David Copperfield Chapter 53 Summary

Another Retrospect

• David has to pause to recount the death of Dora.
• He sees Dora once again as though they were in their cottage once more.
• She has been sick for long enough that David doesn't really remember what she is like when she is well.
• Jip seems also, suddenly, very old.
• Dora never complains and is grateful for David and Miss Betsey's care.
• David sits with Dora and remembers times past, when they first fell in love with one another.
• He no longer carries Dora downstairs; she lies in bed all day now.
• Dora asks to see Agnes, and David promises to write to her immediately.
• David's wife asks if she misses him when he goes downstairs.
• And David promises that he misses her so much.
• Dora embraces David.
• She admits that she thinks she will never be well again.
• David doesn't want Dora to think like that.
• Agnes arrives and spends the whole day with Dora, David, and Miss Betsey.
• Finally, they are alone, and David sits holding Dora's hand.
• Dora wants to speak frankly to David, and she hopes he won't mind.
• She thinks she was too young when they were married – she thinks she was not fit to be a wife, because she was so inexperienced.
• Dora tells David that she has been very happy.
• At the same time, she is sure that David would have gotten tired of her as the years wore on.
• David feels that this is a reproach, but Dora promises it isn't, truly.
• Dora knows that David is very lonely.
• She sends David downstairs to fetch Agnes. She wants to speak to Agnes completely by herself, even without Miss Betsey.
• David goes downstairs and sends Agnes up.
• David weeps as he sits by the fire and remembers the arguments he and Dora had.
• Would it have been better if they never married, as Dora suggests?
• Jip whines to go upstairs, but David tells him not tonight.
• The dog lies down at David's feet and passes away.
• David looks up at Agnes.
• Dora has passed away as well, and David can't remember anything for a time.