Discuss the symbolism of character names and place names. Provide examples of 5 or more. How do the characters fit their names and the descriptions of the places fit their names? Again, use quotations. (Good examples to use: Steerforth, Copperfield, etc.)
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♥ Micawber- This name is like the work macabre which means horribly gruesome details of death and decay. The Micawbers are continuously in debt and at the mercy of creditors.
♥ Rosa Dartle- Rosa Dartle is a ruder character in the novel, and she is often described as having darting and cold eyes. David describes her visit on one occasion: she “was scowling in the distance, with here and there some larger object starting up into the sullen glare, [he] fancied it was no inapt companion to the memory of this fierce woman” (615).
♥ Dora Spenlow- Spenlow is a significant name, because it starts with “spen” as in spend, and ends in “low” as in shallow. That last name suits Dora, because she is obsessed with money. She shows extreme emotional distress and demands “'how can you ask me anything so foolish?...Love a beggar!'” when David tells her of his poor financial situation (496). Her reaction to his news makes her a shallow person, since she is so concerned with money.
♥ Barkis- A dog makes the sound of “bark”, and it is fitting to compare Barkis with a dog, as he is a faithful character throughout the novel. "Barkis is willin” is one of his famous quotes, and, traditionally, a dog is a man’s best friend and willing to be there for his or her owner.
♥ Steerforth- Steer means to influence direction or to direct. This name is fitting for Steerforth, because throughout the novel directs David around. For example, when they are at school, he talks David into staying up with him since Steerforth has insomnia. He also steers Emily away from her family and engagement by getting her to run away with him. Because of his class and confidence, Steerforth possesses a power over other characters, and people do not to tend to challenge him.
♥ Murdstone- “Murd” is derived from the word murderer, and in the novel, Mr. Murdstone kills Clara Copperfield’s spirit, as well as his second wife’s spirit. Clara Copperfield also dies. Coincidence? “between [David] and [Chillip], [Clara] died of [their control over her] - or that tyranny, gloom, and worry have made Mrs. Murdstone nearly imbecile. She was a lively young woman, sir, before marriage, and their gloom and austerity destroyed her. They go about with her, now, more like her keepers than her husband and sister-in-law” (773). Also, the word “stone” is in their last name, and sometimes we refer to people as cold as stone. The Murdstones are cruel and nasty people, and they act as if they have no heart, or rather, hearts of stone.
I know that Thomas mentioned this in the first question but if we break down Murdstone’s name we get murder and stone. This could be symbolic of how he acts towards Clara Copperfield. He is the stone that crushes her spirit. He murders the way the family works and shakes up David life by sending him to Salem house. One example of Murdstone’s attempts to change Clara is at the beginning of chapter IV. “’What is this? Clara, my love, have you forgotten? –Firmness. My dear!’ ‘I am very sorry,’ said my mother, pouting; ‘and it is-very hard- isn’t it?’”(41)
Steerforth’s name is such because this character is lacking direction. I know I elaborated on Steerforth in detail in question one but a good quote to demonstrate Steerforth’s lack of direction is one I’ve already used about his lack of paternal guidance. “David, I wish to God I had had a judicious father these last twenty years…I wish with all my soul I had been better guided…I wish with all my soul I could guide myself better” (296). He also expresses that he can’t guide himself. So, it’s not entirely the fault of his lacking a father.
Dora probably comes from adorable. She exists only to be adored by David and others. She is otherwise pretty useless, lazy and childish. David says “I loved Dora to idolatry” (508).
Dr. Strong is quite an obvious example. This character shows strong moral character as opposed to Mr. Creakle who is evil.
When I thought of Copperfield all I could really think of was a field of copper. I don’t know if copper really comes in fields, because I’m pretty sure it is mined in veins but regardless this is a type of prospect and David has many prospects and possibilities in his life.
I think that one of the biggest names of symbolism is the Murdstones. The name itself sounds evil. Murder in itself is evil sounding, obviously because the life of someone is taken. A stone is something seen as barren, cold, and uninviting, just as the Murdstones appear to David. Early in the book they are the cause of all David’s pain and torment and even though Mr. Murdstone tries to put it all behind him. I feel David never accepts his apology.
I believe that David’s schoolmate and friend Traddles has some symbolism in the sound of the name. It sounds quite like “travels” and he has a tough journey through life. Traddles was a sign of good times while at school and when he meets with Trot (as David goes by later on) David is reminded of these times.
Dora: I find it a big coincidence that there is a TV show on Nickolodeon called “Dora the Explorer” made for pre-schoolers to watch and also ironic that Dora in the novel is treated like a little kid. Even after marrying David, she does not act as an adult in society She is said to be a “little blossom, who is a very tender little blossom, and the wind must be gentle with her. (589)” She is constantly having others do things for her and it seems at times that she is more concerned with her dog’s whereabouts that whether she loves her husband. The whole marriage procedure and everything was a little weird to me.
