David Copperfield (1913)

David Copperfield, shortly after the death of his beloved father, becomes aware of the attention of one Mr. Murdstone to his mother. His displeasure at such attentions is markedly evidenced, and as a result he is dispatched on a visit to Aunt Peggoty's home in Yarmouth, which has been made of an upturned boat by the side of the sea. Here be meets little Emily. Upon his return to his home. "The Rookery," he finds his suspicions were true, and Murdstone has become his stepfather. Revolting against the tyranny and cruel treatment accorded him at the hands of his stepfather, David is sent to school at Salem House. While there he is advised of the death of his dear mother. After his mother's death, David is apprenticed to serve in the Murdstone brewery, and there becomes a lodger at the home of Mr. Micawber. The Micawbers, in straitened circumstances, are evicted from their humble dwelling, and David, mourning the loss of his new-found friends, resolves to run away from his brewery apprenticeship and seek the home of his Aunt Betsy Trotwood, at Dover. Murdstone, learning of his disappearance and whereabouts, calls at the Trotwood home and demands David's return. This is denied, however, and David is sent to Canterbury to continue his education. Before he has completed his course, however, David is compelled to seek means of earning his own livelihood, because of the financial condition of his aunt, and in consequence is apprenticed in the law office of Mr. Spenlow. There he meets Dora Spenlow, who becomes his wife, only to die ere his happiness has been begun. While in the employ of Spenlow, David meets the villainous Uriah Heep, and subsequently he arranges, after a chance meeting with his old friend, Mr. Micawber, that Micawber is to become an employee of Spenlow. Then follows the detection by Micawber of the thefts of Uriah Heep and comes the restoration of Aunt Betsy's belongings. David chances to meet his old school friend, James Steerforth, and together they plan a trip to Yarmouth, where they visit the Peggotys. Steerforth persuades little Emily to leave with him, and later deserts her. David Copperfield's rise to fame and fortune follows. The wronging of little Emily is detected, and she is finally found by David after she attempts suicide in the Thames. There is the final vindication for old Peggnty, when the lifeless body of Steerforth is found by Ham as it is washed ashore after a terrible wreck. In the closing scenes, the Micawbers, who have gone to follow their fortunes in Australia, seated around their Yuletide table, rise in toast to the Copperfield family, and in far off England, David and his wife, who was Agness Wickfield, respond. It is a beautiful and heart-throbbing finale.