What
do you describe the feeling when you have completed reading a
masterpiece? There is a sense of closure, of having grown wiser –
as having experienced the world through the narrator’s perspective,
a silent depression that its over, and lastly, an enlarged
vocabulary. I just finished reading David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, and it takes
you around the whirlwind journey of David, right from his birth up to
his adult life, and in more instances than one, makes us reminiscent
of our own. The small world of David, who has lost his father; his
youthful mother, and their devoted housekeeper, Peggotty is one of
love, care and peace. But, as we read in novels as we experience in
life, these happy moments are not to stay but come with an impending
doom at their back. And so it is, that this happy life of theirs is
muddied by the entry of Mr Murdstone and his equally cruel sister
Miss Murdstone. Mr Murdstone entraps his youthful and naive mother
and marries her. What follows is a pitiful existence for David, his
mother and Peggotty. Dickens wonderfully portrays the angst of David,
who is still a mere child of eight but is keenly observant of
what is going on about him. But, as the protagonist of the story as
also the narrator, David later escapes from the tribulations but not
without a loss- the death of his doting mother. Dickens truthfully
portrays how emotional torture and breaking the will of a simple
woman take the life out of her. Anyone who loves his/her mother, will
be moved at a simple read of these chapters. But, life goes on, as
the cycle of happiness and sorrow play hide and seek.
This
novel draws upon the experiences of Dickens himself from his
childhood. The comic character of Mr. Micawber, who always is in dire
straits as regards pecuniary necessities, was loosely based on
Dickens’ father; Dickens also worked at a blacking factory like
David himself; Dickens first became parliamentary reporter and then a
novelist, so it is that we find with David. Thus, Dickens, when asked
once which was his favorite work of all, said -
“Of
all my books, I like this the best … like many fond parents, I have
in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is DAVID
COPPERFIELD. ”
It
is not my intention to summarize the novel. I have introduced the
novel to the readers and I leave it to their wisdom if they wish to
inundate themselves in the gushing waters of words which record the
journey of this little boy- David Copperfield!!
However,
I wish to record some beautiful lines from the novel which I believe
can be read and re-read, and
can be reflected upon in our own time.
So,
here it goes-
1.
“Never," said my aunt, "be mean in anything; never be
false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can
always be hopeful of you.”
2.
‘It’s in vain, Trot, to recall the past, unless it works some
influence upon the present.’
3.‘We
must meet reverses boldly, and not suffer them to frighten us, my
dear. We must learn to act the play out. We must live misfortune
down, Trot! ’
4.‘what
I want you to be—I don't mean physically but morally: you are very
well physically – is a firm fellow, a fine firm fellow, with a will
of your own, with resolution. with determination. with strength of
character that is not to be influenced except on good reason by
anybody, or by anything. That's what I want you to be. That's what
your father, & your mother might both have been ’
5.
‘Least said, soonest mended’
6.
‘Mature affection, homage, devotion, does not easily express
itself. Its voice is low. It is modest and retiring, it lies in
ambush, waits and waits. Such is the mature fruit. Sometimes a life
glides away, and finds it still ripening in the shade. ’
When
we find too many marriages on the rocks, this quote captures the
essence as no other -
7.
‘There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind
and purpose.’
This
below phrase, which is a part of larger sentence, beautifully
describes youthful infatuation as-
8.
……. The first mistaken impulse of an undisciplined heart.
And
another one which describes love beautifully -
9.
‘Oh, take me to your heart, my husband, for my love was founded on
a rock, and it endures.’
The
below thought is of David when he has achieved fame as a writer--
10.
‘It has always been in my observation of human nature, that a man
who has any good reason to believe in himself never flourishes
himself before the faces of other people in order that they may
believe in him.’
11.The
below quote can be deduced from our own experiences but these words
just capture them precisely-
‘Young
women are contradictory creatures in some things – but their hearts
are soft and kind.’
This
below quote will be the final that I note down--
12.
‘I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as
much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are
accomplished.’
There
are many other quotes that could have found place here, that lie
scattered in this book. But, that would have lengthened this write up
which I intend to avoid. The stories and characters have helped me in
my time of turmoil and sustained me through it. So, this novel will
always hold a special place for me. Some characters showed me to hold
a playful attitude towards life. Some inspired that simplicity never
goes unrewarded. Some inspired higher ideals that can elevate our
mere human existence – self-sacrifice, unbending trust in oneself,
fortitude and patience with the conditions that test our spirit. What
can I say more? It will be a verbal profuse. Better to read and
experience it than read about it. Ciao. See you soon!!
