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Charles Dickens: A critical study
Charles Dickens: A critical study

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Charles Dickens: A critical study
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.
But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.
It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.
The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.
Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Charles Dickens: A critical study

Chapter XII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.
Line 2
But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.
Line 3
It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.
Line 4
The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.
Line 5
Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.”

All words in this reading · 85

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

all

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

also

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

any

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

attempting

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

author

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

belong

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

cantly

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

Consequently

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

convictions

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

Day

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

decide

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

DICKENS

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

down

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

expressed

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

fashion

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

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

firm

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

FUTURE

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

hardest

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

instinctively

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

Judgment

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

live

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

man

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

merely

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

more

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

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

necessary

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

new

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

NOTE

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

old

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

only

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

own

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

pass

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

probably

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

rapidly

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

sense

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

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

simply

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

things

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

true

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

turned

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

unchangeable

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

undying

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

From this reading It is not merely true that all old things are already dead; it is also true that all new things are already dead; for the only undying things are the things that are neither new nor old.

up

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

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

upside

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

very

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

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading A NOTE ON THE FUTURE OF DICKENS The hardest thing to remember about our own time, of course, is simply that it is a time; we all instinctively think of it as the Day of Judgment.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Consequently, in attempting to decide whether an author will, as it is cantly expressed, live, it is necessary to have very firm convictions about what part, if any part, of man is unchangeable.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But all the things in it which belong to it merely as this time will probably be rapidly turned upside down; all the things that can pass will pass.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

year's

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

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The more you are up with this year’s fashion, the more (in a sense) you are already behind next year’s.