David has a doting mother. When he grows up he marries her image, the ditsy Dora. This is his tragedy. Even Peggotty’s extended family on Yarmouth beach cannot escape the effects. But his tragedy is also our comedy as Uriah Heep and Mr Micawber, Aunt Betsey and Mr Dick, Steerforth and Traddlles, all criss-cross David’s wayward path towards his Agnes, his true soul mate.