| “ | I was a captive and a slave. I loved Dora Spenlow to distraction! She was more than human to me. She was a Fairy, a Sylph, I don't know what she was--anything that no one ever saw, and everything that everybody ever wanted. | „ |
| ~ David Copperfield |
David Copperfield is the protagonist of Charles Dickens's book of David Copperfield. He is the son of Clara Copperfield and Mr Copperfield (Name not mentioned). He is the stepson of Edward Murdstone.
Biography[]
Six months before David's birth, his father died. When he was born his mother, Clara Copperfield was visited by her husband's aunt, Betsey Trotwood. After realising that Clara gave birth to a boy, she storms away with anger, as she wanted a girl. When David was eight years old, his mother met Edward Murdstone and married him. Dickens mentioned in the novel that Clara wore pretty dresses when Edward came to meet her. However, David faced harsh treatment in house from his stepfather Edward and step aunt Jane (Edward's sister). It is also mentioned that David was thrashed mercilessly by Edward for falling back in studies. In return, David bit Edward's fingers severely. Humiliated, Edward sends David to Salem house, a boarding school which is owned by his friend Mr Creakle who is equally abusive like him. David mentioned that David faced harsh treatment even in his boarding school and that Mr Creakle knew nothing except thrashing the students. After returning from his boarding school, David is elated to find that his mother gave birth to a boy (Murdstone's son and David's Brother.) But three months later, Clara and her baby dies. After Clara's death, Edward sens him to a vine bottling company owned by him (Murdstone and Grinby's) where, Murdstone's friend, Wilkins Micawber works. Unlike Murdstone, Wilkins takes good care of David like his own son. After releasing from the debtors prison, Micawber is forced to move to Plyworth. David flees from the factory to find his great aunt Betsey Trotwood. At first, Betsey doesn't recognise him. But later, after David introduce himself, Betsey warmly welcomes her grand nephew. Betsey sends a letter to Murdstone about David's arrival. Murdstone sets to Dover to plan David's future with Betsey. Betsey agrees to take over as David's legal guardian. However, she kicks out at Murdstone for ruining Clara's and David's life. She calls him a 'fate' for causing Clara's death.
The rest of the novel deals with David's struggles in life. He also mentions his friendship with J.Steerforth. He also mentions about Uriah Heep a cruel man who finds joy in cheating families. David mentions on how he fell in love with Dora Spenlow, the daughter of Mr Spenlow, his boss.
David also mentions about Agnes Wickfield, who takes good care of David due to which David calls Agnes a "good angel" of his. Agnes warns that Steerforth is his "bad angel" since, David trusted him.
Though David's life is tragical. It gives a happy ending. In the end, he marries Agnes and leads a normal life without obstacles.
Personality[]
David is innocent, trusting, and naïve even though he suffers abuse as a child. He is idealistic and impulsive and remains honest and loving. Though David’s troubled childhood renders him sympathetic, he is not perfect. He often exhibits chauvinistic attitudes toward the lower classes. In some instances, foolhardy decisions mar David’s good intentions. He is bubbly and fun loving.