CRITICISMS AND INTERPRETATIONS
I
By Andrew Lang
DICKENS called "David Copperfield" his "favourite child." He was wiser than most parents or authors in his choice of a favourite. It is curious and amusing to see how men of genius, even, are misguided. The tragedian prefers his comedy; the comedian his tragic efforts; the statesman his literary attempts; the painter, like Turner, his essays in poetry. An author is wont to be prejudiced in favour of that effort in which his aim has been highest. and his labour most assiduous and prolonged. The difficult birth is the dearest. Now, in any art. above all, where genius is engaged, the work done most fluently and easily is apt to be the best. But the writer is fond of the child of a painful intellectual travail. In Dickens's case, "Copperfield" came to him easily. "The story bore him irresistibly along,; certainly with less trouble to himself in the composition; . . . and he was probably never less harassed by interruptions and
Table of Contents
THE PERSONAL HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE OF DAVID COPPERFIELD THE YOUNGER; PAGE; Biographical Note iii; Criticisms and Interpretations:; I By Andrew Lang vii; II By John Forster xii; III By Adolphus William Ward xiv; IV By Gilbert K Chesterton xviii; V By W Teignemouth Shore xx; VI By George Gissing xxv; List of Characters xxvii; Preface to the First Edition xxix; Preface to the "Charles Dickens" Edition xxxi; CHAPTER; I I Am Born i; II I Observe 14; III I Have a Change 30; IV I Fall Into Disgrace 47; V I Am Sent Away from Home 68; VI I Enlarge My Circle of Acquaintance 8S; VII My "First Half" at Salem House 97; VIII My Holidays Especially One Happy Afternoon 117; IX I Have a Memorable Birthday 134; X I Become Neglected, and Am Provided For 147 XL I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don't; Like It 169; XII Liking Life on My Own Account No Better, I Form; a Great Resolution 187; XIII The Sequel of My Res
I
By Andrew Lang
DICKENS called "David Copperfield" his "favourite child." He was wiser than most parents or authors in his choice of a favourite. It is curious and amusing to see how men of genius, even, are misguided. The tragedian prefers his comedy; the comedian his tragic efforts; the statesman his literary attempts; the painter, like Turner, his essays in poetry. An author is wont to be prejudiced in favour of that effort in which his aim has been highest. and his labour most assiduous and prolonged. The difficult birth is the dearest. Now, in any art. above all, where genius is engaged, the work done most fluently and easily is apt to be the best. But the writer is fond of the child of a painful intellectual travail. In Dickens's case, "Copperfield" came to him easily. "The story bore him irresistibly along,; certainly with less trouble to himself in the composition; . . . and he was probably never less harassed by interruptions and
Table of Contents
THE PERSONAL HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE OF DAVID COPPERFIELD THE YOUNGER; PAGE; Biographical Note iii; Criticisms and Interpretations:; I By Andrew Lang vii; II By John Forster xii; III By Adolphus William Ward xiv; IV By Gilbert K Chesterton xviii; V By W Teignemouth Shore xx; VI By George Gissing xxv; List of Characters xxvii; Preface to the First Edition xxix; Preface to the "Charles Dickens" Edition xxxi; CHAPTER; I I Am Born i; II I Observe 14; III I Have a Change 30; IV I Fall Into Disgrace 47; V I Am Sent Away from Home 68; VI I Enlarge My Circle of Acquaintance 8S; VII My "First Half" at Salem House 97; VIII My Holidays Especially One Happy Afternoon 117; IX I Have a Memorable Birthday 134; X I Become Neglected, and Am Provided For 147 XL I Begin Life on My Own Account, and Don't; Like It 169; XII Liking Life on My Own Account No Better, I Form; a Great Resolution 187; XIII The Sequel of My Res
