# A Little Cold Water explained — David Copperfield > Chapter companion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. ## What happens David, now living with his aunt Betsey Trotwood in Buckingham Street, struggles with his newfound poverty and resolves to become practical and hardworking for Dora's sake. He visits Dora at Miss Mills's house and tries to explain his reduced circumstances, but Dora reacts with childish fear and reluctance to hear about poverty or practical matters. Despite her distress, David reaffirms his love and commitment, though he realizes she is not ready to face their future hardships. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Marriage David's love for Dora is tested by his poverty; he tries to prepare her for a frugal life, but she resists practical discussions, highlighting the tension between romantic ideals and marital realities. ### Debt and Financial Instability David's newfound poverty drives his determination to work hard and be practical, but Dora's inability to face their financial situation creates a rift in their understanding. ### Domesticity and the Ideal Home Aunt Betsey's improvements to the Buckingham Street home and David's vision of a frugal home with Dora reflect the Victorian ideal of a well-managed domestic sphere. ## Character check-ins ### David Copperfield David is living with his aunt, working hard in the Commons, and trying to prepare Dora for their life of poverty. ### Dora Spenlow Dora is frightened and upset by David's talk of poverty and practical matters, preferring to remain in her childish innocence. ### Betsey Trotwood Aunt Betsey has taken charge of the household, defeated Mrs. Crupp, and made improvements to their home, showing constant care for David. ### Clara Peggotty Peggotty helps with domestic arrangements and returns home to care for Ham, expressing her love and support for David and Dora. ### Mr. Dick Mr. Dick continues his copying work in a state of absolute felicity in the Buckingham Street household. ### Jip Jip is Dora's dog, who barks at David and must have a mutton-chop every day at twelve or he will die, according to Dora. ## Key lines > I made a perfect victim of myself. I even entertained some idea of putting myself on a vegetable diet, vaguely conceiving that, in becoming a graminivorous animal, I should sacrifice to Dora. David drives himself relentlessly, even considering a vegetarian diet as a form of self-sacrifice for Dora's sake. _David's extreme self-discipline shows his earnest but somewhat misguided attempt to prove his devotion._ > My aunt had obtained a signal victory over Mrs. Crupp, by paying her off, throwing the first pitcher she planted on the stairs out of window, and protecting in person, up and down the staircase, a supernumerary whom she engaged from the outer world. Aunt Betsey defeated Mrs. Crupp by dismissing her, throwing her pitcher out the window, and personally guarding a new servant she hired. _Aunt Betsey's forceful handling of Mrs. Crupp demonstrates her no-nonsense character and her protective role in David's life._ > I soon carried desolation into the bosom of our joys—not that I meant to do it, but that I was so full of the subject—by asking Dora, without the smallest preparation, if she could love a beggar? David abruptly ruins their happy mood by asking Dora if she could love a beggar, driven by his preoccupation with his poverty. _David's lack of tact in raising the subject of poverty with Dora reveals his anxiety and her unpreparedness._ > I drew a picture of our frugal home, made independent by my labour—sketching in the little house I had seen at Highgate, and my aunt in her room upstairs. David describes a vision of their future modest home, supported by his work, with his aunt living upstairs. _David's idealized domestic vision contrasts with Dora's fear of practical life._ > Poor little Dora received this suggestion with something that was half a sob and half a scream. Dora reacts to David's suggestion about learning household accounts with a mix of crying and screaming. _Dora's extreme reaction underscores her immaturity and inability to cope with the realities of marriage._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-little-cold-water - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters