Clara Peggotty is usually referred to as simply 'Peggotty' so as not to confuse her with David's mother, who is also called Clara. Peggotty is the housekeeper of the family home and plays a big part in David's upbringing. Peggotty is the sister of Yarmouth fisherman Daniel Peggotty, and the aunt of Ham Peggotty and Little Em'ly. Early in the novel, David's aunt, Betsey Trotwood, dismisses Peggotty's surname (had it been a given name) as being pagan:
"Peggotty!" repeated Miss Betsey, with some indignation. "Do you mean to say, child, that any human being has gone into a Christian church, and got herself named Peggotty?"
Mrs Copperfield then explains that Peggotty is known by her surname to avoid confusion with herself as they share the same first name. As a "peggotty" or a "knitting nancy" (also known as a knitting loom) is a knitting device, the name may be a reference to Clara Peggotty's fondness for knitting.
Peggotty is described as having cheeks like a red apple. Peggotty is gentle and caring, opening herself and her family to David whenever he is in need. She remains faithful to David Copperfield all her life, being like a second mother to him, never abandoning him, his mother, or his great-aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood. In her kind motherliness, Peggotty contrasts markedly with the harsh and unloving Miss Murdstone, the sister of David's cruel stepfather Mr Murdstone.
She marries carrier Mr Barkis and is afterwards sometimes referred to as Mrs. Barkis, a name Aunt Betsey Trotwood regards as much more suitable. On her husband's death Peggotty inherits £3,000 — equivalent to about £260 thousand in present day terms. After his death, she becomes Betsy Trotwood's servant and companion.
Peggotty has been played by Judy Cornwell (2000), Pauline Quirke (1999), Jenny McCracken (1986), Lila Kaye (1966), Elsa Vazzoler (1965), Barbara Ogilvie (1958), Jessie Ralph (1935), and Karen Caspersen (1922).
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