David Copperfield Summary

David Copperfield enjoys his early childhood with his mother and their kindly servant, Peggotty. But when his mother marries the cruel Mr. Murdstone, he is sent away to Salem House, a run-down London boarding school where the boys are beaten by Mr. Creakle. Here David befriends Tommy Traddles and the aristocratic James Steerforth. Shortly after she gives birth to a son by Mr. Murdstone, however, David's mother dies, and David is pulled out of the …

…for all the money he embezzled--Mr. Micawber also plans to move his family to Australia. Steerforth is killed in a shipwreck, as is Ham--Em'ly's cousin, who loved her--and David remains deeply saddened by Dora's death. He travels abroad for several years but returns at last, realizing that he loves and has always loved Agnes Wickfield. Now a famous writer, David marries Agnes, and the two live happily ever after, as do their friends in Australia.