David Copperfield Characters: How Dickens’ People Shape the Novel and Its Film Adaptations

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I've heard it said that you are the average person of the five people who you hang out with the most. That is why it is so important to have good companions. I feel like the David Copperfield characters test this theory. 

Hugh Lourie, Dev Patel and Tilda Swinton in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
Searchlight Pictures

My impression of David Copperfield is that it is a Dickens story that is largely overshadowed by his more popular works such as A Tale of Two Cities, Christmas Carol, or even Oliver Twist. But I think it is a novel that deserves at least as much attention as these more popular works. (I'm actually not really that sure why Oliver Twist would be more popular, as I think the David Copperfield characters are much more relatable and interesting.)

I first read the novel as a summer reading challenge and greatly enjoyed it, laughing aloud at different parts on my lunch break at work. When my sister, brother and I were flying home from Mexico, one of the movies provided was the 2019 film adaptation The Personal History of David Copperfield. We all three watched it and loved it so much that I read the novel aloud to my entire family that summer. While some may argue that this film adaptation does not follow the book closely enough, it is still one of my favorite films.

More recently, I thought it would be interesting to watch a few other adaptations of this novel, but still stick to my guns that none can hold a candle to the 2019 adaptation.

David Copperfield Characters Shine in The Colorful and Humorous 2019 Film Adaptation

Some Charles Dickens novels turned into film take a viewer with a strong stomach to handle. This is not the case with this film. It is an enjoyable watch all the way through. I would say that this adaptation took appropriate liberties with the script which allows for an enjoyable, colorful ride following the life of David Copperfield as he journeys from his life as a first indulged and then neglected child to his adult life as a young man who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Starring Hugh Laurie, Dev Patel, and Tilda Swinton, the film pays homage to old British humor with the tongue in cheek British jokes and combining actors from all the British colonies. Although it does not carry the sad weight of the novel, it is entwined with just the right amount of humor to make it a very entertaining film!

Another aspect that the movie emphasizes a little more than the book is that David, instead of writing his story for his personal benefit, is asked to write the story of his life and does so with the intention of highlighting the strongest characteristics of the people in his life, good and bad. In so doing, he is able to sort his thoughts and thereby keep close the important people in his life. David gathers his memories of all the people who entered his life, the good and the bad and turns it into a splendid narrative. His work is a celebration of character, personalities and the small joyful moments in our lives.

This version is hands down, my favorite David Copperfield and maybe one of my top ten favorite movies.

Hallmark’s 2000 David Copperfield: Truer to Dickens' Characters, But A Less Cohesive Story

Emily Hamilton and Hugh Dancy in David Copperfield (2000)
Hallmark

I feel torn about the 2000 Hallmark version of David Copperfield. In some ways I feel that it was very good and followed the book somewhat closely. I feel like the true David Copperfield characters shone through the performances in this version. 

I also feel like there was kind of a random selection of parts chosen to be in the film. This made the film feel a little incoherent. It wasn't the filmmakers taking liberties with the story. Many of the scenes were practically straight out of the novel. 

I think a difference between the two films was that they each chose different aspects of Dickens' story to tell. The 2019 colorful version was all about how David was shaped by the people around him. The 2000 Hallmark adaptation was about how David has to learn to face up to his past.

This spin makes the characters of Uriah Heep, Mr. Micawber, Dora, and Mr. and Miss Murdstone more prominent than in the other film and downplays the roles of Steerforth, Peggotty, and the Yarmouth folks. All that being said, I think this film followed the true spirit of the novel better, but I do like the more lightheartedness of the 2019 version better. It gives the gist of the story but isn't as depressing. 

As far as age appropriateness for the film, the beginning can be intense for small children as David has an abusive step-father. It is also a romance, so there are a few kisses.

Charles Dickens Breathes Life Into The David Copperfield Characters In A Way Only He Can Accomplish

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

I've heard it said that you are the average person of the five people who you hang out with the most. That is why it is so important to have good companions. I feel like the David Copperfield characters test this theory. 

The David Copperfield characters are a collection of childish impressions and memories of people. David writes down his memories of people and their most defining characteristics. These memories include the shape of Miss Murdstone's face, the dark eyebrows of her brother, the unique boldness of Mr. Micawber and so on.

But the characteristics of these people help shape David's own life like the care-free, happy go lucky lifestyle of the Micawbers, the open-hearted generosity of his stiff aunt, the steadfastness of Agnes, the grasping slippery Uriah Heap. When the going gets rough for the good David Copperfield characters, they are a stick to your guns crew and work through hard times together, although they are an interesting bunch.

Although there are misfortunate David Copperfield characters like Steerforth, Em'ly, Murdstone, Heep, even though these do not need to matter to David's personal life, they are nonetheless part of his story as even they shaped him into what he became.

It is the other characters on the other hand, Peggotty, Mr. Dick, Mrs. Trotwood, Mr. Micawber, and Agnes, that he keeps close as they are what David aspires to become.