Dickensians! discussion
David Copperfield - Group Read 1
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May - June 2020: David Copperfield: chapters 30 - 44
LOVE the illustration of Betsey, Uriah and David. I would not be tempted to go into a Roman Bath, but then times have changed.I was glad to see David turn his thoughts to how to provide for Aunt Betsey and be grateful for what she has done for him. I was not surprised about Jorkins, you can tell Spenlow runs everything.
"blind, blind, blind" YES, because Agnes is obviously the finest woman David does or will ever know. If he lets her fall prey to Uriah Heep, I shall have no sympathy for him. Dickens doesn't always dispose of characters the way we would like...think Little Nell and Nancy...so happily ever after might not be in the cards.
Mod
I'm finding after looking at the various illustrations to select one or two for here, I'm beginning to like Fred Barnard's even better than Phiz's!
It took me awhile to figure out what "to cancel my articles" meant. I thought Mr. Jorkins was a made up person. Quite a surprise that he is real. Not a surprise that he is a front.
Betsey Trotwood sees David and Dora's love as puppy love. I think Dickens called it a girl and boy attachement.
I am always happy to see Agnus, Betsey and Dick.
A lot going on in David's life. Wondering how it all going to turn out.
The foreboding at the close of this chapter worries me.
A thought. I wonder if the beggar is Mr. Micawber. Probably not. It just came to my mind because Mr. Micawber only goes out at night with glasses on.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Another suspicion Charles Dickens had cleverly set for us, was that Betsey Trotwood's debts might have been due to Mr Wickfield's mishandling of her affairs, while he was the worse for drink. That fear at least has now been allayed, but it looks as if we have plenty of doom and gloom ahead. ..."My understanding of the situation was that Mr. Wickfield had started doing a substandard job at managing her finances. He wasn't as sharp as he had been previously. She was worried that he would cause her financial demise over time, so (in true Aunt Betsey fashion), she took matters into her own hands.
I wonder why she didn't seek advice from another trusted financier/money handler. Perhaps she had no one to ask for advice as to who was trustworthy.
Taking matters into her own hands was not wise.
I liked this chapter. It is a combination of foreboding and encouraging. Despite these sudden hardships, the family stands together as a unit. They find a way to continue forward. That unity is wonderful to read about.
Yes, "blind, blind, blind" is foreboding. Poor Agnes! She's a wonderful person and it seems that the Fates are against her somehow.
I'm not sure what to make of Uriah Heep. I incline to a snaky, untrustworthy person, yet he hasn't really done anything evil.
He comes from a lower status in Society and has raised himself up. That may mean that he doesn't know how to act towards Mr. Wickfield or others. Perhaps that's why he's always so fawning and creepy?
On the other hand, he keeps putting David down by calling him "Master Copperfield". That's done on purpose and shows a creepy kind of manner.
I'm just not sure...… creepy or misunderstood? (I lean towards creepy but leave that final door open a bit)
Miss Mowcher's words of "don't judge a person by their looks" keeps coming to mind when Uriah and his jitters show up.
Mod
Yes, she was being tactful in her explanation, to save his and Agnes's feelings.
When Agnes describes her home life I get the impression that Mrs. Heep really does make it worse for her, and she would be much happier if the Heeps hadn't moved in.Poor Mr. Wickfield! I get the impression he is frightened all the time when in Heep's presence.
Mod
Agnes says she talks of Uriah all the time, and puts it down to her "natural" pride in her son. But I wonder if there's something more devious and calculated here, and that Mrs Heep is in the know about Uriah's plan to ensnare and marry Agnes, and trying to wheedle Agnes round.
I imagine there are eyes on Agnes' hand. When scrambling up the Societal ladder, the hand of the "landed" is a coveted prize. I'm also sure that Agnes knows this. She may have resigned herself to this already, without giving in.
It must be uncomfortable to have a casual acquaintance/co-worker move into your residence and become part of the household. Co-workers are not friends and sharing intimate moments with them isn't welcome.
Yes, poor Mr. Wickfield does seem scared of Uriah. I feel sorry for the poor man.
France-Andrée wrote: "I'm glad that Mr. Dickens bowed to pressure and changed Miss Mowcher. It is funny that she tells David not to link physical disability with mental corruption because in Dickens physical descriptions is often the first hint that a character is bad... example in this book: Uriah Heep! I also think one evil dwarf per career is enough and Quilp fits the bill...."I think the earlier scene with the vaguely sinister Miss Mowcher is perhaps a more brilliant piece of writing, but I do agree with you that I'm also glad he changed her - and it does work very well.
