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The Pickwick Papers
The Pickwick Papers

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Pickwick Papers is here in full — 290 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Charles Dickens • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 20 of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens holds 290 sentences, grouped into 58 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 20 of The Pickwick Papers contain?

Chapter 20 holds 290 sentences of The Pickwick Papers, unabridged, divided into 58 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 290 sentences, grouped into 58 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 20 of The Pickwick Papers?

Work through the 58 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 58 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Pickwick Papers

Common questions about reading The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Pickwick Papers?

Yes. All 16626 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #580 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Pickwick Papers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #580, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Pickwick Papers take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 3326 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Pickwick Papers section by section

How to work through The Pickwick Papers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of The Pickwick Papers 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 Pickwick Papers

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Pickwick Papers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Detailed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pickwick Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Contents
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pickwick Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pickwickians
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pickwick Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Pickwick Papers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Pickwick Papers
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.
BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH
There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.
There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.
A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Pickwick Papers

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of The Pickwick Papers is here in full — 290 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.
Line 2
BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH
Line 3
There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.
Line 4
There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.
Line 5
A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.
All words in this reading · 59

Every word is available to listen to. 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 DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
about

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
acceptation

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
always

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
are

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
AT

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
BACHELOR'S

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
BOB

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
BOROUGH

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
but

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
BY

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
by-street

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
come

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
denomination

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
desirable

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
DID

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
dulness

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
first

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
gentle

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
GIVEN

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
good

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
HIS

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
house

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
houses

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
IN

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
is

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
it

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
its

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
Lant

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
let

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
LODGINGS

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
many

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
melancholy

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
most

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
MR

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
nevertheless

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
not

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
PARTY

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

From this reading DID, A BACHELOR’S PARTY, GIVEN BY MR.

Pending verification
rate

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
repose

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
residence

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
SAWYER

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
sheds

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
soothing

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
soul

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
spot

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
Street

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
strict

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
term

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
THE

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

From this reading BOB SAWYER AT HIS LODGINGS IN THE BOROUGH

Pending verification
There

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
too

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

From this reading There are always a good many houses to let in the street: it is a by-street too, and its dulness is soothing.

Pending verification
upon

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
which

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

From this reading There is a repose about Lant Street, in the Borough, which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul.

Pending verification
within

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification
would

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

From this reading A house in Lant Street would not come within the denomination of a first- rate residence, in the strict acceptation of the term; but it is a most desirable spot nevertheless.

Pending verification