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The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Mayor of Casterbridge
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms length.
They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.
As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.
This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.
The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at armslength.
Line 2
They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.
Line 3
As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.
Line 4
This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.
Line 5
The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.”

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.”

All words in this reading · 108

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 This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

advanced

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

alarmed

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

an

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

and

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

approach

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

arms

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

As

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

at

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

backs

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

barn

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

be

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

been

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

behind

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

being

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

bull

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

but

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

by

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

caused

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

charge

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

closed

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

controlled

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

dangling

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

decided

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

deference

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

deliberate

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

did

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

doors

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

driven

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

drover

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

escaped

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

eyes

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

facing

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

for

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

girls

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

green

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

had

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

hard

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

he

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

head

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

helpless

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

hiding-place

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

him

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

his

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

horns

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

hurdle-stick

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

in

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

It

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

kept

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

length

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

long

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

looked

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

made

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

manner

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

means

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

no

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

not

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

observed

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

of

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

old

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

on

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

one

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

opening

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

or

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

pair

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

pond

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

propped

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

really

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

revealed

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

round

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

run

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

savage

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

save

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

seek

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

shelter

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

shown

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

slimy

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

some

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

sooner

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

staff

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

stick

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

terrify

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

than

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

that

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

the

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

their

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

them

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

they

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

this

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

thoroughly

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

thought

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

From this reading They looked round for some shelter or hiding-place, and thought of the barn hard by.

till

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

to

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

too

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

tossed

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

turn

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

From this reading As long as they had kept their eyes on the bull he had shown some deference in his manner of approach; but no sooner did they turn their backs to seek the barn than he tossed his head and decided to thoroughly terrify them.

two

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

usual

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

From this reading The barn stood behind a green slimy pond, and it was closed save as to one of the usual pair of doors facing them, which had been propped open by a hurdle-stick, and for this opening they made.

was

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

way

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

were

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

whereupon

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

which

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

wildly

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

From this reading This caused the two helpless girls to run wildly, whereupon the bull advanced in a deliberate charge.

women

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

young

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

From this reading It was not till they observed this dangling stick that the young women were really alarmed; for it revealed to them that the bull was an old one, too savage to be driven, which had in some way escaped, the staff being the means by which the drover controlled him and kept his horns at arms’ length.

Chapter 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge contain?

Chapter 23 holds 169 sentences of The Mayor of Casterbridge, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 23 of The Mayor of Casterbridge?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 The Mayor of Casterbridge

Common questions about reading The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Mayor of Casterbridge?

Yes. All 6288 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #143 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Mayor of Casterbridge is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #143, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Mayor of Casterbridge take to read?

About 524 minutes of reading across 1258 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Mayor of Casterbridge section by section

How to work through The Mayor of Casterbridge section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of The Mayor of Casterbridge 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 The Mayor of Casterbridge

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Mayor of Casterbridge, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Death
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mayor of Casterbridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Character
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mayor of Casterbridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mayor of Casterbridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Summer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mayor of Casterbridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.