The chapter
takes place in Yarmouth.
David’s occupation: He spends some time visiting his old home.
Steerforth’s occupation: He spends much time sailing with the Peggotties.
He has even bought a boat he has named the “Little Em’ly”.
New characters:
Miss Mowcher
A very small woman who works as a sort
of hairdresser.
She is very coquettish and gossipy.
Martha
A friend of Emily’s.
She has fallen into disgrace.
Emily gives her money and advises her to
move to London.
Two characters appear unexpectedly troubled:
· Steerforth tells David that his behaviour is bad because he hasn’t had a father.
· Emily says she is not good.
David leaves Yarmouth with Steerforth for
London, where he meets Miss Betsey.
It is decided that David will become
a proctor.
On their way to establish David at
the Doctors’ Commons, the mysterious man who appeared in chapter 17 returns.
Betsey gives him money.
They go to the offices of Spenlow
and Jorkins, where Mr. Spenlow agrees to engage David as a clerk.
They find lodgings for David with
Mrs. Crupp.
Although David is thrilled with his new
accommodations, he gets lonely at night, and Steerforth is away at Oxford with
his friends.
David goes to Steerforth’s home and
visits Mrs. Steerforth and Miss Dartle, who talk glowingly about Steerforth all
day.
Finally, Steerforth returns. He and
David plan to have a dinner party in David’s rooms with two of Steerforth’s
friends. David goes overboard in preparing for the party and then drinks
himself into illness.
While very drunk, he goes with
Steerforth and company to the theater, where he runs into Agnes, who makes him
go home. The next day he is hungover and humiliated.