# Mr. Wickfield — David Copperfield character guide

> Mr. Wickfield in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Wickfield

**First appearance:** 0018-xv-i-make-another-beginning

## Snapshot

Agnes's widowed father, a once-shrewd Canterbury lawyer whose grief and growing appetite for drink leave him dangerously pliant.

## Who they are

Mr. Wickfield is a respected solicitor whose devotion to his daughter Agnes borders on possessive, and whose sorrow over his dead wife has soured into something he numbs with wine. That weakness gives the scheming Uriah Heep his opening, and the household's slow corrosion becomes one of the novel's quietest horrors. He matters because his decline tests Agnes's strength and gives David a front-row view of how a good man's flaw can be farmed by a patient predator.

## Relationships

### [Uriah Heep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/uriah_heep)

_psychological_

Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs.

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

_family_

Agnes is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter who cares for her father and protects him from Uriah's schemes.

### [Doctor Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/doctor_strong)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

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

_family_

Agnes is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter who cares for her father and protects him from Uriah's schemes.

### [Uriah Heep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/uriah_heep)

_psychological_

Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs.

### [Doctor Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/doctor_strong)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

### [Doctor Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/doctor_strong)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

### [Uriah Heep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/uriah_heep)

_psychological_

Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs.

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

_family_

Agnes is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter who cares for her father and protects him from Uriah's schemes.

## In the story

### [XV: I Make Another Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xv-i-make-another-beginning)

Mr. Wickfield is a lawyer in Canterbury who takes David into his home and arranges his schooling.

### [XVI: I Am a New Boy in More Senses Than One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xvi-i-am-a-new-boy-in-more-senses-than-one)

Mr. Wickfield is weary and hints at dissatisfaction; he is involved in arranging Jack Maldon's departure.

### [XIX: I Look About Me, and Make a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xix-i-look-about-me-and-make-a-discovery)

Mr. Wickfield is present at the Strongs' and appears deeply troubled, watching Mrs. Strong and Agnes with unease, and remaining silent during discussions about Jack Maldon.

### [Wickfield and Heep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxix-wickfield-and-heep)

Described as 'obsolete' by Micawber; overshadowed by his partner Heep.

### [XLII: Mischief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlii-mischief)

Confesses his past doubts about Mrs. Strong, feeling subdued and remorseful.

### [Agnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lx-agnes)

Now a white-haired, reclaimed man; shares the story of Agnes's mother and his own past regrets.

## Links

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