# Wickfield and Heep explained — David Copperfield

> Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

David visits Canterbury to see Agnes and finds the Wickfield household overshadowed by the Heeps. He observes Mr. Micawber working for Uriah, and notes the oppressive presence of Mrs. Heep, who constantly watches and manipulates. David struggles with whether to reveal Uriah's secret to Agnes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cruelty and Abuse of Power

Uriah Heep and his mother exert oppressive control over the Wickfield household, using manipulation and surveillance.

### Friendship and Loyalty

David's loyalty to Agnes drives his internal conflict about revealing Uriah's secret.

### Debt and Financial Instability

Mr. Micawber's pecuniary embarrassments and the decline of David's proctor firm highlight financial precariousness.

## Character check-ins

### David Copperfield

Visits Canterbury to see Agnes and settle business; reflects on his dejection and the decline of his proctor's office.

### Agnes Wickfield

Quietly supportive and angelic; David feels her calming influence even in the city.

### Uriah Heep

Now a partner in Wickfield's firm; leers and writhes, maintaining a sinister watch over the household.

### Wilkins Micawber

Employed by Uriah Heep; appears constrained and hints at financial pressures.

### Mrs. Heep

Constantly knitting and watching; acts as Uriah's spy, with an 'evil eye' on everyone.

### Mr. Wickfield

Described as 'obsolete' by Micawber; overshadowed by his partner Heep.

## Key lines

> My aunt, beginning, I imagine, to be made seriously uncomfortable by my prolonged dejection, made a pretence of being anxious that I should go to Dover, to see that all was working well at the cottage, which was let; and to conclude an agreement, with the same tenant, for a longer term of occupation.

My aunt, worried by my ongoing sadness, pretended she needed me to go to Dover to check on the rented cottage and extend the lease.

_David's aunt uses a pretext to get him out of his depression._

> The system of inveigling continues, I believe, to this day. The last time I was in the Commons, a civil able-bodied person in a white apron pounced out upon me from a doorway, and whispering the word 'Marriage-licence' in my ear, was with great difficulty prevented from taking me up in his arms and lifting me into a proctor's.

The practice of aggressively soliciting clients for marriage licenses still goes on; once, a man in an apron nearly carried me into a proctor's office.

_David criticizes the unscrupulous competition among proctors._

> Strange to say, that quiet influence which was inseparable in my mind from Agnes, seemed to pervade even the city where she dwelt.

Remarkably, the calming presence I associate with Agnes seemed to fill the entire city of Canterbury.

_David feels Agnes's serene influence everywhere in Canterbury._

> To have seen the mother and son, like two great bats hanging over the whole house, and darkening it with their ugly forms, made me so uncomfortable, that I would rather have remained downstairs, knitting and all, than gone to bed.

Seeing Mrs. Heep and Uriah like two bats overshadowing the house made me so uneasy I preferred staying downstairs.

_David's vivid metaphor conveys the oppressive atmosphere created by the Heeps._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxix-wickfield-and-heep
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