Littimer Character Analysis in David Copperfield

Littimer is James Steerforth's servant. David initially finds him intimidating because he has a very proper and slightly condescending manner. As time goes on, it becomes clear that part of Littimer's duties include cleaning up Steerforth's messes: he acts as a go-between for Steerforth and little Em'ly in the early stages of their affair, and Steerforth leaves Emily in Littimer's protection once the affair has ended (the idea being that she will marry him). Emily resists, however, and Steerforth dismisses Littimer when he learns that his servant attempted to compel her to marry him (or possibly sleep with him). David later encounters Littimer in prison, where he has been jailed for robbing his latest employer.

Littimer Character Timeline in David Copperfield

The timeline below shows where the character Littimer appears in David Copperfield. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Coming of Age and Personal Development Theme Icon

Ambition, Social Mobility, and Morality Theme Icon

When David wakes up the next day, he meets a servant named Littimer, who is laying out David’s clothes for him. Littimer has an aura of extreme respectability,... (full context)

...benefit and is simply too modest to say so. Steerforth passes over this, saying that Littimer has arrived in Yarmouth and will oversee repairs on the boat, which he intends to... (full context)

David and Steerforth go to dinner, where they meet Littimer, much to David's dismay. Toward the end of the meal, Littimer announces that someone called... (full context)

...their goodbyes to the Peggottys, Mr. Barkis, and even Mr. Omer. They also part with Littimer, who is remaining behind—ostensibly to oversee outfitting Steerforth's new boat. (full context)

Suddenly, David realizes that Littimer has entered the room and asks him what he wants. Littimer explains that Steerforth has... (full context)

...having just arrived from Yarmouth, where he says he was "seafaring." This reminds David that Littimer had come looking for Steerforth, but Steerforth simply says Littimer is a "fool." David then... (full context)

...and David is feeling optimistic about his chosen profession as he heads to Steerforth's home. Littimer is not there (to David's relief), but Mrs. Steerforth and Rosa Dartle are, and are... (full context)

...step outside. David remains, however, slowly realizing the truth as Ham explains that a servant (Littimer) and a gentleman have frequently been seen in the area, most recently with a horse... (full context)

...when David says he does, explains that she thought David was in love with Emily—something Littimer confirmed when she left the room. Although she was worried about what would happen to... (full context)

...position to try to find out news of little Em'ly and (if possible) to bring Littimer to justice. Finally, she asks David to think kindly of her if he again sees... (full context)

...of the garden, making him promise not to grow violent. She then brings out Mr. Littimer and gloatingly orders him to tell his story to David. (full context)

Littimer explains that he traveled with Steerforth and Emily to a number of places, including France,... (full context)

Rosa and Littimer speculate on Emily's fate: Rosa suggests that she is dead, but Littimer says she might... (full context)

David attempts to ask, through Rosa, whether Littimer or Steerforth intercepted any letters sent to little Em'ly. Littimer refuses to speak unless David... (full context)

Rosa says that Littimer also told her that Steerforth is currently sailing off the coast of Spain. She explains... (full context)

...approaches, and David sees that she looks much older. She asks whether David has heard Littimer's story, and says that she hopes Mr. Peggotty will be able to find little Em'ly... (full context)

...unmoved, and tells Emily to "live happy" in her memories of Steerforth's "tenderness," to marry Littimer, or to simply die. She then reiterates her intention to have little Em'ly "cast out"... (full context)

Mr. Peggotty explains that when Emily escaped from Littimer, she ran along the beach until she passed out from exhaustion. The next morning, she... (full context)

...in France, little Em'ly took work at an inn. However, when she happened to see Littimer one day, she fled to England. Although she initially planned to return home, she soon... (full context)

The magistrates call for Twenty-Eight to be brought out, and David sees that it is Littimer. One of the magistrates asks whether the quality of the cocoa has improved since Littimer... (full context)

Both the magistrate and Mr. Littimer express hopes that David will be affected by what the latter has said and repent.... (full context)

...and learns that he was the ringleader in a case of "fraud, forgery, and conspiracy." Littimer, meanwhile, robbed an employer: the magistrate says he particularly remembers this case because a "little... (full context)

...David feels it would be useless to try to convince Mr. Creakle that Uriah and Littimer are not repentant at all. Instead, he and Traddles simply leave the prisoners and the... (full context)