David Copperfield: Success through Adversity
David Copperfield is a novel written by Charles John Huffham Dickens. The novel gives the biography of a man named David Copperfield. It is consider by Dickens his best work. Throughout the story David faces many challenges which he must overcome if he wishes to succeed in his life. The them of this story is "If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade". This means when life hands you something undesirable you must learn how to make it into something good. This theme is found similarly in a lot of Dicken's works such as The Red Pony.
One of the first crises young Copperfield has to face is growing up without his father. Later David's mother marries Mr. Murdstone. He is sent to Salem House, where Mr. Creakle harasses the boy. At the age of 6 David loses his mother. After this Mr. Murdstone sends David to be labor at a bottle factory. Later in David's life he falls in love with Dora. She dies along with his best friend Steerforth. Mr. Barkis also dies. David has faced many challenges but there were still more to come for this young man. He has to support his Aunt for Uriah Heep has ruined her. So much wrong has come David way he was at the edge of a nervous breakdown. Then there is Agnus whom loves David but David needs time.
All these incidences build onto David until the burden is almost unbearable. He turns all of his energy around though. He finds a job and marries Agnus. He goes on to have children whom Peggoty cares for. He is now happy and writes his biography. He turns all these awful events around and made something good out of his life.
At this point it is obvious that the theme of the story is "if life gives you a lemon, make lemonade". The story is one of a boy who has a harsh childhood but turns all the bad in his life into good. David is model that should be looked upon as guidance to adolescence having difficulties in life.