Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors
used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
The Sea
The sea represents an unknown and powerful force in the
lives of the characters in David Copperfield, and
it is almost always connected with death. The sea took Little Em’ly’s
father in an unfortunate accident over which she had no control.
Likewise, the sea takes both Ham and Steerforth. The sea washes
Steerforth up on the shore—a moment that symbolizes Steerforth’s
moral emptiness, as the sea treats him like flotsam and jetsam.
The storm in the concluding chapters of the novel alerts us to the
danger of ignoring the sea’s power and indicates that the novel’s
conflicts have reached an uncontrollable level. Like death, the
force of the sea is beyond human control. Humans must try to live
in harmony with the sea’s mystical power and take precautions to
avoid untimely death.
Flowers
Flowers represent simplicity and innocence in David
Copperfield. For example, Steerforth nicknames David “Daisy”
because David is naïve. David brings Dora flowers on her birthday.
Dora forever paints flowers on her little canvas. When David returns
to the Wickfields’ house and the Heeps leave, he discovers that
the old flowers are in the room, which indicates that the room has
been returned to its previous state of simplicity and innocence.
In each of these cases, flowers stand as images of rebirth and health—a
significance that points to a springlike quality in characters associated
with their blossoms. Flowers indicate fresh perspective and thought
and often recall moments of frivolity and release.
Mr. Dick’s Kite
Mr. Dick’s enormous kite represents his separation from
society. Just as the kite soars above the other characters, Mr.
Dick, whom the characters believe to be insane, stands apart from
the rest of society. Because Mr. Dick is not a part of the social
hierarchies that bind the rest of the characters, he is able to
mend the disagreement between Doctor and Mrs. Strong, which none
of the other characters can fix. The kite’s carefree simplicity
mirrors Mr. Dick’s own childish innocence, and the pleasure the
kite offers resembles the honest, unpretentious joy Mr. Dick brings
to those around him.
