David Copperfield (novel) Facts for Kids

Cover, first serial edition of 1849.
Monthly: May 1849 – November 1850

David Copperfield is a novel by Charles Dickens. Like his other novels, it first came out as a series in a magazine under the title The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (which he never meant to publish on any account)

The story is told in the first person. Some of the greatest Dickens characters appear in the novel, such as the evil clerk Uriah Heep. Other villains in David's life are his brutal stepfather, Edward Murdstone, and Mr. Creakle, the headmaster of the boarding school that Murdstone sends him to.

The evil characters are balanced by the good characters, such as Peggotty – the faithful servant of the Copperfield family and a lifelong companion to David. Others include David's aunt Betsy Trotwood and her friend Mr. Dick. Agnes Wickfield is a close friend of David since childhood, and later becomes David's second wife and mother of their children. Mr. Micawber is a gentle and friendly who goes to debtors' prison, but in the end makes a success as a sheep farmer in Australia. He is based on Dickens's own father.

Images for kids

The England of David Copperfield.
Illustration of David falling in love with Dora Spenlow, by Frank Reynolds
David and Emily on the beach at Yarmouth, by Harold Copping.
Charles Dickens in 1850
Title page of the first edition by Bradbury & Evans, signed by Dickens
The Wanderer, Mr Peggotty talks to David as Martha overhears, by Phiz.
David reaches Canterbury, from David Copperfield, by Frank Reynolds
Mr Dick and his kite, from David Copperfield, by Frank Reynolds
Aunt Betsey & Mr Dick say no to Mr Murdstone and his sister, by Phiz.
Traddles, Micawber and David from David Copperfield, by Frank Reynolds
Steerforth from David Copperfield, by Frank Reynolds
Dr Strong and his young wife Annie, by Phiz
Agnes Wickfield, David's second wife, by Frank Reynolds
Mr Micawber and the art of baking, with Mrs Micawber and the twins, by Fred Barnard.
The Awakening Conscience, William Holman Hunt (1851–1853)
Tom Jones was an important influence on Dickens
Uriah Heep at his desk, by Fred Barnard
Steerforth and Mr Mell, by Phiz.
Yarmouth, Norfolk, engraving by William Miller after Turner
Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz), illustrator
The Peggotty family house depicted by Phiz
Barkis takes David to Yarmouth (Harold Copping)
Daniel Peggotty by Frank Reynolds
Peggotty and David, by Jessie Willcox-Smith
Micawber by "Kyd"

David Copperfield (novel) facts for kids

Images for kids

See also