# Rosa Dartle — David Copperfield character guide

> Rosa Dartle in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Dartle, Rosa, Miss Rosa Dartle, Rosa Dartle

**First appearance:** 0023-xx-steerforth-s-home

## Snapshot

A sharp, watchful companion to Mrs. Steerforth, whose scarred face and glittering questions hide a wound that has never been allowed to heal.

## Who they are

Rosa Dartle lives on Mrs. Steerforth's charity as a poor relation and companion, always at the elbow of the proud woman who raised James Steerforth into what he is. She asks pointed, probing questions of everyone around her, yet her bitterness has a source she never fully shows, and her devotion to Steerforth is tangled with something closer to grief than love. She is the household's most uncomfortable conscience, and the reader learns early to listen when she speaks.

## In the story

### [Steerforth's Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xx-steerforth-s-home)

Mrs. Steerforth's companion, with a scar on her lip and a bitter, hinting manner of speaking.

### [My First Dissipation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxiv-my-first-dissipation)

Rosa Dartle is present during David's visit to Mrs. Steerforth, asking probing questions about Yarmouth.

### [XXIX: I Visit Steerforth at His Home, Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxix-i-visit-steerforth-at-his-home-again)

Watchful and sarcastic; scrutinizes David and Steerforth, and is gradually charmed by Steerforth.

### [Enthusiasm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxvi-enthusiasm)

Seen walking restlessly in Mrs. Steerforth's garden, described as a fierce thing wearing its heart out.

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

Bitter and intense, she orchestrates the interview with Littimer and reveals her relentless animosity toward Steerforth.

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

Confronts Emily with venomous rage, accusing her of ruining Steerforth's home and showing no compassion.

### [LVI: The New Wound, and the Old](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lvi-the-new-wound-and-the-old)

Rosa Dartle reveals her old scar and bitterly reproaches Mrs. Steerforth for her role in Steerforth's pride and cruelty.

### [A Last Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxiv-a-last-retrospect)

A sharp, dark, withered woman with a white scar on her lip, alternately caressing and quarreling with Mrs. Steerforth.

## Links

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