David Copperfield

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Original en 354826 words First published 1850 United Kingdom

Dickens called it his 'favourite child,' and the most autobiographical of his novels. David is born a posthumous 'blind, unhappy' chance to a mother whose remarriage to the monstrous Mr. Murdstone breaks his childhood. Boarding school with the cheerfully cruel Steerforth, the wine-dark bottle factory, his aunt Betsey Trotwood's donkey wars, the Micawbers forever waiting for something to turn up, and the treacherous, silky Uriah Heep, 'ever so 'umble': the whole procession passes before David, who grows up to be a novelist and to marry, at last, the right person for reasons the book takes pains to earn.

Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.

001 DAVID COPPERFIELD By Charles Dickens AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO THE HON. 2544 words
002 My mother couldn’t help it notwithstanding, so she cried until she had had her cry out. 2500 words
003 ‘Well, ma’am, I am happy to congratulate you.’ ‘What upon?’ said my aunt, sharply. 2518 words
004 I couldn’t quite understand why Peggotty looked so queer, or why she… 2670 words
005 I observed all day that Mr. 2599 words
006 All this I saw in the first glance after I crossed the… 2578 words
007 ‘Like two young mavishes,’ Mr. 2526 words
008 CHAPTER 4. I FALL INTO DISGRACE If the room to which my bed was… 2541 words
009 ‘Edward,’ said Miss Murdstone, ‘let there be an end of this. 2722 words
010 This was my only and my constant comfort. 2503 words
011 ‘Clara!’ Miss Murdstone repeated. 2516 words
012 ‘What should you--what should I--how much ought I to--what would it… 2531 words
013 ‘Ah, she’s poorly,’ said the first old woman. 2515 words
014 Mr. Mell never said much to me, but he was never harsh to me. I… 2507 words
015 But the greatest wonder that I heard of Mr. 2610 words
016 Steerforth was considerate, too; and showed his consideration, in one… 2503 words
017 ‘He is right, sir, without correction,’ returned Mr. 2551 words
018 The rest of the half-year is a jumble in my recollection of the daily… 2583 words
019 ‘I wonder,’ said Peggotty, who was sometimes seized with a fit of… 2539 words
020 ‘We’ll say I don’t understand the boy, Clara,’ returned Miss… 2532 words
021 The three young women, who appeared to be very industrious and… 2549 words
022 It is over, and the earth is filled in, and we turn to come away. 2501 words
023 Peggotty laughed, and answered in the affirmative. 2556 words
024 The days passed pretty much as they had passed before, except--it was… 2538 words
025 What would I have given, to have been sent to the hardest school that… 2534 words
026 The counting-house clock was at half past twelve, and there was… 2620 words
027 I know I do not exaggerate, unconsciously and unintentionally, the… 2640 words
028 Mr. Micawber’s affairs, although past their crisis, were very much… 2518 words
029 ‘My dear,’ said Mr. Micawber; ‘Copperfield,’ for so he had been… 2605 words
030 My late experiences with Mr. 2534 words
031 My bed at night was under another haystack, where I rested… 2515 words
032 ‘Mr. Dick,’ said my aunt, ‘don’t be a fool, because nobody can be… 2506 words
033 After tea, we sat at the window--on the look-out, as I imagined, from… 2518 words
034 My aunt smoothed her dress and shook her head, as if she smoothed… 2506 words
035 ‘Your late wife, sir, was a most unworldly, most unhappy, most… 2618 words
036 My aunt, who was perfectly indifferent to public opinion, drove the… 2547 words
037 She told me that everything would be arranged for me by Mr. 2504 words
038 ‘Here’s Mr. Maldon begs the favour of a word, sir.’ ‘I am but this… 2576 words
039 I got a little the better of my uneasiness when I went to school next… 2508 words
040 ‘Annie, my dear,’ said the Doctor. 2533 words
