Miss Trotwood.docx

1. Who is Miss Trotwood? Miss Betsey Trotwood, to give her full name, is David Copperfield's great-aunt. She's one of the most sympathetic characters in the book, and makes a refreshing change from the many cruel, unscrupulous, and just plain nasty characters around. This is a lady who really is full of the milk of human kindness. 2. What is herold disappointment? When David Copperfield’s mother was pregnant with him, Betsy Trotwood was certain that she’d give birth to a little girl. In the days before pre-natal scans, all that people had to fall back on to guess the gender of an unborn. 3. Aunt Betsey scared the pregnant Clara Copperfield. Describe the incident briefly. In chapter 1 of David Copperfield the little character narrates the tale of how he came into the world. One windy Friday in March, David’s mother Clara was sitting by the fire, still grieving over the loss of her husband, Inside her was her unborn child, who of course, was David himself. As she broods unhappily on her fate and that of the child who’ll grow up without a father, she suddenly notices a strange woman walking up the garden path. It’s none other than David’s greataunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood. Betsey is a rather eccentric lady, to put it mildly, with somewhat unconventional habits. Instead of ringing the doorbell, as most normal people would so, she presses her face hard against the window. This would be a pretty scary sight for most people, let alone a delicate, nervous woman in the advanced stages of pregnancy. So as we can imagine, Clara is rather spooked by the sight of Betsy’e flat, white face as it presses up against the window pane, David is convinced that the experience gave his mother such a turn that it caused her to give birth to him prematurely. 4. What pleasant surprises did David get one afternoon? It is needed a most pleasant surprise for David when Mr. Pegotty and Ham unexpectedly show up. Their arrival is a reminder of what’s most important to young master Copperfield, and presents a refreshing contrast to the myriad privations and indiginities of School life. The unpleasant episode with Mr. Mell reveals Steerforth to be an arrogant, entitled spoiled brat, determined to get his own way even if it means getting someone fired. Though he’s still somewhat dazzled Steerforth, David’s been given a frightening glimpse into his friend’s true nature. He’s been given a frightening glimpse into his friend’s true nature. He’s been given a warning that he would do well to heed. Steerforth is just a fair-weather friend, a user and a manipulator. Mr. Pegotty and Ham, on the other hand, are real friends to David. They are good, simple people, kind-hearted souls who’ll gladly help anyone in need.

David’s still too naive in the ways of the world to understand it just yet, but steerfort’s gesture of generosity to Mrs. Mell is completely phony; it’s all about showing off how much money he has and exercising control over those he regards as his social inferiors, by contrast, the gift of food that Mr. Pegotty and Ham bring David is genuine expression of their warmth and friendship. Unlike Steerforth, there is no affection with them; what you see is what you get. 5. How does David’s mother become a victim of her husband? David’s mother Clara is a sweet and gentle creature, far too fragile for this harsh, unforgiving world. Eight years after David’s father dies, his mother remarries, unfortunately for her, and for her son, she makes a really bad choice. When David comes home after visiting Pegotty’s family, he discover that he has a new stepfather, Mr. Murdstone. Musrdstone is a thoroughly nasty piece piece of work. He is a cold, sadistic bully who proceeds to treat his blended family like dirt. As well as beating poor David at the drop of a hat, Murdstone and his equality disgusting brood take full advantage of Clara’s trusting nature, subjecting her to a campaign of psychological abuse and intimidation. Before long, the Murdstone have taken over control of the household, and Clara effectively becomes a stranger in her own home. 6. Who is Pegotty? Peggotty is the sister of Yarmouth fisherman Daniel Peggotty, and the aunt of Ham Peggotty and Little Em'ly. Early in the novel, David's aunt, Betsey Trotwood, dismisses Peggotty's surname (had it been a given name) as being pagan: "Peggotty!" repeatedMiss Betsey, with some indignation. 7. Why was Pegotty annoyed if she caught David looking around? Pegotty is a servant who helps care for the young David Copperfield. He, his mothe, and Pegotty attend church together. Pegotty wants David to keep his eyeson the preacher and not let them wander all around the room, though she herself sometimes lets her eyes wander. The implication is that respectful to gaze at the pastor and pay attention to what he says. David, nevertheless is a young child and his family knows the pastor socially, so it is strange for David to stare at him. He is afraid it might be rude to do so. Since he’s so young, he also has a short attention span and it is difficult for him to keep his mind from wandering. For example he thinks it would be more fun to throw cushions at his friend from the pulpit than listen to the sermon, finally he falls asleep and falls off the pew with a crash. 8. Who are Tommy Taddles and Steerforth? Tommy Traddles is David’s classmate and friend from Salem House. He is an unusually cheerful boy, particularly given that he receives more abuse from Mr. Creakle than any of the other students. What's more, he is extremely kind and loyal, as evidenced by his outspoken criticism when Steerforth bullies Mr. Mell and ultimately gets him fired. These qualities persists into adulthood, when

Traddles diligently pursues his legal studies in the hopes of one day saving up enough money to marry his longtime sweetheart, Sophy Crewler. This makes him something of a foil to David, who applies himself steadfastly to his career but whose romantic attentions wander from little Em'ly to Dora Spenlow before finally settling on Agnes Wickfield. 9. Who is Mr. Murdstone? Mr. Murdstone is David Copperfield's wicked stepfather. He marries David's mother when the boy is conveniently away at the coast. When David returns home, he's in for a nasty surprise, because his new stepdad is a cruel, sadistic bully. 10. How did David’s struggle come to an end? Things start looking up for David when he meets his great aunt, Miss Betsey and learns how to rely on himself. He has to walk from London to Dover just to find her, but she’s worth every blister.