Mr. Omer Character Analysis in David Copperfield

Mr. Omer is an undertaker in Yarmouth. David meets him and his family for the first time when he is being fitted with clothes for Clara Copperfield's funeral. Despite (or perhaps because of) his line of work, Mr. Omer is remarkably cheerful and calm even when discussing funeral arrangements. He also does some general work as a tailor, and employs little Em'ly for a while as a seamstress.

Mr. Omer Quotes in David Copperfield

The David Copperfield quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Omer or refer to Mr. Omer. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Coming of Age and Personal Development Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Puffin edition of David Copperfield published in 2013.

"You see," he said, wiping his head, and breathing with difficulty, "she hasn't taken much to any companions here; she hasn't taken kindly to any particular acquaintances and friends, no to mention sweethearts. In consequence, an ill-natured story got about, that Em'ly wanted to be a lady. Now my opinion is, that it came into circulation principally on account of her saying, at the school, that if she was a lady she would like to do so and so for her uncle—don't you see?—and buy him such and such fine things."

Related Characters: (speaker), , ,

Page Number and Citation: 261

Explanation and Analysis:

Mr. Omer Character Timeline in David Copperfield

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Omer appears in David Copperfield. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...a "merry-looking, little old man in black." This man takes him to a shop entitled "Omer, Draper, Tailor, Haberdasher, Funeral Furnisher, &c." Inside, three women are stitching black fabric and the... (full context)

...into baskets. These baskets, along with David himself, are then put in the chaise. Mr. Omer, Joram, and Minnie come along as well, and David is struck by how strange their... (full context)

...see how small the town seems, now that he has grown. While passing by Mr. Omer's shop, he sees Minnie and two children, and decides to stop in. Minnie accordingly sends... (full context)

Ambition, Social Mobility, and Morality Theme Icon

Mr. Omer asks after Peggotty, whom he remembers had some connection to David. He then explains that... (full context)

..."willful" look, but nevertheless feels that she is basically good and innocent at heart. Mr. Omer urges David to go and say hello to her, but he is too shy to... (full context)

...she is pretty." Steerforth agrees with David, adding that Emily is currently apprenticed at Mr. Omer's, and that she is engaged to Ham Peggotty—though he (Steerforth) thinks she was "born to... (full context)

...and Steerforth are busy saying their goodbyes to the Peggottys, Mr. Barkis, and even Mr. Omer. They also part with Littimer, who is remaining behind—ostensibly to oversee outfitting Steerforth's new boat. (full context)

...in Yarmouth that evening and arranges to stay at an inn. He then stops by Omer and Joram's: the shop has closed for the evening, but Mr. Omer is inside and... (full context)

Omer explains that little Em'ly has been keeping them up to date on Barkis's condition, and... (full context)

...alone, David thinks about little Em'ly's apparent fear of death, as well as what Mr. Omer told him about her. He is interrupted by Peggotty, who comes downstairs and embraces him,... (full context)

That evening, David visits Mr. Omer, who is very distressed by Emily's flight. Minnie, by contrast, at first seems to strongly... (full context)

David and Mr. Peggotty pass Mr. Omer's shop on the way to visit Ham, and David stays behind to talk to Omer... (full context)

David fills Mr. Omer in on how little Em'ly was found, and Omer—though pleased to hear about Emily—asks what... (full context)