I have a feeling this comment about physical disability may be partly Dickens criticising himself for his inconsiderate earlier portrayal of Miss Mowcher. I think he makes a comment like this which seems to retrospectively criticise his characterisation of Fagin in Oliver Twist when writing about another Jewish character in Our Mutual Friend.
Bionic Jean wrote: "What’s that game at forfeits? I love my love with an E, because she’s enticing; I hate her with an E, because she’s engaged. I took her to the sign of the exquisite, and treated her with an elopement, her name’s Emily, and she lives in the east? Ha! ha! ha! Mr. Copperfield, ain’t I volatile?’"..."I was very interested in this passage - not just because of its place in the plot, but also because my grandmother used to be keen on Victorian parlour games (I assume her own parents or grandparents may have liked them) and this is one of the ones we used to play with her.
However, we played a slightly different version - as I recall, it went along the lines of "I love my love with an A because she is adorable. I hate her with an A because she is arrogant. Her name is Amy and I took her to Amsterdam and fed her with anchovies and apples."
Jean, thank you for posting the photo of the Roman bath - I was just about to look this up! I would certainly be interested to visit it, once we can visit places like this again. I have seen a Roman bath which I think may have been in London, but I don't think it was this one - sorry to be vague, my memory for this kind of thing is terrible, which is very annoying.
The elusive Mr. Jorkins shows up! We all knew all along that Mr. Spenlow was the active partner and he was using Mr. Jorkins has a front. Don't know if it's because I work in accounting, but I would have given the same answer to David, it's business, it's non-refundable... and it's for David's own good too, he will have career out of this.Aunt Betsey is very diplomatic, but Mr. Wickfield is the reason she took her money out of the firm. Knowing her she propably prefers having lost her own money than having it lost by a third party!
Seems like Agnes is not going to have an easy life, I can't imagine having to spend all this time with Mrs. Heep, talking incessantly about her son... Hey, I got some reading to do so shut up is probably not an option for Agnes (but would be my attitude!).
Roman baths and all the other centuries old relics you have in England makes me very jealous! Our architecture is very recent (as is the country), I hope I get to visit Europe some day.
Mod
Nevertheless, as France-Andrée identified, Charles Dickens does often make those who are physically afflicted figures of fun - if not positively evil characters. But then I can think of exceptions, such as "Jenny Wren" (also in Our Mutual Friend) who is born with underdeveloped legs and a crooked spine. She is the most intelligent person in the entire novel!
Of course the instances of physically disabled people at that time was probably far more prevalent than now; it's just that many Victorian novelists would not care to write about them. Another girl like this is the main character in one of the Christmas Books, (I forget which) and he stresses her goodness.
I have a feeling that just as when Charles Dickens seems to think, right, that's enough of gloom and horror, and puts in one of his ridiculous scenes, when he sees people who are a little different, he can't resist making caricatures or grotesques of them. And sometimes it comes back to bite him!
With Miss Mowcher, Charles Dickens changed the plot to gravitate around her (in the part about Steerforth and Emily) as we've seen, and there's another part later too, later, where she plays a central role rather than another character he had slotted in for it. But I agree, the writing in these parts is not as sharp. I suppose it couldn't be, really, as he was constrained by his conscience!
I'm so glad you've caught up :)
Mod
The distances David walks, starting with the one right across Kent as a boy, are phenomenal. London is huge! This too is taken from life, as Charles Dickens walked for miles every day.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's chapter. "Enthusiasm" sounds likely to be better than "Depression" :)
What a difference two chapters make! I wondered whether Aunt Betsey might not be covering for Mr. Wickfield even more than her tactful explanation--it seems so strangely unlike her to have made such reckless and impractical decisions with her money. I thought perhaps she was aware of his pitiable situation and wanted to spare him, and along with him, Agnes and David, the disgrace of having lost her money. I suppose, though, it is just a result of her strong will and overconfidence. I loved the part where she castigated Uriah for his writhing! I'm not a fan of humiliating people over their appearance, but he is not a good person at all, so I fully support Aunt Betsey and her outspokenness. I do believe that David is blind. He realizes how happy Agnes makes him and how wonderful she is, but doesn't see it for what it is.
Now I'm going to date myself, but I'm old and I admit it! Way back when I was a teenager, I stumbled across a little gem called Fascinating Womanhood, which was a self-help book published in 1963 that gave advice to women on how to have a great marriage. The writer advised that women needed to be an amalgam of Agnes and Dora to really achieve the perfect marriage and true self-fulfillment. The book would produce either hysterical laughter or heart palpitations in women today, but I've never forgotten those two examples, even when I had not read David Copperfield. The really horrifying thing is that I looked up the name of the book to write this and learned that it recently had its sixth printing. Women are still reading it!!! SMH!
