David...

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!!