Summary
David Copperfield is a novel by Charles Dickens exploring the life of its titular character from his troubled upbringing to his eventual success as a writer. Serialized between 1849 and 1850, and published as a book in the latter year, this literary classic opens a window into not only one character's life but also 19th-century English society, showcasing Dickens's critique of its various institutions and social norms. The novel diverges into various themes such as class structure, childhood innocence, moral growth, and the importance of family and identity.
The storyline follows David Copperfield from infancy to adulthood. His early years in Blunderstone, Suffolk, are marked by love from his mother and their housekeeper, Peggotty. However, his life takes a tumultuous turn when his mother remarries the stern and cruel Mr. Murdstone. This marriage brings about a series of unfortunate events that lead to David being sent away to a boarding school and later to London to work in a wine warehouse. Throughout these trials, David encounters a range of characters—both villainous and kind-hearted—who profoundly impact his journey towards discovering his own identity and place in the world.
Rich in both comedic and tragic elements, David Copperfield stands out for its autobiographical nature, as Dickens employs his experiences and observations to enrich the narrative. The characters, from the detestable Uriah Heep and Mr. Murdstone to the compassionate Aunt Betsey Trotwood and loyal Peggotty, are vividly brought to life, embodying various facets of human nature. The novel's intricate plot, propelled by themes of personal growth, resilience, and the quest for love and happiness, continues to resonate with readers, underscoring its lasting legacy in the canon of English literature.
Themes
Search for self-identity
Impact of societal expectations on individual lives
Effects of childhood experiences on adulthood
Class disparities and social mobility
The influence of family and friendship on character development
Struggles between innocence and corruption
Questioning the morality of actions and intentions
Role of fate and self-determination in shaping life
Reconciliation of internal conflicts towards maturity
Perseverance in the face of adversity
Setting
David Copperfield is set in England during the Victorian era, following its titular character from his youth to adulthood, capturing the essence of the period with remarkable detail and emotional depth. The novel unfolds in locations that mirror Dickens's life experiences, imbuing the narrative with autobiographical elements. The story begins in the quaint village of Blunderstone, Suffolk, in the early 19th century, a setting that establishes the intimate and pastoral beginnings of David's life. London, with its contrasting atmosphere of bustling streets and grim industrial realities, serves as the central urban backdrop, highlighting the stark disparities of the Victorian social hierarchy and the challenges of urban life. Yarmouth, Norfolk, is another key location, depicting the harshness and the beauty of seaside life, while also symbolizing transitions and the relentless passage of time.
Characters
David Copperfield: The protagonist and narrator. A promising young man who rises from an impoverished and abusive childhood to become a successful author.
Clara Copperfield: David's kind and naive mother, who dies while he is still young.
Peggotty: The loyal family servant and David's nurse, who later marries Mr. Barkis.
Mr. Murdstone: David's cruel stepfather, who believes in firm discipline.
Betsey Trotwood: David's eccentric, strong-willed, and caring great-aunt, who becomes his guardian.
Wilkins Micawber: An optimistically impecunious gentleman who befriends David and later emigrates to Australia.
Uriah Heep: A deceitful and manipulative clerk who attempts to usurp Mr. Wickfield's business.
James Steerforth: David's school friend, charming but morally weak, who seduces and abandons Little Em'ly.
Agnes Wickfield: Mr. Wickfield's wise and patient daughter, David's confidante and later his second wife.
Tommy Traddles: Another school friend of David's, kind-hearted and eventually successful.
Dora Spenlow: David's first wife, lovely but impractical. She dies young.
Mr. Wickfield: A kind lawyer and Agnes's father, whose weakness for drink allows Heep to take advantage of him.
Mr. Peggotty: Peggotty's brother, a fisherman, who searches for his niece Emily after she leaves with Steerforth.
Little Em'ly: Mr. Peggotty's niece, who runs away with Steerforth and later seeks redemption.
Dr. Strong: A schoolmaster who runs a school in Canterbury where David is educated.
Jane Murdstone: Mr. Murdstone's sister, who is equally cruel to Clara and David.
Mr. Barkis: A carrier who marries Peggotty and famously declares, "Barkis is willin.'"
Mrs. Gummidge: Mr. Peggotty's widowed lodger, who eventually finds happiness in Australia.
Martha Endell: A friend of Em'ly who falls into disgrace but redeems herself by helping to find Em'ly.
Rosa Dartle: Steerforth's cousin, marked by a physical scar that symbolizes her internal wounds caused by Steerforth.
Mr. Dick (Richard Babley): A gentle and mentally troubled man who lives with Betsey Trotwood and is obsessed with King Charles I's beheading.
Sophy Crewler: Traddles's fiancee and later wife, known for her familial dedication.
Mr. Creakle: The harsh headmaster of Salem House, the boarding school David attends.
Littimer: Steerforth’s cold and obsequious valet.
Miss Mowcher: A dwarf and hairdresser who plays a role in Steerforth and Em'ly's storyline.
Quick facts
David Copperfield was Charles Dickens's favorite novel, as well as his most autobiographical.
Dickens went to work in a shoe factory at age 12.
Dickens always longed for fame and wanted to be an actor at a young age.
Dickens wrote his first novel at age 24.
In August of 1850, Dora Annie Dickens was born. The author named his daughter after the character of Dora in David Copperfield.
Adaptations
David Copperfield has inspired numerous screen adaptations, from a 1935 American film featuring W. C. Fields as Micawber to a 1999 BBC-TV miniseries featuring Daniel Radcliffe as the young David.
About the author
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an acclaimed English novelist, trailblazing social critic, and popular entertainer of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and his genius continues to be recognized by critics and scholars around the world.
Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, Dickens was raised in a family beset by financial hardship. His father was sent to debtor's prison, and, while still a child, Charles was forced to work in a bottling factory. His early experiences of poverty and injustice deeply influenced his writing, propelling him to champion social reforms through his vivid narratives and unforgettable characters. Beginning his career as a journalist in the early 1830s, Dickens soon ventured into fiction, achieving early success with The Pickwick Papers (1836). He went on to write several influential novels, including Oliver Twist (1838), A Christmas Carol (1843), David Copperfield (1850), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), and Great Expectations (1861).
In addition to writing fiction, Dickens was an active social commentator, who used his sharp wit and mastery of satire to critique the injustices of his time, particularly the plight of the poor and the corruption endemic within the legal and social systems of Victorian England. His ability to intertwine humor with grim social realities, creating stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, confirmed his status as one of the greatest storytellers in the English language. He was a celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic, undertaking successful reading tours to public acclaim. His influence extended to the revival of the Christmas holiday and popular culture, with terms like "Scrooge" and "Bah! Humbug!" entering the mainstream vocabulary.
Dickens's legacy is preserved through numerous adaptations of his novels in film, television, and theater, reflecting the timeless appeal of his stories and characters. Dedications to his life and work, such as The Charles Dickens Museum in London and The Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth, along with worldwide celebrations of his contributions to literature, continue to reinforce the indelible mark he has left on the literary world.
