David Copperfield · Character

Wilkins Micawber

A grandiloquent, perpetually insolvent gentleman who befriends young David and lives on the conviction that something will turn up.

major

Also known as Mr. Micawber, Master Micawber, Micawber, Consequently Mr. Micawber, I. Mr. Micawber, the immovable Mr. Micawber, LIV Mr. Micawber, Both Mr. Micawber, Wilkins, Wilkins Micawber , Esquire

First appearance: XI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like It

As a major figure in David Copperfield, Wilkins Micawber is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Imprisoned for debt in the King's Bench Prison; composes a petition to Parliament and borrows a shilling from David.

In the storyXI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like ItOpen this moment free

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Micawber lodges David during his bleak warehouse years, lecturing on income and expenditure while dodging creditors and landing in the King's Bench prison. His buoyant optimism and theatrical diction mask real financial…

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See Wilkins Micawber in XI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like It

Character Web

25 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Central characters and antagonists
Protagonist

+20 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

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…

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Relationships

David Copperfield
friendship · positive
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him… How this plays out →
Tommy Traddles
friendship · positive
Uriah Heep
professional · negative
David Copperfield
friendship · positive
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him… How this plays out →
Tommy Traddles
friendship · positive
Tommy Traddles
friendship · positive
Uriah Heep
professional · negative
Uriah Heep
professional · negative
David Copperfield
friendship · positive
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him… How this plays out →

David Copperfield
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him defeat Uriah Heep.
Tommy Traddles
Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes.
Uriah Heep
Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him.
David Copperfield
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him defeat Uriah Heep.
Tommy Traddles
Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes.
Tommy Traddles
Traddles and Micawber are loyal friends and allies, with Traddles often helping Micawber out of financial scrapes.
Uriah Heep
Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him.
Uriah Heep
Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him.
David Copperfield
David befriends the perpetually indebted but good-hearted Micawber, who later helps him defeat Uriah Heep.

Relationship notes

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

See Wilkins Micawber in XI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like It

In the story

Wilkins Micawber appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like It
Imprisoned for debt in the King's Bench Prison; composes a petition to Parliament and borrows a shilling from David.
Liking Life on My Own Account No Better, I Form a Great Resolution
Mr. Micawber is released from debtors' prison and prepares to move his family to Plymouth, offering David advice on financial prudence.
Somebody Turns Up
Mr. Micawber is in Canterbury with his family, awaiting a remittance and hoping for something to turn up. He dines with David and has befriended Uriah Heep.
Tommy Traddles
Mr. Micawber is revealed as Traddles's landlord; he greets David with characteristic flourish and references their time in Canterbury.
Mr. Micawber's Gauntlet
Enthusiastically makes punch and deviled mutton; discusses his financial schemes and future plans with David and Traddles.
Enthusiasm
Announces his new position as confidential clerk to Uriah Heep in Canterbury.
Wickfield and Heep
Employed by Uriah Heep; appears constrained and hints at financial pressures.
I Am Involved in Mystery
Sends a mysterious letter and meets David and Traddles at the King's Bench Prison, hinting at troubles with Uriah Heep.
I Assist at an Explosion
Dramatically reads his letter exposing Uriah Heep's frauds against Mr. Wickfield, reveling in his epistolary style.
Mr. Micawber's Transactions
Joyfully prepares emigration stamps but is arrested on a new writ from Heep; later freed by Traddles and expresses bliss.
LVII: The Emigrants
Mr. Micawber adopts a buccaneering air, equips himself with oilskins and a knife, and is briefly arrested again before being freed.

Chapter companion notes

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See Wilkins Micawber in XI: I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don’t Like It