David Copperfield

Outline

David Copperfield (1850) follows the life of its title character from a difficult childhood, marked by the loss of his parents and harsh treatment, to success as an adult writer. Along the way he meets unforgettable characters, from the kind Peggotty and his eccentric aunt Betsey Trotwood to the scheming Uriah Heep. Charles Dickens’s beloved novel explores hardship, friendship, perseverance, and growing up.

• David's childhood is shaped by the loss of his parents and harsh treatment, setting the hardships he must overcome.
• The novel follows David from a difficult boyhood to success as an adult writer.
• The people David meets, from kind Peggotty to eccentric Aunt Betsey Trotwood, shape the course of his life.
• Characters like the scheming Uriah Heep show that not everyone David meets has his interests at heart.
• Dickens treats hardship, friendship, perseverance and growing up as the forces that make a person.

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was an English novelist and one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era. His novels, known for their memorable characters and concern for the poor, remain widely read and adapted today. His works include Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield, which he called his favourite.