Publication 189
By davros5 on
Friday, November 2, 2001
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Dear sirs and Madames,
This is the first time I am posting here, which accounts for the unfamiliarity of my name. That being said, I would like to ask for the assistance of those sager and more well read than I, in the analysis of
Dickens' concepts of literacy, developed in David Copperfield.
As part of a college class I have been asked to write a ten page "research" paper describing my personal literacy(both cultural and on a level of reading and writing). My instructor requires a minimum of eight critical sources for this paper.
I was three quarters of the way though this book at the beginning of the term, however, due to pressing assignments, I have had to lay it down. This means that I began reading it about four months ago and I have lost some of the minutiae from the first chapters. I plan on looking through these and attemping to pluck out some meaningful quote. My question for you is: firstly, do you, at you fingertips, have any quotes relating to the importance of his learning to read and in what chapter would these be, and, secondly, what would you say is the primary message of David Copperfield regarding literacy?
I was thinking of looking through the part where he describes reading the "Crocodile book" with Peggotty. Maybe dealing with the fact that his escape from the harsh realities of the Murdstone education was reading fantasies or adventure romances. Meybe comment on the book of saints in Peggotty's house(am I correct in my remembrance of this?). There is probably something useful during his stay with Wickfield. I am just wondering if anyone has specific passages that might be helpful, as I don't have a great amount of time.
Yours,
preemptively greatful for your assistance,
Patrick M. Crowley
Publication 190
By Davenicity on
Saturday, November 3, 2001
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Patrick,
Take a look early in the text at David's description of the books he read in his bedroom. I'm sorry to not have the text in front of me, or else I'd tell you precisely where it is. He talks about Roderick Random, and how important these books were to him in passing the lonely time. Later, while at school, he entertains the boys by recounting these stories, as Steerforth presides over handing out the goodies. Telling the stories helped his popularity at school. I think he also reads to Little E. at Mr Peggoty's houseboat.
You may do yourself a favor by writing more simply.
Best wishes,
Dave Lundy
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