David Copperfield Discussion Questions
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Why you should read David Copperfield… 1. Many critics, including the writer Tolstoy, agree with Dickens that this is his best novel. 2. Dickens is a master of characterization – you will never forget “Trot,” Mr. Micawber, Uriah Heep, Dora, the Peggottys… 3. He is a master story-teller – engaging, wise, funny and compelling. Why you may struggle with David Copperfield… 1. The length -- Dickens was paid by the word and published his novels in serial form originally, so his novels require a commitment of time! 2. He can seem to ramble a bit at times (not surprising since the more he wrote, the quicker he could pay off his debts!) 3. Plot and characterization are more significant than theme – it reads like an autobiography (which it is, in many ways). Still interested? Download the novel for free at one of the following sites: http://www.ellopos.net/dickens/copperfield_text.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/766 David Copperfield – Fast Facts Pages – 991 (Oxford World’s Classics edition) Author – Charles Dickens Date Published – 1849-50 Setting – England Point of view – First person (narrator: David Copperfield) Genre – Bildungsroman (coming of age) Issues/Conflicts – Love / Family / Loyalty / Human Nature / Social Class Beyond the Basics… Here is a wonderful, comprehensive site on Dickens and his world: http://www.ellopos.net/dickens/copperfield.htm Here is a forum for discussion on the novel: http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/copperfield/ Here are two forewords written by the author: http://www.bartleby.com/307/1008.html http://www.bartleby.com/307/1009.html Articles on the novel: http://www.bartleby.com/307/1001.html http://www.bartleby.com/307/1003.html http://www.bartleby.com/307/1004.html http://www.bartleby.com/307/1005.html A guide to the setting and characters… Suffolk – the region where the David is born http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk Yarmouth – the region where the Peggottys live http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Yarmouth Gravesend – the region where David first attends school (Salem House) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravesend Blackfriars – the region where David works at the counting house http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfriars Dover – the region where Aunt Betsey Trotwood lives http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover A list of the multitude of characters: http://www.bartleby.com/307/1007.html David Copperfield -- Author Information Charles Dickens was born, the second of eight children, on February 7, 1812 in Landport, Portsmouth, England. His family moved to Kent and then settled in London during his childhood. At the age of 12, his father was incarcerated in a debtor’s prison and, out of financial necessity, Charles began working 10 hour days in a factory, pasting labels on jars. The horrific working conditions of the factory had a lasting impression on Dickens and his works. In 1827, he worked as a law clerk and then, three years later, as a court stenographer. At this time, he fell in love for the first time – with Maria Beadnell – but her parents did not approve of the match and sent her to Paris. In 1834, Dickens became a political journalist and married Catherine Hogarth in 1836. The couple had ten children, but separated in 1858, and it is commonly believed that Dickens had a relationship with Ellen Ternan until he died on June 9, 1870, of a stroke. Dickens wrote over a dozen novels, many short stories, a few plays and a number of non-fiction works. His major novels were written in serial form – published in installments in a magazine – and were later published in novel form. Dickens was very popular during his life and, due to the serialized nature of his work, the reaction of his readers influenced the development of his novels – he even rewrote the ending to Great Expectations after his readers disliked the original version. Dickens is still considered one of the finest British writers and over 180 theatrical versions of his works have been produced. More information on Dickens’s life and works: Comprehensive site on Dickens and his works (including a wonderful map of Dickens’ London): http://charlesdickenspage.com/index.html Website forum for fans of Dickens: http://www.dickensfellowship.org/ Website with many, many Dickens links: http://www.helsinki.fi/kasv/nokol/dickens.html More biographical information: http://www.charles-dickens.ws/#move Dickens museum in London: http://www.dickensmuseum.com/ Dickens birthplace museum in Portsmouth: http://www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/ The Dickens House museum: http://www.dickenshouse.co.uk/museum.htm Printable Bookmark! Please print and then cut to use as a reference as you read!! Only basic information has been provided to avoid “spoilers.” The “Intro” column indicates the chapter in which each character is first introduced. Enjoy! Character David (Trotwood) Copperfield Clara Copperfield Betsey Trotwood Clara Peggotty Ham Peggotty Mr. Chillip Edward Murdstone Mr. Quinion Mr. & Mrs. Grayper Mr. Dan Peggotty Emily Peggotty Missis Gummidge Miss Jane Murdstone Mr. Barkis Charley Mell Mrs. Mell Mr. Creakle Mrs. Creakle Miss Creakle Tungay Tommy Traddles James Steerforth Mr. Sharp Mr. Omer Minnie Omer Joram Mick Walker Mealy Potatoes Mr. Micawber Mrs. Micawber Master and Miss Micawber The Orfling Tipp Janet Mr. Dick (Richard Babley) Mr. Wickfield Uriah Heep Agnes Mrs. Heep Dr. Strong Mrs. Annie Strong Jack Maldon Mrs. Markleham (Old Soldier) Mrs. Steerforth Miss Rosa Dartle Littimer Miss Mowcher Martha Endell Mr. Francis Spenlow Mr. Jorkins Mrs. Crupp Mr. Tiffey Dora Spenlow Miss Julia Mills Sophy Clarissa and Lavinia Spenlow Description Protagonist; named after deceased father David’s mother David’s great aunt Copperfield’s servant Peggotty’s nephew Doctor David’s stepfather Manager - counting house David’s neighbors Peggotty’s brother Peggotty’s niece Widow of Dan’s partner Edward’s sister Carriage driver; likesPeggotty Second master – S. House Charley’s mother; poor Salem House proprietor Mr. Creakle’s wife Mr. Creakle’s sister Works at Salem House School boy – S. House School boy – S. House First master at S. House Funeral director Mr. Omer’s daughter Coffin-maker Works at counting house Works at counting house Poor friend of David Wife of Mr. Micawber 4 year old son and 3 year old daughter Micawbers’s servant The carman Aunt Betsey’s servant Distant relation of Aunt Betsey Lawyer and landlord Mr. Wickfield’s assistant Mr. Wickfield’s housekeeper Uriah’s mother Headmaster Dr. Strong’s wife Annie’s cousin Annie’s mother Ch. 1 James’s mother Lives with Mrs. Steerforth James’s servant Hairdresser; “dwarf” Poor friend of Emily Attorney Spenlow’s partner David’s landlady Clerk at Spenlow and Jorkins Mr. Spenlow’s daughter Dora’s friend Traddle’s love Dora’s aunt 19 19 21 22 22 23 23 23 26 26 33 34 41 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 9 9 9 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 14 16 16 16 16 16 David Copperfield – Menu Ideas Time for Tea!! Interesting article on the different types of tea and social engagements: http://www.bartleby.com/95/13.html “Eating the English Way” with a recipe for Shepherd’s Pie: http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/england/eating.html Delicious tea! http://www.teaforte.com/ http://www.republicoftea.com/ http://www.celestialseasonings.com/index.html A plethora of English recipes: http://www.allinfoaboutenglishculture.com/menu.html Food Network’s Pub Fare: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_pa/episode/0,1976,FOOD_ 10234_42895,00.html including this recipe for Shepherd’s Pie: Shepherd's Pie Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: English Pub Fare 1 small onion 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce 1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables or niblet corn, prepared Salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 to 10 medium red new potatoes 1 1/2 cups milk 12 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup sour cream 2 cups instant biscuit mix Beef Layer: Saute onions in 2 tablespoons butter. Add ground beef. After beef is browned, add tomato sauce; Mix in vegetables. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Potato Layer: Peel and slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick. Cook in boiling water for approximately 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Whip potatoes with electric mixer; mix until moderately smooth. Don't over beat them; a few lumps are nice. Add 1/2 cup heated milk, 1/2 cup butter, and sour cream. Salt and pepper, to taste. Whip until mixed. Adjust thickness by adding more milk, if desired. Biscuit Layer: Combine biscuit mix and 1 cup milk. The mix should be thinner than normal biscuit mix but not runny. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 9 by 2-inch pan, or any similar casserole dish. Layer half way up with the mashed potatoes. Next, spread a layer of mixed vegetables or niblet corn on top of potatoes. Then add a layer of the meat. Pour biscuit mix over meat. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over top. Bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes until top is golden brown. Note: Leftovers make this dish easy to put together. So if you have leftover pork roast or beef roast with gravy and mashed potatoes from Sunday dinner then this is an easy mid- week meal that will take only a few minutes. And this recipe for Jacket Potato with Bacon, Mushroom, and Peppercorn Sauce Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: English Pub Fare 4 medium-sized russet or other baking potatoes, well scrubbed 12 ounces bacon, chopped 8 ounces sliced button mushrooms 1/4 cup brandy 1 tablespoon green peppercorns, drenched in cold water 1 cup cream Salt and pepper Butter, for topping Potato: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prick potatoes with a fork and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Sauce: Saute bacon, add button mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Pour brandy first into a measuring cup (for safety) and then into the pan and carefully ignite with a long match. After the alcohol burns off and the flame has died, stir in the peppercorns. Stir in the cream and heat through, without boiling. Salt and pepper, to taste. Cut open baked potatoes. Top each with a spoonful of butter, then cover generously with sauce. And one more… Banoffee Pie Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: English Pub Fare 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 10 tablespoons butter, softened 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk 3 large bananas 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix graham cracker crumbs with softened butter and press mixture into 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes. Lower the oven to 300 degrees F for the toffee filling. To create toffee filling, caramelize the sweetened condensed milk. Pour the condensed milk into a 9 by 12 by 2inch glass baking dish. Cover with foil and place dish inside a larger poaching pan. Add water to poaching pan until half way up sides of baking dish. