The Personal History of David Copperfield*

Name: The Personal History of David Copperfield*
Author: Charles Dickens

David Copperfield is a novel by Charles Dickens that follows the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood. The story begins with David's birth and his early years with his mother, who dies when he is young. He is then sent to live with his cruel stepfather, Mr. Murdstone, who treats him poorly. After his stepfather's death, David is sent to live with his aunt and uncle, the Micawbers, who are kind and loving towards him. However, they are also poor and struggle to provide for David's needs. As David grows older, he faces various challenges and adventures, including falling in love with a young woman named Emily, and being employed as a clerk in a law firm. Throughout the novel, David encounters many memorable characters, including the eccentric Mr. Micawber, the cruel and manipulative Uriah Heep, and the kind and wise Mr. Dick. Throughout the novel, Dickens explores themes of childhood innocence, the struggles of adolescence, and the complexities of adult relationships. The novel is known for its vivid characters, rich language, and its exploration of the human condition.

By Charles Dickens · First published 1849 · Genre: Bildungsroman, Autobiographical novel, Social criticism · 4 chapters · 15,626 words

First lines

The first things that I seem to remember are the figure of my mother with her pretty hair and youthful face, and Peggotty, our faithful servant, large of figure, black of eye, and with cheeks and arms so hard and red that I wondered the birds didn't peck them in preference to apples. I believe I can remember these two at a little distance apart, dwarfed to my sight by stooping down or kneeling on the floor, and I going unsteadily from the one to the other. My father I never saw, for he died before I was born.

What this Textopian page supports

The Personal History of David Copperfield* is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1849 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Charles Dickens
Date: 1849 CE
Language: English
Genres: Bildungsroman, Autobiographical novel, Social criticism, Comedy, Romance
Length: 15,626 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 344 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Bildungsroman — David Copperfield is a classic example of a Bildungsroman novel as it presents the development, growth, and self-discovery of the protagonist from his childhood to adulthood.
Autobiographical novel — This novel is termed a fictional biography, wherein several events align with Dickens'own life experiences. The author himself has called this his 'favourite child' among his books.
Social criticism — Dickens relays a critique of the social system and conditions of his time, particularly the class structure, educational system, and treatment of women and children.
Comedy — Though the content is often serious, the author employs humor, satire, and irony throughout the novel, often to heighten social commentary.