1. Betsy Trotwood
(With the Murdstones) 'You'll excuse my saying, sir,' returned my aunt, 'that I think it would have been a much better and happier thing if you had left that poor child alone.'
'I so far agree with what Miss Trotwood has remarked,' observed Miss Murdstone, bridling, 'that I consider our lamented Clara to have been, in all essential respects, a mere child.'
'It is a comfort to you and me, ma'am,' said my aunt, 'who are getting on in life, and are not likely to be made unhappy by our personal attractions, that nobody can say the same of us.'I thought it my duty to hint at the discomfort my aunt would sustain, from living in a continual state of guerilla warfare with Mrs. Crupp; but she disposed of that objection summarily by declaring, that, on the first demonstration of hostilities, she was prepared to astonish Mrs. Crupp for the whole remainder of her natural life (476).
2. Mr. Micawber
I cannot say - I really cannot say - that I was glad to see Mr. Micawber there; but I was glad to see him too, and shook hands with him, heartily, inquiring how Mrs. Micawber was.
'Thank you,' said Mr. Micawber, waving his hand as of old, and settling his chin in his shirt-collar. 'She is tolerably convalescent. The twins no longer derive their sustenance from Nature's founts - in short,' said Mr. Micawber, in one of his bursts of confidence, 'they are weaned - and Mrs. Micawber is, at present, my travelling companion. She will be rejoiced, Copperfield, to renew her acquaintance with one who has proved himself in all respects a worthy minister at the sacred altar of friendship.'
Now I am convinced, myself, that things cannot be expected to turn up of themselves. We must, in a measure, assist to turn them up. (387)
Now I am convinced, myself, that things cannot be expected to turn up of themselves. We must, in a measure, assist to turn them up. (387)
3. Steerforth
Why should I trouble myself, that a parcel of heavy-headed fellows may gape and hold up their hands? Let them do it at some other man. There’s fame for him, and he’s welcome to it.
Oh, of course! It's no fun, unless we take them by surprise. Let us see the natives in their aboriginal condition! (281)
4. Miss Mowcher
(To David) Try not to associate bodily defects with mental, my good friend, except for a solid reason (430).
5. Agnes
(To David) Perhaps it would be better only to consider whether it is right to do this; and, if it is, to do it.
6. Mr. Chillip
'Strong phrenological development of the organ of firmness, in Mr. Murdstone and his sister, sir' (776).
7. Miss Mills
(To David and Dora) 'Enough of this. Do not allow a trivial misunderstanding to wither the blossoms of spring, which, once put forth and blighted, can not be renewed... The gushing fountains which sparkle in the sun, musst not be stopped in mere caprice; the oasis of the desert of Sahara, must not be plucked up idly' (448).
8. Dora's aunt (Lavinia) and David
'We have no doubt that you think you like her very much.'
'Think, ma'am,' I rapturously began, 'oh!--'
But Miss Clarissa giving me a look (just like a sharp canary), as requestion that I would not interrupt the oracle, begged pardon.
'Affection,' said Miss Lavinia, glancing at her sister for corroboration, which she gave in the form of a little nod to every clause, 'mature affection, homage, devotion, does not easily express itself. Its voice is low. It is modest and retiring, it lies in ambush, waits and waits. Such is the mature fruit. Sometimes a life glides away, and finds it still ripening in the shade' (554).
9. Descriptions
Of Mr. Peggoty: It was a warm, dusty evening, just he time when, in the great main thoroughfare out of which that by-way turned, there was a temporary lull in the eternal tread of feet upon the pavement, and a strong red sunshine (437).
Of Mr. Dick: I parted from him, poor fellow, at the corner of the street, with his great kite at his back, a very monument of human misery (465).
10. David's Reflections
(About Steerforth) In the keen distress of the discovery of his unworthiness, I thought more of all that was brilliant in him, I softened more towards all that was good in him, I did more justice to the qualities that might have made him a man of a noble nature and a great name, than ever I had done in the height of my devotion to him. Deeply as I felt my own unconcious part in his pollution of an honest home, I believed that if I had been brought face to face with him, I could not have uttered one reproach. I should have loved him so well still--thought he fascinated me no longer (421).
I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are accomplished. The very years she spoke of, were realities now, for my correction; and would have been one day, a little later perhaps, though we had parted in our earliest folly. I endeavored to convert what might have been between myself and Agnes, into a means of making me more self-denying, more resolved, more conscious of myself, and my defects and errors (762).
Why should I trouble myself, that a parcel of heavy-headed fellows may gape and hold up their hands? Let them do it at some other man. There’s fame for him, and he’s welcome to it.
Oh, of course! It's no fun, unless we take them by surprise. Let us see the natives in their aboriginal condition! (281)
4. Miss Mowcher
(To David) Try not to associate bodily defects with mental, my good friend, except for a solid reason (430).
5. Agnes
(To David) Perhaps it would be better only to consider whether it is right to do this; and, if it is, to do it.
6. Mr. Chillip
'Strong phrenological development of the organ of firmness, in Mr. Murdstone and his sister, sir' (776).
7. Miss Mills
(To David and Dora) 'Enough of this. Do not allow a trivial misunderstanding to wither the blossoms of spring, which, once put forth and blighted, can not be renewed... The gushing fountains which sparkle in the sun, musst not be stopped in mere caprice; the oasis of the desert of Sahara, must not be plucked up idly' (448).
8. Dora's aunt (Lavinia) and David
'We have no doubt that you think you like her very much.'
'Think, ma'am,' I rapturously began, 'oh!--'
But Miss Clarissa giving me a look (just like a sharp canary), as requestion that I would not interrupt the oracle, begged pardon.
'Affection,' said Miss Lavinia, glancing at her sister for corroboration, which she gave in the form of a little nod to every clause, 'mature affection, homage, devotion, does not easily express itself. Its voice is low. It is modest and retiring, it lies in ambush, waits and waits. Such is the mature fruit. Sometimes a life glides away, and finds it still ripening in the shade' (554).
9. Descriptions
Of Mr. Peggoty: It was a warm, dusty evening, just he time when, in the great main thoroughfare out of which that by-way turned, there was a temporary lull in the eternal tread of feet upon the pavement, and a strong red sunshine (437).
Of Mr. Dick: I parted from him, poor fellow, at the corner of the street, with his great kite at his back, a very monument of human misery (465).
10. David's Reflections
(About Steerforth) In the keen distress of the discovery of his unworthiness, I thought more of all that was brilliant in him, I softened more towards all that was good in him, I did more justice to the qualities that might have made him a man of a noble nature and a great name, than ever I had done in the height of my devotion to him. Deeply as I felt my own unconcious part in his pollution of an honest home, I believed that if I had been brought face to face with him, I could not have uttered one reproach. I should have loved him so well still--thought he fascinated me no longer (421).
I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are accomplished. The very years she spoke of, were realities now, for my correction; and would have been one day, a little later perhaps, though we had parted in our earliest folly. I endeavored to convert what might have been between myself and Agnes, into a means of making me more self-denying, more resolved, more conscious of myself, and my defects and errors (762).
