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Masters of the English Novel
Masters of the English Novel

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Masters of the English Novel is here in full — 205 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.
Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?
Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?
The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.
English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Masters of the English Novel

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Masters of the English Novel is here in full — 205 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.
/frentʃ ˈɪnfluːəns ɪn ðə fɜːrst θɜːrd ʌv ðə ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ ˈsentʃəri ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈfɪkʃən stʊd æt ðə ˈpɑːrtɪŋ ʌv ðə weɪz/
Line 2
Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?
Line 3
Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?
Line 4
The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.
Line 5
English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.
/ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈfɪkʃən hæd ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd ðə ˈnɑːvəl wɑːz tuː ˈkɑːŋkər ðə roʊˈmæns fɔːr ˈnɪrli ə ˈsentʃəri/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

emphasize verb US /ˈemfəsaɪz/

to stress, single out as important

From this reading “Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?”

everyday adjective US /ˈevriˈdeɪ/

found in the ordinary course of events

From this reading “Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?”

extravaganza noun US /ekˌstrævəˈɡænzə/

any lavishly staged or spectacular entertainment

From this reading “The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.”

incomparable adjective US /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpərəbəl/

such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared

From this reading “The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.”

objective adjective US /əbˈdʒektɪv/

undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

From this reading “Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?”

psychology noun US /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

the science of mental life

From this reading “Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?”

roaming verb US /ˈroʊmɪŋ/

-ing form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading “Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?”

subjective adjective US /səbˈdʒektɪv/

taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias

From this reading “Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?”

All words in this reading · 110

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.

1832

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/

choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

analysisnounUS /əˈnæləsəs/

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

AustennounUS /ˈɔːstɪn/

English novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/

approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

Boz

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/

brought together in one place

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/

bring under control by force or authority

From this reading English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.

contemporaryadjectiveUS /kənˈtempəreri/

characteristic of the present

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/

method or manner of conduct in relation to others

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/

recognizable; marked

From this reading English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.

domainnounUS /doʊˈmeɪn/

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

emphasizeverbUS /ˈemfəsaɪz/

to stress, single out as important

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

everydayadjectiveUS /ˈevriˈdeɪ/

found in the ordinary course of events

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

extravaganzanounUS /ekˌstrævəˈɡænzə/

any lavishly staged or spectacular entertainment

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

FRENCHnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

incomparableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpərəbəl/

such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

INFLUENCEnounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

Jane

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

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

landsnounUS /lændz/

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

livelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/

full of life and energy

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

materialadjectiveUS /məˈtɪriəl/

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

methodnounUS /ˈmeθəd/

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading English fiction had decided: the Novel was to conquer the romance for nearly a century.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

nineteenthadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the eighteenth in position

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

NovelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

objectiveadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒektɪv/

undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

PapersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

parliamentaryadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrləˈmentəri/

relating to or having the nature of a parliament

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

partingnounUS /ˈpɑːrtɪŋ/

the act of departing politely

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

pennounUS /pen/

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

Pickwick

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

plotnounUS /plɑːt/

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

psychologynounUS /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

the science of mental life

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

putsnounUS /pʊts/

plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

realmnounUS /relm/

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

roamingverbUS /ˈroʊmɪŋ/

-ing form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

ScottnounUS /skɑːt/

award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

Shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Should it follow Scott and the romance, or Jane Austen and the Novel of everyday life?

sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

story-making

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

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

stressnounUS /stres/

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

subjectiveadjectiveUS /səbˈdʒektɪv/

taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading FRENCH INFLUENCE In the first third of the nineteenth century English fiction stood at the parting of the ways.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Should it adopt that form of story-making which puts stress on action and plot and is objective in its method, roaming all lands and times for its material; or, dealing with the familiar average of contemporary society, should it emphasize character analysis and choose the subjective realm of psychology for its peculiar domain?

writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The pen dropped from the stricken hand of Scott in 1832; in that year a young parliamentary reporter in London was already writing certain lively, closely observed sketches of the town, and four years later they were to be collected and published under the title of "Sketches by Boz," while the next year that incomparable extravaganza, "The Pickwick Papers," was to go to an eager public.

Chapter 7 of Masters of the English Novel by Richard Burton holds 205 sentences, grouped into 41 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 7 of Masters of the English Novel contain?

Chapter 7 holds 205 sentences of Masters of the English Novel, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Masters of the English Novel by Richard Burton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 205 sentences, grouped into 41 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 7 of Masters of the English Novel?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 7 be read aloud to me?

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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 Masters of the English Novel

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Is this the complete text of Masters of the English Novel?

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Which edition of Masters of the English Novel is used?

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Vocabulary met early in Masters of the English Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Masters of the English Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Masters of the English Novel, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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