Dickens' portrayal of the family in David Copperfield is an interesting one; almost none of the characters has a complete family. There are countless examples of orphans, single parents, and even completely heretical perversions of the traditional family. The effect of these fragmented homes is to emphasize characters' loneliness, the fragility of the family, and the importance of forming other bonds of friendship and responsibility. Dickens came from a large, poor family and argues that family is not to be solely relied upon; also, that a family must not necessarily be based upon blood ties. A family can be any group of people who love and support each other; in the novel both Mr. Peggotty's family and David's family are such examples. On the other hand, Steerforth's family, albeit more traditional, is a loveless one, and splinters easily.
Mr. Peggotty's family is one of the sturdiest families in the novel.
Charles Dickens, a former resident of Lant Street.
David Bowie & Band @ Area2 Festival
Bleak House where Dickens wrote David Copperfield ...At the same time it is most certainly the least traditional. Daniel Peggotty is the head of the family; he is the generous, manly, father figure. He not only takes in Ham and Emily as orphans, but also makes a home for Mrs. Gummidge, the widow of his partner. Mrs. Gummidge's role in the family is an odd one. She had "rather a fretful disposition, and she whimpered more sometimes than was comfortable for other parties in so small an establishment" (35). Mrs. Gummidge would have no proper place in a traditional family, but in Peggotty's family is a loved member who, throughout the plot, changes considerably from a simple nag to a strong support. Ham has the role of son to Mr. Peggotty and brother to Emily. He is strong and becomes a fisherman under the guidance of Daniel. Emily is the baby of the family; she is spoiled...