Commentary Chapter 3

1. David, my child … we have all to accept that our loved ones can die at any
moment … I’m sorry to tell you that … your mother is dangerously ill. Your
mother is dead”. Mrs. Creakle to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mrs. Creakle to David in
Salem House when she trying to inform him gently about the death of his mother.
This extract reflects the theme of kindness which is embodied in the character of
Mrs. Creakle. Mrs. Creakle lets David stay with her to cope with the shock until
they can arrange for him to travel back home to Blunderstone for the funeral.

2. How did it happen, Peggotty?' David to Peggotty

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by David to Peggotty in
David’s home after the death of his mother. He was simply asking her about what
lead to his mother’s death. This extract entirely sheds light on David’s character. He
is still in the stage of innocence. He is still naïve, trusting and simple-hearted asking
for the kindness of the other people who really cares for him like Peggotty.

3. “She was ill for a long time, Master David. She got worse after the baby was
born, you see. She was sometimes unhappy and forgetful, but she was always
the same to me, her old Peggotty. Those two downstairs often spoke crossly to
her and made her sad, but she still loved them, you know - she was so sweet
and loving! I always sat beside her while she went to sleep. It made her feel
better. On the last night, she asked me for some water, and then gave me such
a patient smile! She looked so beautiful! The sun was beginning to rise, and
 she put her head on my arm, on her stupid cross on Peggotty's arm, and died
like an innocent child going to sleep… “Peggotty to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Peggotty to David in
David’s home after the death of his mother and she was telling him about his
mother before she died. This extract reflects the theme of faithfulness. Peggotty
really cares a lot about David’s feeling. Although, Peggotty is David's old nurse and
his mother's housekeeper, her primary characteristic is loyalty, faithfulness and
wisdom. She loves looking after David. She acts as David’s real mother, although
she belongs to the working-class females which is a lower social class than that of
David. She has a steady and moral influence on David's life. She is a woman of
intense loyalty and is David's only companion after his mother's death. The motif
here is that the moral connection between mothers and children indicates that
mothers have an all-important role in shaping their children’s characters and
destinies.

4. Barkis is willing! You told her that!' Barkis to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mr. Barkis to David when he
was taking him to spend a holiday with Peggotty’s family in Yarmouth. Mr. Barkis
develops marital designs on Peggotty because he knows that she makes amazing
apple pastries. So he reminds David of his message of marriage proposal to
Peggotty. It is important to note that both of them belong to the working class and
this somehow foreshadows that he and Peggotty will have a strong marriage on
equal footing.

5. 'Are you comfortable?" Barkis to Peggotty

 This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography
written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mr. Barkis to David when he
was taking him to spend a holiday with Peggotty’s family in Yarmouth. Mr. Barkis
develops marital designs on Peggotty because he knows that she makes amazing
apple pastries. So he was trying to have some conversation with her without direct
interference. It is important to note that both of them belong to the working class
and this somehow foreshadows that he and Peggotty will have a strong marriage on
equal footing.

6. “Emily's like me, …. 'and would like to David's see friend Mr. Steerforth”.
Peggotty to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Peggotty to David in
Yarmouth when David couldn’t stop telling them about Steerforth that they all even
Emily admired him. This extract entirely sheds light on David’s character. He is
still in the stage of innocence. He is still naïve, trusting and simple-hearted person
talking only about the goodness of Steerforth’s character without being sceptic at all
about his real intentions and that is how he Peggotty’s family believed him.

7. “I’ll love you just as much, David, my dear, when I'm married … And I'll be
able to come and see you in the cart any time I like. Barkis is a good man and
I'm sure I’ll be happy with him. He's got a nice little house, and I’ll keep a
little bedroom there for you to use whenever you want. You'll always be
welcome to come and stay” Peggotty to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Peggotty to David in
Yarmouth when she decided to marry Mr. Barkis and she wanted to calm David that
she will always act as his mother. This extract reflects the theme of faithfulness.
Peggotty really cares a lot about David’s feeling. Although, Peggotty is David's old
nurse and his mother's housekeeper, her primary characteristic is loyalty,
faithfulness and wisdom. She loves looking after David. She acts as David’s real
mother, although she belongs to the working-class females which is a lower social
class that of David. She has a steady and moral influence on David's life. She is a
woman of intense loyalty and is David's only companion after his mother's death.
That’s why; she was trying to comfort him and end his worries. The motif here is
that the moral connection between mothers and children indicates that mothers have
an all-important role in shaping their children’s characters and destinies.

