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The Return of the Native
The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXII · Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 216 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Return of the Native
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.
It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.
The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.
The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.
He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXII · Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of The Return of the Native is here in full — 216 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.
Line 2
It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.
Line 3
The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.
Line 4
The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.
Line 5
He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

All words in this reading · 89

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 He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

after

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

afternoon

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

again

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

already

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

and

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

antecedent

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

as

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

awakened

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

be

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

been

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

but

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

by

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

closed

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

come

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

constructed

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

days

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

decisively

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

door

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

early

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

evening

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

expression

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

fostered

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

found

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

from

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

funeral

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

garden

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

gate

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

gone

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

had

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

has

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

He

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

him

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

himself

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

hour

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

illusion

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

in

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

It

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

journeyed

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

just

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

large

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

left

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

lintel

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

locked

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

longer

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

many

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

never

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

no

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

not

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

occasions

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

of

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

on

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

one

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

onward

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

opened

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

or

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

out

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

place

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

precisely

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

quickly

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

reached

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

she

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

shutters

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

similarities

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

sleep

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

slow

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

spider

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

stupefying

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

such

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

supposition

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

that

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

the

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

them

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

there

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

these

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

those

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

to

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

tone

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

tying

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

unlocked

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

valley

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

walk

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

was

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

web

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

welcome

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

were

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

when

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

who

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

would

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

Chapter 32 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy holds 216 sentences, grouped into 44 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 32 of The Return of the Native contain?

Chapter 32 holds 216 sentences of The Return of the Native, unabridged, divided into 44 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 32 of The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 216 sentences, grouped into 44 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 32 of The Return of the Native?

Work through the 44 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 44 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 32 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 32 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 Return of the Native

Common questions about reading The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Return of the Native?

Yes. All 8619 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #122 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Return of the Native is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #122, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Return of the Native take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1724 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Return of the Native section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Return of the Native 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 Return of the Native

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Return of the Native, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Three
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Women
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Return of the Native; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.