Tuesday November 30

Please answer these comprehension and interpretation questions on the novel up to and through Chapter Ten. Use examples and quotations from the novel to support your answers whenever possible, and in some cases it is required. Do these responses on paper. Complete these by Thursday, December 2.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday please post on the Blog what chapter you have completed. This will help the other readers to keep up and to correspond with each other on what they know about the story so far.

You need to read at least one chapter per night to stay on track.

1) Relate two examples of figurative language in the book between Chapters One and Ten.

2) How does David know he is not liked by Miss Murdstone? Find at least two examples from the book that relate how we, and David, know this. Cite the chapter in which you found the passage.

3) Find two passages that are excellent examples of characterization of any characters other than David.

4) What nugget of wisdom does the tailor, Mr. Omer, give David as he fits him for clothes for the funeral?

5) Explain why you believe that Mrs. Copperfield died. Cite a quotation from the novel that supports your inference.

6) Describe how Peggoty and her family give David a sense of happiness.

7) What do you think Dickens is saying about the social class system of the time when you compare the motivations and actions of Peggoty and the Murdstones?

8) Give two examples of Davy’s characterization in his actions and/or speech. Interpret how you feel Dickens intended to show David’s characterization in the passages you choose.

9) Compare and contrast the marriages that we have seen so far through the end of Chapter Ten.

Daily reading

You should plan to average one chapter a night at a minimum. If you can read more, please feel free to do so.

You should be through Chapter 10 by Wednesday.

Snow days and weekend

Continue reading David Copperfield and maintain your reading journal as you read. The reading journal helps. The character list keeps order of the complex array of characters, and a plot summary of each chapter works well because the chapters are vignettes that are build upon each other. Of course, also note literary devices and the chapter in which they occur, and interesting or difficult vocabulary. I will update specific questions for the chapters and post them here on the Blog. Enjoy your uninterrupted reading!

Chapters 5-7

Make sure to make an entry in your plot summary Reading Journal after you read each chapter. A few sentences are sufficient.
Add vocabulary words to your vocabulary list as you read. You should have approximately 5-10 words on this list by the end of Chapter 5.

Chapter 5 is a transitional chapter that takes place in several locations. Please answer these questions on a separate document and mail them to me or hand them in on paper.

Chapter 5
The night David stays at the inn in Yarmouth, he has a conversation with the waiter. How does the waiter’s dialect and actions show the characterization of this man?

What does the narrator observe that most people do not like to confess to doing?

Describe what David imagines might happen to him as he sits waiting at the coach station. Explain various reasons why you think he would imagine this.

Describe David’s first impressions of the school and how his feelings begin to affect his experience there. In your answer, include this quotation: “Take care of him. He bites.”

Chapter 6
This chapter introduces several of the main characters at Salem House. Add the characters and details about their characterization thus far to your character list.

Make a prediction about these new characters’ impact in David’s life in the future either on their character lists or in your plot summary section.

Add a paragraph of details describing new characters traits and actions of David in his adventures on the way to London and now that he is starting his life at Salem House.

Chapter 7
Assume the character of Charles. Write a letter home to Clara, David’s mother. Post this letter on the Blog.

Maintain your Reading Journal.

Chapters 1-5

Reflect upon the story so far. Analyze what theme(s) you think Dickens may be illustrating.  Explain your reasoning. Give a quotation from the novel that supports your opinion.

Interpret how the actions and interactions of the characters thus far in the novel demonstrate the theme(s).

For Monday, November 22 read one more chapter and maintain the book log and character list.

David Copperfield

"Whether I shall turn out to be a hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show." - David Copperfield