Steerforth: Dickens' Questionable Evil

[GrayFoxDown]

Throughout the pages of DAVID COPPERFIELD, there are three major villains: Mr. Murdstone (David's megalomaniacal stepfather); Uriah Heep (a simpering hypocrite); and, MAYBE, James Steerforth (David's longtime friend and idol).

We first encounter Steerforth at Salem House, where David first attends school. He is a self-possessed, willful boy several years older than David. However, he is fascinated with Steerforth's strong character and soon befriends him. Even though we sense Steerforth's utter disregard and callousness for and toward other people and even observe overt and covert examples of it (for instance, Mr. Mell the schoolmaster and later Rosa, Steerforth's frustrated lover), he still captivates David (as he indeed captivates everyone else, with a few exceptions, around him). Similar to how Mephistopheles' corrupt charm worked on a deluded Faust, Steerforth leads all that were deceived by him to eventual despair or even death.

What is the attraction that Steerforth holds for most of the characters in DAVID COPPERFIELD...including most of the novel's readers? Unlike Mr. Murdstone and Uriah Heep, who are indeed the Devil's Own, there is little that is blatantly evil or cruel about Steerforth. Whereas a Mr. Murdstone physically and mentally torments and enslaves a mother and her child, and a Uriah Heep maliciously and underhandedly attempts to drive his good-natured employer to ruin, Steerforth does none of these things...he's quite direct in all that he does and "cool" in all that he intends. However, we know that he might be capable of similar (if not worse) atrocities if he chose to perpetrate them.

>I'd like to discuss this topic with other members of this forum. Please offer your opinions/ analysis of Steerforth's character and, in turn, I'll offer my own. In short, what do you think?: How does Dickens present evil and corruption via James Steerforth?<:flare: :( Thanks for your feedback, GFM

[Virgil]

My recollection is that Steerforth stands as the ideal youth, at least on the surface. He's the gentleman, the fair haired boy who everyone wants to be or at least have as a friend, and one who today could be the captain of the football team. There is a certain attractiveness to him. He has a certain elegance, humor, charm. He reminds me a little of Gatsby, except that Gatsby was self-made. He is the character who can be the hero of the book, who threatens to be the hero of David's book, except that David is the hero of it.

By the way, we had David Copperfield as a monthly Book Forum book. You might be interested in reading our discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19306

[GrayFoxDown]

That's an excellent observation...but I disagree with the part that Steerforth threatens to become the hero of David's book. If anything, David HIMSELF threatens to MAKE Steerforth the hero of the novel as Steerforth was "made" all of his life: the Ultimate Son by Mrs. Steerforth; the Ultimate Lover by Rosa; the Ultimate Knight-in- Shining Armor by Emily; the Ultimate Everything by Everyone around him...including Copperfield. Steerforth himself is, I think, a sort of Tabula Rasa on which his admirers envision their own desires and sense of worth. They, in the end, reinforce Steerforth's importance while detracting from their own...look at Hollywood and those who worship its various denizens.

(More on this later...I'll check-out the Book Forum, as you suggested)

[Virgil]

That's an excellent observation...but I disagree with the part that Steerforth threatens to become the hero of David's book. If anything, David HIMSELF threatens to MAKE Steerforth the hero of the novel as Steerforth was "made" all of his life:

Oh, that may be a better way to phrase it. Yes, of course. It is written in first person by David.

[adagiosostenuto]

Interesting topic.
To me Steerforth is interesting inasmuch as he gives us insight into the crooked part of our own nature. What makes him tick? Pleasure; specifically, two types of pleasure: carnal pleasure and the pleasure of popularity. His seeking these two types of pleasure caused a great deal of damage to many (his seeking of carnal pleasure devestated the Pegotty household, ending in the most tragic circumstances; and he uplifted himself at school, gaining popularity at the expense of Mr. Mell). Every human being needs happiness. But Steerforth tried to fulfill this need in the wrong ways. David, on the other hand, found happiness with a wonderful wife and family.
My 2¢ anyway.

[adagiosostenuto]

By the way, there is no doubt in my mind that, to Dickens, Steerforth is a villain. At least in my opinion, he's not a tragic figure, but a pleasure-hound whose passions led to his demise. That said he is a villain that any of us can become if we're not careful.

[Drwatson]

Gray Fox Down, you set us all right.
Excellent observations. I believe that David, overawed by Steerforth and everyone's tales of him, worships him from the moment they meet. He has an unabashed joy in publicly declaring Steerforths attributes to everyone he can; in such a manner that attracts little Em'ly to him before she even meets this Anti-Villian.

Steerforth himself is not evil. He is carefree, and spoiled, in the modern world he would be something of a playboy, what with his money, charm and good looks. His character is such that his treatment of Em'ly while shocking and seemingly villainous, could have been predicted or at least was inevitable to happen.

Steerforth knows himself to not be what he is idolized to be by David, however he desires to keep this strong bond between them, and warns David to think none the less of him.

In concordance with what Gray Fox said, I believe that Steerforths real crime is having people think to much of him. He is not purely evil, but is simply talented and respected in many circles (note the scene in the Inn, where David is given a nasty room, et all). However, he has little regard for those around him, Rosa Dartle is treated like a Toy Doll by him, he enjoys her devotion, but discards her like a plaything.

However, despite this, David still maintains an earnest love for him, even after he did such a shocking thing. It would seem like betrayal to the Peggotys to still be so admiring of Steerforth, but that could help you understand just what kind of guy he is, the impression that is left upon one intimately associated with him.

[Dickens Lover]

I don't find Steerforth evil. I find him to be exciting, charming and will probably be in love with him if I met him in real life. Everyone is attracted to him. In David's case, it has come to no harm. Of course, if David developes a homosexual passion for Steerforth, Steerforth will then be perceived as evil and a corrupting influence. Fortunately, it was a less crooked epoch. However, when Emily is attracted to him, "evil" occurs because if Steerforth doesn't marry her, Emily will be ruined. Rosa is attracted to him, but due to her station in life, it's impossible love. If Steerforth were a good boy, he should have discouraged these feminine hysteria and devotion. But he's bad, he enjoys and encourages such passion. Emily and Rosa are intelligent and educated enough to know better. If Steerforth is evil, then his evil needs cooperation. Then Emily and Rosa are evil as well. Steerforth is not a criminal, he doesn't rape. He passively receives what's offered to him. He becomes "evil" when he has lost interest in the women.