David Copperfield

David Copperfield begins his novel by establishing himself as both its author and looking-back narrator. David shares that by the time of his birth, his father had already died. He feels strange about the fact that his father never saw him.

Foreboding signs mark David’s birth. A local woman remarks that spirits will haunt David. He is born with a caul—a cap-like piece of fetal membrane around his head—that his mother auctions off to superstitious locals who believe the caul will protect them from drowning.

Just before David is born, his father’s aunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood, confronts his mother. Miss Betsey informs the overwhelmed young mother-to-be that she plans to adopt her child upon birth. Miss Betsey wants to prevent men from using the baby in the same way men have used both her and David’s mother.

Once David is born, Miss Betsey comes to claim him. When the doctor, Mr. Chillip, informs her that David is a boy, she storms from the house. 

David recalls his earliest childhood memories, reflecting that most people’s memories travel deeper into the past than they believe they can. His early memories revolve around his young mother, Clara Copperfield, and their kind servant, Clara Peggotty. The three of them share a very close-knit bond, whereby both David and his mother turn to Peggotty for care, affection, and guidance.

David also recalls the spaces that loomed large in his childhood experiences. He observes strange absences in these spaces, such as the pigeon house without any pigeons and the dog kennel without any dog. David also remembers uncanny connections he’d make as a child, such as his fear when hearing Peggotty read the Biblical story of Lazarus that his father would rise from the grave.

Peggotty answers David’s questions about the world around him. As David’s questions begin to focus on marriage, his mother brings home an older man named Mr. Murdstone. David immediately dislikes Mr. Murdstone, and Peggotty shares his feelings.

One day, Mr. Murdstone takes David out with him while he meets with two business associates. David pointedly observes that Mr. Murdstone seems much more serious than the other two gentlemen. David overhears Mr. Murdstone talking with one of these men about his plans to marry David’s mother.

When David returns, his mother coyly asks him to repeat what the men have been saying about her. Seeing this exchange, Peggotty ushers David aside and proposes a trip to visit her brother’s family. It’s clear to young David that Peggotty simply wants to get him out of the house, though he doesn’t understand why. 

Peggotty’s working-class hometown of Yarmouth fascinates David. He is even more amazed by the old boat that her brother, Mr. Daniel Peggotty, has converted into a house. Mr. Peggotty introduces David to his adopted children: Ham (the son of his brother Joe) and Little Em’ly (the daughter of his brother-in-law Tom). He explains that both of their fathers drowned. They also live with a widow named Mrs. Gummidge (her husband used to work on a boat with Daniel).

Little Em'ly and David spend the day playing together on the beach, bonding over the shared loss of their fathers. Em’ly confesses that someday, she would like to become a gentlewoman. As David recalls the image of Em'ly by the sea, he muses that he was in love with her, and that this childhood love was purer than "the best love of a later time of life” (99). David wishes the sea had consumed Em'ly in that pure childhood moment, thus saving her from a lifetime of hardship).

When David and Peggotty return home, he finds that his mother has married Mr. Murdstone. Mr. Murdstone asserts an ominous power over David’s mother, forbidding her to display too much emotion when she comes to greet her son. David observes that the once-empty kennel has been “filled up with a great dog—deep mouthed and black-haired like [Mr. Murdstone]” (113). 

The changes Mr. Murdstone has brought to his home deeply distress David. David cries in his room, but when his mother attempts to go comfort him, Mr. Murdstone admonishes her, ordering her to be strict. He warns David that there will now be consequences for misbehavior in his household, comparing him to an obstinate dog that must be beaten into submission.

Mr. Murdstone’s grim, stern sister, Miss Jane Murdstone, comes to stay in their house. Miss Murdstone takes over all domestic matters in the household, threatening David’s mother whenever she attempts to intervene. Both Murdstones repeatedly preach the necessity of maintaining firmness. David’s mother is upset by her husband’s severe attitude toward her. She reflects that he once found her youth and inexperience charming, but now reproaches her for those qualities.

David’s mother homeschools him, but the Murdstones’ scolding frequently interrupt his lessons. David finds it difficult to perform under pressure, and frequently forgets what he has been taught. David’s only comfort is the small library of adventure books formerly owned by his father. He seeks to escape his harsh reality through these books and their heroes.

Overwhelmed by Mr. Murdstone’s frequent beatings, David retaliates, biting Mr. Murdstone’s hand. As punishment, Mr. Murdstone locks him in his room for five days. At the end of David’s punishment, Peggotty tells David that on the next morning, he will be sent to a boarding school near London.

Peggotty sends David off with a heartfelt embrace, some cakes, a purse of shillings, and a loving note from his mother. David rides off with Mr. Barkis, a postman with whom he shares his cakes. Impressed by the cakes, Mr. Barkis tells David to write to Peggotty and let her know that he’d marry her.

Mr. Barkis stops at an inn so David can switch to his London coach. At the inn, David experiences confusion about his dinner, which is waiting under the name Murdstone. The waiter then waxes about the hardships of his sister and aged parent, manipulating David into giving up much of his money as a tip. The fellow inn guests then tease David about the size of his dinner, and he is so embarrassed that he refuses to eat for the rest of the journey. As a result, he arrives in London hungry and dispirited.

From a distance, London seems like a wonderful place. When David arrives, however, he waits for several hours before his host, Mr. Mell, retrieves him. Mr. Mell explains that he is one of the Masters at the Salem House boarding school. On the way to the school, they stop at a charity house where an old woman makes a simple breakfast for David.

Salem House is quiet because all the other boys are away on holiday. Upon David’s arrival, Mr. Mell apologetically explains that he has been ordered to place a sign on David’s back. The sign reads, “TAKE CARE OF HIM. HE BITES” (193).

