The Ultimate Study Guide for Charles Dickens' David Copperfield: Course Hero Study Guides

Welcome to our comprehensive study guide for Charles Dickens' beloved novel, David Copperfield. This guide is designed to provide you with an in-depth analysis of the novel's major themes, characters, and literary devices, helping you to unlock the richness and complexity of Dickens' masterpiece.

Study Guide for Charles Dickens's David Copperfield (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1290 KB
Print length	:	45 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	43 pages
Item Weight	:	1.92 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.1 x 8 inches

FREE

Whether you're a student studying David Copperfield for a class or a casual reader seeking to deepen your appreciation of the novel, this guide is an invaluable resource. Our team of expert analysts has meticulously examined the text, providing you with a wealth of insights and thought-provoking perspectives.

Major Themes

The Power of Childhood

David Copperfield is a bildungsroman, a novel that follows the protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood. Throughout the novel, Dickens explores the formative experiences of childhood and their lasting impact on an individual's life.

The Importance of Family

Family plays a central role in David Copperfield. Dickens portrays the complexities of family dynamics, from the loving bonds between parents and children to the tensions and conflicts that can arise within families.

The Search for Identity

David Copperfield is a deeply introspective novel that explores the protagonist's search for identity. Through his experiences and relationships, David gradually comes to understand who he is and what he wants from life.

Key Characters

David Copperfield

The protagonist of the novel, David is a complex and sympathetic character. He is orphaned at a young age and forced to navigate the world on his own. Despite the challenges he faces, David is a resilient and ultimately optimistic individual.

Agnes Wickfield

Agnes is the love of David's life. She is a kind, gentle, and compassionate woman who represents the ideal of Victorian womanhood.

Dora Spenlow

Dora is David's first wife. She is a beautiful but shallow and selfish woman who ultimately proves to be unsuited for marriage.

Mr. Wickfield

Agnes' father, Mr. Wickfield is a kindly but weak-willed man who is manipulated by his villainous assistant, Uriah Heep.

Mr. Murdstone

David's cruel and abusive stepfather, Mr. Murdstone embodies the horrors of child abuse and neglect.

Literary Devices

Humor

Despite its serious themes, David Copperfield is also a humorous novel. Dickens uses humor to satirize the foibles of human nature and to lighten the mood in the midst of the novel's more somber moments.

Pathos

Dickens was a master of pathos, the ability to evoke feelings of pity and compassion in readers. The novel is filled with scenes of great emotional intensity, from the death of David's mother to his reunion with Agnes.

Symbolism

Dickens uses symbolism extensively in David Copperfield. For example, the river Thames represents the passage of time and the changing landscape of David's life.

Our study guide for David Copperfield has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the novel's major themes, characters, and literary devices. We encourage you to use this guide as a resource as you read the novel, and we hope that it will enhance your understanding and appreciation of this literary masterpiece.

Thank you for choosing Course Hero Study Guides!

Study Guide for Charles Dickens's David Copperfield (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1290 KB
Print length	:	45 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	43 pages
Item Weight	:	1.92 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.1 x 8 inches

FREE