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Once both the crust and toffee filling are cooled, spread half of the filling evenly inside crust. Slice the bananas and layer on top of filling. Pour remaining half of filling over bananas, spreading evenly. Whip the cream with the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and spread on top of toffee filling and bananas. Cuisinenet.com -- English Pub Fare: At the heart of pub food is the fare of farmers and laborers: cheese, bread, a bit of sausage or bacon -- often only the fat -- and ale. The ploughman's lunch is cheddar cheese, bread, pickled onions, and ale. From the bar-man one might also order a Cornish pasty (a savory turnover filled with a mix of meat and potatoes) or eggs wrapped in sausage meat -- natural accompaniments for a pint of ale, stout, lager, or hard cider. Bangers and Mash: INGREDIENTS 8-12 large potatoes (peeled and quartered) 1 teaspoon of butter ½ cup of milk 1½ lbs beef sausages 1 large onion Salt and pepper to taste COOKING INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven, put potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover and bring to the boil. Cook until tender, drain and mash with butter and enough milk to reach your desired creaminess. Continue mashing until smooth. Season to taste. Peel and roughly chop the onion, put it in a small pan (just covering with cold water) and bring to the boil. Then leave it to simmer for 25 minutes. Put a dash of oil into a frying-pan, prick the sausages with a fork to prevent bursting and cook them over a medium to low heat, turning frequently (they should take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook through). Drain onion and beat it into the mash, piling the mixture up on a plate, wig-wam style. Fork the sides into a pattern - standing the sausages upright around the potato. Cover with gravy and serve immediately. Apple Cake A traditional early autumn recipe from England's West Country This deliciously moist cake from Somerset (Dorset lays claim to it, too) can be served cold with cream or eaten as a warm pudding with custard. Preparation time: approx. 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour Oven: 375°F / 190°C / gas mark 5 INGREDIENTS 8oz (200g) self-raising flour Pinch of salt 4oz (100g) butter or margarine 2 large English cooking apples 2 large eggs Milk Caster sugar COOKING INSTRUCTIONS Sift the flour and salt, then rub in the fat a stir in the sugar. Peel, core and grate (or chop) the apples and wigh out 8oz (200g) of apple to add to the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre, beat the eggs and add to the bowl with sufficient milk to make a soft but not too wet mixture. Put into a greased and floured 7-inch round cake tin and sprinkle the top with caster sugar. Bake for about 1 hour or until golden brown. Cheddar Cheese & Apple Salad A light English salad for those warm summer days Preparation time: 25 minutes Serves 4 INGREDIENTS ½ round lettuce 5 fl oz (150ml) fresh soured cream 3 tablespoons of fresh milk 1 teaspoon of lemon juice Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 medium sized English eating apples (cored & diced) 8oz (225g) English Cheddar Cheese (diced) 4 canned pears, drained and chopped Parsley to decorate COOKING INSTRUCTIONS Wash and dry lettuce, then tear into smallish pieces and use to cover the base of your serving dish. Combine the soured cream, milk. lemon juice and seasoning before adding the apples, cheese and pears and mixing together. Pile on the lettuce and garnish with parsley. Summer Pudding Traditional English Country Fare This sweet is a popular English farmhouse recipe, ideal for using up those delicious summer fruits. Preparation time: 25 minutes plus overnight chilling Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 4-6 people INGREDIENTS 6 large slices of bread (crustless) 4oz (100g) sugar (or to taste) 5tbsp (75ml) water 1½lb (700g) soft summer fruits (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blackcurrants) 5floz (150ml) double cream (fresh) 1tbsp (15ml) milk (fresh) Sprig of mint to decorate COOKING INSTRUCTIONS Slice the bread into fingers, put the sugar and water into a saucepan and, stirring, heat until the sugar melts. Add the fruit and simmer gently for between 7-10 minutes (until almost soft) - keeping back a few spoonfuls of the juice. Line a 2 pint (1.1 litre) pudding basin or souff lé dish with the bread fingers. Add about half the hot fruit mixture and cover with more bread fingers. Cover the basin with a plate or saucer and weigh it down with something heavy. Leave it in the refrigerator overnight, then turn it out on to a plate just before serving. Cover any white patches with reserved juice and decorate with