Editing David Copperfield (section)

=====Mr Micawber=====
[[File:Traddles, Micawber and David from David Copperfield art by Frank Reynolds.jpg|thumb|Traddles, Micawber and David from ''David Copperfield'', by Frank Reynolds]]
The second surrogate father is just as ineffective, although of a diametrically opposed personality: it is Mr Micawber who, for his part, lacks firmness to the point of sinking into irresponsibility. Overflowing with imagination and love, in every way faithful and devoted, inveterate optimist, he eventually becomes, in a way, the child of David who helps him to alleviate his financial difficulties. The roles are reversed and, by the absurdity, David is forced to act as a man and to exercise adult responsibilities towards him. However, the Micawbers are not lacking in charm, the round Wilkins, of course, but also his dry wife, whose music helps her to live. Mrs Micawber has, since childhood, two songs in her repertoire, the Scottish "The dashing white sergeant"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishdance.net/ceilidh/dances.html#DashingWhite |work=Scottish Dance |title=Dances |access-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806160908/http://www.scottishdance.net/ceilidh/dances.html#DashingWhite |archive-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the American lament "The little Tafflin with the Silken Sash",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/studies-folksong/studies-folksong%20-%200112.htm |work=Traditional Music (.co.uk) |title=American Sea-Songs |access-date=19 July 2012}}</ref> whose attraction has decided her husband to "win that woman or perish in the attempt"<ref>{{harvnb|Dickens|1999|p=342}}</ref> In addition to the melodies that soothe and embellish, the words of the second, with her dream "Should e'er the fortune be my lot to be made a wealthy bride!" and her [[aphorism]] "Like attracts like" have become emblematic of the couple, one is the opposite of reality and the other the very definition of its harmony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dickens-theme.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/davidcopperfield.html |work=dickens-theme.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk |title=The themes at Dickens |access-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510193044/http://www.dickens-theme.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/davidcopperfield.html |archive-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>