Agnes Wickfield

Agnes Wickfield
David Copperfield character
Agnes Wickfield, David's second wife. Art by Frank Reynolds (1910)
Created by	Charles Dickens
Information
Gender	female
Family	Mr. Wickfield (father), David Copperfield (husband), (at least) five children (including two sons and three daughters–Little Agnes, Betsey Trotwood Copperfield and Dora)
Religion	Christianity
Nationality	British

Agnes Wickfield is a character of David Copperfield, a novel by Charles Dickens. She is a friend and confidante of David (the narrator and protagonist of this semi-autobiography) since his childhood and at the end of the novel, his second wife. In Dickens' language, she is the "real heroine" of the novel.

Agnes Wickfield is introduced in chapter 15 of the novel; when David, with his great-aunt Betsey Trotwood, goes to her father Mr. Wickfield's house in Canterbury, in search of a good school. Agnes, whose mother is dead, takes care of her alcoholic yet affectionate father and of the house, as the "little housekeeper". David takes residence in the house for his school-years. David and Agnes, being of same age; become friends very quickly. Throughout his boyhood, David, in many ways, becomes dependent on Agnes. Agnes becomes his friend and confidante, and David regards her as a sister. Though Agnes loves him, she never tells him, knowing he doesn't have the same feelings for her.

After leaving the house when he passes school, David maintains close contacts with Agnes. She warns him against his friend James Steerforth, as his "bad angel", which later proves true. Her father's villainous clerk, Uriah Heep, taking advantage of Mr. Wickfield's alcoholism and his affection for his daughter, becomes powerful. He becomes a partner in the law-firm by devious means and wants Agnes' hand in marriage. Agnes, refusing to do so; resists Heep throughout the years. Hiding her true feelings for David, she helps and advises him in his infatuation and marriage with Dora Spenlow. Later, when Wilkins Micawber is recruited as a clerk by Heep, she urges him to gather evidence against the latter; which ultimately leads to Heep's downfall.

After Dora's death, Agnes consoles and encourages David to return to his normal life and the profession of writing. While living in Switzerland, David realizes he loves Agnes. After returning to England he tries hard to conceal his feelings, but realizing Agnes loves him as well; he proposes to her and she accepts. They marry quickly and take residence in London. Agnes bears David at least five children.