David Copperfield

Now a grown man, David Copperfield tells the story of his youth. As a young boy, he lives happily with his mother and his nurse, Peggotty. His father died before he was born. During Davids early childhood, his mother marries the violent Mr. Murdstone, who brings his strict sister, Miss Murdstone, into the house. The Murdstones treat David cruelly, and David bites Mr. Murdstones hand during one beating. The Murdstones send David away to school.
Davids mother dies, and David returns home, where the Murdstones neglect him. He works at Mr. Murdstones wine-bottling business and moves in with Mr. Micawber, who mismanages his finances. When Mr. Micawber leaves London to escape his creditors, David decides to search for his fathers sister, Miss Betsey Trotwood—his only living relative. He walks a long distance to Miss Betseys home, and she takes him in on the advice of her mentally unstable friend, Mr. Dick.
Miss Betsey sends David to a school run by a man named Doctor Strong. David moves in with Mr. Wickfield and his daughter, Agnes, while he attends school. Agnes and David become best friends. Among Wickfields boarders is Uriah Heep, a snakelike young man who often involves himself in matters that are none of his business. David graduates and goes to Yarmouth to visit Peggotty, who is now married to Mr. Barkis, the carrier. David reflects on what profession he should pursue.
On his way to Yarmouth, David encounters James David apprentices himself at the London firm of Spenlow and Jorkins and takes up lodgings with a woman named Mrs. Crupp. Mr. Spenlow invites David to his house for a weekend. There, David meets Spenlows daughter, Dora, and quickly falls in love with her.
In London, David is reunited with Tommy Traddles and Mr. Micawber. Word reaches David, through Steerforth. David journeys to Yarmouth to visit Peggotty in her hour of need. Little Emly and Ham, now engaged, are to be married upon Mr. Barkiss death. David, however, finds Little Emly upset over her impending marriage. When Mr. Barkis dies, Little Emly runs off with Steerforth, who she believes will make her a lady. Mr. Peggotty is devastated but vows to find Little Emly and bring her home.
Miss Betsey visits London to inform David that her financial security has been ruined because Mr. Wickfield has joined into a partnership with Uriah Heep. David, who has become increasingly infatuated with Dora, vows to work as hard as he can to make their life together possible. Mr. Spenlow, however, forbids Dora from marrying David. Mr. Spenlow dies in a carriage accident that night, and Dora goes to live with her two aunts. Meanwhile, Uriah Heep informs Doctor Strong that he suspects Doctor Strongs wife, Annie, of having an affair with her young cousin, Jack Maldon.
Dora and David marry, and Dora proves a terrible housewife, incompetent in her chores. David loves her anyway and is generally happy. Mr. Dick facilitates a reconciliation between Doctor Strong and Annie, who was not, in fact, cheating on her husband. Miss Dartle, Mrs. Steerforths ward, summons David and informs him that Steerforth has left Little Emly. Miss Dartle adds that Steerforths servant, Littimer, has proposed to her and that Little Emly has run away. David and Mr. Peggotty enlist the help of Little Emlys childhood friend Martha, who locates Little Emly and brings Mr. Peggotty to her. Little Emly and Mr. Peggotty decide to move to Australia, as do the Micawbers, who first save the day for Agnes and M...