Reading Report

Reading Report of David Copperfield Author’ Life Experience and Main Works Charles John Huffam Dickens, born in 1812 and pass away in 1870, is one of the most distinguished british writer and novelist in the 19th century. People could still find his influence on contemporary literature since he is also the most important writer after William Shakespeare and a master of critical realism. His works reveal the cruel and miserable side of capitalism society and build a whole perspective of “the best of the time and the worst of the time” in Victoria time within which are some excellent works like A Tale of Two Cities, The Great Expectations and The Pickwick Papers. Domestic reviewers usually regard him as a radical critic of the real ugly truth of capitalism society, which I think is a appraisal on the basis of class conception. From my point of view, he is more like a serious observer and thinker of his time. On February 7th,1812, Dickens was born in a poor clerk family in Portsmouth, southern England. His father was sent in prison for failure to pay off his debt. Dickens had to take on the burden of whole family even in his ten by working in a shoes-making factory. Fortunately, his father unexpectedly received heritages from a relative and this saved little Dickens. He was able to accept education. Afterward, he tried many jobs from postman to copyist of lawyer. In 1832, he gained access to political classes being a reporter during which he could see the darkness and complexity of politics circles as a sensitive young man. This unique experience greatly enriched his knowledge and broadened his horizon. It also shaped his literature style to focus on the wide range of the entire society. Actually, many of his novels are based on his earlier personal experience. This is especially obvious in“his favorite child in his heart”---David Copperfield. Book Review David’ father died when he was born, he was raised up by his mother and a servant. His mother then married another man, Edward, who treated him maliciously. So David was then sent to his uncle, a kind fisherman, living with two orphans Ham and Emily. After a few years, his mother passed away and David went to work in a factory, which was a hard time for him. Fortunately, he found his aunt Betsay and he could go to school. Then he lived in home of Betsay’ lawyer Wickfield and he fell in love with lawyer’s daughter Dora. Having experienced a lot of uneasy things, he finally became a writer only to find his wife die of sickness. Finally he married his friend in childhood Emily and lived a happy life. Thought after Reading As we know, an excellent work always demonstrates the complexity of the real world just like The Dream of Red Mansions. It’s the same with Dickens. You could find many vivid images in the book whether encouraged or evil. For me, the most impressive theme left in my mind is money worship. Author’s critical attitude on money orientation value could be seen through the plot. David’s step father married his mother for a great amount of legacy she received. Emily ran away from her engaged husband because of her irresistance of another wealthy young man. The miserable life of the Wickfields and Ham are no wonder the result of money. Ordinary clerk Uriah Heep was pushed into deep valley lured by money. However I refuse to view this as a kind of hate or pure critic on capitalism and money. In this autobiography-like novel, It’s the description of the bright side and choice of being kind after experiencing a lot of unfair that matters. He called for reconstruction of Puritan value. His main characters are no doubt self-disciplined and full of justice, which is just what they lost in that booming time. Writing Characteristics Dickens is good at telling attractive stories. Unlike contemporary literature, authors were keen on depict social environment and revealed tiny details of daily life. In Dickens’s novel,especially A Tale of Two Cities, he always built delicate structure containing amazing coincident. All kinds of people come out through main characters’ ups and downs and they cooperatively show the magnificent complete picture of the charming Victoria time. He likes a kind old man sitting beside the fireplace surrounded by curious kids and tell story slowly as well as vividly. Something famous about this “favorite child” is what known as David Copperfield rubbish, which mocks him up on his tedious words. I think it’s just a funny character of his writing and nothing matters. If you feel a little ridiculous, that may just improve your reading interest. Compared with popular stream of consciousness, which words do you think is more easy to comprehend?