October / Dickens Book: 'David Copperfield'

[Scheherazade]

In October, we will be reading David Copperfield by Dickens.

Please post your comments and questions in this thread.

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Book Club Procedures

[papayahed]

I was very intrigued when DC mentioned that it was predicted that he would be able to see/talk to ghosts. I thought "Alright, this may not be so bad", then I read further.....I'm dissappointed.

[Nightshade]

Well I borrowed it and read the first chapter sooo differant from what I remembered and there is somthing odd with the book as well but I LOVED the young peoples version when I was younger ( like between the ages of 8-10) I must have read that and ben hur 7 times so Im going to enjoy reading the propper unabridged original version........... I hope


But wow his mums a wimp isnt she.... but as I rember it all young preety dickens women were pretty pathetic barring possibly one that comes later on in this book, but Ive been told that because she alone was based on a woman he actually knew

[Jay]

I'm on page 14 . Disappointed that there won't be any ghosts though (according to Papaya )

[Scheherazade]

Finished reading 6 chapters... Thought the part with the waiter was very funny (and sad).

[Virgil]

Is there a better name for a villain than "Mr. Murdstone?" I absolutely rolled over with laughter. I'm enjoying this.

[Nightshade]

Ok what does Brooks of Shefield mean?
* Id forgoten about the house in Yarmoth I love that

[kilted exile]

Ok what does Brooks of Shefield mean?

Back when the UK actually produced something other than call-centre workers, Sheffield was a steel city and, I believe, Brooks was a company that made cutlery. The reference is to young david (Brooks of Sheffield) being sharp as a knife - obviously he is not however as he does not pick up on the remark.

[Scheherazade]

Finished reading the first nine chapters and getting really annoyed with the Mother... When will she show some character and stop saying, 'But dear Jane...'?

I am also surprised that as a child when I was reading this book, I did not pick on the fact that many of the misfortunes that befall David are owing to his naive and, dare I say, gullible nature. He fails to realise that people are not always what they seem and question their intentions.

Of course, it is true that he is a very young boy and lacking cynicism is not such a bad quality but it seems like he would have been better off with a little at least.

[bazarov]

I was so sure that Scheherazade's choice will win that I get a copy of Hard Times...Now I have to get a new one...

[Scheherazade]

I was so sure that Scheherazade's choice will win that I get a copy of Hard Times...Now I have to get a new one...

Sorry, Bazarov but I really leave it to fate when it comes to resolving ties!

Thus spoketh the coin, in short!

Is anyone else getting terribly annoyed with Steerforth and his mother? I don't know why David cannot wake up and smell the coffee...

(I am reading chapter 26 or there abouts)

[Virgil]

I'm actually on chapter 39. Yes Steerforth is a jerk. You will see why shortly.

[Virgil]

I finished chapter 39 last night in bed. Wow. That was one of the great chapters of all literature. It was the best chapter so far.

[Virgil]

Having read the first 40 chapters, about two thirds of the book, I think I can venture into a few themes. But keep in mind, these are initial observations. I haven't completed the novel, nor have I read any critical commentary.

This paragraph I found enlightening. It is something Miss Mowcher, a dwarf woman who despite her born limitations has struggled to survive, tells David after they have discussed Steerforth's deviousness.

'What did I know?' said Miss Mowcher, taking out her handkerchief again, and giving one little stamp on the ground whenever, at short intervals, she applied it to her eyes with both hands at once. 'He was crossing you and wheedling you, I saw; and you were soft wax in his hands, I saw. Had I left the room a minute, when his man told me that "Young Innocence" (so he called you, and you may call him "Old Guilt" all the days of your life) had set his heart upon her, and she was giddy and liked him, but his master was resolved that no harm should come of it - more for your sake than for hers - and that that was their business here? How could I BUT believe him? I saw Steerforth soothe and please you by his praise of her! You were the first to mention her name. You owned to an old admiration of her. You were hot and cold, and red and white, all at once when I spoke to you of her. What could I think - what DID I think - but that you were a young libertine in everything but experience, and had fallen into hands that had experience enough, and could manage you (having the fancy) for your own good? Oh! oh! oh! They were afraid of my finding out the truth,' exclaimed Miss Mowcher, getting off the fender, and trotting up and down the kitchen with her two short arms distressfully lifted up, 'because I am a sharp little thing - I need be, to get through the world at all! - and they deceived me altogether, and I gave the poor unfortunate girl a letter, which I fully believe was the beginning of her ever speaking to Littimer, who was left behind on purpose!'

Now I'm not sure if we can trust Miss Mowcher to be on the level, since she has also proven to be somewhat devious herself, but she says this specifically:" 'because I am a sharp little thing - I need be, to get through the world at all! - and they deceived me altogether". To get through the world - how one makes one's way through the world seems to me to be the central theme, more specifically David's making his way through.

And Dickens builds on this by contrasting many characters making their way through the world. You can take any of the major characters and contrast them and I think you will find several sub-themes. The practical (Betsy Trotwood, Agnes) versus the idealistic (Mr. Micawber, Dora), the loving and nurturing (Peggotty) versus the cold (Miss Murdstone), selfishness (Steerforth) versus generosity (Ham), and perhpas the most important sub-theme scheming (Mr. Murdstone, Uriah Heep) versus openness (Daniel Peggotty, Mr. Wickfield).

The novel traces the naive young David making his way through the world and to the understandings of the complex world where various people make their way differently. While I have not finished, we do know (because David is telling his tale from the past tense) that he has gained experience and is no longer naive.

[Virgil]

Who is reading and who is finished? What are your thoughts? Am I off base with my comments? Let's discuss.