Chapter 7 Summary

The school semester begins with the headmaster, Mr. Creakle, making many threats of violence against both David and the general school population. David learns more about his new friends. Traddles, hopelessly warmhearted and yet constantly in trouble, is seen as an honest, honorable, and loyal boy. David and Steerforth begin a friendship based on their individual strengths. They establish a nightly ritual in which David tells Steerforth stories from the books that he has read. Steerforth, in turn, helps David with difficult assignments.

One day, Steerforth and Mr. Mell have an argument in which Steerforth insults the poor teacher, who resigns and immediately leaves the school. The boys cheer Steerforth for some perceived gallantry, even though he has so cruelly insulted Mr. Mell. Steerforth's insults were based on the information that David had given him about Mr. Mell's mother.

The only other memorable...