Title: The Personal History, Adventures, Experience & Observations of  David Copperfield The younger of Blunderstone Rookery

Illustration by Phiz of young David on his first journey away from home with the "audacious waiter" who is sampling his food (and consuming great quantities of it as the same time).

By -Charles Dickens

Publishing Info: -Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987

Genre: -Novel

Sub-genre: - Bildungsonroman

Nationality: -British

Time Period: -19th Century (Victorian)

First and Last Read by Dr. Rearick - first 1982 at Lehigh University, last read in Spring 2000

Rated: -A++

Location: -This edition is located in my office with the other Illustrated Oxford Dickens. However I have four other editions both at home and at the office.  Also there is an E-text version on our J-Drive

Scripture that comes to mind:

1 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.him.
 
Luke 17: 1-3

Helpful Notes - A good general overview with comments about Dickens' life from Barrons Booknotes can be found our J-Drive

Comments: - This is it. The BIG ONE. This is the novel that I did my Ph.D. on, the use of religious typology to emphasize the theme of loss and reclamation . My commentary about this work will take far more room that I can provide here. Some of the elements which have fascinated me are as follows:

• The use of religious typology throughout the novel. Dickens uses religious images and themes to underline the important theme of loss and reclamation within the novel. Click here for the first chapter of that analyses.
• In a more simple format the existence of channels of grace, channels of perdition and pilgrims as character types.
• The subtle sexuality which is adds a new layer of complexity within the novel.
• The use of characters which are at first glance extreme but which upon looking at them closely also reveal a clear understanding by the author of human nature.

1.    David, the Abused and Cast-Off Child
2.    Trotwood's Reclamation and Journey into Love
3.    David's Adult Lessons and Understandings.

The question of heroism:  "Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show" (1).  This autobiography is not self congratulatory.  And David is not at all certain who shall come out as the best individual.

The purpose of the text: The entire query quality of the opening sentence also raises the question of why did David the character write his story.  It is notable that in the original heading it indicates that while he is an author this work was personal and "never meant to be Published on any Account "(title page).  This detail created by Dickens adds another level of his creation of character.  If David wrote not to be published than why write?

The reader should also be observant of the elements of fairy and folk tales as they appear in David Copperfield. What role does imagination play here?  Is it the same as Jane Eyre's?

Also there is the extraordinary ability of Dickens to capture the perspective of the child.  Young Davy's recollection of bringing up marriage to Peggotty and not really understanding why its in his head (and therefore being further confused by Peggotty's violent reaction) is a superb example of Dickens' craft.

The point of transition: David Copperfield was the last of what has been called Dickens' typical novels.  There still is in his works an optimism about human nature which will dim as time goes on.  Also Within this work there are the sprinkling of broad humorous characters.