Abstract

David Copperfield is one of the most important novels of Charles Dickens, often considered to be autobiographical of Dickens’ own life experiences. The novel tells, in the first person narrative, the story of David’s life from youth to middle age. In his growth, David experienced savage stepfather and weak mother, childish wife and cruel society. This thesis tries to look into the duality in David’ personality and analyze the reasons for the formation of his dual character. The purpose of this study is to give a new perspective to the understanding of Dickens’ characterization of David and further enrich researches on his works as a whole.

Key words: Dickens; David Copperfield; dual character

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction.1

2 A man of both dependence and independence2

2.1 A man of dependence .2

2.2 A man of independence3

2.3 Reasons of David’s dependence and independence.4

3 The coexistence of kindness and cruelty in David’s personality.5

3.1 A man of kindness .5

3.2 A man of cruelty ..6

3.3 Reasons of David’s kindness and cruelty.7

4 David’s selflessness and selfishness ..8

4.1 David’s selflessness...8

4.2 David’s selfishness 8

4.3 Reasons of David’s selflessness and selfishness.9

5 Conclusion 10

References 12