# I Am Born explained — David Copperfield > Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. ## What happens David Copperfield introduces his birth, describing his father's death before his birth, his mother's vulnerable state, and the unexpected visit of his formidable great-aunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood, who disapproves of the family's impracticality and leaves in disappointment upon learning the newborn is a boy. ## Themes in this chapter ### Orphanhood and Self-Formation David is born after his father's death, setting the stage for his orphaned identity and self-formation. ### The Role of Women Clara's helplessness and Miss Betsey's independence illustrate contrasting roles for women in Victorian society. ### Domesticity and the Ideal Home The description of the house, the Rookery, and its neglected rooks' nests symbolizes the flawed domestic ideal. ## Character check-ins ### David Copperfield Narrator and protagonist, born on a Friday, six months after his father's death. ### Clara Copperfield David's young, timid mother, widowed and pregnant, described as a 'wax doll' by Miss Betsey. ### Betsey Trotwood David's great-aunt, a formidable and eccentric woman who visits unannounced and leaves in anger upon learning the baby is a boy. ### Mr. Chillip The mild-mannered doctor attending Clara's childbirth, who informs Miss Betsey that the baby is a boy. ## Key lines > My father had once been a favourite of hers, I believe; but she was mortally affronted by his marriage, on the ground that my mother was 'a wax doll.' Miss Betsey was offended by David's father's marriage because she considered his mother to be like a fragile, lifeless doll. _Reveals Miss Betsey's harsh judgment of Clara's youth and perceived fragility._ > My mother was sitting by the fire, but poorly in health, and very low in spirits, looking at it through her tears, and desponding heavily about herself and the fatherless little stranger... Clara sat by the fire, unwell and sad, crying as she worried about herself and her unborn child who would have no father. _Highlights Clara's emotional and physical vulnerability before David's birth._ > My aunt said never a word, but took her bonnet by the strings, in the manner of a sling, aimed a blow at Mr. Chillip's head with it, put it on bent, walked out, and never came back. Miss Betsey silently grabbed her bonnet, swung it at Mr. Chillip, put it on crooked, and left forever. _Illustrates Miss Betsey's dramatic and disappointed reaction to the baby being a boy._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/i-i-am-born - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters