David Copperfield Dickensalong

Wrong name, I'm also Knitwit, I'm a bit of a regular namechanger. I've given all my secrets away now!

Well I've finally got to the end of chapter 18. I didn't enjoy that chapter particularly, I just sort of skipped over it.

And the Micawbers, I really don't like them. I keep thinking they are going to take any money David has managed to save up or somehow take advantage of him, they seem the sort of people who would take advantage of anyone. But they haven't so far, maybe they really care about him. God love him, he's so vulnerable without a family around him. I guess there were lots of kids in that situation back then. And my boys have the cheek to complain when I buy Aldi own brand Nutella.

Well done to your school for bringing in Germaine Greer to speak to you all, Pale - I can imagine it was eye-opening!

Discussion of Romeo and Juliet has reminded me of Germaine Greer coming to do a talk at my school when I was 13. It was an all girls school and she explained that Juliet was 13 and Rome was probably 16. I think it was one of my first introductions to feminist theory and I’d completely forgotten until now. We were such young 13 year olds really we were in fits of giggles that Juliette was our age.

I'd heard that about the ages. Aristocratic families were the exception to the rule - you had to get them locked into a strategic alliance before they got old enough to make their own choice. For those who had to work for a living, best to get them out earning for a bit before marriage.

That’s older than I would have thought Piggy. Romeo and Juliet were famously about 13 weren’t they, and the royals always seemed to marry them off young (Margaret Beaufort (mother of Henry VII) was married and pregnant at 13) so I would have assumed it was lower than 25.

I'm behind, only on chapter 16. And a bit confused by Dr Strong and Jack Maldon and Dr Strong's wife, and keep getting Annie and Agnes mixed up. I can't keep up with all the characters. What is the point of Maldon? Is he going to become more significant, or can I just skip his part of the story? I need a few less characters to follow.

And also, Mr Dick makes me so sad and happy at the same time. Because he reminds me so much of my neighbour who is in his 30s and lives with his parents. They worry so much about where he will go when they can't look after him. I am so glad Betsey brought Mr Dick into her home. Imagine what would have happened to him if she hadn't. It's lovely that he has a place where he can just be his own self in his own way and he is safe.

And she asks his opinion and makes him feel valued. I just love them. And I love his opinions. They are so practical and concerned only with right now, no worrying about what might happen. What should we do with this boy and his entire future? Give him a bath and get him some clothes. Obvious really.

Another one who loved Trotwood v the Murdstones. And Dave being wrapped in a blanket and renamed, very much of a rebirth going on there.

I enjoyed chapter 18 and his fast-forward through adolescence, complete with hopeless crushes on various girls.

Anyway, at least the vile Murdstones are ousted. I cheered inwardly (and would have done so outwardly if I hadn't been on a train) when Miss Trotwood gave them their marching orders. Very satisfying indeed.

I know I know I'm sorry. But as it concerns literally the very first few pages of the 9 chapters we are reading next I thought I might get away with a quick question.

My apologies. Consider my wrists suitably slapped!

Which Chapter are we reading up to for April 1st?

Nicemum I was equally a bit lost on that one. Dickens does like to throw a lot of characters into the mix. I've decided that if he were alive today he'd be a script writer for Eastenders or the like.

Gradesaver DC Summary chapters 16-20

Cliffnotes and Sparknotes also have more in depth chapter by chapter analysis, but this one is very simple.

OK, so I've just read Chapter 19 and was COMPLETELY LOST throughout the whole section with the discussion between Dr Strong, Mr Wickfield, Annie, Mrs Markleham. And I mean COMPLETELY LOST!! If anyone could enlighten me I'd be most grateful

I never read a single thing by Dickens in school. We did Romeo and Juliet and that is the only Shakespeare I remember too. I am in Scotland, we must have read more Scottish authors but I really don't remember. Liz Lochhead is the only one that sticks in my mind. There must have been some Burns poetry. Edwin Morgan, we read his poems. I can't remember a single other thing.

And even as an adult I have mostly avoided all the classics, although I read a lot. But rarely anything written more than about 50 years ago.

So I'm really enjoying reading all you have to say about this book, it's so interesting. I guess it's never too late to start.

nowanearlyNicemum Dickens's father was in debt and someone suggested to the family that he (Charles) could help the situation by earning some money - they sent him to work at the blacking factory just off the Strand (and later in Covent Garden) and he was completely traumatised by it. He was 11/12.

The person he really blamed was his mother because when his father came out of prison (having managed to pay his debts) and Charles was discharged from the factory, she tried to get him kept on. He never forgot that and it coloured his attitude to women forever after. He supported his parents financially (and his brothers and sisters too) for years but always with a sort of suppressed impatience at their improvidence. Those childhood memories of feeling like an abandoned outcast from the family went very deep with him, I think.

Oh no I am so far behind. I thought I had omly to read to chapter 12 for February and read something else instead, but I should have read to 18! Another 90 pages to go.
I have read all the chat anyway, I sometimes find these sorts of books easier to get through if I know the story in advance, if that makes sense.

*want