Throughout the remainder of the holiday, David works hard alongside Mr. Mell, toiling until seven or eight in the evening. Though his environment is far from relaxing, David appreciates the company of Mr. Mell and finds it far preferable to that of Mr. Murdstone. 

When the Headmaster, Mr. Creakle, returns to Salem House, he summons David. Mr. Creakle is an oddly frightening figure: a stout gentleman with a red alcoholic face and a voice that never rises above a whisper. Mr. Creakle is friends with Mr. Murdstone and shares Mr. Murdstone’s ideas about firmness. Throughout the conversation, a man with a wooden leg named Tungay stands beside Mr. Creakle, repeating choice phrases in a parrot-like manner.

David befriends Tommy Traddles, the first boy who returns from holiday. Amused by David’s “TAKE CARE OF HIM. HE BITES.” sign, Tommy shows his new friend off to the other boys, endearing him to them. James Steerforth, a wealthy, handsome, and intelligent older student, especially fascinates David. Steerforth manipulates David into spending his few remaining shillings on wine, biscuits, and fruit, which he then divides among boys at a party in his dorm room. David notes that Steerforth treats him as his own property.

David’s new friends tell him that Mr. Creakle is a fierce man known for mercilessly beating his students (though Steerforth jokes that Mr. Creakle is unintelligent and knows little more than “the art of slashing” (212)). Steerforth is the only student Mr. Creakle never dares subject to physical punishment.

On the first day of school, Mr. Creakle warns the students that if they fail any of their lessons, they will be severely beaten. Because David is known for “biting,” Mr. Creakle immediately uses him as an example, hitting him with his cane and asking how he likes those “bites.”

Mr. Creakle seems to delight in viciously mocking students who stand out in any way, including David’s clumsy, overweight friend Tommy Traddles. David notices that Traddles frequently comforts himself by drawing skeletons on his slate. Though subject to frequent abuse, Traddles is always noble, and never tattles on fellow students.

David learns that Steerforth suffers from insomnia. Steerforth asks David to keep him company and tell him stories. Desperate for Steerforth’s approval, David stays up with him night after night despite being tired. When a care package from Peggotty arrives, David immediately gives it Steerforth, feeling it his duty to do so.

Late one night, David tells Steerforth about going to visit the old woman at the charity house with Mr. Mell. Soon after, Steerforth and Mr. Mell get into a fight. During this fight, Steerforth learns that the old woman is Mr. Mell’s mother. When Mr. Creakle comes to investigate, Steerforth reveals the truth of Mr. Mell’s poverty. When Mr. Mell objects that Steerforth is humiliating him, Mr. Creakle responds by praising Steerforth and firing Mr. Mell. As David watches Mr. Mell gather his belongings, he feels sorry for him.

Soon after this incident, Mr. Peggotty and Ham visit David. They report that Peggotty and Mrs. Gummidge are doing well, and that Little Em’ly in particular has grown into a beautiful, intelligent young woman. When they present the food they’ve brought for David, Steerforth comes by and chats. David observes that Steerforth is capable of holding a charming conversation with Peggotty despite their class differences.

David notes that the rest of the year is a muddle in his memory, and that he lives in a state of constant dread that he will be “sent for” (267) by Mr. Creakle. 

David’s holiday arrives, and he rides back home with Mr. Barkis. On the way, David informs Mr. Barkis that he’s relayed the message of his “willingness” to Peggotty. Mr. Barkis has been waiting for Peggotty to give him her answer, but she has not replied. David offers to ask Peggotty about Mr. Barkis’ proposal in person.

Back home, David learns he has a new baby brother, and that the Murdstones have gone to visit a friend in another neighborhood. David, his mother, his baby brother, and Peggotty enjoy a comforting fireside dinner by themselves. During dinner, David brings up Barkis’ proposal. Peggotty replies that she could never marry anyone because she doesn’t want to desert David’s mother.

Soon after, Peggotty and David’s mother argue over Mr. Murdstone’s mistreatment. David’s mother defends Mr. Murdstone, believing that she needs his guidance, as she is “a weak, light, girlish creature, and that he is a firm, grave, serious man” (277). David’s mother seems unsure of her own defense, however, telling Peggotty, “I worry and condemn myself, and feel doubtful of my own heart, and don’t know what to do” (278).

When the Murdstones return the next morning, David apologizes for biting his stepfather’s hand. Tension soon erupts, however, when David picks up his baby brother. Miss Murdstone furiously demands that David never touch the baby again. Though David’s mother tries to deflect this order by observing the likeness between David and the baby, Miss Murdstone coldly insists that the baby is Mr. Murdstone’s and “They are not at all alike” (284).

At the end of David’s holiday, Mr. Barkis comes to drive him back to school. As they leave, David’s mother holds up his brother as a quiet peace offering. 

On David’s birthday, Mrs. Creakle tells him that his mother has died. Though deeply saddened, David experiences strange emotional distance from the situation. He even feels a sense of melancholy satisfaction when he notices fellow students observing his grief.

A funeral director named Mr. Omer picks David up by coach. Mr. Omer takes David to his shop, where he sits with Mr. Omer’s daughter Minnie and her boyfriend, Mr. Joram. While he constructs the coffin for David’s mother, Mr. Joram tells David that his baby brother also died a few days ago and will be buried in his mother’s arms. Processing this news, David finds himself entranced by the rhythm of the hammer on the coffin. He feels a strange confluence of emotions, divided between pain and the knowledge that life will go on.

After the funeral, Peggotty comes to comfort David, and tells him that the last time his mother truly seemed like her old self was the evening they all had dinner together. David reflects, “The mother who lay in the grave, was the mother of my infancy; the little creature in her arms, was myself, as I had once been, hushed for ever on her bosom” (321).