David Copperfield
Summary
David Copperfield is a famous novel by Charles Dickens, who called it his “favourite child” because it was so personal. He started writing it in 1848 and finished by 1850. It’s semi-autobiographical—David’s tough childhood, like working in a factory, mirrors Dickens’ own life. Written in the first person, it’s his first novel like that, blending real life, love, and social jabs with a personal, emotional vibe. It first came out in monthly parts from May 1849 to November 1850, published by Bradbury and Evans. There were 19 instalments, ending with a double issue (Total 20 issues), and it became a full book in 1850. Each part cost a shilling, came in a green cover, and had illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne, known as “Phiz,” like David’s escape or the storm. Fans loved it month by month, hooked on its heart and realness.
David Copperfield is a big, warm-hearted story about a boy growing up, facing hard times, finding love, and making a good life for himself. Charles Dickens tells it from David’s point of view, adding parts of his own childhood struggles to make it feel honest and close. It starts with David’s birth in a small English town called Blunderstone. His kind mother, Clara, is a young widow—David’s father died before he was born. Life is cozy with their loving housekeeper, Peggotty, who treats David like her own child.
But when David is about seven, everything changes. Clara marries Mr. Murdstone, a strict and unkind man who wants to control everything. His cold sister, Jane Murdstone, moves in too, and together they make life miserable. They treat Clara like a child and David like a burden. David is sent away to a tough school called Salem House, run by the cruel Mr. Creakle. There, David meets two boys who become important in his life—Tommy Traddles, a cheerful, kind boy who likes to draw skeletons, and James Steerforth, a charming older student who is friendly but selfish deep down.
Things get worse when Clara dies, and her baby dies too. David is only ten and is crushed by the loss. The Murdstones don’t care—they stop his education and send him to work in a dirty warehouse in London, sticking labels on wine bottles. He stays with the Micawber family, who are always broke but full of life and laughter. Mr. Micawber dreams big but can’t manage money, and Mrs. Micawber tries to keep their home together. David is lonely and miserable until he decides to run away to find his great-aunt, Betsey Trotwood.
David walks a long way to Dover and finds Aunt Betsey, who once stormed off when he was born because she wanted a girl. She’s strong and strict but has a kind heart. She lives with a gentle man named Mr. Dick, who loves flying kites and writing in his “Memorial.” Aunt Betsey frightens off the Murdstones, adopts David, and gives him a proper home and a chance to grow.
She sends him to school in Canterbury, where David stays with a lawyer, Mr. Wickfield, and his smart, kind daughter, Agnes. Agnes becomes like a sister to David and is always calm and supportive. But Mr. Wickfield has a drinking problem, and his creepy clerk, Uriah Heep, pretends to be humble while secretly taking control of the business. David studies hard and becomes more grown-up. He also visits Peggotty’s family in the seaside town of Yarmouth. There, he meets Peggotty’s brother Daniel, his strong nephew Ham, and their pretty niece Emily, whom David loves like a cousin. Their boathouse home is full of warmth and care.
Back in London, David starts training to be a lawyer and meets Steerforth again. Steerforth still seems charming, but trouble is coming. When they visit Yarmouth, Steerforth meets Emily and later convinces her to run away with him, breaking Ham’s heart and leaving her uncle, Mr. Peggotty, heartbroken. David is shocked and angry but feels powerless to stop it.
At the same time, David falls in love with Dora Spenlow, the cute but childish daughter of his boss. Dora is sweet but doesn’t know how to cook, clean, or handle real life. They get married and laugh through the mess, but things turn sad when Dora loses a baby and becomes ill. She dies young, and David is left heartbroken. Around that time, a terrible storm hits Yarmouth. Ham tries to rescue a shipwreck victim and drowns—David later finds out it was Steerforth on the ship. Both are lost at sea. Mr. Peggotty finds Emily, who had been abandoned abroad, and brings her home. She’s hurt and ashamed, but alive.
After all these losses, David is lost too. He travels across Europe, trying to heal and writing stories that help him understand his pain. His books start to sell well, and Agnes’s letters give him hope. She’s always been his steady friend. Back in England, he visits Traddles, now a successful lawyer married to a kind woman named Sophy. David also learns that Mr. Peggotty, Emily, and the Micawbers are moving to Australia for a fresh start. He says goodbye—Micawber is still dramatic but hopeful, and Emily waves quietly from the ship.
Later, David and Traddles visit a prison, where their old schoolmaster Creakle now works. He shows off how he’s reformed some prisoners. David meets two familiar faces—Uriah Heep, locked up for fraud, and Littimer, Steerforth’s old servant, jailed for robbery. Miss Mowcher, a brave little woman, helped catch Littimer. David sees through Uriah’s lies and leaves without pity.
Back home, David starts to realize his true feelings for Agnes. He’s loved her for a long time but thought she only saw him as a brother. At Christmas, he visits her and finally tells her how he feels. She cries and says she’s loved him forever too. They marry soon after in a small, joyful ceremony with friends and family, including Aunt Betsey, who cries from happiness. Agnes tells David that Dora, before dying, wished she could take her place.
Ten years later, David is a successful writer, living in London with Agnes and their three children. One spring evening, Mr. Peggotty visits from Australia. They share drinks and stories. He tells David that life there has been good—Emily helps care for sick children, Martha is married, and Micawber is now a judge giving speeches. Peggotty visits Ham’s grave and takes a bit of grass for Emily. He leaves happy, having seen David and Agnes well and settled.
In the end, David looks back at everyone’s lives. Aunt Betsey is old but full of energy. Peggotty still reads to the children. Mr. Dick flies his kites. Traddles and Sophy have a big, cheerful family. Even characters like Rosa Dartle and Mrs. Strong are still around, their lives changed in quiet ways. David keeps writing late into the night, Agnes beside him, her presence still his greatest peace.
The story is about growing up strong through pain, turning sorrow into strength, and finding people who love you for who you are. David’s life shows that with kindness, courage, and a little help, you can come through even the hardest times. Dickens uses the story to talk about real problems—child labor, unfairness, fake goodness—but also celebrates small joys, like Peggotty’s hugs or Micawber’s big dreams. It’s a rich mix of laughs, sadness, and love, all told in David’s voice so you feel every moment of his journey.
