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David Copperfield

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

David Copperfield is a famous novel by the English writer Charles Dickens.

It follows the life of a boy named David from his birth to his adulthood. This type of story is called a bildungsroman, which means a story about growing up.

David Copperfield (1850) (14777862664)
David Copperfield (1850) (14777862664)

Dickens loved this book more than any other he ever wrote. He called it his greatest achievement in art. The story is a mix of real things and made-up parts. Many events in the book are based on Dickens's own life.

Dickens Gurney head
Dickens Gurney head

The story begins in Blunderstone, Suffolk, England. David is born six months after his father dies. He lives in a small house called the Rookery with his mother, Clara, and a kind housekeeper named Peggotty.

Peggotty family house, David Copperfield
Peggotty family house, David Copperfield

Things change when his mother marries a mean man named Edward Murdstone. Murdstone is a very harsh stepfather who believes in being extremely firm. After David is sent away to a school called Salem House, his mother and baby brother die.

David reaches Canterbury, from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds
David reaches Canterbury, from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds

David eventually runs away to London to find his great-aunt, Betsey Trotwood. She is an eccentric woman who decides to raise him as her own.

Dickens wrote this book in a very interesting way. He did not use a plan or an outline before he started.

Copperfield cover serial
Copperfield cover serial

Instead, he published the story in parts, called serials, during 1849 and 1850. He only had some parts of the story fixed in his mind. Other parts were decided while people were already reading the early chapters. This made the writing process very different from his earlier book, Dombey and Son. The book was finally released as a complete volume in 1850.

David Copperfield (1850) (14777068141)
David Copperfield (1850) (14777068141)

Many important characters fill David's world. There is the friendly landlord Wilkins Micawber, who faces trouble with debt.

Wilkins Micawber from David Copperfield by Frank Reynolds
Wilkins Micawber from David Copperfield by Frank Reynolds

There is also the dishonest Uriah Heep, who tries to trick a lawyer named Mr. Wickfield. David meets his true friend and later wife, Agnes Wickfield, at the Wickfield home.

Agnes Wickfield from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds
Agnes Wickfield from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds

David also has a school friend named Tommy Traddles. Even the fisherman Mr. Peggotty plays a part in the journey. Each person helps show how David changes as he grows older.

Through David's eyes, we see what life was like in Victorian England. Dickens uses the story to talk about many real problems from that time. He shows how hard it was for children working in factories.

Traddles, Micawber and David from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds
Traddles, Micawber and David from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds

He also writes about the legal system and how schools were run. The book looks at how people were treated based on their social class. By following David's hard work, we see him become a successful author. He works as a secretary and learns shorthand to help his career. In the end, David finds true happiness with Agnes and their five children.

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🖼️ Images & Media (36)
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File:Sir Anthony Van Dyck - Charles I (1600-49) - Google Art Project.jpg
Sir Anthony Van Dyck - Charles I...
File:Yarmouth engraving by William Miller after Turner.jpg
Yarmouth engraving by William Miller...
File:David Copperfield 1850 p512.png
David Copperfield 1850 p512.png
File:David Copperfield (1850) (14777862664).jpg
David Copperfield (1850) (14777862664).jpg
File:David Copperfield (1850) (14777068141).jpg
David Copperfield (1850) (14777068141).jpg
File:Traddles, Micawber and David from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg
Traddles, Micawber and David from David...
File:Dora Spenlow from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg
Dora Spenlow from David Copperfield art...
File:Mr. Dick and his kite, from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg
Mr. Dick and his kite, from David...
File:Wilkins Micawber from David Copperfield by Frank Reynolds.jpg
Wilkins Micawber from David Copperfield...
File:David reaches Canterbury, from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg
David reaches Canterbury, from David...
File:Steerforth from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg
Steerforth from David Copperfield art by...

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