David Copperfield · Chapter
Liking Life on My Own Account No Better, I Form a Great Resolution explained
David Copperfield, still unhappy working at Murdstone and Grinby's, spends his final days with the Micawber family before they depart for Plymouth.
What happens
David Copperfield, still unhappy working at Murdstone and Grinby's, spends his final days with the Micawber family before they depart for Plymouth. After Mr. Micawber is released from debtors' prison, David resolves to run away to his Aunt Betsey Trotwood in Dover. He borrows half a guinea, arranges for his box to be sent, and escapes from his job on Saturday night, though he is briefly threatened by a young man who steals his coin.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of David's concealed grief and the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Debt and Financial Instability
Mr. Micawber's release from debtors' prison and his famous advice on income versus expenditure highlight the pervasive theme of financial hardship.
- Friendship and Loyalty
David's close bond with the Micawber family is evident in their emotional farewell and Mrs. Micawber's vow never to desert her husband.
- Orphanhood and Self-Formation
David's decision to run away and seek his aunt marks a pivotal step in his self-formation as an orphaned child taking control of his own destiny.
Characters to notice
- David Copperfield
David decides to run away from his miserable life at Murdstone and Grinby's to seek his Aunt Betsey Trotwood in Dover.
- Wilkins Micawber
Mr. Micawber is released from debtors' prison and prepares to move his family to Plymouth, offering David advice on financial prudence.
- Mrs. Micawber
Mrs. Micawber tearfully declares she will never desert her husband, and expresses gratitude to David for his friendship.
- Mr. Quinion
Mr. Quinion arranges for David to lodge with Tipp the carman after the Micawbers leave, unaware of David's plan to run away.
Key passages
“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.”
If you spend less than you earn, you'll be happy; if you spend more, you'll be miserable.
Mr. Micawber's famous financial advice to David.
“I never will desert Mr. Micawber. No! I never will do it! It's of no use asking me!”
Mrs. Micawber insists she will never abandon her husband, no matter what.
Mrs. Micawber's dramatic declaration of loyalty to her husband.
