Includes bibliographical references (page xiii).

I am born -- I observe -- I fall into disgrace -- I am sent away from home -- I enlarge my circle of acquaintance -- My "first half" at Salem House -- My holdidays, especially one happy afternoon -- I have a memorable birthday -- I become neglected, and am provided for -- I begin life on my own account and I don't like it -- Liking life on my own account no better, I form a great resolution -- The Sequel of my resolution -- My aunt makes up her mind about me -- I make another beginning -- I am a new boy in more senses than one -- Somebody turns up -- A Retrospect -- I look about me and make a discovery.

Steerforth's home -- Little Em'ly -- Some old scenes, and some new people -- I corroborate Mr. Dick, and choose a profession -- My first dissipation -- Good and bad angels -- I fall into captivity -- Tommy Traddles -- Mr. Micawber's gauntlet -- I visit Steerforth at his home, again -- A Loss -- A Greater loss -- The Beginning of a long journey -- Blissful -- My aunt astonishes me -- Depression -- Enthusiasm -- A Little cold water -- A Dissolution of partnership -- Wickfield and Heep -- The Wanderer -- Dora's aunts -- Mischief -- Another retrospect -- Our housekeeping -- Mr. Dick fulfils my aunt's predictions -- Intelligence -- Martha -- Domestic -- I am involved in mystery -- Mr. Peggotty's dream comes true -- The Beginning of a longer journey -- I assist at an explosion -- Another retrospect -- Mr. Micawber's transactions -- Tempest -- The New wound, and the old -- The Emigrants -- Absence -- Return -- Agnes -- I am shown two interesting penitents -- A Light shines on my way -- A Visitor -- A Last retrospect.

David Copperfield is the story of a young man's adventures on his journey from an unhappy & impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the gloriously vivid cast of characters he encounters are his tyrannical stepfather, Mr Murdstone; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble yet treacherous Uriah Heep; frivolous, enchanting Dora; & the magnificently impecunious Micawber, one of literature's great comic creations. In David Copperfield--the novel he described as his 2favorite child3{u2014}Dickens drew revealingly on his own experiences to create one of his most exuberant & enduringly popular works, filled with tragedy & comedy in equal measure.