David Copperfield Summary Flashcards

Preface

• Dickens expresses mixed feelings about completing "David Copperfield," feeling both pleasure and regret.
• The novel took two years to finish, and Dickens has grown attached to the characters.
• David Copperfield is Dickens's favorite character among all his creations.

Chapter I: I Am Born

• David Copperfield is born on a Friday at midnight, sparking predictions of bad luck and ghost sighting abilities.
• He is born with a caul, indicating a link to supernatural beliefs.
• David's father passed away six months prior to his birth; his wealthy great aunt, Betsey Trotwood, plays a significant role.

Chapter I: Family Dynamics

• Betsey Trotwood returns to her maiden title after her husband's death in India, rejecting David's mother whom she considers unsuitable.
• Mrs. Copperfield is described as young and childlike, mourning her husband's death while being pregnant.

Meeting with Miss Betsey

• Betsey visits on the day of David’s birth; her harsh remarks about the Rookery irritate Mrs. Copperfield.
• Betsey insists on naming the child Betsey Trotwood Copperfield if it's a girl and promises to be involved in the child's upbringing.

David’s Early Childhood Memories

• Some of David's first memories include his mother, Peggotty (the housekeeper), and their home.
• David recalls his childhood home with an empty pigeon house and graveyard imagery that shapes his perceptions.

Introduction of Mr. Murdstone

• Mr. Murdstone is introduced as a menacing figure, influencing Mrs. Copperfield and taking a role in David's life.
• David feels an instinctual distrust towards Mr. Murdstone and later learns the seriousness of his intentions regarding his mother.

Journey to Yarmouth

• David travels to Yarmouth with Peggotty, finding joy in the visit, meeting Peggotty’s family and beginning to understand their dynamics.
• Mr. Peggotty is kind-hearted and has taken in orphans, providing a sense of belonging for David.

Emily and David’s Bond

• David develops a childhood affection for Emily, seeing her as an angel, yet grappling with the themes of love and longing.

Mrs. Gummidge’s Character

• Mrs. Gummidge is introduced as a self-pitying widow who stirs tension within the Peggotty household, reflecting broader themes of loneliness and sacrifice.

Return to the Rookery

• Returning home, David discovers Mr. Murdstone has married his mother, leading to changes in the household that deeply affect David.
• The once welcoming home becomes a place of fear under Mr. Murdstone’s influence.

Chapter IV: I Fall Into Disgrace

• David feels overwhelmed by his mother’s marriage and struggles with intense emotional distress.
• Mr. Murdstone’s oppressive nature begins to manifest through psychological and physical abuse, altering the household dynamics permanently.

Isolation and Punishment

• David is subjected to isolation as a punishment, deepening his feelings of abandonment.
• His connection with Peggotty becomes a central emotional anchor, showcasing themes of loyalty and maternal affection.

The Transition to Boarding School

• David learns he will be sent to boarding school, marking a significant new chapter in his life.
• Despite the turmoil, he feels affection for Peggotty, who promises to look after his mother while he is away.### Chapter 5: I Am Sent Away From Home
• David seeks forgiveness from Mrs. Copperfield, who appears upset and believes he has wronged Mr. Murdstone.
• Mrs. Copperfield expresses disappointment in David's behavior and informs him he will attend school to improve.
• Peggotty braves the journey to say goodbye, giving David a purse filled with money and a heartfelt note.
• David weeps realizing he's being sent away, feeling isolated on the cart ride to Yarmouth with Mr. Barkis.

Chapter 6: I Enlarge My Circle of Acquaintance

• David meets Mr. Mell, a teacher at Salem House, who comes to fetch him from the inn.
• They stop for breakfast at an elderly woman's meager apartment; Mr. Mell plays an awful tune on the flute.
• David, feeling disheartened, arrives at Salem House during the holidays when the school is deserted.
• He discovers a sign warning others that he “bites,” lowering his confidence and creating paranoia about how others perceive him.

Chapter 7: My 'First Half' at Salem House

• The return of Mr. Creakle and students highlights David's fear; Creakle's intimidating demeanor is noted.
• Mr. Creakle is described as a tyrant, asserting his brutal authority over the boys.
• New students like Tommy Traddles and James Steerforth begin to emerge, introducing camaraderie despite the oppressive environment.
• David, though anxious, gains esteem with Steerforth, who shows initial kindness, contrasting Mr. Creakle's cruelty.

Chapter 8: My Holidays, Especially One Happy Afternoon

• David returns home, filled with nostalgia for joyful moments with his mother and Peggotty.
• He finds his mother with a new baby, feeling a moment of completeness and joy before observing her anxious demeanor.
• The arrival of Mr. and Miss Murdstone creates an ominous atmosphere, highlighting the family’s unsettled dynamics.
• Peggotty’s laughter at Mr. Barkis’s proposal offers a moment of levity, but Mrs. Copperfield's demeanor raises concern about her state of mind.

Key Themes and Dynamics

• The contrast between David’s innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood is evident throughout his journey.
• Relationships with authority figures like Mr. Creakle and Mr. Murdstone shape David's experience in school.
• The support from characters like Steerforth and Peggotty highlights moments of kindness against a backdrop of cruelty.
• Themes of familial obligation and emotional turmoil shape the challenges David faces, especially in regard to his mother’s situation.### David's Family Dynamics and Challenges
• Mrs. Copperfield and Peggotty reconcile, emphasizing their friendship amid tensions with the Murdstones.
• The Murdstones return, enforcing strict rules, including early bedtimes for David to avoid family conflict.
• David's apology to Mr. Murdstone remains overshadowed by Miss Murdstone's coldness and disdain for him.

David's Isolation and Sadness

• David feels increasingly isolated and unwelcome at the Rookery, contributing to his emotional distress.
• His mother's newfound joy upon the baby’s arrival is overshadowed by Miss Murdstone's objection to David’s presence.
• David’s experience of shame due to the Murdstones leads him to withdraw and remain unnoticed.

Funeral and Grief

• The tragic news of Mrs. Copperfield’s death and the illness of David's baby brother transforms David into an orphan.
• David attends his mother's funeral, where he is confronted with both support from Peggotty and coldness from the Murdstones.
• Memories of his mother are fond but clouded by her suffering before her death.

Aftermath of Loss

• Following the funeral, Miss Murdstone dismisses Peggotty, worsening David's loneliness.
• David is informed he will not return to school and suffers from neglect at the hands of the Murdstones.
• The Murdstones manipulate David, reinforcing their authority while isolating him from support.

Shift to Work Life

• At age ten, David is forced into a working life at Murdstone & Grinby's wine warehouse, marking a significant loss of childhood.
• David’s responsibilities at the warehouse include handling, labeling, and packing empty bottles, a stark contrast to his previous life.

Introducing New Characters

• Quinion, Mr. Murdstone's associate, and Mr. Micawber, David's new landlord, represent different facets of adult society.
• The Micawbers, despite their financial struggles, become figures of solace for David due to their shared hardships.

Struggling with Poverty

• David’s youthful innocence allows him to enjoy simple pleasures, but soon, financial struggles impact his daily life.
• He feels a connection with the Micawbers, both experiencing hardships, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Family and Social Structure

• Mrs. Micawber's frequent complaints highlight the struggles faced under financial duress, contributing to the chaotic family environment.
• Mr. Micawber’s arrest for debt shows the harsh realities of the era’s financial system and its consequences.

Adaptation to Circumstances

• David’s move to a small room near the prison symbolizes his ongoing attachment to the Micawbers and solidarity amid difficulties.
• Life at the warehouse continues to drain David, yet he finds comfort in the stability provided by the Micawber family within the prison confines.