Publication 43
By Jennifer Labrecque on
Sunday, August 26, 2001
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Hi,
I am trying to tackle reading David Copperfield and am getting caught up in the terminology on the first page and can't find a definition in the dictionary. What is a "caul"? It is on the first page of chapter one and is in paragraph 4. I know that this may sound trivial to you but I would really like to read this book and get an understanding so that I can really enjoy it for how it was written.
Thank-you very much. I hope that you can find the time to reply.
Jennifer Labrecque
Publication 44
By absent-minded on
Sunday, August 26, 2001
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Publication 45
By ttracy on
Sunday, August 26, 2001
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Apparently, a caul is a part of the amnion covering a head at childbirth. I have no idea if this was what Dickens meant, because it seems disgusting that they would sell it!
Publication 46
By JoAnne on
Sunday, August 26, 2001
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A Caul is an embrionic covering. In the times (the 1800s, sailors used these as water sacs, or other fishing untensils (not really sure exactly, but I do know that the sailors used them. Does this help? Sailors were very crude men that could often make something out of nothing, even something gross like a caul, it is known that it may have even been good luch for the sailors.
Publication 47
By e on
Sunday, August 26, 2001
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The caul was sometimes found covering a baby's head at childbirth. It was removed, dried and sold (gross as that is) as a charm against drowning. It was believed that if you took it with you on the water it would keep you safe.
Publication 1343
By James Peet on
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A perfect place to find the answer to this question is in Wikipedia. The explanation is quite thorough and even explains it per the novel "David Copperfield"
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What is a caul?
