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David Copperfield · Character

Mr. Barkis

A taciturn Yarmouth carrier who courts Peggotty by proxy, communicates in shrugs, and is famously 'willin'.

supporting

Also known as Barkis, poor Barkis, the late Mr. Barkis

First appearance: v i am sent away from home

As a supporting figure in David Copperfield, Mr. Barkis is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The carrier who proposes marriage to Peggotty, as revealed during the family dinner.
In the storyMy Holidays. Especially One Happy AfternoonOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mr. Barkis drives the coach between Yarmouth and London, a slow, weather-beaten man who says almost nothing and means a great deal. He enlists young David as his messenger to Peggotty — 'Barkis is willin'' — and…

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Barkis sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Barkis in v i am sent away from home

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Mr. Barkis sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

CPClara PeggottyDCDavid Copperfi…MOMr. OmerAWAgnes WickfieldJSJames SteerforthMBMr. Barkis

Relationship types

  • Romantic
  • Other

Character groups

  • Legal and professional associates
  • Central characters and antagonists
  • Minor characters and background figures
  • Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Barkis in v i am sent away from home

In the story

Mr. Barkis appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Barkis unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Barkis in v i am sent away from home