David Copperfield · Chapter
Dora's Aunts explained
David visits Dora and her aunts, Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa, who cautiously allow his courtship under their supervision.
What happens
David visits Dora and her aunts, Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa, who cautiously allow his courtship under their supervision. Dora is treated as a plaything by everyone, including David, who tries to teach her domestic skills but fails. David's aunt Betsey Trotwood visits and is accepted as eccentric. Jip the dog remains hostile to Betsey. David writes to Agnes for advice and receives an encouraging reply. Traddles supports David's suit, and the aunts agree to let David visit, but without formal engagement.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
David's courtship of Dora is supervised by her aunts, highlighting the tension between romantic love and practical domestic expectations.
Domesticity and the Ideal Home
David tries to teach Dora housekeeping, but she resists, preferring playfulness; the chapter contrasts the ideal of a capable wife with Dora's childlike nature.
The Role of Women
Dora is treated as a 'pretty toy' by her aunts and David, reflecting Victorian attitudes that often infantilized women and limited their domestic responsibilities.
Characters to notice
- David Copperfield
Visits Dora at Putney, tries to teach her housekeeping, feels troubled that she is treated as a plaything, and writes to Agnes for advice.
- Dora Spenlow
Playful and affectionate, resists domestic instruction, cries when David criticizes, and is treated like a pet by her aunts and David.
- Betsey Trotwood
Visits Dora's aunts, walks to Putney informally, is considered eccentric but tolerated, and is disliked by Jip.
- Tommy Traddles
Accompanies David to meet Dora's aunts, speaks in support of David's love, and mentions his own engagement to Sophy.
- Agnes Wickfield
Receives David's grateful letter and replies with hopeful, cheerful advice.
- Jip
Growls and howls at Betsey Trotwood, is muffled in a towel and shut in the plate-warmer when she visits.
Key passages
“I am sure I am very affectionate; you oughtn't to be cruel to me, Doady!”
Dora insists she is loving and accuses David of being unkind.
Dora uses emotional appeal to avoid criticism about her lack of domestic skills.
“The cookery-book made Dora's head ache, and the figures made her cry. They wouldn't add up, she said. So she rubbed them out, and drew little nosegays and likenesses of me and Jip, all over the tablets.”
Dora finds housekeeping lessons distressing and instead doodles flowers and portraits.
Illustrates Dora's aversion to domestic duties and her preference for playful activities.
“I made up my mind to speak to Dora about this; and one day when we were out walking ... I said to her that I wished she could get them to behave towards her differently.”
David decides to tell Dora that her aunts treat her too much like a child.
David's concern that Dora is infantilized by those around her.