Chapter 41+42

Dora’s Aunt+ Mischief

Summary:
David receives a reply to his letter to Dora's aunts, Miss Lavinia and Miss
Clarissa Spenlow, stating that he may call upon them — accompanied by a
"confidential friend" if they so desire. David asks Traddles to go with him, and
during the trip Traddles passes the time with the story of his own engagement
to Sophy and the objections he encountered from her family. This makes David
even more nervous.
The Spenlow sisters are dressed in black and remind David of two birds,
"having a sharp, brisk, sudden manner . . . like canaries." David's anxiety is not
helped when they address Traddles as Mr. Copperfield. As the conversation
advances, David finds that the decision about David's courtship will be made by
Miss Lavinia, the younger of the two sisters. After a period of questioning,
answering and lecturing, it is decided that David "may court" Dora.
In time, Aunt Betsey becomes acquainted with the Spenlows, and everyone
adjusts quite well to the circumstances, except Jip, the dog. David notices that
the aunts treat Dora like a child; however, when he mentions this to Dora, she
starts to cry, so he drops the subject. He also attempts to teach Dora something
about becoming a housewife; he brings her a "cookery book" and begins to
instruct her on how to keep account books. Dora soon becomes disgusted
when the columns do not add up for her and she starts to draw pictures all
over the books. David does not make any progress and decides just to enjoy
her company.
After Agnes arrives with her father on a visit of a fortnight to the Doctor's,
Uriah corners David in the Doctor's garden. He hints that he is in love with
Agnes, and then he expresses hatred for Annie, Doctor Strong's young wife,
because he feels that she stands between Agnes and him. He goes on to imply
a relationship between Annie and Jack Maldon.
On the next evening, David takes Agnes to meet Dora. Since David is anxious
that "Agnes should like her," he is pleased to find that they become very
friendly. In fact, Dora considers Agnes so clever that she wonders why David fell
in love with her rather than with Agnes.

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After David leaves Agnes at Dr. Strong's house, he sees a light in the Doctor's
study and enters to find Mr. Wickfield, Doctor Strong, and Uriah Heep in a
troubled state. Uriah tells David that he has just informed Dr. Strong of the
"goings-on" between Annie and Jack Maldon. Mr. Wickfield admits that he
himself thought Annie may have married the Doctor for "worldly
considerations only." Dr. Strong, however, criticizes himself for the situation
because his wife is so much younger than he, and he cannot help but regard
Annie as the "wronged" partner.
After the Doctor and Mr. Wickfield leave the room, David argues with Uriah
over "entrapping me into your schemes" and becomes so angry that he slaps
Uriah on the cheek.
David later notices that the Doctor exhibits a "gentle compassion" toward his
wife and urges her to spend more time with her mother, Mrs. Markleham, "to
relieve the dull monotony of her life." Annie is unhappy over this estrangement
from her husband, and David often notices her "with her eyes full of tears."
Only Mr. Dick serves as "a link between them."
David receives a letter from Mrs. Micawber. She says that "Mr. Micawber is
entirely changed . . . He is secret." She tells David that she is having difficulty
obtaining even the barest of expense money from him, and she asks for David's
advice.
Analysis 41
In Chapter 41, Dickens gives us another clear picture of Dora, showing her as
the shallow, impractical child or "pretty toy," unable to face anything requiring
even a slight measure of self-discipline. She is a lovable person, if a simple one;
however, the reader can only wonder at David's deep love for her and be
dubious about the possibility of success in the marriage now planned.
Analysis 42
n Chapter 42, Dickens focuses on yet another woman: the innocent Annie as
she is being slandered by Uriah. Here, David comes to the rescue and strikes
him, but he is unable to combat the schemes of the villainous clerk. In all of the
subplots in the latter part of this long novel, David is merely an observer of the
action, for the main part, and is powerless to intercede.
Questions:

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 1. What is David's initial emotional state when he receives the reply from
Dora's aunts?
2. How do the Spenlow sisters' appearance and mannerisms affect David's
feelings during the visit?
3. What does Miss Lavinia's role signify in the decision regarding David's
courtship of Dora?
4. Describe the ways in which David attempts to teach Dora about
becoming a housewife. How does she react?
5. What hints does Uriah drop about his feelings for Agnes? How does this
affect David?
6. How does David feel about the relationship between Annie and Jack
Maldon? What evidence supports his feelings?
7. In what way does Dr. Strong's relationship with Annie differ from David's
relationship with Dora?
8. What does Mrs. Micawber's letter reveal about her situation with Mr.
Micawber? How does this reflect on their marriage?
9. How does David's perception of the Spenlow sisters change throughout
the visit? Provide examples from the text.
[Link] is the significance of the “gentle compassion” that Dr. Strong
shows toward Annie? How does this relate to the themes of the story?
Answer Key:
1. David feels nervous and anxious.
2. They remind him of birds and have a sharp manner, increasing his
anxiety.
3. It shows that Miss Lavinia holds the authority in decisions regarding
Dora's future.
4. He tries to teach her with a cookery book, but she becomes frustrated
and starts drawing in it.
5. Uriah implies he loves Agnes and expresses hatred towards Annie, which
unsettles David.

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 6. David feels frustrated and protective, believing Annie may not truly love
Dr. Strong.
7. Dr. Strong exhibits compassion, while David’s relationship with Dora is
more playful and naive.
8. Mrs. Micawber indicates distress and a lack of support from Mr.
Micawber, highlighting marital issues.
9. His initial anxiety shifts to a more critical view as he observes their
treatment of Dora.
[Link] highlights Dr. Strong's care for Annie, contrasting with the
misunderstandings in other relationships.
Worksheet
Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct words.
1. David asks _ to go with him to visit Dora's aunts.
2. The Spenlow sisters are dressed in _ and remind David of birds.
3. Miss _ is the one who decides if David may court Dora.
4. David tries to teach Dora how to keep _, but she has trouble.
5. Dora becomes friends with _ when they meet.
Word Bank: Traddles, Agnes, Lavinia, black, accounts

Multiple Choice Questions: Choose the correct answer from the choices for
each question.
1. Who does David bring with him to visit Dora's aunts?
• a) Uriah Heep
• b) Traddles
• c) Dr. Strong
• d) Jack Maldon
2. Why does David become more nervous during the visit to the aunts?
• a) The aunts forget his name.

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 • b) Traddles tells a story about his engagement.
• c) Dora is not at home.
• d) The aunts give him a test.
3. What does David notice about how the aunts treat Dora?
• a) Like a teacher
• b) Like a child
• c) Like a stranger
• d) Like a queen
4. What does Dora do when she struggles with the account books?
• a) Cries and runs away
• b) Draws pictures all over them
• c) Asks Agnes for help
• d) Asks David to do it for her
5. Who writes to David saying her husband has changed?
• a) Dora
• b) Agnes
• c) Mrs. Micawber
• d) Miss Lavinia

Open-Ended Questions: Answer the following questions in complete

sentences.
1. Why do you think David stops trying to teach Dora about keeping
accounts?

1. How does David feel when he sees Agnes and Dora become friends?
Explain your answer.

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 1. What role does Mr. Dick play in Dr. Strong and Annie’s relationship?

ANSWER KEY

Fill in the Blank

1. Traddles
2. black
3. Lavinia
4. accounts
5. Agnes
Multiple Choice
1. b) Traddles
2. b) Traddles tells a story about his engagement.
3. b) Like a child
4. b) Draws pictures all over them
5. c) Mrs. Micawber
Open-Ended (example responses)
1. David stops trying because Dora becomes frustrated and unhappy, so he
decides to enjoy her company instead of making her do something she
dislikes.
2. David feels pleased and relieved because he wants Agnes to like Dora
and is happy when they become friends.
3. Mr. Dick helps connect Dr. Strong and Annie, acting as a link between
them during their difficult times.