Copperfield Text / Essays & Tools / Dickens Resources / Forum / Creative Writing  | Donate

GURUJEE
David Copperfield : The importance of a Liberal and Moral Education

IN PRINT

 

Page 5

The fact that David was "an exception to the general body [at Salem House], insomuch that [he] steadily pick[ed] up some crumbs of knowledge" is Dickens' strongest argument against this type of school. At Dr Strong's, however, David is completely comfortable; he describes the pleasant surroundings and the Doctor's habits.

Dickens held firm beliefs about important elements of a good education. He attended a strict school run by "the most ignorant... worst tempered [man]" and from his experiences concluded that "there is not likely to be much learnt... in a school carried on by sheer cruelty". Dickens recognises the importance of a liberal and moral education where the student is free to do what he wants and is encouraged to build a firm moral base for the rest of his life.

Previous Page ||| First Page