# Clara Copperfield — David Copperfield character guide

> Clara Copperfield in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Clara, Miss Clarissa, Clarissa

**First appearance:** 0004-i-i-am-born

## Who they are

David's gentle, beautiful mother who dies young.

## In the story

### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/david-copperfield)

David's mother, a gentle and vulnerable young widow.

### [I Am Born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/i-i-am-born)

David's young, timid mother, widowed and pregnant, described as a 'wax doll' by Miss Betsey.

### [II: I Observe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/ii-i-observe)

Defends her interactions with Mr. Murdstone to Peggotty, expresses affection for David.

### [IV: I Fall Into Disgrace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/iv-i-fall-into-disgrace)

David's mother is emotionally fragile and powerless, weeping over his struggles but unable to intervene against the Murdstones.

### [My Holidays. Especially One Happy Afternoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/viii-my-holidays-especially-one-happy-afternoon)

David's mother, who struggles to defend Mr. Murdstone's sternness while showing deep affection for David. She is seen suckling her new baby and singing.

### [I Have a Memorable Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/ix-i-have-a-memorable-birthday)

David's mother, who dies after a long illness, remembered by David as the young mother of his earliest impressions.

### [XIII: The Sequel of My Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xiii-the-sequel-of-my-resolution)

David's deceased mother appears in his memory as a fanciful picture that sustains him during his journey.

### [My Aunt Makes Up Her Mind About Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xiv-my-aunt-makes-up-her-mind-about-me)

Referenced as David's late mother, described by Betsey as an 'unfortunate baby' and by Miss Murdstone as a 'mere child.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/clara_copperfield
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters