In the Beginning
This is the place where David was born.
What is Blunderstone Rookery?
The Murdstones' presence creates this feeling in David's home.
What is fear/unhappiness/oppression?
This is the name of the harsh and abusive headmaster of Salem House.
Who is Mr. Creakle?
This is the city David moves to after being removed from Salem House.
What is London?
This is the town David travels to when he runs away.
What is Dover?
This is the name of David's father, who died before David was born.
Who is David Copperfield (Senior)?
This is the name of Mr. Murdstone's strict and domineering sister.
Who is Jane Murdstone?
These are two friends David makes while attending Salem House.
Who are James Steerforth and Tommy Traddles?
This is the name of the warehouse where David is forced to work.
What is Murdstone and Grinby’s?
This is the name of David’s eccentric great-aunt.
Who is Betsey Trotwood?
This is the name of David's mother.
Who is Clara Copperfield?
This specific event leads to David being sent away to Salem House.
What is biting Mr. Murdstone during a confrontation?
This is the form of punishment the headmaster most frequently uses on students.
What is caning/physical punishment?
This is the type of labor David performs at the warehouse.
What is labeling bottles and performing grueling physical work?
This is David's aunt's reaction when she first sees David at her door.
What is attempting to shoo away the donkeys?
This event ends David's happy early childhood and changes the course of his life.
This item, present at David Copperfield's birth, is later sold by his mother, symbolizing a loss of innocence and foreshadowing future hardships.
This word, used as a constant refrain by the Murdstones, symbolizes their oppressive regime and lack of compassion within the Copperfield household.
What is "firmness"?
This nickname, given to David by Steerforth, stays with him throughout the story.
What is Daisy?
This is the name of the family David lodges with while working in London.
Who are the Micawbers?
This is why David's aunt never remarried after leaving her abusive husband.
What is because she valued her independence and mistrusted men?
This item, present at David Copperfield's birth, is later sold by his mother, symbolizing a loss of innocence and foreshadowing future hardships.
What is a caul?
Through the Murdstones, Dickens critiques this aspect of Victorian society.
What is the emphasis on strict discipline/the lack of emotional understanding in child-rearing/the prevalence of domestic abuse/the patriarchal control within families?
This is the lasting impact of David’s experience at Salem House.
What is reinforcing his feelings of abandonment while shaping his understanding of friendship and authority?
This is why David ultimately decides to run away from London.
What is the combination of harsh working conditions, loneliness, and despair?
This is the role David's aunt plays in transforming his life.
What is providing him with stability, love, and the opportunity for an education?