Chapter 20 Summary

David agrees to visit Steerforth's home in Highgate and meet his widowed mother. As they make their way there, Steerforth explains that he is attending Oxford but does not plan to take a degree because it is not fashionable. When they arrive at the house, they meet Mrs. Steerforth, who thinks everything that her son does is wonderful, and Miss Rosa Dartle, her companion. Miss Rosa Dartle has a strange way of speaking and a scar on her face from a childhood accident, which involved Steerforth. Mrs. Steerforth explains that she sent her son to Salem House so that he would be the highest-ranking student and get special treatment.

Steerforth proposes that he accompany David to Yarmouth to meet the people there. He says it will be funny to see poor people in their natural environment.

Chapter 20 Analysis

The reader begins to understand...