Oh, Cindy, maybe they are reading it as humor now. lol.I think it was Petra who said Uriah has not done anything evil as yet (if I am wrong, forgive me), but I think he has done evil, because he has encouraged Wickfield's degradation and taken over bit by bit. Wickfield needs help, Uriah is taking advantage to seize his company. I don't blame him for wanting to get ahead, but the way he is getting ahead is immoral.
I am just sitting back and enjoying Dickens’ storytelling. I wish people in general read more stories today rather than relying so much on television for their fiction. In regard to Uriah Heep, I am convinced he is bad through and through. Not sure if I can give a solid reason to back that up, it’s more like a feeling that with some characters, like David Copperfield, Dickens wanted his readers to be emotionally invested. The vibe I’m getting is that Uriah is meant to be an adversary, so I think he’s bad news. Plus the early hints that Heep is a schemer - we just don’t yet know what all of his shenanigans will amount to. I certainly didn’t visualize the Heeps moving in with the Wickfield’s, that’s bold!
BTW, I love Aunt Betsey so much that the next cat I adopt will be named after her. Bets if a female, Trot if a male.
Lori wrote: "Plus the early hints that Heep is a schemer - we just don’t yet know what all of his shenanigans will amount to. I certainly didn’t visualize the Heeps moving in with the Wickfield’s, that’s bold!..."I agree! He may not have done anything overt yet, but it is clear that he is low-key threatening/bullying Mr. Wickfield. I don't see how Uriah's ambition or drive alone would inspire the older man with fear. It's obvious that he's not holding off on offering for Agnes out of a desire to win her affection first; he's circling his wagons so that by the time he pops the question, all of her escape routes will be cut off. With her father under Uriah's control and him and his mother installed in their house, how will she withstand him?
Lori - Love the idea of naming your cat for Aunt Betsey. :)Dickens does give us vibes and while the vibe is that Steerforth is bad but not perhaps evil, the vibe with Uriah is that he is evil itself.
Cindy - You have nailed what he is doing to Agnes and it is terrifying to watch. Women of this era have few options and unless someone steps in to save her, without her father's protection, she is at the mercy of the Heeps.
Mod
Well my mindset at the moment is Victorian, so I thought "Be Still My Heart" ... ?
How disappointed I was to find it means "Shake My Head" LOL! (Though that does make a lot more sense).
When we were teenagers, Chris and I used to get a lot of pleasure when my parents read out from an old book they had called Cobbett's Advice to Young Men: And (Incidentally) to Young Women in the Middle and Higher Ranks of Life. in a Series of Letters, Addressed to a Youth, a Bachelor, a Lover, a Husband, a Father, a Citizen, or a Subject. (I must add that they thought it was hilarious too!) And now I find it is available on Kindle - I suspect for the same reason Sara gave. I prefer my Victorian edition though.
Lots to comment on in fact but I'd better press on and post the next chapter summary, as I'm sure we're all eager to discuss the Big News!
Mod
David has decided to make the best of things and adapt himself to his new financial situation. He find that if Dora is the prize in his mind, that he becomes even more determined. He starts the day with another "dive into the Roman bath", intending to walk to Highgate, to see Dr Strong. On the way he even has a look at a small cottage to let, and imagines himself there with Dora. His happy dream comes to an end when he realises the time, and rushes off to Highgate. However as a result of this he arrives there too early, so goes across the "little town" (now an area of North London) to see Mrs Steerforth's house. Steerforth's room is closed up, but he sees Rosa walking outside, like "some fierce thing, that was dragging the length of its chain to and fro upon a beaten track, and wearing its heart out".
When he reaches Dr Strong's house, he finds the doctor also walking in his garden, as of old; a very different picture. It takes the doctor a while to recognise David, but he is full of pleasure at seeing him. Dr Strong brings him up to date, saying that Annie will be delighted to see him. Jack Malden is back from India, as it didn't suit him, and Mrs Markleham (the "old soldier") was vexed and concerned about him. Dr Strong arranged for new employment for him at home, which he prefers:
"I knew enough of Mr. Jack Maldon to suspect from this account that it was a place where there was not much to do, and which was pretty well paid."
Jack Maldon and Mrs Annie Strong - Fred Barnard
Dr Strong is concerned that David will not be making the best use of his talents in working for him, as he achieved "distinction" as his pupil. David assures him that it suits him very well, as he will still be performing his profession during the day. He is to go to Dr Strong's during the early part of the morning, and the evening. Also that the £70 he would earn would double the income for his Aunt and himself. Dr Strong is most surprised at this, and insists that he always intended to give an annual present to whoever took the position. David objects a little, but they soon reach an agreement where both are happy.