041 All this intelligence I dutifully imparted to my aunt, only reserving… 2502 words
042 I never saw his mouth so wide, or the creases in his cheeks so deep… 2522 words
043 ‘To what, ma’am?’ ‘To coals,’ said Mrs. 2612 words
044 I am taken home in a sad plight, and I have beef-steaks put to my… 2537 words
045 ‘Of all things in the world, aunt, I should like it best!’ ‘Well,’… 2574 words
046 ‘Not now, mama,’ she pleaded in a low tone. 2522 words
047 I had emerged by another door, and stood in the street for a little… 2500 words
048 ‘Yes, I am convinced of it,’ said Mrs. 2529 words
049 Littimer was in my room in the morning before I was up, to bring me… 2503 words
050 Mr. Omer nodded his head and rubbed his chin. ‘Just so. Then out of a… 2510 words
051 ‘Mas’r Davy! It’s Mas’r Davy!’ In a moment we were all shaking hands… 2512 words
052 ‘That’s rather a chuckle-headed fellow for the girl; isn’t he?’ said Steerforth. 2517 words
053 ‘Tush!’ he answered, turning red. 2541 words
054 Steerforth laughed heartily, and I laughed too. 2538 words
055 ‘They were indeed, Ham. What did Em’ly do?’ ‘Says Em’ly, “Martha, is… 2615 words
056 ‘Nonsense, Steerforth!’ I exclaimed. 2538 words
057 Doctors’ Commons was approached by a little low archway. 2651 words
058 It was fine in the morning, particularly in the fine mornings. 2623 words
059 On somebody’s motion, we resolved to go downstairs to the… 2516 words
060 ‘You remember our last conversation about papa? 2507 words
061 ‘That affair of the first bond for four thousand five hundred pounds… 2569 words
062 A timely observation of the sense of power that there was in his… 2509 words
063 We were very pleasant, going down, and Mr. 2571 words
064 I had not been walking long, when I turned a corner, and met her. 2558 words
065 CHAPTER 27. TOMMY TRADDLES It may have been in consequence of Mrs.… 2540 words
066 ‘My dear Traddles!’ I quickly exclaimed. 2605 words
067 ‘My dear friend Copperfield,’ said Mr. 2529 words
068 ‘Advertising is rather expensive,’ I remarked, dubiously. 2531 words
069 ‘From whom?’ ‘Why, from your old nurse,’ he returned, taking some… 2542 words
070 As she still stood looking fixedly at me, a twitching or throbbing… 2607 words
071 He really had no breath to spare, and it was very alarming to see him laugh. 2505 words
072 CHAPTER 31. A GREATER LOSS It was not difficult for me, on Peggotty’s… 2502 words
073 I remember a great wail and cry, and the women hanging about him, and… 2525 words
074 ‘Dan’l, my good man,’ said she, ‘you must eat and drink, and keep up… 2562 words
075 I stood amazed at the revelation of all this perfidy, looking at Miss… 2653 words
076 While I heard and saw the mother as she said these words, I seemed to… 2500 words
077 ‘Ha!’ said he; ‘that’s a comfortable reflection. 2510 words
078 I learnt, from this, that Miss Mills had had her trials in the course… 2527 words
079 When Dora hung her head and cried, and trembled, my eloquence increased so much the more. 2501 words
080 The delight with which Traddles propounded this plan to me, and the… 2510 words
081 I thought Mr. Dick would have fallen, insensible. My aunt being… 2515 words
082 ‘Would you object to my mentioning it to him, sir?’ I asked. 2524 words
083 I was about to explain that I was not desirous of introducing that… 2588 words
084 When I found myself on the familiar Highgate road, pursuing such a… 2639 words
085 Not satisfied with all these proceedings, but burning with impatience… 2581 words
086 ‘My dear,’ observed Mr. Micawber--but glancing inquisitively at… 2528 words
087 ‘How can you ask me anything so foolish?’ pouted Dora. 2575 words
088 This would not do, it was quite clear. 2516 words
089 ‘Nor from me?’ said Mr. Spenlow. No, I replied with the profoundest… 2591 words
090 We had sealed up several packets; and were still going on dustily and quietly, when Mr. 2518 words
091 ‘It is humble,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘--to quote a favourite expression… 2512 words
