# Mr. Peggotty's Dream Comes True explained — David Copperfield

> Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Months after Martha's intervention, Mr. Peggotty remains steadfast in his search for Emily, undertaking arduous journeys and never wavering in his conviction. David reflects on his patience and faith. One evening, Martha asks Mr. Peggotty to stay in London until she sees him again. Later, David witnesses a confrontation between Rosa Dartle and Emily, where Rosa cruelly berates Emily for her past with Steerforth, showing no mercy. Emily, broken and remorseful, pleads for compassion but is met with scorn.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Forgiveness

Emily's desperate plea for mercy and her remorse contrast with Rosa Dartle's refusal to forgive, highlighting the struggle for redemption.

### Cruelty and Abuse of Power

Rosa Dartle's verbal assault on Emily exemplifies cruelty and the abuse of social power, as she uses her position to torment a fallen woman.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Mr. Peggotty's unwavering loyalty to Emily and Martha's continued assistance demonstrate deep friendship and devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Peggotty

Remains unwavering in his search for Emily, undertaking long journeys and saving money for her.

### David Copperfield

Observes Mr. Peggotty's steadfastness and later witnesses Rosa Dartle's confrontation with Emily.

### Little Em'ly

Found and confronted by Rosa Dartle, she expresses deep remorse and pleads for mercy.

### Rosa Dartle

Confronts Emily with venomous rage, accusing her of ruining Steerforth's home and showing no compassion.

### Martha Endell

Assists Mr. Peggotty by asking him to stay in London until she sees him again.

## Key lines

> His conviction remained unchanged. So far as I know—and I believe his honest heart was transparent to me—he never wavered again, in his solemn certainty of finding her.

Mr. Peggotty never lost faith that he would find Emily, and David believed his sincerity was absolute.

_Highlights Mr. Peggotty's unshakeable belief in finding Emily._

> I have known him set out in the night, on a misgiving that the light might not be, by some accident, in the window of the old boat, and walk to Yarmouth.

David recalls times when Mr. Peggotty would walk all the way to Yarmouth just to check if the light was in the window of the old boat.

_Illustrates Mr. Peggotty's dedication and active search for Emily._

> You love him? You? ... And tell that to me, with your shameful lips? Why don't they whip these creatures? If I could order it to be done, I would have this girl whipped to death.

Rosa Dartle expresses violent contempt for Emily's claim of loving Steerforth, wishing she could have her whipped.

_Shows Rosa Dartle's extreme cruelty and hatred toward Emily._

> Oh, home, home! Oh dear, dear uncle, if you ever could have known the agony your love would cause me when I fell away from good, you never would have shown it to me so constant, much as you felt it; but would have been angry to me, at least once in my life, that I might have had some comfort!

Emily laments that her uncle's constant love makes her guilt worse, wishing he had been angry with her so she could find some relief.

_Reveals Emily's deep remorse and the pain caused by her fall from grace._

## Links

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