David Copperfield, published in 1850, is often considered Charles Dickens’ most autobiographical novel, offering a comprehensive view of the traditional English society of Dickens’ time. The story is narrated in the first person and follows the life of David Copperfield, tracing his journey from an impoverished childhood to becoming a successful author.
BOOK INFO
version: CLASSIC, EBOOK, AUDIOBOOK
number of pages: 624
literary movement: VICTORIAN
literary genre: BILDUNGSROMAN
1st edition: 1850
SUMMARY
David’s life begins tragically as he loses his father before birth and his mother, Clara, when he is still a young boy. He is initially raised lovingly by Clara and their housekeeper, Peggotty, but this changes when his mother remarries the cruel and domineering Mr. Murdstone. David’s life turns into a misery as Murdstone and his equally unpleasant sister, Jane, take control of the household.
Following his mother’s death, David is sent to work in a factory by Murdstone, living in pitiable conditions. He forms a bond with Mr. Micawber during this period, a character believed to be modeled on Dickens’ own father, who despite his financial failures and irresponsibility, remains eternally optimistic. Unable to bear his circumstances, David runs away to find his great-aunt, Betsey Trotwood. Aunt Betsey, a strong and eccentric woman, agrees to raise David, rescuing him from his life of hardship.
As David grows older, he attends school and later takes up a job at the law firm of Mr. Spenlow, where he falls in love with Spenlow’s daughter, Dora. David’s life is marked by several romantic relationships, including his infatuation with Dora, a love that is immature and based largely on physical attraction. Despite their eventual marriage, David soon realizes their incompatibility due to Dora’s childishness and lack of practicality.
Parallel to his own story, David narrates the lives of several characters he encounters, including his school friend James Steerforth, the humble and loyal Peggotty family, the ever-hopeful Mr. Micawber, and the deceitful Uriah Heep, who embodies hypocrisy and obsequiousness.
Following Dora’s death, David comes to recognize his deep love for his childhood friend Agnes Wickfield. He eventually marries Agnes, marking his emotional maturity. Throughout his life, David learns that character and virtue are more important than wealth or class status, and it is these values that finally bring him happiness and success.
MAIN CHARACTERS
David Copperfield
The protagonist of the novel. David is a kind and compassionate young man who overcomes many obstacles in his life. He is an orphan who is raised by his cruel stepfather and stepsister. He runs away from home at the age of 12 and travels to London, where he finds work as a clerk. David eventually becomes a successful writer and marries Dora Spenlow. However, Dora dies young, and David is left to raise their young son, David Jr. David eventually finds love again with Agnes Wickfield, and they marry and have a happy life together.
Mr. Murdstone
David’s cruel stepfather. Mr. Murdstone is a harsh and demanding man who makes David’s life miserable. He is a lawyer who marries David’s mother, Clara Copperfield, after her husband dies. Mr. Murdstone is a strict disciplinarian who believes in beating children to teach them discipline. He is also a very controlling man who tries to dictate every aspect of David’s life.
Miss Murdstone
David’s cruel stepsister. Miss Murdstone is just as cruel as her brother, and she makes David’s life even more miserable. She is a teacher who helps Mr. Murdstone to discipline David. Miss Murdstone is a very cold and unfeeling woman who has no compassion for David.
Dora Spenlow
David’s first wife. Dora is a kind and loving young woman, but she is also very immature. She is the daughter of Mr. Spenlow, a lawyer, and his wife, Elizabeth. Dora is a very pretty and charming young woman who is loved by everyone who knows her. However, she is also very naive and irresponsible. She is not very good at managing her money, and she is often forgetful. David loves Dora very much, but he eventually realizes that she is not the right woman for him.
Agnes Wickfield
David’s second wife. Agnes is a kind and intelligent young woman, and she is the perfect match for David. She is the ward of Mr. Wickfield, a lawyer, and his wife, Betsey Trotwood. Agnes is a very intelligent and caring young woman who is always there for David when he needs her. She is also very wise and insightful, and she helps David to see the good in himself. David eventually realizes that Agnes is the woman he loves, and they marry and have a happy life together.
Mr. Micawber
David’s friend and mentor. Mr. Micawber is a kind and optimistic man, but he is also very irresponsible. He is a clerk who is always getting into financial trouble. However, he is also a very loyal and supportive friend who is always there for David when he needs him. Mr. Micawber is a very positive and upbeat person who always believes that things will get better. He is a great inspiration to David, and he helps David to never give up on his dreams.
Uriah Heep
David’s enemy. Uriah Heep is a cruel and manipulative man who tries to ruin David’s life. He is a clerk who works for Mr. Wickfield. Uriah Heep is a very ambitious and ruthless man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He is also very good at hiding his true intentions, which makes him even more dangerous. David eventually exposes Uriah Heep’s crimes, and he is sent to prison.
These are just some of the main characters in David Copperfield. The novel is a complex and moving story that explores themes of love, loss, redemption, and the importance of family and friends. The novel is a classic of English literature and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows.
These books were a way of escaping from the unhappiness of my life.
CHARLES DICKENS
TOP 10 POINTS
- David Copperfield is an orphan who is raised by his cruel stepfather, Mr. Murdstone, and his equally cruel sister, Miss Murdstone. David runs away from home at the age of 12 and travels to London, where he finds work as a clerk.
- David eventually becomes a successful writer and marries Dora Spenlow. However, Dora dies young, and David is left to raise their young son, David Jr. David eventually finds love again with Agnes Wickfield, and they marry and have a happy life together.
- David Copperfield is a semi-autobiographical novel, and many of the events in the story are based on Dickens’s own life. The novel is also a Bildungsroman, or a novel about a young person’s coming-of-age.
- David Copperfield is a complex and moving novel that explores themes of love, loss, redemption, and the importance of family and friends. The novel is a classic of English literature and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows.
- David Copperfield is a kind and compassionate young man who overcomes many obstacles in his life. He is a survivor who never gives up hope, even when things seem hopeless.
- Mr. Murdstone is a harsh and demanding man who makes David’s life miserable. He is a cruel stepfather who treats David like a servant.
- Miss Murdstone is just as cruel as her brother, and she makes David’s life even more miserable. She is a controlling and manipulative woman who tries to break David’s spirit.
- Dora Spenlow is a kind and loving young woman, but she is also very immature. She is not ready for the responsibilities of marriage, and her death is a tragic event in David’s life.
- Agnes Wickfield is a kind and intelligent young woman, and she is the perfect match for David. She is strong and supportive, and she helps David to overcome his grief and find happiness again.
- Mr. Micawber is a kind and optimistic man, but he is also very irresponsible. He is a dreamer who often gets himself into financial trouble, but he is always there for David when he needs him.
David Copperfield is a tale of personal growth and understanding, showcasing Dickens’ mastery in creating memorable characters. The novel offers a critique of the social issues of Dickens’ time, including child labor and the class system, while simultaneously providing a story of hope, resilience, and personal triumph.
MOVIE ADAPTATION
- 1910 film: This was the first film adaptation of David Copperfield. It was a silent film and was directed by Edwin S. Porter. The film starred Mary Pickford as David Copperfield.
- 1935 film: This was the first sound film adaptation of David Copperfield. It was directed by George Cukor and starred Freddie Bartholomew as David Copperfield. The film also starred W.C. Fields, Edna May Oliver, and Basil Rathbone.
- 1969 film: This was a British film adaptation of David Copperfield. It was directed by Alan Bridges and starred Alec Guinness as David Copperfield. The film also starred Maggie Smith, Michael Redgrave, and Ralph Richardson.
- 2000 film: This was a made-for-television film adaptation of David Copperfield. It was directed by Peter Medak and starred Daniel Radcliffe as David Copperfield. The film also starred Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, and Embeth Davidtz.
Each of these films has its own unique interpretation of the novel. The 1910 film is a silent film, so it relies on visuals and storytelling to convey the story. The 1935 film is a more traditional Hollywood film, with a star-studded cast and lavish production values. The 1969 film is a more faithful adaptation of the novel, with a slower pace and a focus on character development. The 2000 film is a modern adaptation of the novel, with a young cast and a more contemporary setting.
ABOUT WRITER
Charles Dickens, born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England, was a prolific author, social critic, and one of the most influential literary figures in history. His novels, filled with memorable characters and vivid portrayals of Victorian society, continue to resonate with readers worldwide. In this comprehensive article, we will examine the life of Charles Dickens, explore his most popular works, and reflect on his enduring literary legacy.
