The Personal History of David Copperfield

"The Personal History of David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens is a journey of growth, as David Copperfield experiences life’s ups and downs while discovering who he truly is. The story opens with the main character's birth, which is full of superstition and sets the stage for everything to come. Readers meet his mother and his great-aunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood, who isn’t very happy about him being a boy. In his early years, David describes his life at home with his mother, and the introduction of Mr. Murdstone, which shows the difficult adult world he is starting to understand. This sets the scene as David reflects on his story, suggesting the many hardships that he will face navigating family, loss, and tough situations.