Reading David Copperfield: Chapters 31-40 (or In Which I Come to Properly Appreciate Agnes Wickfield)

I have slipped a little behind in posting my David Copperfield series (as in, I finished reading the entire book nearly two weeks ago at this point), but better late than never, what? So here is part 4 of my reading David Copperfield, chapters 31-40.

Here are my thoughts on Chapters 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-64, respectively.

(Oh, and do be warned…spoilers and all that.)

Chapter 31

EMILY. WHY. She’s obviously wretched; why did she do it?? (Wasn’t it Malcolm Muggeridge who said something to the effect that man is the only animal who will deliberately do things which he knows make him miserable?)

I was touched by Mrs. Gummidge’s stepping up and being unselfish, though. Well done, Mrs. Gummidge.

Chapter 32

Multiple thoughts on this chapter.

1) At first I was put out with David for saying he couldn’t be mad at Steerforth and couldn’t help but still love him, but then I thought about it honestly…and it’s entirely possible that I would be the same, were I in his place. If I had really admired and liked Steerforth so much beforehand – which David obviously did, goodness knows why – I think that it’s entirely possible that, though heartbroken and having a very poor opinion of him, I would really find it very hard to keep from loving him still anyway. (Of course, I flatter myself that I would have been a better judge of character than to like Steerforth so much in the first place, but who am I to say? Perhaps I would have been just as bad.) (And of course, we are called to love our enemies, in any case…but it’s entirely possible to love someone while simultaneously thinking they are a horrible person. At its root, all that love is is wishing the good of the other. In Steerforth’s case, wishing his good would be to wish that someone would knock some sense and morality into him.)

2) MRS. GUMMIDGE. What a woman. All my respect.

3) Relating to that, I was struck by how much everybody – including Mrs. Gummidge – is so sensitive to the Peggottys and so considerate of them. It just goes to show you that being a good, honest, upright man – like both Ham and Mr. Peggotty always were – really does pay. Everyone truly respects them in their trouble and truly wants to help them.

4) I like what Dickens did with Miss Mowcher’s character. (Although (even though he may been unjustly biased as well, which isn’t good) considering how Miss Mowcher deported herself when he saw her, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that David formed the opinion of her that he did.)

5) I’m thinking that Miss Dartle was in love with Steerforth herself at some point, and that he led her along in some way (how much, I don’t know). That would explain some things.

Chapter 33

Heh. Okay, so it may not be a very deep or substantial sort of romance, but David and Dora are rather cute in their way. I hadn’t known beforehand that they would actually become engaged, so that was a bit of a surprise. (I must admit, my first thought on hearing that Mr. Murdstone was marrying another very young pretty woman was “oh my goodness, is it Dora? Was Miss Murdstone hanging out with her to try to ingratiate herself and pave the way for her brother?” But then I remembered that Mr. Spenlow, who was telling David this, was Dora’s father. So, no. Not Dora. Unless Dickens has some more surprises up his sleeve.) (Oh, and on that subject, why must the Murdstones constantly show up everywhere? I’d be just as happy to see no more of them, personally.)

Also, now I’m seeing how Dickens is getting in his customary jabs at the law – David hasn’t given up in disgust, but has plenty of opinions to air on the subject (which I expect just so happen to align somewhat with Dickens’ opinions). Not that I’m blaming the fellow; I’m sure his grievances were all quite reasonable. It’s just a little funny.

Chapter 34

Do you know, it did flit through my mind that perhaps Aunt Betsey had lost her fortune when David first came in and found her and Mr. Dick there. I know I should feel Upset and Unsettled, but truth be told, I’m just so glad that we’ll see more of them now – they have remained two of my favorite characters. I hope that isn’t too horrid of me.

Also, the question “would you be persuaded to try a new-laid hegg?” just may start creeping into my conversation now.

