Ever The Gentleman / a review of #CharlesDickens ‘David Copperfield’ #literature #classics #criticalthinking

What is my Lord

but the light in my life

his spirit sais unto my spirit

come reign with me

It was started under such unfortunate circumstances, and flourished against all odds. The life of a fatherless and motherless boy, who’s worth was scarcely valued that above an indentured servant.

A mere trifle of a living, breathing thing, unvouched for and put aside without regard, was David Copperfield.

A humanity stripped down to its most elemental form, a picture of how apathy destroys life, family and community.

Silent heart-whispers of how alignment to God’s will still works in ‘modern life’ from the most seemingly impossible positions; beautifully turning misfortune into the best kind of fortune.

Such was the beginning of the life of David Copperfield, the protagonist in English author, Charles Dickens’ classic story by the same name. Family, in its most beneficial form, creates a comfort of love, respect and safety giving space to the developmental possibility of our inner and outer growth. Beyond physical shelter and food, depending on the existence of a healthy family unit, our hearts and minds experience the benefits of becoming emotionally profound and mentally discerning or, in the absence of a healthy, loving familial construct, mentally impoverished and emotionally stunted. Is it so that according to the presence of love and care for each other in a household, the future of ourselves is grafted and delineated to a marvelous degree? If it is, how mindful we must be in every moment that we plant the seeds for growth and not neglect with the conduct of our lives. As David Copperfield proves, it is quite possible to face the dearth of a broken family unit and achieve a life of fulfillment, worthwhile productivity in its fullest sense, and deep satisfaction. Even more, Copperfield proves that the caringness he received in his life, the example these particular role-models and investors imparted on him both strengthened who we was going to eventually become, and this provided resilience; a perspective primed to overcome obstacles, an ability endure periods of discomfort comfortably still expecting with earnest hope for the future.

What got me the most was Charles Dickens’s attention to having David Copperfield be so thoughtful unto others, naturally taken to sincerity, humility, observance, and gentleness of character, in essence, a gentleman. Ultimately, Copperfield created a family of families. A teacher of life, a writer of wonderful words, genuineness, respect, impeccable character, all in the face of horrendous conditions at times. His way of being and responding to each new challenge in his life, the respect he received at school, the grace he exhibited through humiliation, his ability to continue to shine even in his deepest state of neglect.

In the life of Mr. Copperfield, though it may have been far from his ability to articulate it, an acute sense that he needed to ascertain the necessary supports for his overall development were of tremendous importance to him. Within the first nine years of his life, his father and mother passed away and his home life came to an abrupt end at the hands of his mothers second husband. Evicted from his home and past life, David Copperfield was conscripted to work in a lowly corner of a dilapidated factory with no hope of improvement for his future, simply a steady toil of laborious work under the most unfit conditions for a person his age. Under such viscitudes he conjured that this could not be his final outcome, and instead recognizing he needed to keep moving to bring about better change to his life, Copperfield risks all and nearly pays with the loss of his life as he seeks better terms for himself. It is this determination to not surrender, and keep pushing onward that pulls the reader into the story more and more as it develops. Even in his state of great powerlessness, David Copperfield advocated unto his own self better terms of life than those brought upon him through the course of his early misfortunes.

What got him through?

In the story, we learn of what is good for us, beyond what they eye desires, what the heart thrives on best, how we fall short in vanity, how conceit is blinding of what is most important, how we keep each other strong, how we restore faith in a community and finally how it is possible to sidestep the dead end roads of life by simply being down to earth, seeking to care for one another, and maintaining love in our hearts. Copperfield never lost sight of these important themes, but readily emphasized them, and in doing so, he saved many people from giving up and in doing so these in turn begin to be empowered forces in their own right.

Ever the ready learner, David Copperfield, managed to maintain self-dignity and a gentleness of character in the midst of the absence of anyone caring for him. Save momentary lapses of loving mercy bestowed by none other than God himself bringing slivers of mercy in the form of a man playing a flute, a classmate providing protection, a girl smiling his way, a short conversation on the street, an aunt’s heart opened to him, all these imprint themselves on the leaves of his mind with appreciation of being alive. The penchant for Copperfield to hold on to his easy-going manner and his attunement to caring for others as he would like to be cared for is a theme that runs from the first page to the last page of this story to such an overarching degree that it becomes impossible to not make mindfulness that it was his presence of character, allowed to be shaped by the loving influences around him, which attracted others to him.

Interestingly, Charles Dickens’s masterpiece finds is very unique in the manner in which the story was written. The characters adaptation to constant change while still retaining a malleable, receptive heart mirrors the life of the author even as he writes the story itself:

The literary approach:

From a technical stand point, Dickens did not embark on writing his novel in a clear-cut start to finish mode, but would write individual chapters and then release these as mini-published segments to a story that was all too often impacted by the feedback from readers. The readers of his stories would purchase chapters and Dickens would allow himself to alter the story, develop characters and plots and change direction according to the communications he received from the populace. To that end, it can be said that ‘David Copperfield’ was not simply a work of literary genius by Charles Dickens, but a story captained by an author, and given sail by a community of readers. Given this insight, it is marvelous how the story was crafted and found its legs, and in its end, though heart-wrenching, was brought safely to land in such a way that was pleasing to the readers.

Much like the main character in the story, Dickens kept himself in a state of receptivity and open to the wisdom and understanding of the community of readers. This strategic move allowed others to be an integral part of creating the adventure, even as it was told to them. Likened to a dance, the communication of movement, auto-correction and direction between author and reader comes alive vividly through his writing process, placing Dickens in a unique, and very organic writing paradigm wherein the storyteller creates and listens simultaneously.

As was the life of David Copperfield in the book, one where life is precious, where being self-driven, doing the right thing, and leaving one’s comfort zone to care and alleviate the life of another, Charles Dickens himself gave himself wholeheartedly to his community through his constant writings and speaking-circuit journeys across England to bring his storytelling into the lives of his fellow citizens.

What was in his heart and mind made him special and unique, and his thoughtfulness unto others brought intangible benefits to those around him. From the constant example of how he conducted himself, others took license from it, and adapted their own lives that they may also ‘go forth’ and make something of the life we all have while we are here. Those around him began to ‘turn on’ with deeper hope, strength, perseverance, fortitude and gentleness.

All these transitions happen in small moments and over the decades of Copperfields life with its full resolution clear at the end of the story. Copperfield made sure no one was left behind and went above and beyond for people. Because of this, Copperfield experienced great richness in his life, ultimately being surrounded by being exponentially returned all the love and warmth that he invested unto others, back on to him in beautiful ways.

In the end, David Copperfield, never stops putting one foot in front of the other in the gentle march of his life, from neglected homeless orphan, till he achieves his own literary success as a prolific political writer. Throughout the story, he retains a grace, giving him an ability to hold court with the highest echelons of so-called society, while also being right at home with what some would consider common folk. To Copperfield, none was common, but all were living, breathing human beings and he conducted himself unto all with full reverence and no guile.This welding of humility and critical thinking made him a natural ally to many.

I recommend the reading as a developer of creativity, life skills, social skills, creative thinking, perseverance and growth of character to all. The Barnes and Noble edition of the unadapted, unabridged version has great art work to guide the story line. I will continue to read the last chapter with sadness and joy.