

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