David, keen to be in Dr Strong's favour, says he hopes to work on the Dictionary, which delights Dr Strong. Jack Maldon had helped for a while, but made such a botched job of it that David has to do a lot of sorting out first.
They plan to start work at 7am the next day, and go in to see Annie. It does not seem very long before Jack Maldon arrives, and David takes against him straightaway, although the older David as narrator says this may have been unjust:
"I was in a state of ferocious virtue, however, as to young men who were not cutting down trees in the forest of difficulty; and my impression must be received with due allowance."
Jack Maldon appears bored and indifferent, whatever subject is introduced; even being too languid to bother with the breakfast which is offered to him. He does not appear so bored however, whenever he speaks to Annie. Jack Maldon states that he had come to offer to take Annie to the Opera that evening. Annie says she would rather not but Dr Strong, oblivious, is keen to give his wife pleasure, and says that she should go, as:
"she was young and ought to be amused and entertained, and must not allow herself to be made dull by a dull old fellow."
Annie pointedly asks David after Agnes, as she knows she is in town. Later David discovers that Annie had managed to cancel the Opera engagement, and gone to visit Agnes instead.
David speculates as to whether Annie's face is "a good one or a very false one":
"I wondered how even the Doctor ... could be blind to what was so obvious."
David spends his time busy working now, and makes a few personal sacrifices with his extravagant accessories, all with Dora in mind. The two are carrying on a secret correspondence via Miss Mills.
Mr Dick is still fretting about Aunt Betsey, and wanting to help with the finances and David is keen to see his friend Traddles, so he decides they should both go and see Traddles, in case he has any ideas. He writes to Traddles first, to put him in the picture about Mr Dick, so when he first meets Mr Dick, they are friends at once.
First David says what is on his mind. He would like to report on the debates in Parliament, for the newspapers. Traddles is doubtful, and explains that he would have to learn shorthand to do this, and to become accomplished would take a long time. But David is undeterred, full of thoughts of working hard for Dora, and says he will start tomorrow.
"‘Dear me,’ said Traddles, opening his eyes, ‘I had no idea you were such a determined character, Copperfield!’
I don’t know how he should have had, for it was new enough to me."
The next question was how could Mr Dick help. In the end they all decided that because he wrote so neatly, Mr Dick could copy manuscripts, and just in case he felt a sudden urge to write about King Charles, his Memorial would be close at hand on another table. Aunt Betsey was to keep an eye on him.
Mr Dick goes between the two tables all the time at the beginning but gradually settles into copying, and in less than a week has earned ten shillings and ninepence (10s 9d or 10/9). In great delight he exchanges these for silver sixpences which he arranges in a heart, and sets out on a wooden tray to present to Aunt Betsey: "with tears of joy and pride in his eyes."
"I hardly know which was the better pleased, Traddles or I."
Traddles suddenly remembers that he has received a letter from Mr Micawber, in which he reveals the surprising news that at last "something has turned up". He can claim his own name back, the family are off to Canterbury the next day, and he wishes to see them both that evening.
When they arrive, the Micawbers are already partly packed, and the room seems even smaller than ever, especially with the children in it. Both the Micawber are as grandiloquent as ever, and the rumbustious children provide a distraction, but eventually Micawber tells them that he is to work as Uriah Heep's secretary. The two are astonished, but Mr Micawber insists that Uriah Heep is "a man of remarkable shrewdness". Mrs Micawber, ever taking the long view, quizzes Traddles about how Mr Micawber could eventually be appointed as a judge or Chancellor, as he is made for such a position. He already has the manner for it:
"I am convinced that Mr. Micawber, giving his mind to a profession so adapted to his fertile resources, and his flow of language, must distinguish himself."
Traddles tries to be honest about the long path ahead, but the Micawbers make light of this, and Mr Micawber decides that because of his bald head, he already has an advantage in the wearing of a wig.
Mr Micawber delivers some valedictory remarks - Phiz
The whole company get delightfully tipsy on punch, and Mr Micawber makes a point of giving Traddles an I.O.U for the two bills Traddles has taken over for him, of £23. 4s. 9½d plus £18. 6s. 2d. He makes the total sum £41. 10s. 11½d. and says he is very proud to recover his dignity:
"I am persuaded, not only that this was quite the same to Mr. Micawber as paying the money, but that Traddles himself hardly knew the difference until he had had time to think about it."
The chapter closes as David realises how fortunate he has been that Mr Micawber has never asked him to put his name to a bill.
Mod
It is good to see David working so hard for his future, and to help his aunt, but we wonder what is in store for him. Will Dr Spenlow still think him a suitable match for his only daughter? Will Dora herself still admire him without his tight boots and gallant grey horse?
