David Copperfield: chapters XVII – XIX

Chapter XVII

1. Peggotty writes David that the Murdstones have left Blunderstone after selling the furniture.

2. Mr Dick tells David that his aunt is afraid of a man who prowls about her house and that she gives him money.

David thinks of two possible explanations:

· Mr Dick is deluded.

· Betsey is blackmailed by someone who threatens to take Mr Dick away.

3. Mr Dick visits David every other Wednesday at school, where he plays with the schoolboys and becomes friends with Dr Strong.

4. David has tea with Uriah Heep and his mother.

They squeeze as much information out of him as they can.

Mr Micawber happens to walk by the Heeps’ house and see David, who introduces him to them.

5. The Micawbers have moved to Canterbury to look for work, unsuccessfully.

At the end of the chapter, David spots them on the coach to London.

Chapter XVIII

David retraces his time at Canterbury, which he leaves at the age of seventeen.

He relates two infatuations:

• one with a schoolgirl named Shepherd.
• one with a young woman named Larkins, who breaks his heart by getting married.

Chapter XIX

1. After leaving Canterbury, David doesn’t know what to do, so his aunt suggests going to London and visiting Peggotty.

2. Before he leaves, he visits the Wickfields.

David and Agnes have noticed that Mr Wickfield is weakened by drink. It seems that Uriah takes advantage of his condition by requiring him when he is at his worst, which makes him feel depressed.

3. On his way to Yarmouth, David stops at an inn where he meets Steerforth.

All the time, David tries to look like a grown man but he is too insecure to prevent others from taking advantage of him. Three examples:

• The coachman persuades him to leave his seat to someone else.
• The innkeeper serves him dregs.
• The innkeeper puts him in a bad bedroom.

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