# Little Em'ly — David Copperfield character guide

> Little Em'ly in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Em'ly, little Em'ly, pretty little Em'ly, merry little Em'ly, Little, Emily, little Emily, Little Emily, pretty little Emily, Poor Emily

**First appearance:** 0009-vi-i-enlarge-my-circle-of-acquaintance

## Snapshot

Mr. Peggotty's adopted niece, a bright, restless girl whose longing for a finer life pulls her toward the wider world and its dangers.

## Who they are

Raised in the upturned boat-house at Yarmouth, Em'ly is the household's darling — pretty, warm-hearted, and quietly dissatisfied with the narrow horizon of a fisherman's life. Her yearning to be 'a lady' and her bond with the devoted Ham set up the central tension of the Yarmouth story. She matters because her choices test the limits of the Peggottys' love and expose the cost of Steerforth's charm.

## Relationships

### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield)

_friendship_

Agnes shows compassion toward Little Em'ly after her disgrace, offering her kindness and a path to redemption.

### [Clara Peggotty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/clara_peggotty)

_family_

Clara Peggotty is a loving aunt figure to Little Em'ly, deeply concerned for her welfare.

### [Clara Peggotty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/clara_peggotty)

_family_

Clara Peggotty is a loving aunt figure to Little Em'ly, deeply concerned for her welfare.

### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield)

_friendship_

Agnes shows compassion toward Little Em'ly after her disgrace, offering her kindness and a path to redemption.

### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield)

_friendship_

Agnes shows compassion toward Little Em'ly after her disgrace, offering her kindness and a path to redemption.

### [Clara Peggotty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/clara_peggotty)

_family_

Clara Peggotty is a loving aunt figure to Little Em'ly, deeply concerned for her welfare.

## In the story

### [I Have a Change](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/iii-i-have-a-change)

Mr. Peggotty's niece; a beautiful, spirited girl who dreams of becoming a lady and shows a reckless fearlessness near the sea.

### [I Become Neglected, and Am Provided For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/x-i-become-neglected-and-am-provided-for)

Little Em'ly is a source of comfort and joy for David during his visit to Yarmouth, sitting beside him and sharing in his innocent dreams.

### [Little Em'ly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxi-little-em-ly)

Shy and bashful at first, she becomes animated under Steerforth's attention, her eyes fixed on him during his shipwreck story.

### [A Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxx-a-loss)

Sits by the fire with her hands over her face, trembling and silent; clings to her uncle and avoids Ham, showing a deep fear of death and separation.

### [A Greater Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxi-a-greater-loss)

Em'ly runs away with Steerforth, leaving a letter expressing her shame and love for her uncle.

### [The Beginning of a Long Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxii-the-beginning-of-a-long-journey)

Referenced as the fallen child; her absence and the hope of her return drive the actions of others.

### [The Wanderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xl-the-wanderer)

Referenced through her letters of remorse and the money she sent; Mr. Peggotty seeks her.

### [XLVI: Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlvi-intelligence)

Referenced as the subject of the search; she has run away from Steerforth and is missing.

### [Mr. Peggotty's Dream Comes True](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/l-mr-peggotty-s-dream-comes-true)

Found and confronted by Rosa Dartle, she expresses deep remorse and pleads for mercy.

### [LI: The Beginning of a Longer Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/li-the-beginning-of-a-longer-journey)

Em'ly has been found and rescued by Martha Endell; she is now with Mr. Peggotty, brokenhearted but safe.

### [Tempest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lv-tempest)

Writes a farewell letter to David, expressing remorse and gratitude.

### [LXIII: A Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxiii-a-visitor)

Described by Mr. Peggotty as a gentle, sorrowful, and charitable woman who devotes herself to helping others in the colony.

## Links

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