day 131
David CopperfieldIt's not often I've read a book of such scope and magnitude as Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. My only motivation in reading it is that it was the biggest, cheapest book I could find at Media Play before I left for Korea that was also a classic, an area I've wanted to concentrate on recently. I knew nothing about the book and I never anticipated it would take me over three months to read and become one of the most difficult books I would ever undertake. At over 800 pages and full of the language commonly used when it was published in 1850, be prepared for a challenge.
In the end, the undertaking was more than worth it. The story purports to be the autobiography of the fictional character David Copperfield. It was originally published in serial form in England and then later released in book form.
I have little worthwhile to report on the book other than how it affected me. I can't recall reading a secular book that had such a profound impact as to make me want to be a better person. Copperfield recounts the people and events of his life from birth through, I believe, his early thirties. Without preaching, he weaves a credible and vast cross-section of experiences that show the triumph of honesty and hard work, the consequences of deception, and the importance of character. The book contains, by my count, 44 significant characters, most of whom wind up reaping the consequences of their actions, good and bad. Just as Dickens expressed his fondness for Copperfield, I was sorry when the book came to an end.
In perhaps the same way I am enamored by Shakespeare, David Copperfield won me over through Dickens' insights into human nature. His observations are keen, succinct, and timeless. This book was a chore but I am a better person for reading it. I am conscious that may sound silly but it remains a statement of the truth.
Memorable Quotes"Barkis is willin'." -Mr. Barkis, page 60.
"I feel as if it were not for me to record, even though this manuscript is intended for no eyes but mine, how hard I worked at that tremendous short-hand, and all improvement appertaining to it, in my sense of responsibility to Dora and her aunts. I will only add, to what I have already written on my perseverance at this time of my life, and of a patient and continuous energy which then began to be matured within me, and which I know to be the strong part of my character, if it have any strength at all that there, on looking back, I find the source of my success. I have been very fortunate in worldly matters; many men have worked much harder, and not succeeded half so well; but I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time, no matter how quickly its successor should come upon its heels, which I then formed. Heaven knows I write this, in no spirit of self-laudation. The man who reviews his own life, as I do mine, in going on here, from page to page, had need to have been a good man indeed, if he would be spared the sharp consciousness of many talents neglected, many opportunities wasted, many erratic and perverted feelings constantly at war within his breast, and defeating him. I do not hold one natural gift, I dare say, that I have not abused. My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest. I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end. There is no such things as such fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness. Never to put one hand to anything, on which I could throw my whole self; and never to affect depreciation of my work, whatever it was; I find, now, to have been my golden rules." -David Copperfield, page 559
"There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose." -Mrs. Strong, page 610
". . . I should be thankful to him for having saved me from the first mistaken impulse of my undisciplined heart." -Mrs. Strong, page 611
"It's very much to be wished that some mothers would leave their daughters alone after marriage, and not be so violently affectionate. They seem to think the only return that can be made them for bringing an unfortunate young woman into the world - God bless my soul, as if she asked to be brought, or wanted to come! - is full liberty to worry her out of it again." -Betsey Trotwood, page 613
"Of all my books I like this the best. It will be easily believed that I am a fond parent to every child of my fancy, and that no one can ever love that family as dearly as I love them. But, like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield." -Charles Dickens
Significant CharactersA nearly exhaustive list, probably of interest to no one but me.
- David Copperfield - title character, also called "Trot " or "Trotwood" by his Aunt Betsey, Mr. Dick and some of his friends, "Daisy" by Steerforth, and "Doady" by his wife Dora.
- Clara Copperfield - David's young unfortunate mother.
- David Copperfield Sr. - David's father who died before he was born.
- Betsey Copperfield - David's fictional sister, kept alive by his Aunt Betsey.
- Pegotty - David's "nurse" or nanny from childhood.
- Betsey Trotwood - David's aunt and guardian.
- Mr. Chillip - David's childhood doctor.
- Mr. Murdstone - David's wicked stepfather.
- Miss Murdstone - Mr. Murdstone's cruel sister.
- Mr. Barkis - the town carrier and eventual husband to Pegotty.
- Mr. Dan Pegotty - Pegotty's brother, uncle/guardian to Ham and Emily.
- Ham Pegotty - Emily's noble, betrayed fiance.
- Emily Pegotty - Ham's cousin, David's first childhood crush.
- Mrs. Gummidge - Mr. Pegotty's "lone and lorn" housekeeper.
- Mr. Omer - the town undertaker in David's hometown.
- Mr. Joram - Mr. Omer's son.
- James Steerforth - David's popular but deceptive schoolmate.
- Mrs. Steerforth - Steerforth's wealthy mother.
- Rosa Dartle - Mrs. Steerforth's tenant, victim of Steerforth's cruelty.
- Littimer - Steerforth's butler.
- Traddles - David's childhood schoolmate and adult friend.
- Sophy Traddles - Traddles' wife.
- Mr. Wilkins Micawber - David's inept but well-meaning friend.
- Mrs. Emma Micawber - Mr. Wilkins' wife.
- Mr. Wickfield - town attorney, provided room/board for David.
- Agnes Wickfield - Mr. Wickfield's daughter and David's best friend.
- Uriah Heep - Mr. Wickfield's 'umble employee/business partner.
- Mrs. Heep - Uriah's equally spineless mother.
- Mrs. Crupp - David's London landlord.
- Mr. Francis Spenlow - David's employer at court and Dora's father.
- Dora Spenlow - David's "child-wife" bride.
- Jip - Dora's annoying little dog.
- Julia Mills - Dora's bosom friend.
- Mr. Jorkins - Mr. Spenlow's silent business partner.
- Miss Clarissa Spenlow - Mr. Spenlow's sister, Dora's guardian.
- Miss Lavina Spenlow - Mr. Spenlow's sister, Dora's guardian.
- Old Creakle - Traddles' tormenting schoolmaster.
- Miss Mowcher - a wise dwarf, introduced to David by Steerforth.
- Mr. Dick - Betsey Trotwood's mentally-challenged but insightful tenant.
- Doctor Strong - David's schoolmaster, would-be author of the Dictionary.
- Mrs. Strong - Doctor Strong's young wife.
- Mrs. Markleham - Mrs. Strong's overbearing mother.
- Jack Maldon - Mrs. Strong's cousin and would-be suitor.
- Martha - a servant girl who helps Emily run away with Steerforth
