David Copperfield

"David Copperfield" or "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger, of Blunderstone Rookery" was published in 1850. Like all except five of Charles Dickens works, it was originally published in monthly installments. Many elements within the novel follow events in Dickens' own life, and it is considered the most autobiographical of his novels. "David Copperfield" follows the protagonist from childhood to maturity, beginning with his birth in England in about 1820. David's father had died six months before he was born, and seven years later, his mother marries Mr. Edward Murdstone. David dislikes both his stepfather, and Mr. Murdstone's sister Jane, who moves into the house soon afterwards. David bites Mr. Murdstone while being beaten for falling behind with his studies, and is sent away to the Salem House boarding school. Many characters enter, leave, and re-enter Copperfield's life, including his faithful housekeeper Peggotty, her family, and their orphaned niece Little Em'ly who lives with them and charms the young David; his romantic but self-serving schoolfriend, Steerforth, who seduces and dishonors Little Em'ly, triggering the novel's greatest tragedy; his landlord's daughter and ideal "angel in the house," Agnes Wickfield, who becomes his confidante; David's sometime mentor, the constantly debt-ridden Mr. Wilkins Micawber; and the devious and fraudulent clerk, Uriah Heep. This version includes the original 39 illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne, also known as Phiz, the illustrator of ten of Charles Dickens' most famous books.