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Irony
Definition of Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor can be stated explicitly, as... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other... read full definition
Key Examples in David Copperfield
Chapter 4: I Fall Into Disgrace
Explanation and Analysis—Tainted Blood:
The Murdstones are the villains of David's childhood, and they are often associated with darkness. In Chapter 4, David uses a racial metaphor to describe their cruelty.
The gloomy taint that was in the Murdstone blood, darkened the Murdstone religion, which was austere and wrathful.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Rainy Memory:
In Chapter 4, David bites Mr. Murdstone in self-defense and is locked away in isolation. He uses metaphorical imagery to describe how it felt to spend five days alone like this:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[…] the setting in of rain one evening, with a fresh smell, and its coming down faster and faster between me and the church, until it and gathering night seemed to quench me in gloom, and fear, and remorse—all this appears to have gone round and round for years instead of days, it is so vividly and strongly stamped on my remembrance.
Related Themes:
Chapter 9: I Have a Memorable Birthday
Explanation and Analysis—Mother and Sons:
In Chapter 9, David goes home for his mother and half-brother’s funeral. He uses a metaphor comparing his brother and mother in their grave to himself and his mother in his own infancy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+In her death she winged her way back to her calm untroubled youth, and cancelled all the rest.
The mother who lay in the grave, was the mother of my infancy; the little creature in her arms, was myself, as I had once been, hushed for ever on her bosom.
Related Themes:
Chapter 21: Little Em'ly
Explanation and Analysis—Aboriginal Conditions:
In Chapter 21, at Steerforth's urging, David takes Steerforth to the Peggotty house in Yarmouth. Steerforth uses a telling anthropological metaphor that demonstrates his low opinion of working class people:
Unlock with LitCharts A+‘I shall not give them any notice that we are here, you know,’ said I, delighted. ‘We must take them by surprise.’
‘Oh, of course! It’s no fun,’ said Steerforth, ‘unless we take them by surprise. Let us see the natives in their aboriginal condition.’
Related Themes:
Chapter 39: Wickfield and Heep
Explanation and Analysis—Uriah's "Apology":
In Chapter 39, Uriah upsets Mr. Wickfield and claims that he is entitled to marry Agnes due to his upward mobility. In the morning he claims to have smoothed things over with Mr. Wickfield while also using a metaphor to suggest that he has already made sexual advances toward Agnes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I obliged myself to say that I was glad he had made his apology.
‘Oh, to be sure!’ said Uriah. ‘When a person’s umble, you know, what’s an apology? So easy! I say! I suppose,’ with a jerk, ‘you have sometimes plucked a pear before it was ripe, Master Copperfield?’
‘I suppose I have,’ I replied.
‘I did that last night,’ said Uriah; ‘but it’ll ripen yet! It only wants attending to. I can wait!’
Related Themes:
Chapter 54: Mr. Micawber's Transactions
Explanation and Analysis—Purged of a Disease:
In Chapter 54, David, Miss Betsey, and Agnes spend the night at the Wickfield house. David uses a metaphor to describe the relief of returning to the house after Uriah and his mother have been evicted:
Unlock with LitCharts A+We passed the night at the old house, which, freed from the presence of the Heeps, seemed purged of a disease[.]
Related Themes:
