David Copperfield is a posthumous child. He was born in Blunderstone, Suffolk, three months after the death of his father, who also called David Copperfield. On the night of David's birth, his Great-Aunt Betsey Trotwood arrives at the Rookery - the Copperfield family home. David returns home for the holidays and and makes amends with Murdstone, who has fathered a baby boy with Clara.

David returns to Canterbury to see Mr Wickfield and Agnes, who are both pleased to hear of his engagement to Dora. David visits Yarmouth again soon afterwards after he receives a letter from Peggotty, informing that Barkis's health is deteriorating. David marries Dora and is at first frustrated by her inability to be anything more than a 'child bride'.