Chapter 2 Appreciation of works

It is a representative work of Charles Dickens, the master of critical realism in the 19th century.In this highly autobiographical novel, Dickens borrows "little David's own history and experience" to review and summarize his own life path from many aspects, reflecting his philosophy of life and moral ideals. Through the joys and sorrows of the protagonist David's life, it reveals the real face of the society at that time in multiple layers, and highlights the corrosive effect of money on marriage, family and society.The formation of a series of tragedies in the novel is caused by money.Mordstone deceived David's mother into marrying her property; Emily's elopement was because she could not withstand the temptation of money; the pain of the Wakefield family and the despair of Haimu were all caused by money.And the despicable Heep also fell into the temptation of money step by step, and finally ended up in a shameful end of life imprisonment.Starting from the humanitarian thought, Dickens exposed the evil of money, thus lifted the beautiful curtain of "Victorian prosperity" and revealed the hidden social truth behind it.

In shaping the characters, David Copperfield undoubtedly devoted all of the author's efforts.Whether it is the various hardships and bitterness he encountered when he was an orphan, or his indomitable struggle as an adult, they all show the painful journey of a little man seeking a way out in the capitalist society.David, who tasted the happiness and warmth in the world after suffering a lot, relied on his sincere and straightforward character, positive spirit, and pure and friendly heart to people.Anis is also an ideal woman that the author strives to beautify.She has both external beauty and inner virtue. She protects the old father bullied by Hipp tenaciously and supports David who suffers from setbacks.The combination of her and David at the end is "consistency of thought and purpose". This perfect marriage makes the end of the novel filled with an atmosphere of happiness and hope.They are the embodiment of Dickens' bourgeois humanitarian ideal.The formation of this thought is inseparable from Dickens' personal experience, likes and dislikes.He always believed that the moral sentiments of ordinary people in an oppressed position are far superior to those of rulers and oppressors.It is based on this belief that many ordinary people in the novel, such as fishermen Peggotty and Haimu, have a simple and kind heart despite their poverty and no education, and they have a relationship with the rich Steerforth and his family. What they did was in stark contrast.

Of course, this strong contrast also reflects Dickens's own moral outlook: "What is good is rewarded with good, and evil is rewarded with evil."The endings of the various main characters in this novel are designed along this vein.For example, Heep and Steerforth, who symbolize the evil, finally got the punishment they deserved; and the kind people have found a gratifying destination.Dickens hopes to transform society with such a moral outlook and eliminate the evils in the world, which is his limitation. The artistic charm lies not in its tortuous and vivid structure, or the ups and downs of the plot, but in its realistic life atmosphere and lyrical narrative style.What attracts the attention of this work is the flesh-and-blood characters, the concrete and vivid world conditions and human feelings, and the personality traits of different characters.For example, Miss Bessie, David's aunt, whether it is her speech and manners, clothing, habits likes and dislikes, and even every gesture, although there are some exaggerations, they all vividly portray a eccentric, kind-hearted woman. old woman image.As for the portrayal of the maid Peggotty, it is even more lifelike.

The description of the environment in the novel is also very skillful, especially the storm at sea in Yarmouth, which is majestic, vivid and lifelike, which makes people feel personally on the scene. Dickens is also a master of humor. Between the lines in his novels, one can often read his witty quips and exaggerated caricatures.Critics consider it an achievement that exceeds all of Dickens' other works. (Xu Renwang)