Peggotty
Encyclopedia
Clara Peggotty is a fictional character in Charles Dickens
's 1850 novel
David Copperfield
.
Referred to as 'Peggotty' so as not to confuse her with David's mother, who is also called Clara, Peggotty is the housekeeper
of the family home and plays a big part in David's upbringing. Peggotty is the sister of Yarmouth
fisherman Daniel Peggotty, and the aunt of Ham Peggotty and Little Em'ly. Early in the novel, David's aunt, Betsey Trotwood
, dismisses Peggotty's surname as being pagan
:
Mrs Copperfield then explains that Peggotty is known by her surname to avoid confusion with herself as they share the same first name. As a "peggotty" or a "knitting nancy
" (also known as a knitting loom) is a knitting
device, the name may be a reference to Clara Peggotty
's fondness for knitting
.
Peggotty is described as having cheeks like a red apple. Peggotty is gentle and caring, opening herself and her family to David whenever he is in need. She remains faithful to David Copperfield all her life, being like a second mother to him, never abandoning him, his mother, or his great-aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood. In her kind motherliness, Peggotty contrasts markedly with the harsh and unloving Miss Murdstone, the sister of David's cruel stepfather Mr Murdstone
.
She marries carrier Mr Barkis and is afterwards sometimes referred to as Mrs. Barkis, a name Aunt Betsey Trotwood regards as much more suitable. On her husband's death Peggotty inherits £3,000 — equivalent to about £ in present day terms. After his death, she becomes Betsy Trotwood's servant and companion.
Peggotty has been played by Judy Cornwell
(2000), Pauline Quirke
(1999), Jenny McCracken (1986), Lila Kaye (1966), Elsa Vazzoler (1965), Barbara Ogilvie (1958), Jessie Ralph
(1935), and Karen Caspersen (1922).
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
's 1850 novel
English novel
The English novel is an important part of English literature.-Early novels in English:A number of works of literature have each been claimed as the first novel in English. See the article First novel in English.-Romantic novel:...
David Copperfield
David Copperfield (novel)
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery , commonly referred to as David Copperfield, is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial...
.
Referred to as 'Peggotty' so as not to confuse her with David's mother, who is also called Clara, Peggotty is the housekeeper
Housekeeper
Housekeeper may refer to:* Housekeeper , a woman heading up domestic maintenance* Maid, a female with various domestic duties* Janitor, a person responsible for institutional maintenance* A person engaged in housekeeping...
of the family home and plays a big part in David's upbringing. Peggotty is the sister of Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
fisherman Daniel Peggotty, and the aunt of Ham Peggotty and Little Em'ly. Early in the novel, David's aunt, Betsey Trotwood
Betsey Trotwood
Betsey Trotwood is a fictional character from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel David Copperfield.-Role in novel:She is David's great-aunt on his father's side, and has an unfavourable view of men and boys, having been ill-used and abandoned by a worthless husband earlier in life...
, dismisses Peggotty's surname as being pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
:
"Peggotty!" repeated Miss Betsey, with some indignation. "Do you mean to say, child, that any human being has gone into a Christian church, and got herself named Peggotty?"
Mrs Copperfield then explains that Peggotty is known by her surname to avoid confusion with herself as they share the same first name. As a "peggotty" or a "knitting nancy
Knitting Nancy
A Knitting Nancy is a small, often handheld device that enables items to be constructed out of yarn by some knitting-like technique. Knitting Nancies are the oldest members of the loom family, with a history dating back over 400 years Such devices are often marketed to children.Knitting Nancies can...
" (also known as a knitting loom) is a knitting
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
device, the name may be a reference to Clara Peggotty
Peggotty
Clara Peggotty is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's 1850 novel David Copperfield.Referred to as 'Peggotty' so as not to confuse her with David's mother, who is also called Clara, Peggotty is the housekeeper of the family home and plays a big part in David's upbringing. Peggotty is the...
's fondness for knitting
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
.
Peggotty is described as having cheeks like a red apple. Peggotty is gentle and caring, opening herself and her family to David whenever he is in need. She remains faithful to David Copperfield all her life, being like a second mother to him, never abandoning him, his mother, or his great-aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood. In her kind motherliness, Peggotty contrasts markedly with the harsh and unloving Miss Murdstone, the sister of David's cruel stepfather Mr Murdstone
Edward Murdstone
Edward Murdstone is a fictional character and one of the primary antagonists in the first part of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield...
.
She marries carrier Mr Barkis and is afterwards sometimes referred to as Mrs. Barkis, a name Aunt Betsey Trotwood regards as much more suitable. On her husband's death Peggotty inherits £3,000 — equivalent to about £ in present day terms. After his death, she becomes Betsy Trotwood's servant and companion.
Peggotty has been played by Judy Cornwell
Judy Cornwell
Judy Valerie Cornwell is an English actress best known for her role as Daisy in the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.-Biography:...
(2000), Pauline Quirke
Pauline Quirke
Pauline Perpetua Quirke is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Sharon in the comedy series Birds of a Feather, alongside her lifelong friend and frequent acting partner Linda Robson...
(1999), Jenny McCracken (1986), Lila Kaye (1966), Elsa Vazzoler (1965), Barbara Ogilvie (1958), Jessie Ralph
Jessie Ralph
Jessie Ralph was an American stage and screen actress, best known for her matronly roles in many classic motion pictures....
(1935), and Karen Caspersen (1922).