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Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 51 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edward Bellamy • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

"Extension!" he repeated, "where is the extension?"

"In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

"And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter VI Reading 1/10

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 Edward Bellamy

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter VI

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 51 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described. Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming." "Extension!" he repeated, "where is the extension?" "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers." "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 51 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

Line 2

Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

Line 3

"Extension!" he repeated, "where is the extension?"

Line 4

"In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

Line 5

"And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

All words in this reading · 69

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

against

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

an

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

and

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

are

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

arrangements

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

ceased

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

changes

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

conception

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

considered

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

day

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

defending

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

described

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

Dr

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

endeavoring

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

enemies

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

enemy

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

exclaimed

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

extension

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

Finally

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

form

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

functions

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

general

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

government

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

had

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

he

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

heaven's

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

I

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

idea

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

implied

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

in

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

is

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

it

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

keeping

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

least

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

Leete

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

limited

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

military

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

my

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

name

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

of

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

overwhelming

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

peace

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

people

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

police

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

powers

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

proper

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

public

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

rather

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

remained

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

repeated

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

From this reading "Extension!" he repeated, "where is the extension?"

replied

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

revolution

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

said

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

say

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

silent

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

society

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

some

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

speaking

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

strictly

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

such

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

From this reading Finally I said, "The idea of such an extension of the functions of government is, to say the least, rather overwhelming."

that

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

the

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

to

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

tremendous

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

was

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

were

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

From this reading "In my day," I replied, "it was considered that the proper functions of government, strictly speaking, were limited to keeping the peace and defending the people against the public enemy, that is, to the military and police powers."

where

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

From this reading "Extension!" he repeated, "where is the extension?"

which

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

From this reading Dr. Leete ceased speaking, and I remained silent, endeavoring to form some general conception of the changes in the arrangements of society implied in the tremendous revolution which he had described.

who

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

From this reading "And, in heaven's name, who are the public enemies?" exclaimed Dr. Leete.

Chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy holds 51 sentences, grouped into 11 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 contain?

Chapter 6 holds 51 sentences of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, unabridged, divided into 11 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 51 sentences, grouped into 11 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 6 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Work through the 11 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 11 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Common questions about reading Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Yes. All 3150 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #624 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #624, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 take to read?

About 262 minutes of reading across 630 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section

How to work through Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 28 chapters of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Words and structures a reader meets early in Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

First: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Light: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boston: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eighteen: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.