Charles Dickens the lower reaches of the Thames, all aspects of the capital are described over the course of his body of work. Authors frequently draw their portraits of characters from people they have known in real life. "David Copperfield" is regarded by many as a veiled autobiography of Dickens. The scenes of interminable court cases and legal arguments in "Bleak House" reflect Dickens's experiences as a law clerk and court reporter, and in particular his direct experience of the law's procedural delay during 1844 when he sued publishers in Chancery for breach of copyright. Dickens's father was sent to prison for
James Steerforth home again, David makes another trip to Yarmouth and learns to his great surprise and dismay that Emily has run off with Steerforth to live a life of luxury in Europe. This news greatly distresses both the Steerforth and Peggotty families. Emily is regarded as a seductress by Miss Dartle, while Mr Peggotty and his nephew Ham, who was also Emily's fiance, consider Steerforth to have stolen Emily from them. Mr Peggotty leaves home on a quest to find his niece, searching all through Europe for her. Eventually, Emily returns to England, where she is found by her uncle. A