Chapter 43 - Summary, David Copperfield | David Copperfield - Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

Another Retrospect

• David takes a moment to stand back and observe his past life.
• He has turned 21, and he has started making a living as a journalist reporting on debates in Parliament.
• Traddles has also tried to work as a journalist, but he's not great at it. Instead, he's managed to get a job as a lawyer.
• David starts writing fiction pieces for magazines.
• He has moved out of Mrs. Crupp's boarding house to a cottage in Highgate.
• Miss Betsey has sold her cottage in Dover and plans to move to another little cottage nearby.
• She's moving out of David's house because he is getting married.
• Yet, at last, Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa have given permission for Dora to get married.
• Peggotty comes for the wedding, and helps Miss Lavinia, Miss Clarissa, and Miss Betsey set up the house for the newlyweds.
• David also sometimes sees the shadow of Mr. Peggotty in London, but he never stops Mr. Peggotty to speak to him: he knows what Mr. Peggotty is looking for, and it's not David.
• Traddles comes by one afternoon with David's marriage license.
• David is proud and pleased.
• He tells Traddles that the next time Traddles comes to the Archbishop of Canterbury to get a marriage blessed (as is required in the Anglican church), it should be his own.
• Traddles tells David that he's almost as excited by David's wedding as he would be by his own.
• In fact, Sophy (Traddles's fiancée) is one of Dora's bridesmaids, along with Agnes.
• So, David gets to meet Sophy at his wedding. David finds her friendly and delightful.
• Agnes really enjoys Traddles, and they all get along beautifully.
• David can't believe his good luck, and when they all go to visit his new house the next day, he still thinks that it must belong to someone else.
• Someone taps on the window: it is Dora, accompanied by her two aunts and Jip.
• Dora asks if David thinks the house is pretty – and if he is sure that he likes her.
• David confirms that he does, and is so, so happy.
• The next day is the day of the wedding.
• Miss Betsey looks amazing all dressed up, and Mr. Dick has had his hair curled.
• David's aunt gives him her blessing: David reminds Miss Betsey so much of his mother.
• Miss Betsey shakes Traddles's hand, who shakes Mr. Dick's hand, who shakes David's hand, who shakes Mr. Traddles's hand.
• The rest of the day seems like a dream, with Dora looking lovely and clutching Agnes's hand and trembling and weeping for her father.
• David and Dora sign the register, the marriage is witnessed by Peggotty, and they walk down the aisle together as man and wife.
• As Dora and David walk arm-in-arm to their carriage (with Jip in Dora's hand), Dora looks back and tells them, "If I have ever been cross or ungrateful to anybody, don't remember it!" (43.53).
• Dora looks back once more and says farewell to everyone, and especially Agnes.
• As they drive away, David begins to believe this is all real.
• Dora turns to David and asks if he is happy.
• And with that, David resumes his story.