David Copperfield, Chapter 55 summary
Chapter 55 of 64 · 21 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 55, Davy travels to Yarmouth with Emily’s farewell letter for Ham Peggotty, whose repair work in Lowestoft initially keeps them apart. A terrible storm wrecks a ship and destroys the old boat-home; Ham dies attempting a rescue, and Davy recognizes the body washed ashore as a former school companion.
What happens
- Emily answers Ham’s message with a farewell letter, and Davy decides to deliver it before the emigrant ship departs.
- Davy reaches Yarmouth through a violent storm and learns that Ham is working in Lowestoft until the next morning.
- After an anxious night, Davy runs to the beach, where a wrecked ship’s crew struggle to survive.
- Ham arrives and enters the sea with ropes, despite Davy’s efforts to stop him.
- A huge wave destroys the wreck and kills Ham; attempts to revive him fail.
- A fisherman leads Davy past fragments of the destroyed boat-home to another body, which he recognizes from school.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The sentence confirms that rescue efforts cannot save Ham. It links his death directly to the generosity behind his attempt.
Quick check
Why is Ham absent when Davy first reaches Yarmouth?
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