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: David Copperfield
David Copperfield Study Guide & Essays
When Charles Dickens sat down to write what would eventually become the novel David Copperfield, he first intended to write an autobiography, a recollection of his tumultuous, eventful life. Many of his memories, however, were too painful for him to record as they truly were, so David Copperfield…
David Copperfield study guide contains a biography of Charles Dickens, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
- Short Summary
- About David Copperfield
- Character List
- Glossary of Terms
- Major Themes
- Quotes and Analysis
- Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-5
- Summary and Analysis of Chapters 6-10
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I need to know one sentence about each important character in the story. Can you help me?
Chapter 53: Even I have trouble with Dickens’s point of view—that Dora is better off dead, then a disappointment to her husband. Were we intended to accept this point of view as wise? Knowing what we do of his marriage to, and attitude toward, Katherine, I wonder if she interpreted Copperfield as a statement that she too would have been better off dead, because she was not a satisfactory spouse for Dickens.
What are we to take away from (other than sadness) the final scene, when David's mother holds up David's brother for him to see and stands there motionless looking at David.
Dickens is careful to emphasize the motionlessness--it's one of the many powerful images in this book. Clara knows she is dying (her remarks to Peggotty that Peggotty won't have to wait long before she is free to marry). Is Clara saying to her son, Remember your brother? What is she saying by this gesture.
Dickens is careful to emphasize the motionlessness--it's one of the many powerful images in this book. Clara knows she is dying (her remarks to Peggotty that Peggotty won't have to wait long before she is free to marry). Is Clara saying to her son, Remember your brother? What is she saying by this gesture.
