There are few characters in literature easier to hate than Mr. Murdstone and his loathsome sister, Miss Murdstone. As David Copperfield notes:
I knew . . . that he could mould her pliant nature into any form he chose, as I know, now, that he did it.
Mr. Murdstone insists she not show her warm, abundant emotions, and instead practiced "firmness." "Firmness," of which Mr. Murdstone is the source, David soon realizes is a code word for his mother and everyone else bending to his tyranny.
He brings in his sister, who lives with them, takes David's mother's household keys, and from that time forward runs the household.
When David's mother protests to Mr. Murdstone that she wants some say in running the household, he sides with his sister, condemns his wife for not appreciating his sister, and threatens to withhold his love. Threatening to withhold love and approval is a potent way of controlling this kind, good-hearted woman.
Religion is a fourth form of control. The family is forced to go to church and David believes that the dark "taint" in the Murdstone blood influences Mr. Murdstone's view of faith:
which wouldn’t allow him to let anybody off from the utmost weight of the severest penalties he could find any excuse for.
Finally, he terrorizes and tyrannizes over his wife by beating David cruelly, even though she cries and begs him not to do it.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
How did David's mother become a victim of her husband's tyrannical behavior ? Give 5 examples
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