# Tommy Traddles — David Copperfield character guide > Tommy Traddles in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Tom, Traddles, Mr. Traddles, Tommy, Mr. Thomas Traddles, the before - mentioned Mr. Thomas Traddles, Mr. Thomas, old Traddles, Dear Mr. Traddles, Poor Traddles **First appearance:** 0010-vii-my-first-half-at-salem-house ## Snapshot David's schoolmate at Salem House, a cheerful, hardworking boy who draws skeletons in his spare time and grows into a steady, loyal lawyer. ## Who they are Traddles endures Creakle's cane with the same good humor he later brings to cramped lodgings and postponed marriage, sustained by his devoted Sophy and an unshakable patience. He is the novel's quiet counterweight to Steerforth: no brilliance, no glamour, just decency that compounds. His rise from schoolboy to struggling law clerk gives David a friend whose fortunes mirror the rewards of plain perseverance. ## Relationships ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _friendship_ Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes. ### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/david_copperfield) _friendship_ David and Traddles are close school friends and later steadfast companions, supporting each other through life's trials. ### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/david_copperfield) _friendship_ David and Traddles are close school friends and later steadfast companions, supporting each other through life's trials. ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _friendship_ Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes. ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _friendship_ Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes. ## In the story ### [I Am Sent Away from Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/v-i-am-sent-away-from-home) Traddles is another boy David dreads, fearing he will make game of the placard and pretend to be frightened. ### [VI: I Enlarge My Circle of Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/vi-i-enlarge-my-circle-of-acquaintance) The first boy to return to school, introduces himself to David and helps him navigate the social dynamics. ### [My "First Half" at Salem House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/vii-my-first-half-at-salem-house) A fellow student who is frequently punished and suffers misfortune even during a supper. ### [XIII: The Sequel of My Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xiii-the-sequel-of-my-resolution) David considers seeking out Traddles at Salem House but decides against it due to lack of confidence in his discretion. ### [Good and Bad Angels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxv-good-and-bad-angels) Reunited with David at the party; described as a sober, steady young man reading for the bar, with a comic head of hair and retiring manners. ### [Tommy Traddles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxvii-tommy-traddles) David visits Traddles in his modest lodgings; Traddles shares his financial struggles, his engagement to Sophy, and his motto 'Wait and hope.' ### [Mr. Micawber's Gauntlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxviii-mr-micawber-s-gauntlet) A guest at the dinner; helps with the deviled mutton and is praised by Mr. Micawber for his steady character. ### [My Aunt Astonishes Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxiv-my-aunt-astonishes-me) Visits David, discusses his betrothal to Sophy and her devoted care for her large family. ### [Enthusiasm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxvi-enthusiasm) Present at the Micawbers' lodging, offering practical advice about the legal profession. ### [Dora's Aunts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xli-dora-s-aunts) Accompanies David to meet Dora's aunts, speaks in support of David's love, and mentions his own engagement to Sophy. ### [XLIII: Another Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xliii-another-retrospect) David's loyal friend, acts as his 'general backer' and is engaged to Sophy. ### [XLIV: Our Housekeeping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xliv-our-housekeeping) Visits for dinner, cheerfully enduring the disastrous meal and showing great friendship and loyalty. ### [Domestic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlviii-domestic) Dines with David and Dora on Sundays, a regular presence in their home. ### [I Am Involved in Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlix-i-am-involved-in-mystery) Also receives a letter from Mrs. Micawber and joins David in meeting Mr. Micawber. ### [I Assist at an Explosion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lii-i-assist-at-an-explosion) Acts as agent and friend of Mr. Wickfield, producing a power of attorney and assisting in the exposure. ### [Mr. Micawber's Transactions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/liv-mr-micawber-s-transactions) Handles the legal settlement of Mr. Wickfield's affairs and pays Mr. Micawber's debt in Betsey's name. ### [LVII: The Emigrants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lvii-the-emigrants) Traddles accompanies David, helps keep the secret, and orders punch for the farewell gathering. ### [LVIII: Absence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lviii-absence) David sends his manuscript to Traddles, who arranges for its publication. ### [LIX: Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lix-return) Now has chambers in Gray's Inn and is working at the Bar; David visits him and they have a joyful reunion. ### [LXI: I Am Shown Two Interesting Penitents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxi-i-am-shown-two-interesting-penitents) David's friend, now a lawyer, happily married to Sophy. ### [A Last Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxiv-a-last-retrospect) Now a busy lawyer with a large family, still the same simple, unaffected fellow, sitting at the foot of the table like a patriarch. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/tommy_traddles - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters