The novel traces the life of David Copperfield
from the time of his birth to his mature manhood, when he is married and
familiar with the vicissitudes of life. His early years are enjoyable
with his mother — who was widowed shortly before his birth — and with
her servant, Peggotty. Life is happy for David until his mother decides
to marry Mr. Murdstone; afterward, life becomes unbearable for David. He
is soon sent to a miserable school where he becomes friendly with James
Steerforth, a fellow student.
When David's mother dies, he is taken from school
and put to work by Mr. Murdstone in a London warehouse. Although David
enjoys the company of the impoverished Micawber family, with whom he
boards, his other associates and the work are intolerable, so, without
money or property, he runs away to his Aunt Betsey Trotwood in Dover.
Despite a stern exterior, Aunt Betsey treats him well, adopting him and
sending him to a good school. While at school, he boards with a Mr.
Wickfield and his daughter Agnes. (Throughout the novel, David retains a
fond, sisterly affection for Agnes.) After graduation, David works in
the law office of Spenlow & Jorkins and soon falls in love with Mr.
Spenlow's daughter, Dora.
About this time, Em'ly, the Peggottys' beloved
niece, runs off to marry Steerforth, whom David had innocently
introduced to her while she was engaged to Ham, a nephew of the
Peggottys. The family is saddened by this development, but Mr. Peggotty
sets out to find her and bring her back. David uses his spare time doing
clerical and literary work to help Aunt Betsey, who now finds herself
without financial resources. He marries Dora, only to find that he has a
"child-wife" who knows nothing of housekeeping and cannot accept any
responsibility.
Meanwhile, Uriah Heep, an "umble" clerk in Mr.
Wickfield's employ, whom David dislikes, has deceitfully worked his way
into a partnership, aided by Mr. Wickfield's weakness for wine. In
addition, David also discovers that his old friend Mr. Micawber has gone
to work for Heep. David has remained fond of the Micawbers, and it
troubles him that his old friend is working for a scoundrel. Eventually,
however, Micawber has a grand moment of glory when he exposes Heep as a
fraud, helping to save Mr. Wickfield and restoring some of Aunt
Betsey's finances.
David's wife, Dora, becomes ill and dies, and
David is troubled until Em'ly, the Peggottys' niece, returns to her
uncle. David has felt guilty for some time for having introduced Em'ly
to Steerforth. After a reconciliation is accomplished, Em'ly, along with
some of the Peggottys, and the Micawbers leave for Australia to begin
new lives. Before they leave, David witnesses a dramatic shipwreck in
which Steerforth is killed, as is Ham in attempting to rescue him. Still
saddened by the loss of his wife and other events, David goes abroad
for three years. It is only after he returns that he realizes that Agnes
Wickfield has been his true love all along, and their happy marriage
takes place at last
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