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Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.
The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.
Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.
It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.
The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.
Line 2
The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.
Line 3
Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.
Line 4
It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.
Line 5
The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

All words in this reading · 121

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.

a

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

accentuate

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

afternoon

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

all

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

along

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

an

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

and

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

appeared

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

aspects

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

association

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

Barton

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

be

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

bear

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

been

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

belonged

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

between

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

but

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

by

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

cause

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

century

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

certainly

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

change

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

circumstances

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

close

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

color

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

constant

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

could

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

day

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

depression

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

despite

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

dragged

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

drooping

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

during

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

earth

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

easily

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

effect

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

established

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

everything

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

faded

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

fairly

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

fell

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

first

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

flight

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

found

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

gap

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

general

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

had

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

have

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

hours

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

however

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

I

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

ideas

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

implication

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

in

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

into

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

it

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

its

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

just

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

justified

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

life

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

loneliness

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

lost

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

main

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

me

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

melancholy

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

mere

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

moral

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

Mr

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

my

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

myself

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

never

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

not

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

occasion

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

of

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

old

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

on

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

out

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

owing

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

partly

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

pathetically

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

peculiarly

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

position

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

power

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

present

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

profound

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

quite

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

sense

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

sentiment

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

sermon

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

specific

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

spoken

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

state

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

strength

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

strongly

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

subject

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

suggested

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

Sunday

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

tell

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

that

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

the

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

their

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

this

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

time

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

to

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

toward

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

twentieth

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

unaccountably

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

uninteresting

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

utter

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

From this reading Perhaps it was partly owing to the established association of ideas that, despite the utter change in my circumstances, I fell into a state of profound depression on the afternoon of this my first Sunday in the twentieth century.

vague

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

vast

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

was

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

were

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

when

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

which

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

why

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

From this reading I never could tell just why, but Sunday afternoon during my old life had been a time when I was peculiarly subject to melancholy, when the color unaccountably faded out of all the aspects of life, and everything appeared pathetically uninteresting.

wings

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

with

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

From this reading The sermon of Mr. Barton, with its constant implication of the vast moral gap between the century to which I belonged and that in which I found myself, had had an effect strongly to accentuate my sense of loneliness in it.

without

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

From this reading It was not, however, on the present occasion a depression without specific cause, the mere vague melancholy I have spoken of, but a sentiment suggested and certainly quite justified by my position.

wont

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

From this reading The hours, which in general were wont to bear me easily on their wings, lost the power of flight, and toward the close of the day, drooping quite to earth, had fairly to be dragged along by main strength.

Chapter 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy holds 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 contain?

Chapter 27 holds 160 sentences of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 27 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 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.

  1. Open a chapter

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

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. 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.