Mr. Micawber's Gauntlet explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Debt and Financial Instability

  The Micawbers' financial struggles are central, with Mrs. Micawber proposing advertising and discounting bills to raise money.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  David and Traddles support the Micawbers through their difficulties, sharing a meal and offering companionship.

• Domesticity and the Ideal Home

  The failed dinner and subsequent improvisation highlight the challenges of domestic life, while Mr. Micawber dreams of a future home in a more respectable location.

Characters to notice

• David Copperfield

  Hosts the dinner party and is the narrator; he is preoccupied with thoughts of Dora.

• Wilkins Micawber

  Enthusiastically makes punch and deviled mutton; discusses his financial schemes and future plans with David and Traddles.

• Mrs. Micawber

  Advocates for Mr. Micawber to advertise for employment; retires early but joins for tea and inquires about Dora.

• Tommy Traddles

  A guest at the dinner; helps with the deviled mutton and is praised by Mr. Micawber for his steady character.

Key passages

• “love,” said Mr. Micawber. “Pray, my dear, allow me to conclude. Here is Mr. Micawber, with a variety of qualifications, with great talent⁠— I should say, with genius, but that may be the partiality of a wife⁠—” Traddles and I both murmured “No.” “And here is Mr. Micawber without any suitable position or employment. Where does that responsibility rest? Clearly on society.”

  Mr. Micawber argues that society is responsible for his lack of employment despite his talents.

  Mr. Micawber's speech reflects his belief that society owes him a living.

• “It appears to me, that what Mr. Micawber has to do, in justice to himself, in justice to his family, and I will even go so far as to say in justice to society, by which he has been hitherto overlooked, is to advertise in all the papers; to describe himself plainly as so-and-so, with such and such qualifications and to put it thus: ‘ Now employ me, on remunerative terms, and address, postpaid, to W. M. , Post Office, Camden Town.’”

  Mrs. Micawber proposes that Mr. Micawber should advertise his qualifications in newspapers to find employment.

  Mrs. Micawber's plan to throw down the gauntlet to society.

• “My dear friend Copperfield,” said Mr. Micawber, “accidents will occur in the best-regulated families; and in families not regulated by that pervading influence which sanctifies while it enhances the⁠—a⁠—I would say, in short, by the influence of Woman, in the lofty character of Wife, they may be expected with confidence, and must be borne with philosophy.”

  Mr. Micawber philosophically accepts the failed dinner, attributing it to the lack of a wife's influence.

  Mr. Micawber's witty response to the culinary disaster.