David Copperfield, Chapter 47 summary
Chapter 47 of 64 · 18 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 47, David and Mr. Peggotty stop Martha at the river and give her a reason to live by trusting her to help find his niece. At home, David discovers that his aunt’s demanding visitor is her living husband, whose cruelty and continuing demands explain her distress.
What happens
- David and Mr. Peggotty follow Martha to the river, seize her, and carry her away from the water.
- Martha describes her despair and insists that she has no part in the niece’s flight.
- Mr. Peggotty refuses to judge Martha and asks her to help them find his niece.
- Martha pledges herself to the search, accepts their addresses, and refuses money because their trust gives her purpose.
- At midnight, David sees his aunt give money to a demanding man outside her cottage.
- Betsey Trotwood identifies the man as her husband, explains his cruelty, and asks David to keep her story private.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Martha identifies trust, rather than payment, as the support keeping her alive. The search changes her from a despairing outsider into someone entrusted with helping another person.
Quick check
Why does Martha refuse money for the search?
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