u/sibongibob

I am looking into reading Dickens, namely David Copperfield which will be my first. Having just read Pride and Prejudice, one key takeaway I took was that knowing the context of the time was crucial in understanding the subtext of the story. For instance, the importance of introductions, and the importance of connections etc etc.

So, I was wondering if there are any specific things to know about the time that might help with reading Copperfield>

The book seems to suggest (at least for me) that Elizabeth absolutely despises her family and wants to leave as soon as possible, but I find that very sad.

Apart from her mother's irresponsible spoiling of Lydia and their negligent father, I can't really find anything else to support Lizzie's wishes to not interact with them as often, and just have fun with her husband and friends in Pemberley. My wish instead is that Mr Darcy grows to appreciate his in-laws, even though the book is more on his side that he will not tolerate her mother and her aunt's silliness. Lydia and Wickham, I can understand, but the rest of Meriton I feel for.

In our times, going non-contact with family that has hurt you is encouraged and celebrated, and I don't disagree with the idea. But I think family is important, and I hate the idea of family being too much of embarrassment so they have to be avoided. I think I'm just feeling overly emotional about this right now.

I know that's a modern take, and the times were different, but is there any redeeming of the rest of the family (the mother especially) to the prudent and sensible Darcys?

It starts with the camera videoing the crew running from overhead. Two of the crew turn left, but purple turns right in a different direction.

A crew member is doing tasks in elec, and then purple comes over with a guilty expression and kills them off camera I think.

I forget the rest. Does anyone else know the video?

I don't get why she wanted to provoke Darcy by making fun of Lizzie's looks. I get she is angry and lashing out, but why is she provoking Darcy? Is this her attempt at flirting - by teasing him?

And here I thought Mr Darcy was NOT to be laughed at!

Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all the success she expected. He was resolutely silent however; and, from a determination of making him speak, she continued, “I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘She a beauty!—I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”

“Yes,” replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, “but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”

He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.