8. “I never thought, … when I lived with Mother and Father, before I was
married, that I would ever be as poor as this. But as Mr. Micawber is for the
moment in difficulties, I must of course accept the Situation. I’m afraid he
owes a lot of money, but his creditors will just have to wait! You can't get
blood out of a stone, nor can anyone get any money at all out of Mr.
Micawber for any reason at present” Mrs. Micawber to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mrs. Micawber to David in
her house in London when he was offered an empty room in their house. This
extract sheds light on the theme of carelessness and extravagance. She was simply
commenting on her miserable life while being in debt and chased by creditors. She
is a devoted wife who goes out of her way to make her husband's life easier by
selling various possessions in an effort to pay off his debts. The Micawbers provide
another version of the theme of equality in marriage. Mrs. Micawber’s devotion to
Mr. Micawber and her declarations that she will never leave him demonstrate her
willingness to abandon comfort just to stand by her husband although she
frequently thinks back of her family, whom she remembers fondly whenever she's
feeling annoyed with Mr. Micawber's total inability to hold down a job. This extract
sheds light on Mrs. Micawber's character. She is a long-suffering wife and unlucky
person crippled by her husband’s constantly unjustified finances. However, Mrs.
Micawber stands by her husband despite his flaws and regardless of the hardships
they suffer.

9. “This is a black day for me, Copperfield! I hope my mistakes will be a

warning to young people like you! Remember if a man earns twenty pounds a
year, and spends nineteen pound and nineteen shillings, the result is
happiness. But if he spends twenty pounds and spends one shilling, the result
is misery! Mr. Micawber to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mr. Micawber to David in
prison when Mr. Micawber was imprisoned for being unable to pay his debts. Mr.
Micawber was advising David to save his money for the future and not to be like
him unable to manage money matters. It is as if he was directly commenting on his
own extravagance which is the prevailing theme in this extract.

10. “By the way, Copperfield, could you lend me a shilling for some beer?
Mrs. Micawber will pay you back as soon as you arrive home.” Mr. Micawber
to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mr. Micawber to David in
prison when Mr. Micawber was imprisoned for being unable to pay his debts.
Adding more to his carelessness, he asked David to lend him money to buy beer.
This simply reflect the theme of carelessness and extravagance. However, it also
shed light on his genuine attachment to Mrs. Micawber, as she would support her
husband despite his flaws and regardless of the hardships they suffer. In this case,
she will pay the money back to David.

11. “May I ask you what you will do madam when Mr. Micawber is free …
“I am sure he is … and will you be going with him madam?” David to Mrs.
Micawber

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by David to Mrs. Micawber in
her house in London when they were talking about the family plans after the release
of Mr. Micawber. This extract entirely sheds light on David’s character. He is still
in the stage of innocence. He is still naïve, trusting and simple-hearted caring about
others’ feeling. The dilemma of Mr. Micawber and his wife leads to deepening
David’s perception of the world around him. During this stage, David was just
managing to keep his body and soul together. The sight of Mr. Micawber being
surrounded by creditors distressed him further. That’s why; he was trying to ask
Mrs. Micawber about their future plans only to be to assure that they will be in a
good financial position later on. David is really devoted to care about the people of
good nature in his life.

12. “My family believe that Mr. Micawber should move to the country,
Davon to carry out his business interests there. Mr. Micawber is a very clever
man, Mater Copperfield … Although they have not found anything exactly
right for him yet, my family think he should be ready in Davon in case
something turns up … I must! I will! He is my life! My love! My husband!
 The father of my children! I will never desert Mr. Micawber.” Mrs. Micawber
to David

This extract is taken from “David Copperfield” which is an autobiography

written by Charles Dickens. These words were said by Mrs. Micawber to David in
her house in London when they were talking about the family plans after the release
of Mr. Micawber. This extract sheds light on Mrs. Micawber's character. She is a
devoted wife who sells various possessions in an effort to pay off his debts. She is
always confident about her husband’s ability and skillfulness to start a new business
that will make their situation better. This is in spite of being a long-suffering wife
and unlucky person crippled by her husband’s constantly unjustified finances. The
Micawbers provide another version of the theme of equality in marriage. Mrs.
Micawber’s devotion to Mr. Micawber and her declarations that she will never
leave him demonstrate her willingness to abandon comfort just to stand by her
husband although she frequently thinks back of her family, whom she remembers
fondly whenever she's feeling annoyed with Mr. Micawber's total inability to hold
down a job.