# LVI: The New Wound, and the Old explained — David Copperfield

> Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

David Copperfield brings the body of James Steerforth back to his mother after a shipwreck. He breaks the news to Mrs. Steerforth, who is frozen in grief, while Rosa Dartle erupts in a bitter tirade, blaming the mother for Steerforth's pride and cruelty. The chapter juxtaposes the fresh wound of Steerforth's death with the old wound of Rosa's disfigurement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cruelty and Abuse of Power

Rosa Dartle's scar and her accusation against Mrs. Steerforth highlight the lasting cruelty stemming from Steerforth's privileged upbringing.

### Memory and Nostalgia

David recalls Steerforth's request to 'think of me at my best,' and Mrs. Steerforth occupies Steerforth's room surrounded by tokens of his past.

### Redemption and Forgiveness

David reflects on his enduring friendship with Steerforth despite his faults, and the chapter explores the impossibility of atonement after death.

## Character check-ins

### David Copperfield

David is the bearer of tragic news, arranging the transport of Steerforth's body and breaking the news to Mrs. Steerforth.

### James Steerforth

Steerforth has died in a shipwreck; his body is brought back and laid in his mother's room.

### Mrs. Steerforth

Mrs. Steerforth is overcome with grief, sitting like a stone figure and moaning inarticulately.

### Rosa Dartle

Rosa Dartle reveals her old scar and bitterly reproaches Mrs. Steerforth for her role in Steerforth's pride and cruelty.

## Key lines

> No need, O Steerforth, to have said, when we last spoke together, in that hour which I so little deemed to be our parting-hour—no need to have said, 'Think of me at my best!' I had done that ever; and could I change now, looking on this sight!

David reflects that he has always remembered Steerforth at his best, even before Steerforth asked him to, and that seeing him dead does not change that.

_David's internal monologue emphasizes his enduring loyalty and the pain of loss._

> Now,” she said, “is your pride appeased, you madwoman? Now has he made atonement to you—with his life! Do you hear?—His life!”

Rosa Dartle cruelly tells Mrs. Steerforth that her son's death is the price of her pride.

_Rosa's outburst reveals her deep resentment and the theme of cruelty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lvi-the-new-wound-and-the-old
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters