Editing David Copperfield (section)

=====Mr Murdstone=====
[[File:David Copperfield (1850) (14777068141).jpg|thumb|Aunt Betsey & Mr Dick say no to Mr Murdstone and his sister, by [[Hablot Knight Browne|Phiz]].]]

Mr Murdstone darkens Copperfield's life instead of enlightening him, because the principle of firmness which he champions, absolute novelty for the initial family unit, if he instills order and discipline, kills spontaneity and love. The resistance that Copperfield offers him is symbolic: opposing a usurper without effective legitimacy, he fails to protect his mother but escapes the straitjacket and achieves his independence. Mr Murdstone thus represents the anti-father, double negative of the one of which David was deprived, model ''a contrario'' of what it is not necessary to be.