fruit and mint. Serve with cream, whipped with milk until lightly stiff. David Copperfield – Setting the Mood! Here are some ideas to set the mood and get the conversation started to help you appreciate Dickens’s classic. Enjoy! Introductory Game Ideas: Since the first sentence of this novel is so famous and is alluded frequently, perhaps each member of your group could briefly state how s/he interprets this sentence and how it applies to his or her life. There have been many movie versions made of this novel – consider watching one of them together. Dickens was very famous during his lifetime – consider renting a video biography of his life and watching it together, noting the many similarities to David Copperfield’s life. David Copperfield -- Literary Terms Exposition – the introduction of the setting, characters, conflict(s) at the beginning of a novel. Our first impressions are so influential to our enjoyment and impressions of the novel, so after finishing a novel, skim the first chapter again to see how the author shaped and influenced your first impressions. Notice how your impressions of Aunt Betsey change, as David’s do. Focus question: 1 Diction – word choice. Notice Dickens’s word choice and how that influences your reading speed as well as enjoyment level. Notice how the diction matches the social class of the speaker; however, critics have noted that Emily’s speech seems “above her class.” Syntax – style of sentence structure. Notice how the author’s crafting of syntax affects your engagement as a reader. Complexity of syntax does not determine literary merit; the pairing of syntax to meaning does. Tone – author’s attitude toward subject. Think “tone of voice.” Tone is created through diction and can be very subtle, but is extremely important. If you misinterpret the tone, you most likely misinterpret the meaning or theme of the narrative. Perceiving Dickens’s wit depends on correctly interpreting his tone. Focus question: 5 Mood – emotional atmosphere of novel. Mood is considered an aspect of the setting (time, place, atmosphere). When we read a novel, we “read ourselves,” so think about what type of mood your favorite novels tend to have and how different moods may influence your enjoyment level. Theme – main idea that runs throughout and unifies novel. Theme should be stated as a complete thought and not one word, which would instead be a topic of the novel: instead of “family” or “social class” consider what the author is saying about the nature of family or notice what social class the good and bad people tend to have in the novel. In classics, themes are frequently not “morals” of the novel; they may or may not represent the ideal. Focus questions: 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 Irony – the opposite of what it expected. Dramatic irony is when the reader has more information than the character does, providing the reader with an allknowing perspective. Situational irony is when a situation turns out differently than expected. Verbal irony is when the speaker means the opposite of what is said, so correctly interpreting tone becomes crucial to the reader’s understanding of the events and particularly of the themes. An example of situational irony in David Copperfield occurs when he is so proud to introduce Steerforth to the Peggottys, yet brings about so much misery by doing so. Imagery – the use of words that engage the senses. Notice Dickens’s use of imagery when describing the storm near the end of the novel: “It was a murky confusion – here and there blotted with a color like the color of the smoke from damp fuel – of lying clouds, tossed up into most remarkable heaps, suggesting greater heights in the clouds than there were depths below them to the bottom of the deepest hollows in the earth, through which the wild moon seemed to plunge headlong, as if, in a dread disturbance of the laws of nature, she had lost her way and was frightened. There had been a wind all day; and it was rising then, with an extraordinary great sound. In another hour it had much increased, and the sky was more overcast, and it blew hard.” Focus question: 3 Symbolism – when an element of the story (object, character, color, etc.) is both literally present in the novel and has significance or represents something beyond itself. Jip, Dora’s dog, seems to represent Dora herself – in mannerisms, frivolity, and even in death. Foil – when two characters contrast each other. The characters do not need to be enemies – or even be aware of one another. Dora and Agnes are significant foils in the novel. Focus question: 2 Foreshadowing – when the author provides hints to future events. Edward Murdstone’s dog snarling at David at the end of chapter 3 foreshadows David’s difficult relationship with his stepfather and how this alienates him from his childhood home. David Copperfield Discussion Questions The following questions approach the novel from a number of different angles, i.e., how the novel functions as a work of art, how it reflects the time period, how it addresses fundamental questions of humanity, and how it engages the reader. A good discussion tends to start with our “heads” and end with our “hearts.” So, you may want to save subjective opinions of taste until after you have discussed the more objective elements of why this work is considered a classic. It is tempting to begin with, “What did everyone think?” But if a number of people really didn’t like the novel, their opinions may derail a discussion of the novel’s merits. On the other hand, I recommend starting with a few accessible questions and asking every member to respond to ensure that all voices are present and heard from the beginning. Just a few suggestions! Enjoy… Warm up questions: Which character did you empathize with the most? Which characters did you dislike the most and why? Which sections did you enjoy the most? Did any sections drag? The length of this novel is daunting – which subplots / characters would you have cut to shorten the length? 