Mr. Spenlow: Mr. Spenlow was the one who gave David the opportunity to become banker or whatever he studied to become. His name sounds like he spends very little, yet he gave David the opportunity to make enough money to get a little bit ahead in his life.
Steerforth: Steerforth is very self centered in the book. He only worries about himself and feels that he is higher than the rest. At school Steerforth ask David, “ ‘What money have you got, Copperfield?' he said, walking aside with me when he had disposed of my affair in these terms. I told him seven shillings. 'You had better give it to me to take care of’ “ Steerforth takes advantage of the other students who look up to him.
I'll start off with what now must be the oldest and most obvious character
Murdstone- The name itself just screams "EVIL EVIL INCARNATE!!!" at the top of its lungs. Which is exactly the way he treats Clara and young David. "Firmness, I may observe, was the grand quality on which both Mr. and Miss Murdstone took their stand...and for a certain gloomy, arrogant, devil's humour, that was in them both." (45). Murdstone comes to treat David with "excessive firmness" and not in the parental way which checks up on you every 10 minutes to see if you're staying out of trouble, but in the way that makes you call child services and maybe live in a foster home for a little while. The name has the roots of the word murder which we all know is slightly immoral, and stone which most associate with cold and emotionless. He murders Clara's spirit and essentially is the cause of her death and has nothing but disdain for David.
Uriah Heep- The name just reeks of foul play, or maybe it just reeks, it's going to be one of those two. Uriah seems to be the worst character throughout the whole novel and seems to be the foil of David. He is described as slimy and ugly and rather disgusting. Uriah almost sounds like urea which is the main "ingredient" in urine which lends itself to the disgusting part. Heep sounds like heap which is pretty commonly known as dumpy and bad, for example "this car is a heap". "But oh, what a clammy hand his was! as ghostly to the touch as to the sight! I rubbed mine afterwards, to warm it, and to rub his off." (207)
Betsey Trotwood- The name Betsy seems grandmotherly and somewhat comical. Which is exactly what she is, anyone who has ever had "the trots" will understand. But Betsey seems comical in the chasing off donkeys off her yard and keeping a somewhat simple fellow with her. At the beginning of the novel she takes on a matronly role in David's life. She seems to be a sort of grandmother for David looking out for him whenever possible.
Barkis- Reminds one of a dog does it not? Barkis is loyal to the end and is somewhat much like a dog. Loyal, caring, easily trained "Barkis is willin" typical of your household canine.
Ham- The name says it all...not really. In a way "'am" is quite simple...much like ham. Also a pig is butchered in order to produce ham much like Ham is killed trying to save Steerforth.
Dora - She is someone nice, sweet, and adorable.
Heep - His name is symbolic for a heap of villainy, evilness or ugliness. "He had a way of writhing when he wanted to express enthusiasm, which was very ugly"
Steerforth – he is a guiding figure and the force that steers David forward.
Dr. Strong- He is David’s teacher, who was a man of depth and strength and is the opposite of Creakle who is weak and abuses his student.
Rosa Dartle - She has cold and darting eyes. "Her thinness seemed to be the effect of some wasting fire within her, which found a vent in her gaunt eyes."
Agnes – Agnes’s name comes from the Latin word for lamb. A lamb is typically thought of as calm and peaceful. When I think of Agnes, she is definitely calm, peaceful, cool-headed, even-minded, and other adjectives along that line. One good example of Agnes’s calm nature is shown when she writes to David after seeing him drunk. Agnes cares about David, and she could have scolded him and embarrassed him; but instead of yelling at David, she kept her cool and sent him a letter, “containing no reference to my condition at the theatre.” (342) Rather, she simply asked David to tea where they later discussed his problems peacefully and calmly.
Copperfield – the way I would interpret David’s last name is to almost take the world field and change it to mine. David is like a copper mine. There is so much potential in him, and the whole book is about him discovering himself. To me, he says it best right at the start when he asks, “whether or not I will turn out to be the hero of my own life.” (1) He’s basically asking what he will make of his life. He wants to know if he’ll be useful or if he will fall into failure. He is a mine of potential, and the novel is his journey through it uncovering all sorts of hidden treasures along the way.
Murdstone – Murdstone: the name just sounds evil. Breaking it up we get Murd and stone. Murd is very much like murder, and the Murdstones are essentially murderers. Betsey accuses Mr. Murdstone of being, “a tyrant to the simple baby, and you broke her heart.” (199) The baby she refers to is David’s mother, and when her heart was broken, she essentially gave up the will to live. Mr. Murdstone was the cause of her losing her will to live, so in a way Mr. Murdstone killed Clara Copperfield. The other part of the name, stone, is often thought of as a way of describing someone who is cold and uncaring. Betsey also accuses Murdstone of, “teaching her to sing your notes.” (199) In this context, she’s saying Murdstone was trying to force his way of life on Clara Copperfield, essentially as a way of establishing control. Murdstone was uncaring for Clara and her ways and forced his way onto her, much like a cold stone person would.
Ham – When I think of a Ham, I think of a person who is loveable, but gullible. And, as good of a person is, Ham fits his name very well. He’s a good man and loveable character, but he fails to see Em’ly is not truly happy with him. Ham is all set to marry Em’ly when she runs away. Ham thought they were in love, but she runs away and will not return until, “he brings me back a lady.” (424) Now, we heard all throughout the novel up to this point that Em’ly really wanted to be a lady, and Ham I’m sure would have heard these rumors too, but he just ignored them and pretended their marriage was perfectly happy until it collapsed around him. He seems to be gullible in that he accepted the situation as it was without looking deeper into the issue.
Salem House – The Salem Witch trials were a time when innocent people were persecuted for crimes they did not commit, or for very trivial things like having a physical deformity. At Salem House school, children are beat for trivial reasons. Traddles, for example, is beaten, “for being discovered in tears,” (93) when Mr. Mell was fired (in other words, he showed dislike for something administration did). Traddles is also beaten for accidentally breaking a window while playing a game. Steerforth, on the other hand, is not punished for arguing with a teacher. Instead, he is, “thanked for asserting the independence… of Salem House.” (93) This connects to the Salem Witch trials because oftentimes people were punished only because they were disliked by society. Those who were liked by people in power (Steerforth), were not punished even if they did bad things. It appears that in Salem House, students who are disliked are punished severely for trivial things and students who are popular can get away with anything, much like the Salem Witch Trials.
One example is in Mr. Micawber's name, which invokes the work macabre, which means "dwelling on the gruesome" or "tending to produce horror in a beholder." He constantly is in bad situations, including a debtor's prison, which is portrayed as gruesome in Dickens' eyes (he had prior experience).
Steerforth is a man who forces everyone to do his bidding. He is very spoiled, but with all his flaws, he is very charismatic and can manipulate many people, including David.
Rosa Dartle is described as having darting eyes, which fits her sneaky personality. She "was scowling in the distance, with here and there some larger object starting up into the sullen glare."
Dora is an adaptation of "adore", which is really all she wants inlife: adoration. She is very beautiful, but very shallow and superficial.
I could not think of much for Tommy Traddles, only that that name invokes a thought of a poor, overweight, gentle child, who is constantly picked on. Maybe that is simply because that is exactly who Traddles is.
Murdstone is quite obvious: murd, coming from murder, and stone meaning inflexibility. His name invokes a very harsh image. He imposes his rule on others: "Clara, my love, have you forgotten? - Firmness, my dear!"
David Copperfield does not seem to have any overt significance, only that it sounds like a common boy, nothing special like "Steerforth". Perhaps my colleagues are correct in saying that he is a field or a mine of possibility.
There are also David's nicknames: Steerforth calls him "Daisy" and Betsy Trotwood calls him "Trot". Nicknames provide special depth as pertaining to the character who grants the given name. Steerforth calls David "Daisy" to suggest his innocence and manipulability.
Dr. Strong and Mr. Creakle, for example, are opposite names for opposite people. Mr. Creakle is a creaky old man who has no real worth, whereas Dr. Strong is strong in his convictions and can get things done. Also, Dr. Strong is a doctor and Mr. Creakle is only a "mister".
Steerforth- In one of the more obvious symbolic names, Steerforth has a philosophy on life that truly fits his name. He believes that despite any problems one may face in life, a person must “Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race” (392) of life. Steerforth believes that whenever there are problems, illnesses, or job issues in our lives, we must continue to head forward in our lives and steer through all of the problems we come across.
Uriah Heep- Uriah Heep uses Mr. Wickfield to become a very rich man. The word heap means to amass or accumulate. Also, there is a saying “all of a heap” which means that something happens very suddenly. Uriah gained his fortune very quickly. Also the name Uriah loosely resembles urine, which we all know to be quite disgusting, such as Uriah is physically. Uriah has many unattractive features, specifically his hands which are “a clammy hand his was! as ghostly to the touch as to the sight! I rubbed mine afterwards, to warm it, AND TO RUB HIS OFF” (207).
Murdstone- This is an easy one. Mr. Murdstone’s notorious stoic figure and inability to change a position on something (his way is the only way in his mind and household) like a stone cannot move without great pushing. Murd could be a shortening of the word murder, which is obviously for the murder of Clara Copperfield, David’s mother.
Dora- Dora’s name could be a reference to her placing of importance on the superficial things in life- looks and money. While it is not her fault that she lived in the Victorian Age, the symbolism is that Dora is short for adorable. It could also means that David’s only real interests in Dora are for her physical attractiveness.
Barkis- I don’t understand why he could not have been named Woofis. It would have made the symbolism much easier, and the name that much funnier. I agree with the common thought that Barkis is meant to be symbolized as a loyal dog who is Peggoty’s best friend.
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