brothel
House of prostitution.
embankment
A wall built to prevent flooding.
mulatto
The offspring of one white parent and one black parent.
immaculate
Spotless and pristine.
quizzical
A demonstration of bemused confusion.
irrelevant
Not specifically related to the point at hand.
memoirs
The autobiographical reminiscences of a person.
morosely
Dejectedly and without joy.
serenity
A peaceful, easy feeling; tranquility; peace of mind.
scythe
A curved blade at the end of a long handle that is used for cutting crops; that thing the Grim Reaper carries with him in most images of Death.
dissipation
A debauched style of existence that covers alcohol and drug abuse, promiscuity, partying and squandering money; life in the fast lane.
rag
Style of syncopated music usually played on piano primarily associated with African-American culture around the turn of the 20th century.
schizophrenia
Mental disorder characterized by auditory hallucinations, dissociation from reality and other breakdowns in normal perceptual awareness.
Storyville
Infamous Red Light District of New Orleans where laws against prostitution still applied, but were routinely overlooked or ignored by the city's judicial system.
Oyster Dance
Form of Red Light District entertainment featuring a lone woman naked on stage dancing to music played on a piano.
octoroon
The offspring of interracial lineage who is one-eighth black.
luxurious
Sumptuous and elegant.
extrovert
The life of the party; outgoing and gregarious.
introvert
The opposite of an extrovert; shy and withdrawn and uneasy with everyday social interaction.
compulsive
Obsessivey and neurotically driven to act on a particular impulse or drive.
