53. One of the most famous autobiographical novels was written by one of the best known 19th century authors. Which eponymous novel by Charles Dickens is about Dickens himself?
From Quiz Sort of Truth
Answer:
David Copperfield
"David Copperfield" (1848) is Charles Dickens. On a surface level, the character even has the same (reversed) initials as the author.
There are many autobiographical features in the book. Some of them include: Copperfield's employment at Murdstone and Grinby's (based on Dickens' own harsh employment at Warren's Blacking Factory); Dora, Copperfield's love, is based on Dickens' own attraction to Maria Beadnell; the Mr. Micawber character is Dickens' father - both character and person were pompous, weak with finances and both ended up in Debtor's Prison, John Dickens in Marshalsea and Micawber in the King's Bench Prison; Mr Dick, a good-hearted but ineffective man is also believed to be another version of John Dickens; the idealized memories of Mary Hogarth and Frances, his sister, merge to form the character of Agnes. There are many more autobiographical elements.
Dickens, after the book's publication wrote: "I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield," and "my interest in it was so recent and strong ... I was in danger of wearying the (reader] with personal confidence and private emotions." Perhaps one of his critics said it best, after all, "David Copperfield" is still a novel, "It happens to be in large part his autobiography; and even the reader who is [unaware] of this, feels the warmth and movement and buoyancy.... for it is his life as he would ... have reconstructed it, not exactly the life of fact."