1.The first sentence of the novel is very famous: “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.” Why has this sentence resonated with readers throughout the years? 2. Notice how the novel opens with the foils of Betsy Trotwood and Clara Copperfield and creates a negative first impression of a very instrumental character – why does Dickens do this? 3. Here is the last image David has of his mother: “I was in the carrier’s cart when I heard her calling to me. I looked out, and she stood at the garden-gate alone, holding her baby up in her arms for me to see. It was cold still weather; and not a hair of her head, or a fold of her dress, was stirred, as she looked intently at me, holding up her child. So I lost her. So I saw her afterwards, in my sleep at school – a silent presence near my bed – looking at me with the same intent face – holding up her baby in her arms.” Why does Dickens want this to be David’s final image of his mother? 4.After David has survived a dreadful childhood – from the death of both of his parents, to ill-treatment from his cruel stepfather and malicious headmaster, not to mention a stint of homelessness – in chapter 19 when William the coachman implies that David should give up his seat to a “shabby man with a squint,” David states “I have always considered this as the first fall I had in life.” Why is the opinion of the coachman – and later Littimer – so important to him? 5.Dickens’s sense of humor shines throughout the novel – and is never in better evidence than when Betsey refers to David’s imaginary sister and then renames David “Trotwood.” What are other wonderful examples of his sense of humor? 6.At one point, David calls Steerforth the “guiding star of my existence.” Why is David so impressed and enamoured with Steerforth? Why did he believe Steerforth could’ve made so many people happy, when we have very little evidence that this was true? What were your first indications that Steerforth’s character may not have deserved David’s admiration? 7.The following words of Aunt Betsey haunt David: “There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose…The first mistaken impulse of an undisciplined heart.” Since these words describe David and Dora’s marriage, what does Dickens seem to be saying about marriage? Did Dora’s death seem like a “cop out”? 8.This is Dickens most autobiographical novel; however, most of the characters are fictionalized. How much can a novel borrow from real life yet still be considered fiction? Where should we draw the line? 9.M. Somerset Maugham declared that the title character – David Copperfield – was the least interesting of all the characters in the novel. Do you agree? Which characters did you find most – and least – interesting? 10.Did David seem too naïve? Was Agnes too perfect? Which characters seem the best developed? Which are the least believable? 11.In the novel, morally, the wealthiest characters are rarely the best and the poorest characters are rarely the worst. Why does Dickens do this? Do the characters seem 2-dimensional in this way? 12.In the Foreword of the 1966 printing, Gladys Schmitt wrote that David Copperfield is a “deeply human book.” What does she mean by this and do you agree? Wrap up Questions! 1. 2. 3. 4. Would you recommend the book to others? If you could change anything, what would it be? Do you believe this should be considered a classic? Do you believe this novel should be taught in high schools? David Copperfield – The Film(s) Many film versions have been made of David Copperfield, including an awardwinning version in 1990. Your group could watch a version of the movie together and discuss your impressions, or group members could watch a version before the meeting and then discuss impressions as a group. Time permitting, multiple versions could be viewed and then compared. Here are a few possible movie questions: While viewing the movie, which characters were most unlike how you pictured them while reading the novel? Which characters seemed “right on” in their portrayal? What plot elements were left out or changed in the movie? How was your enjoyment affected by what was left out/changed? Was the film able to recreate Dickens’s tone and sense of humor, as well as the struggles David endures? If this movie were remade today, who would you cast as David and Agnes? Uriah? Aunt Betsey? Peggotty? The 1990 version, starring Maggie Smith, Ian McKellen, and Bob Hoskins was nominated for a couple of awards, including a BAFTA for best actress for Smith. If you viewed this version, did this award seemed well earned? More information on the film(s): Here is a list of movie versions: http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=david+copperfield&x=15&y=6
