David Copperfield
Chapter 1: I Am Born
by Charles Dickens
The narrator describes the circumstances of his birth.
The narrator describes the circumstances of his birth.
After falling asleep for a short while, Jane awakes to the realization that she must leave Thornfield. When she steps out of her room, she finds Rochester waiting in a chair on the threshold. To Rochester’s assurances that he never meant to wound her, and to his pleas of forgiveness, Jane is silent, although she confides to the reader that she forgave him on the spot. Jane suddenly feels faint, and Rochester carries her to the library to revive her. He then offers her a new proposal—to leave England with him for the South of France, where they will live together as husband and wife. Jane refuses, explaining that no matter how Rochester chooses to view the situation, she will never be more than a mistress to him while Bertha is alive. Rochester realizes that he must explain why he does not consider himself married, and he launches into the story of his past.
Cruncher follows a funeral procession for Roger Cly. Cruncher is followed by his son when he revisits the grave later that night.
Raskolnikov's attack on Alyona and Lizaveta is interrupted suddenly by two men. Raskolnikov narrowly escapes.
Kenyon, Hilda, Donatello, and Miriam search for the chasm.
While visiting Linton, Cathy and Hareton have a fight. Cathy visits three days later, but Linton blames her for previous trouble; she vows not to visit him again, and then he apologizes for his behavior. When Cathy tells all of this to Nelly, Nelly tells Edgar and he forbids Cathy to visit Linton, but says he will allow Linton to visit the Grange.
Monos and Una discuss the destructive nature of man.
Hilda wanders through a picture gallery and feels the weariness and lonliness that accompanies it.
Magua agrees to lead Alice, Cora, and Major Heyward to Fort William Henry by means of a secret path. The group encounters an interesting stranger along the way.
When Mr. Lockwood returns for a second visit to Wuthering Heights, he gets stranded there due to a snowstorm. As he tries to leave the property without a guide he borrows Joseph's lantern, and is then stopped and pinned down by Mr. Heathcliff's dogs, forcing him to stay the night.
Pip is visited by his benefactor, and although horrified by the implications, Pip feels a loyalty to his benefactor.
Amelia continues to feel a sense of obligation and duty, devoting her life to her father. Major Dobbin heads home and runs into an old friend on the way. Upon the receipt of good news, Dobbin's spirit is lifted.
Phoebe wanders into the gardens and meets Holgrave. Phoebe walks into the house to see Hepzibah acting very strangely.
With the arrival of spring, Thoreau finally departs from Walden Pond.
Jurgis looks for work and is temporarily hired at Brown and Company. More of Jurgis's and Ona's life in Lithuania is revisited. Their decision to immigrate to Chicago is met with a series of encounters with corrupt agents and officials.
Raskolnikov's condition improves, for a little while at least. Raskolnikov makes a confession to Pulcheria. Raskolnikov becomes agitated when discussing Dunya's upcoming nuptials.
Luzhin, Dunya's fiancé introduces himself to Raskolnikov, Zossimov, and Razumikhin. Zossimov takes note of Rskolnikov's agitation when the murder of the pawnbroker is mentioned.
There is a misunderstanding between the Captain and Mrs. Budd. The ship is stopped by a cruiser.
Oliver witnesses a funeral and decides the undertaking business may not be for him.
Isabella writes to Edgar to tell him of her impending death, and asks him to come and get Linton to take him back to the Grange. Nelly watches over Cathy while he is gone, and Cathy finds her way to Wuthering Heights while playing one day. Nelly and Cathy decide to keep her visit to Wuthering Heights from Edgar.
The Sargasso Sea is explained in detail. Aronnax continues to ponder the possibility of freedom from the Nautilus.
Mole and Rat visit Mr. Toad, who invites them to join him on a trip. Toad becomes enamored with a new craze while Mole and Rat catch the train home.
Carton visits Darnay before his execution.
The Count of Monte Cristo visits Chateau d'If, and then heads out to Italy.