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David Copperfield research paper

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Publication 156 By Frequency on Saturday, September 01, 2001 at 21:10
Location: Germany Registered: Saturday, September 01, 2001 Posts: 18 Search Quote

I am writing a research paper for school, it must be about 20 pages long and is baout the topic "Social Criticism in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens".
I'd like to know if anyone has got any resources about that topic or can tell me where to find any.
I do NOT want a finished research paper, only a hint at where on the net I could inquire further about this topic or if there are perhaps any books that might be helpful.
Please mail me!
Thanks so much!

Sebastian

P.S. Perhaps anyone of you has written himself about that topic!

Publication 159 By absent-minded on Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 02:55
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

Dear Sebastian, See the Dickens resources and I'm sure you will find something. But, before you start searching on the web or the bookstores, I would recommend browsing the novel itself, or, if you have it on your mind, then just take a walk and think about it. What is a society? What is the first instant that you recall when Dickens criticises society in David Copperfield? I remember Murdstone telling David that he shouldn't play with "low" people, like Peggotty. Can Dickens' view be summarised as a criticism of the poor-rich social distinction? Compare Murdstone with Mr. Spenlow, Dora's father who refused to let Copperfield marry his daughter because of their different status, and then compare both with Steerforth's family and their contempt for Emily. See there how even matters of ethics, like Steerforth's seduction of Emily, are placed on a second and insignificant level compared with social/wealth differences. Move on to other instances, e.g. the factory where David worked. What does Dickens say, if he says anything, in David Copperfield about a society that uses child labour? And so on...
Open your path through the novel, and when you will have formed some ideas, start searching for articles, essays and books, if you need to and if you still have the time to do it.
Just an opinion,
George
P.S. See also: David Copperfield as an example of the Victorian socio-critical novel, Social Commentary in David Copperfield and Poverty in David Copperfield

Publication 160 By Frequency on Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 11:12
Location: Germany Registered: Saturday, September 01, 2001 Posts: 18 Search Quote

Thanks a lot so far. This seems to be great help, though I have already thought about the novel itself and there are many ideas on my mind, many among those you mentioned.
I'll probably try to work on from there.....

Do you think I should take the different protagonists and anaylise what is criticised thorugh them, so for example :Steerforth and the Peggoties- A class conflict.
Or shall I rather make a general statement like "Class conflicts" and then look where there are those conflicts....

know what I mean?
I'd like to hear your opinion about it.

Sebastian

Publication 161 By absent-minded on Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 21:33
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

I'd choose what would inspire me more. Sometimes you must work on something before you understand that it is something other that inspires you. Try one way and you can jump to the other any time. Keep as your only measure interest and inspiration - if you feel bored, stop and think of alternatives, or an alternative way of working the same subject. Does that help a little? Maybe you can just start from somewhere and keep discussing with us problems of your work.

Publication 170 By absent-minded on Monday, September 10, 2001 at 23:37
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

Hi Sebastian. Here is something not exactly on your subject, but sometimes very close to it and in general very useful. David Daiches, The Victorian Novel: Charles Dickens' World. I hope you'll enjoy it!

George

Publication 217 By Frequency on Friday, December 14, 2001 at 07:09
Location: Germany Registered: Saturday, September 01, 2001 Posts: 18 Search Quote

HI guys, my research paper is about to be finsihed. But there is one more thing, I'd need: is there anywhere an overview over Uriah Heep, his plans, motives and intentions and how he wants to make them come true!

I could pick all that together from the novel, but if I had a compact overview, it'd make my work a LOT easier.

Thanks.

Publication 218 By absent-minded on Sunday, December 16, 2001 at 08:01
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

Hi Sebastian, see this page for Uriah Heep, it isn't exactly what you want, but it will help you.
George

Publication 294 By Frequency on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 21:11
Location: Germany Registered: Saturday, September 01, 2001 Posts: 18 Search Quote

Hi!
I received the results of my term paper, I had been working on since last May. I got 15 out of 15, which makes 30 points, when it is doubled, the most possible!
So I am really happy and I wanted to thank everyone on this site who helped and supported me.

Thanks a lot!

Sebastian

Publication 495 By elise on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 05:34
Location: Malaysia Registered: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 Posts: 1 Search Quote

Dear Sebastian,
Wow, i am so proud of you that you succesfully obtain full marks for your assignment. Congratulations. The reason i sign up for this community is simply because i just finish reading David Copperfield and it really fascinated me and makes me eager to want to know about this particular author. So i was surfing and saw this column. I find that Charles Dickens is a man with words and could relate into a lot of personal issues, especially deep issues in the heart. By just the words that he used to describe ache, confusion, disdain, bitter, jealousy..etc it sounds so real.
There was this one question that i was thingking as well, and trying to figure it out using my own words that what if David marries Agnes instead of child-like Dora.David says that he understand he had loved Agnes and needs Agnes' love for the rest of his life after Dora's death. He admits that Dora and he were young and was thingking whether it was a mistake.He was eager to find out whether Agnes could love him more than as a sister which is true and it has been her great secret. As if what Dickens tried to potray here is that he believes what the world are saying right now that "If you love someone let he/she go for if it's meant to be he/she will come back to you ". Agnes, maybe she is not someone that David had love in the first-sight but she is wise, sensible and matured. She cried when David asked her whom she truly love and she always have filled David with encouragement and hope to find his direction or purpose of life. This is just my comments. What do you think?

Publication 1072 By Frequency on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:49
Location: Germany Registered: Saturday, September 01, 2001 Posts: 18 Search Quote

Wow, this is crazy!
I didn't think this thread still existed!
A few minutes ago, I suddenly had a mind to go and look for it...and there you go. It's still around!

I clearly remember writing that paper almost eight years ago...I still have it here on my computer!
It shows you how time flies.
I finished school a year after writing this paper in 2002, then went on to University to study medicine and become a doctor...and now we live in 2008 and I will soon finish University and go on to become a Radiologist!

I dunno, if anyone reads this, but hey, it's cool to still be around!

Sebastian

Publication 1078 By Salo1322 on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 at 13:48
Location: United States Registered: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 Posts: 1 Search Quote

Hey! I didnt know there were so many people reading Copperfield! I am currently writing an essay on the book and maybe you guys can give me some hints on themes such as love and beauty and its impact in the novel or Class and society
((Soo..

Dickens is my teacher's favorite writer!!)) HEEELLP!!

Thanks!!

Publication 1079 By absent-minded on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 at 23:20
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

Hi!,

Check Dickens Copperfield Essays

You'll find enough hints to make a start.

Publication 1269 By rachid lemkadem on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 07:07
Location: Morocco Registered: Friday, October 30, 2009 Posts: 1 Search Quote

hi every body that's a great community where to discuss

Publication 1270 By absent-minded on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 08:38
Location: Greece Registered: Friday, June 29, 2001 Posts: -150 Search Quote

Hi Rachid, you are very welcome!

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Dickens' David Copperfield - Read, Download, Study The Meister Eckhart Site The European Prospect Greek Learning - Classical, Byzantine and Modern Greek Literature

Dickens' David Copperfield - Read, Download, Study
The Meister Eckhart Site The European Prospect
Greek Learning - Classical, Byzantine and Modern Greek Literature