Money seem to be uppermost as a theme, and we can make comparisons. We know Aunty Betsey will get £70 p.a. rent from her cottage, and that David will earn the same figure for working 5 hours every weekday, all year. Compare this with the I.O.U Mr Micawber has so easily issued, without any indication of conscience, to Traddles, which is over £41.
Things may not be looking so good for Mr Micawber. We think of him as being good-natured, but David has already called him "slippery". Will he become another sort of Uriah Heep?
Mod
The second is that David, now that Steerforth is out of the picture, seems to be becoming more self-reliant, and perhaps this is because the example he has before him is his friend Traddles. The languid, indolent Jack Maldon is very similar to Steerforth in many ways - remember he wanted to see the opera singer partly because she was ugly? This casual cruelty reminded me very much of the sort of careless throw-away comment Steerforth might have made. Neither seems to care what will happen to those people they dally with.
Mod
I like the expression "cutting down trees in the forest of difficulty". David has grown up enough to see the problems with the Strongs and the Micawbers. I was suddenly reminded of Flowers for Algernon where the main character starts out with a low IQ and becomes smarter. He doesn't become happier, though, partly because he starts to understand the meanness of those around him. In a way this happens to us when we grow up and become cynical. He didn't question the relationship of the Strongs when he was young, just as he didn't really question Steerforth's goodness.
I feel sorry for Annie, as she seems to be trying to avoid Jack Maldon, knowing he is trouble for her. I believe she has been in love with him most of her life, and such an attachment would be very difficult to break, especially with the husband almost prodding you forward into the lover's arms. I do wish Mr. Strong were stronger!I find it difficult to like Micawber. I know he is meant to be somewhat comic relief, but I do not excuse him his shortcomings so easily. Traddles is such a good soul, and Mr. Micawber might be sociable and pleasant while he is doing it, but he is stealing from Traddles all the same. He knows the I.O.U. is worth nothing, as he knows he is worth nothing. His belief that "things will turn" is not the least reassuring. And, I fear for the turn that may be coming if he is falling under the direct influence of Uriah Heep.
Lovely observation, Jean, about the sixpences. I think it also helped Mr Dick's self-esteem to feel that he was a useful, contributing person since he had received so much emotionally from Aunt Betsey as well as a home with her.I felt so angry when Mr Micawber gave Traddles the IOU which will probably never be repaid. He has no respect for the hardship he is causing other people. Now that he is going to be working for Uriah Heep, I wonder if he will take advantage of Agnes' father.
Mod
"I had heard that many men distinguished in various pursuits had begun life by reporting the debates in Parliament. Traddles having mentioned newspapers to me, as one of his hopes, I had put the two things together, and told Traddles in my letter that I wished to know how I could qualify myself for this pursuit."
as this is exactly what Charles Dickens himself did, of course :)
Robin - Flowers for Algernon is one of my favourite books - both the short story and the novel.
Lovely observations, all :)
Sara wrote: "I think it was Petra who said Uriah has not done anything evil as yet (if I am wrong, forgive me), but I think he has done evil, because he has encouraged Wickfield's degradation and taken over bit by bit. Wickfield needs help, Uriah is taking advantage to seize his company. I don't blame him for wanting to get ahead, but the way he is getting ahead is immoral. ..."I did. Although he gives me the creeps, since Miss Mowcher said something to the effect of "don't judge someone by how they look", I've wondered if Uriah seems evil because of the way he's portrayed and seen.
I'm not convinced. Uriah seems very untrustworthy, at best, and so much more conniving than that.
It's just that a doubt has been planted by that one statement.
On the other hand, Uriah's actions are out of our vision. We only have what little we hear about. It does seem that he's contriving to take Mr. Wickfield's lifestyle & possessions from him and transfer it to himself completely, including the "ownership" of poor Agnes.
My leanings are still that Uriah is evil. I just have the one doubt planted by Miss Mowcher.
France-Andrée wrote: "The elusive Mr. Jorkins shows up! We all knew all along that Mr. Spenlow was the active partner and he was using Mr. Jorkins has a front. Don't know if it's because I work in accounting, but I would have given the same answer to David, it's business, it's non-refundable... and it's for David's own good too, he will have career out of this..."That's interesting! It's a large sum of money, though - I know it's very difficult to calculate what Victorian money is worth now, but I think this would be well over £100,000, and since Miss Betsey now only has £70 a year to live on, it's more than 14 years income for her.
So I think it's very understandable that David wants to try to drop out of the training and get at least some of it back for her. Of course, it's equally understandable that Spenlow (and therefore Jorkins) wants to hang on to it!
I really liked the scene of Mr. Dick giving his wages to Aunt Betsey. He's such a wonderful character. I could have kicked David under the table when he started telling the Micawber's about his reduced circumstances just before they leave to go work for Uriah. How many times has David been too open and let private information into hands that shouldn't have it?
Unless Dickens means to make a surprise Good Guy out of Uriah, this was an unwise move.
Mr. Micawber is someone that one needs to keep at arm's length and never, ever lend him any money. He's not a malicious guy. I think he truly means to pay things back but since that opportunity never happens, he also doesn't worry about it. He feels that his good intentions are enough, under those circumstances. I don't think that he sees it as stealing; I think he sees it as an outstanding fact....but perhaps not really an obligation. He probably has a different definition of obligation or responsibility than we do. He may be good company but he's not to be trusted with finances, especially those that aren't his.
It's awful that Traddles is under this obligation. Hasn't he, though, already paid back the first loan of 25 pounds? I thought he had when he bought back his furniture. I may be mistaken.
A lot has happened in this chapter and I agree with all of your comments.The combination of Micawber and Heep does not bode well. Micawber has the air of openness and honesty, but what is he really like? I can see Heep using Micawber for his own purposes, which I see as gaining complete control of the Wickfields.
Mod
When Traddles bought back his two items of furniture (we call it a "bottom drawer" in England. I wonder if that's universal?) I just assumed it was out of the money he earns. After all, that's how he saved up for them in the first place.
He wouldn't have to pay the Bill until it came due. But even if it already has, Mr Micawber will still owe him the money, whether the original debt was paid or not. We haven't been told that Mr Micawber has paid Traddles any money.
I think it highly unlikely that Micawber will pay back Traddles, but you never know....Something may turn up.
I had to look up IOU, which means "I owe you", funnily enough.I loved Mr. Dick presenting his sixpence as a heart to Aunt Betsey!
But what a shock to hear of Uriah Heep in connection to Mr. Micawber! Hope this will not work out bad!
Mod
LOL Don't you just love Dickens's catch phrases?
Jean, if the bill comes due and Mr. Micawber cannot pay the bill, does it not then fall to Trabbles to pay it out of his own pocket? We know Mr. Micawber won't/can't pay it, which would then leave it in Trabbles' hands to do so. I assumed that if he's buying back furniture with his earned money, he would only do so after paying back the bill. He seems a responsible type with money, having pulled himself up, educating himself, etc.
That is my thinking. But if Trabbles bought back the furniture without paying back the first bill, he's in big troubles. I think he'll find a a way but we've seen that it would take about a half year of wages to do so. That's a hard blow.
Mr. Micawber's (useless) IOU just means that he would owe Trabbles that amount, should he one day have money to do so, which we know he won't have.
Mod
Yes, he would. It's something Dickens has just left hanging. He might be leaving it deliberately ambiguous, so he can pull a rabbit out of the hat!
If Traddles had already paid it back though, don't you think he would have told David and they'd have (an excuse for) a little celebration?
Also, I get the idea that Traddles isn't very clever, and gets wherever he gets to by hard work. If he understood he would be responsible for so much money, would he have accepted a second Bill? He believed Mr Micawber when he said it was "provided for" ie., he's just as gullible as David.
But the strongest point is probably that we don't know the date the Bill is due to be paid by. It could be years ahead. But Traddles knows Sophy's furniture has been seized and pawned right now, and will feel bad about it.
"if he's buying back furniture with his earned money, he would only do so after paying back the bill ... He seems a responsible type with money"
Although I agree he has a sense of duty, I think he would primarily be concerned with not letting Sophy down any further. So as soon as he had saved up enough, he would reclaim his pawned goods, rather than pay someone else's Bills which aren't yet due.
But we're speculating here, and just don't know!
Robin wrote: "I like the expression "cutting down trees in the forest of difficulty". I also really like that imagery, putting a physical action to what will really be more intellectual work, but showing how his future has to be earned now. It shows that David his finally maturing, that he sees what's going on with the Strongs and the Micawbers clearly only confirms this.
Finding work for Mr. Dick was such a good thing to do after scaring him into knowing what ruins means; I thought that was a little cruel of David because I think he only explained it to Mr. Dick so he could shut him up on the spot, but once something has entered the head of Mr. Dick it just doesn't leave it and being busy and earning his own money will alleviate that. I love how he put the money on the tray in shape of a heart.
I wonder why Uriah Heep has decided to hire Mr. Micawber? There has to be an underhand reason. Is it to be able to spy on David?
I agree with Petra, Mr. Micawber doesn't see a financial obligation like we do an IOU for him is the same thing as a repayment because he will never go further than that and that is the last stage he will get to so for him it is the end of the obligation. I wish Traddles would wake up, it's a good thing the Micawbers are going away because I don't think the young man understand that it would never stop and as long as he hasn't made that realization, he would give more money into this never ending debt.
Mod
I also really like that imagery, putting a physical action to what will really be more intellectual work ..."
and that metaphor is used throughout today's chapter too.
"Mr. Micawber doesn't see a financial obligation like we do an IOU for him is the same thing as a repayment"
I think we all hope he will not demand any more from honest Traddles!
Mod
David is putting every effort into his work and his life, spurred on by the thought that it is all for Dora. The couple are carrying on their clandestine relationship, with Miss Mills's help. They write to each other daily, and have an agreed sign that when a bird-cage has been placed in the drawing-room middle window, Mr Mills is out, and it is safe for David to visit.
Mr Dick is also working diligently at his copying.
Aunt Betsey has made a stand against Mrs Crupp. She has paid her off, and dispensed with her services. She has thrown one of the jugs Mrs Crupp placed on the stairs as an obstacle, out of the window, and employed another person to guard the staircase, (presumably so that Mrs Crupp will not invade their territory). Mrs Crupp has decided that Betsey Trotwood is mad, but is too much in awe of her to show her face. Instead, she hides behind the door or in dark corners, which gives Aunt Betsey great satisfaction.
Betsey Trotwood organises David's things, and makes David's rooms even better than Peggotty had been able to:
"being uncommonly neat and ingenious, made so many little improvements in our domestic arrangements, that I seemed to be richer instead of poorer."
and the two become as good friends as they can, given Peggotty's consciousness of Betsey Trotwood's position. However, it is soon time for Peggotty to return to Yarmouth, to help Ham. The two share a friendly word about her brother, Dan Peggotty, whom neither has heard from since he left. Before she leaves by coach, Peggotty insists to David that if he ever has need of her money, even if just as a loan, he must ask. She also whispers how much she would have liked to see:
"the pretty little angel ... only for a minute! And tell her that before she marries my boy, I’ll come and make your house so beautiful for you, if you’ll let me!"
David applies himself to his work in the Doctor's Commons, but longs for the evening when he will see Dora. He waits outside for a long time, impatient for the signal, and when he is at last admitted, he asks her:
"without the smallest preparation, if she could love a beggar?"
This does not have the effect he had hoped for, that she would vow to be earnest like him. She spends a great deal of time:
"shaking her curls, and laid her trembling little hand upon my shoulder, and first looked scared and anxious, then began to cry."
and playing with her dog, imploring David not to talk of this any more:
"‘I declare I’ll make Jip bite you!’ said Dora, shaking her curls, ‘if you are so ridiculous ... Oh, don’t be dreadful!... Don’t talk about being poor, and working hard!’"
David is nonplussed, but:
"I was charmed with her childish, winning way ... If it were possible for me to love Dora more than ever, I am sure I did. But I felt she was a little impracticable."
Suggesting gently that she might like to look at her father's accounts, once in a while, or follow a cookery book he has for her, makes things worse:
"Please don’t be practical!’ said Dora, coaxingly. ‘Because it frightens me so! ... It’s so very dreadful!’... [and she] received this suggestion with something that was half a sob and half a scream."
Both Dora and David get very emotional, and Miss Mills walks in when David has accidentally dropped a case of needles over Dora, in an attempt to get her some smelling salts to bring her round from her faintness. Miss Mills is concerned at first that they have quarrelled, which calls to her mind her own sad story, but David soon tells her all. Miss Mills, he feels is very wise, despite her youth, because of her experience. She feels this too, and advises that his aim to change her is inappropriate:
"Our dearest Dora is a favourite child of nature. She is a thing of light, and airiness, and joy."
Dora - from the 1935 film - Maureen O'Sullivan
She agrees to take charge of the Cookery Book, but is not hopeful. When Dora returns, having calmed herself, David:
"felt like a sort of Monster who had got into a Fairy’s bower, when I thought of having frightened her, and made her cry."
They all have an enjoyable evening, although Dora's choice of a French song about never being able to leave off dancing strikes a wrong note for David. By the end of the evening, neither has given any ground, and nothing has changed:
"‘Now don’t get up at five o’clock, you naughty boy. It’s so nonsensical!’
‘My love,’ said I, ‘I have work to do.’
‘But don’t do it!’ returned Dora. ‘Why should you?’"
As the days go on, David ponders on the problem to himself:
"I would sit sometimes of a night, thinking ... how I could best make my way with a guitar-case through the forest of difficulty, until I used to fancy that my head was turning quite grey."