Chapter 35

…there was a low wooden colonnade before the door…which pleased Mr. Dick mightily. The glory of lodging over this structure would have compensated him, I dare say, for many inconveniences… Mrs. Crupp had indignantly assured him that there wasn’t room to swing a cat there; but, as Mr. Dick justly observed to me, sitting down on the foot of the bed, nursing his leg, “You know, Trotwood, I don’t want to swing a cat. I never do swing a cat. Therefore what does that signify to me?”

Have I mentioned how much I love Mr. Dick? You’d have to be a real heel to speak harshly to him (yes, that was directed at you, David).

Also, while I do think Agnes suffers a little bit from a lack of personality, this passage about her really struck me:

She filled my heart with such good resolutions, strengthened my weakness so by her example, so directed – I know not how, she was too modest and gentle to advise me in many words – the wandering ardour and unsettled purpose within me, that all the little good I have done, and all the harm I have forborne, I solemnly believe I may refer to her.

Isn’t Agnes kind of the feminine ideal? Influencing those around her towards goodness without even needing to say a word, radiating peace and gentleness, but never compromising her principles or being a push-over. I do think, as aforementioned, that she could use a little more…personality. But other than that, she’s rather the ideal role model.

Chapter 36

David, my dear boy. It’s nice to see you so enthusiastic to help Miss Betsey and make yourself worthy of Dora’s hand and all that, but you are not going to be able to go far at that rate. Slow down a bit. It will serve you better in the long run.

I just love Dickens’ dry, tongue-in-cheek style of humor of saying commonplace things in a very formal tone…for instance, in describing young Master Micawber as “a promising boy of about twelve or thirteen, very subject to that restlessness of limb which is not an infrequent phenomenon in youths of his age.”

But more to the point, I am rather disturbed by Uriah Heep’s employing Mr. Micawber. Whatever that leads to, it can’t be anything good. This is Uriah Heep we’re talking about.

Chapter 37

I know that Dora is a silly child and would be practically useless as a companion and help-meet in life…but I can’t help but like her. She’s just so free of malice. If she had wanted to end the engagement on hearing of David’s drop in fortune, I think my opinion of her would have been a lot lower. As it is, she is silly, but genuinely affectionate.

Also, I love that David and Dora and Miss Mills are literally just a bunch of dramatic teenagers. (Well, Miss Mills isn’t technically a literal teenager – you know what I mean. Teenagers in spirit.) If you took them out of this story and dropped them into a modern-day high-school drama type story, they’d be right at home.

Chapter 38

OH. Well. I didn’t see that coming. (Regarding Mr. Spenlow’s death, that is.) I do hope Miss Murdstone won’t try to somehow imply that it was David’s fault…they were at odds when he died, yada-yada…that seems pretty out there even for her…

Chapter 39

Aw, it’s a shame that there’s a bit of a division in David and Mr. Micawber’s friendship. I do hope that nothing worse comes of Mr. Micawber’s employment under Uriah…I wouldn’t like to see anything bad to happen to the Micawbers.

Until this chapter, although I knew that Uriah Heep was evil and despicable and unlikable, I couldn’t really feel much dislike for him…I found him more amusing. You will note I say “until this chapter.” I find him becoming much more despicable (and at the same time much less amusing) at this point.

Also, I’m feeling ashamed of myself now for complaining about Agnes’s lack of personality back in Chapter 35. What if she doesn’t have much of a personality? What does it matter? She is a thoroughly strong, admirable, lovable, good person, and that matters much, much more. (Besides which, I think she does really have a personality; it’s just not as flamboyant a personality as, say, Betsey Trotwood or Miss Mills or even David himself.) As a matter of fact, I think she may be the Dickens heroine I admire the most.

Chapter 40

Gosh, it seems that all the subplots are just vying each other for depressingness right now. I have this sort of feeling that Little Em’ly is not going to survive this book…we shall see, we shall see.

Well, there are my thoughts on reading David Copperfield, chapters 31-40! What are your thoughts on Agnes Wickfield? Who do you think is the single most likable person in this book? Oh, and would you be persuaded to try a new-laid hegg?