Chapter I

Note: Being born with a caul (naître « coiffé », c’est à dire la tête couverte d’une partie des membranes fœtales) is traditionally considered a lucky sign.

Type of narrative: ………………

Narrator: …………………………

Characters introduced (names, relationships, characteristics):

………………………: David’s mother. A former ……………. She is a very young widow with no experience as a housekeeper.

Miss …………………...: David’s great-aunt on his ………’s side. She got separated from her husband because he was …………. and has become an enemy of ……….

Betsey Trotwood is an inflexible woman who lives in her own world instead of adapting to the real world. Three examples:

• She was prejudiced against her nephew’s …… although she did not know her.
• She “decides” that her child will be a …….
• She is offended when it turns out to be a …….

The narrator contrasts Clara with Betsey:

• …………… appears sweet, shy and meek. She lacks confidence and is depressed by her circumstances.
• On the other hand, …………… has a forceful personality that cannot be shaken easily.

…………………: the Copperfields’ servant.

Ham Peggotty: Peggotty’s ………….

What are the two prophecies made about David?

• He will be ………..….
• He will see ………....

Summary:

At the beginning of the novel, David’s father is already ………... His mother is ……………….

His father had fallen out with his ……….. because she disapproved of his ……………….

Miss Trotwood pays a visit to …………... She has taken it into her head that the baby will be a ……... She has decided that she will be her ……………. and call her …………………………..

The very same night, Clara gives birth to a ………... Miss Trotwood leaves the house forever.

Chapter II

Pages 22 to 25: the narrator’s earliest memories.

• His mother.
• His nurse.
• Their ……….
• The ………..

The contrast in his mother’s and his nurse’s physical appearance:

	mother	nurse
figure (Fr: silhouette)
striking features	beautiful …………	· dark ………… · red …………..

Pages 25-27: the narrator’s first encounter with Mr Murdstone.

David sits up late reading a book about ……………………. to Peggotty while waiting for his mother to return from a visit.

David’s mother returns with a man. David refuses to …………………….. with him.

Pages 27-29: after the encounter.

Peggotty warns David’s mother not to marry someone her dead ………………. would not have liked. David’s mother is upset.

Pages 29-32: the second encounter.

The man takes David on a short trip to meet business acquaintances.

He doesn’t want David to understand the conversation so he refers to him as “……………………....” and to his marriage as “……………………………………….”.

Pages 32-34: after the second encounter.

David leaves to spend two weeks with …………………….’s family in ……………………...

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