# Tempest explained — David Copperfield

> Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

David reflects on a stormy and fateful event. He receives a letter from Little Em'ly, who has run away with Steerforth, and decides to travel to Yarmouth to deliver her farewell message to Ham. The journey is marked by a violent storm, and David becomes increasingly anxious about Ham's safety.

## Themes in this chapter

### Memory and Nostalgia

David's vivid recollection of the storm and its lasting impact on his dreams and associations.

### Redemption and Forgiveness

Little Em'ly's letter expresses hope for forgiveness in the afterlife, seeking redemption for her actions.

## Character check-ins

### David Copperfield

Narrator and protagonist; travels to Yarmouth to deliver Em'ly's letter to Ham.

### Clara Peggotty

David's old nurse; comes to London before the emigrant ship sails.

### Mr. Peggotty

Brother of Clara Peggotty; gives David Em'ly's letter and tries to dissuade him from traveling.

### Little Em'ly

Writes a farewell letter to David, expressing remorse and gratitude.

### Ham Peggotty

David is deeply concerned for his safety during the storm; he is not present in Yarmouth.

## Key lines

> I now approach an event in my life, so indelible, so awful, so bound by an infinite variety of ties to all that has preceded it, in these pages, that, from the beginning of my narrative, I have seen it growing larger and larger as I advanced, like a great tower in a plain, and throwing its forecast shadow even on the incidents of my childish days.

David introduces a pivotal, terrible event that has cast a shadow over his entire life story.

_Sets the tone for the chapter's climactic storm and its aftermath._

> I have got your message. Oh, what can I write, to thank you for your good and blessed kindness to me!

Little Em'ly expresses deep gratitude for David's message.

_Em'ly's letter reveals her remorse and emotional state._

> Goodbye forever. Now, my dear, my friend, goodbye forever in this world. In another world, if I am forgiven, I may wake a child and come to you.

Em'ly bids a final farewell, hoping for forgiveness and a reunion in the afterlife.

_Highlights themes of redemption and eternal separation._

> Don't you think that a very remarkable sky? I don't remember to have seen one like it.

David comments on the unusual and ominous sky to the coachman.

_Foreshadows the approaching storm and disaster._

> I was persuaded that I had an apprehension of his returning from Lowestoft by sea, and being lost.

David fears that Ham might be lost at sea while returning from Lowestoft.

_David's anxiety about Ham's safety intensifies as the storm worsens._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lv-tempest
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters