Young David Copperfield is born to his recently widowed mother Clara and almost immediately disowned by his only living relative, Betsey Trotwood, who was expecting a girl. David has an enjoyable life with his mother and their cook-servant, Clara Peggotty. When he is seven, however, he is sent off with Peggotty to visit her family at the seaside and returns that his mother has remarried, to the cruel Edward Murdstone.

With his mother gone, David is put to work by Murdstone. Rather than working in the counting house however, he is put to work cleaning empty wine bottles. He is introduced to Wilkins Micawber and moves into one of the spare rooms. Micawber, however, is in dire financial straits and soon flees. As tensions rise, David flees to his aunt Betsey. After some consideration, she lets him stay and even rebuffs an attempt by Murdstone to retrieve him. She sends him off to a good school where he boards with solicitor Mr Wickfield and his daughter Agnes.

Having run into his old friend Steerforth, David meets his family and in turn invites Steerforth to accompany him to the seaside to visit the Peggottys. Seaforth is well received and they learn that Ham and Emily are engaged. Steerforth seems to have taken a particular interest in the girl, however. David takes a major step in life when he decides to enter the legal profession as a proctor. He is apprenticed to Francis Spenlow, thanks to the generosity of his Aunt Betsey, and soon has spacious rooms in London. He has the pleasure of renewing his acquaintance with Micawber, but is distressed to learn that Uriah Heep may soon become Mr Wickfield's partner.

Ham is heartbroken when he learns that Emily has run off with Steerforth. Daniel and David are angry to hear that Steerforth's involvement and David blames himself. Steerforth's mother offers little hope that her son will make a lady of her given their difference in class. David begins to spend time with Dora Spenlow; he tells her he loves her and they are soon engaged. However, she feels that they cannot marry until he advances in his career.

Now wed, Dora and David are experiencing the normal adjustment of married life. He would like her to exercise greater authority over the household, but she doesn't feel capable and displays little common sense. Aunt Betsey has an unexpected visitor when her long-absent husband returns. Meanwhile, David learns that Emily has fled after Steerforth abandons her. Mrs Steerforth makes it clear that she will do anything to protect her son. Daniel is convinced Emily is alive and likely hiding in London.

A gravely ill Dora has a special request of Agnes. David is soon a young widower and, unsure how to go forward, decides to go away for awhile. Tommy Traddles arrives with good news for all: thanks to Micawber, Mr Wickfield's situation is resolved though little money is left but Aunt Betsey has her funds returned. Micawber decides to emigrate to Australia, traveling with the Peggottys. Ham is found dead on the beach, having tried to rescue a man during a terrible storm. The man turns out to be Steerforth.