David Copperfield is more or less an autobiography of
Charles Dicken' life. More or less meaning that in
most
cases he does not use actual names, but makes up
the
scenery and names of the people, but the events and
general
meaning remain the same. To create such an
atmosphere
and
still have it retain the same essential elements of
a
true
autobiography is an act of shear genius.
The book is divided into two basic parts - David as
a
boy,
(Freddie Bartholemew) and David the young man
(Frank
Lawton). David's father dies six months before he
is
born.
David and his mother (Elizabeth) are very close
until
she
marries Mr. Murdstone, who is a cold, mean man who
dominates the relationship between Elizabeth and
David;
but
before any of that happens, David spends a few
weeks
with
Peggoty at her brother Dan's house. David meets to
kids -
Little Em'ly, and Ham.
When David's mother dies in still childbirth, he is
shipped
off the London to work where he meets W.C. Fields
(Wilkins
Micawber), who let's David stay with him. He turns
out
to
be a fraud, but does it in such a weird way that
it's
hard
not to like him. Micawber is in great financial
trouble,
and is always "expecting something to turn up".
Micawber is
later arrested and sent to prison for his debts.
David's last stop in his youth is Dover, where he
lives
with his fathers sister, Betswet Trotwood, who
lives
with
crazy cousin Mr. Dick. David takes to Mr. Dick
right
off,
and again, David is happy. He is sent to live with
the
Wickfield family, which includes old Mr. Wickfield
who
is a
well off, but alcoholic, businessman; his daughter
Agnes
who is David's age, and the clerk, Uriah Heep.
By the time David graduates from school, Agnes has
fallen
in love with David (although he doesn't know it
yet)
Mr.
Wickfield has fallen under the influence of Uriah
Heep,
and
Heep has hired Mr. Micawber. David returns to
London to
become a writer where David meets up with
Steerforth
whom
he once knew in school. The two soon become very
good
friends. Together, they attend an opera where David
is
introduced to Dora who will eventually become his
bride.
Later, David takes Steerforth to meet the Peggotys.
This
turned out to be a complete disaster! Em'ly was now
grown
up, is engaged to marry Ham, but falls in love with
Steerforth, who takes her away and abandons her in
Italy.
Ham and Steerforth eventually die together when
Steerforth's yacht sinks in a storm and Ham dies
trying
to
save the ship.
David's marriage to Dora hurt Agnes very deeply.
Their
happiness isn't long lasting when Dora soon dies of
a
strange disease after they are married. Agnes
becomes
threatened by Uriah Heep, who has taken over the
business
and now wants to marry Agnes. Heep is eventually
discovered
by Micawber, and he returns to his "'umble self"
and
the
day is saved. To put a great ending to the book,
David
confesses his love to Agnes.