092 His mother’s eye was an evil eye to the rest of the world, I thought… 2544 words
093 I conjured him, incoherently, but in the most impassioned manner, not… 2507 words
094 I rang the bell for something hot to drink. 2556 words
095 I returned to the inn yard, and, impressed by my remembrance of the… 2595 words
096 When Miss Clarissa had shaken her head, Miss Lavinia resumed: again… 2543 words
097 I had my hands more full than ever, now. 2528 words
098 ‘You are always plotting, and delude yourself into the belief that… 2516 words
099 ‘--mentioned to Doctor Strong,’ he proceeded, ‘that anyone may see that Mr. 2555 words
100 ‘You know, Copperfield,’ he said, in my ear (I did not turn my head)… 2597 words
101 Miss Clarissa and my aunt roam all over London, to find out articles… 2508 words
102 We drive away together, and I awake from the dream. 2504 words
103 The next domestic trial we went through, was the Ordeal of Servants. 2506 words
104 Then I would say, ‘Now let us try together. 2509 words
105 ‘Weak?’ said Mr. Dick. ‘Well,’ I replied, dubiously. ‘Rather so.’… 2518 words
106 Thus earnestly besought, I made no reference to the Doctor for his… 2589 words
107 I had never done more than glance at the house, as I went by with a quickened step. 2515 words
108 After a momentary struggle with myself, I turned my eyes upon him… 2519 words
109 We had come, through Temple Bar, into the city. 2524 words
110 ‘If you heerd,’ said Mr. Peggotty, ‘owt of what passed between Mas’r… 2612 words
111 I now write of the time when I had been married, I suppose, about a year and a half. 2500 words
112 ‘No, no,’ said I. ‘It’s better for me to be stupid than… 2582 words
113 ‘My dear fellow,’ said I, ‘I never was better pleased to see you. 2547 words
114 At another time I should have been amused by this; but I felt that we… 2600 words
115 The house swarmed with inmates. 2508 words
116 Would he never, never come? 2578 words
117 ‘She come,’ said Mr. Peggotty, dropping his voice to an awe-stricken… 2544 words
118 ‘Because you know,’ said Mr. 2551 words
119 And Mrs. Gummidge took his hand, and kissed it with a homely pathos… 2510 words
120 I was prevented from disclaiming the compliment (if I should have… 2514 words
121 ‘The fool himself--and lives there now,’ said Uriah, disdainfully. 2594 words
122 ‘Stop!’ he growled to me; and wiped his hot face with his hand. 2502 words
123 ‘How can I be otherwise, my own love, when I see your empty chair?’… 2606 words
124 I said I thought so too. ‘This, at least, is the light, my dear Mr.… 2506 words
125 ‘He’s a monster of meanness!’ said my aunt. 2536 words
126 I was weaker than I knew then; and, not falling asleep until the sun… 2522 words
127 I remained there, I dare say, two hours. 2537 words
128 Giving her a strict charge to be careful of her manner, and only to… 2533 words
129 ‘And when does the ship sail, Mr. 2521 words
130 I went down again next morning to see that they were away. 2536 words
131 The three months gone, I resolved to remain away from home for some… 2533 words
132 A small sharp-looking lad, half-footboy and half-clerk, who was very… 2691 words
133 Altogether, it was a scene I could not help dwelling on with… 2694 words
134 ‘And when, Trot,’ said my aunt, patting the back of my hand, as we… 2562 words
135 His bowed head, and her angel-face and filial duty, derived a more… 2538 words
136 In an office that might have been on the ground-floor of the Tower of… 2509 words
137 ‘Do you know Twenty Eight’s offence?’ ‘Twenty Eight,’ returned my… 2566 words
138 Her tears fell fast; but they were not like those she had lately… 2501 words
139 ‘Some thinks,’ he said, ‘as her affection was ill-bestowed; some, as… 2512 words
140 Or perhaps this IS the Desert of Sahara! 822 words

David Copperfield

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