Mod
It looks very much as if, as well as his old sweetheart Maria Beadnell, one of Charles Dickens's models for the adorable Dora was his own wife, Kate, whom a friend of his described as:
"A pretty little woman, plump and fresh-coloured, with the large, heavy-lidded blue eyes so much admired by men. The nose was slightly retrousse, the forehead good, mouth small, round and red-lipped with a genial smiling expression of countenance, notwithstanding the sleepy look of the slow-moving eyes."
In Claire Tomalin's biography of Dickens, she wrote of Kate:
"She was not clever or accomplished like his sister Fanny and could never be his intellectual equal, which may have been part of her charm: foolish little women are more often presented as sexually desirable in his writing than clever, competent ones.... His decision to marry her was quickly made, and he never afterwards gave any account of what had led him to it, perhaps because he came to regard it as the worst mistake in his life."
and of course his subsequent (mis)treatment of his wife is very well documented. It's interesting to speculate on how besotted he may have been with her initially though, from these fanciful descriptions of David's own swoonings of adoration.
Mod
After reading this chapter, I think that Dora is terrible choice for David, who has to work for his living. I don't think she has any idea about what the real world is like.The part where she says that Jip will require a mutton chop every day for his lunch, while David was considering becoming a vegetarian to say money doesn't bode well for their future.
He is still smitten though, and still terribly young.
I love the way Aunt Betsey put David's landlady in her place.
Rosemarie wrote: "After reading this chapter, I think that Dora is terrible choice for David"Auch. I fell behind, and managed to catch up today. :)
Rosemarie, this is exactly what I thought after reading this chapter.
I can but agree with aunt Betsey: David blind blind blind!
He weeps when he thinks about Agnes (the remembrance of her clear calm eyes and gentle face came stealing over me, […] it soothed me into tears. – Chapter 34); he thinks about her about his real source of happiness (As if, in the retirement of the house made almost sacred to me by her presence, Dora and I must be happier than anywhere. – Chapter 34); he wishes to be with her more than with anyone else (If I had had a conjuror’s cap, there is no one I should have wished for but you!” – Chapter 35).
When he speaks with or about Agnes, he uses such beautiful love words. And yet he runs after Dora’s whims. He is clever, but he is still not in touch with his real feelings.
Mr Micawber & Uriah Heep. Poor Agnes: first, Uriah Heep and his mother in her house, and now Mr Micawber in Canterbury.I never liked the Micawbers, since they sent little David to sell stuff to raise money for them. I like Mr Micawber as a character, but not as a person. He reminds me when old Chuzzlewit, in Martin Chuzzlewit, said (or thought, I don’t remember exactly) that he was not sure that Pecksniff was aware of being so hypocrite and selfish, and he was kind of fascinated by him. Pecksniff was so determined to appear a good man to others, that he convinced himself also that he was that good man we wanted to appear. I think Mr Micawber is a mixture of this self-deception, and shallowness.
One might say that Mrs Micawber is a victim of a bad marriage. But after her speech about throwing the gauntlet to society (chapter 28), and when she says (regarding Mr Micawber’s employment by Uriah Heep): “What I particularly request Mr Micawber to be careful of, is that he does not, in applying himself to this subordinate branch of the law, place it out of his power to rise….. Mr Micawber possesses the judicial mind” (Chapter 36), the only thing left to say is: ah all right, ok.
Mod
Yes, our reactions are all the same I think. It strikes me that Charles Dickens is putting his own personality into David very well here, and making it amusing for us too.
Like David, he admired strong women, but for his romantic feelings, or as Claire Tomalin deduced, those he found sexually desirable (but could not say, in that Age) he chose silly, pretty, little, ones.
Did you notice that at one point he called her "little Dora" like "Little Em'ly", and stresses her childishness. He cannot seem to feel desire for a capable woman, but treats them solely as friends. It's very much the conventional Victorian male romantic view. David lives in his dream world of fantasies, and so did Charles Dickens.
Dickensians!
Books mentioned in this topic
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen: Annotated (other topics)Middlemarch (other topics)
The Vampyre (other topics)
David Copperfield (other topics)
Oliver Twist (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
John Mullen (other topics)Catherine Thomson Dickens (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
John William Polidori (other topics)
Jane Austen (other topics)
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About two locations: "Hungerford Market" was referred to as having changed a lot in recent times, and this article explains the changes in the early 19th century:
LINK HERE.
I was quite surprised that David immersed himself in a Roman Bath as I know how insanitary they are :( The one in the Strand is still there, and owned now by the "National Trust", so you can visit it (but not bathe!) LINK HERE
Here it is: