Chapter 31 Summary

David helps to execute Barkis' will and attends the funeral. The whole family plans to gather at the Peggotty home that evening. Ham comes home without Emily and takes David outside to tell him secretly that Emily has run away. He shows him a letter that Emily wrote saying that she's left with another man. Ham reveals that he saw Steerforth and Littimer visiting the town and talking with Emily.

When it is announced to the family, Mr. Peggotty vows revenge and they all cry together over the loss of Emily and the disgrace that she has brought on herself by running away with Steerforth.

Chapter 31 Analysis

One of the underlying plots has finally been revealed. Steerforth and Littimer's plotting has been to convince Emily to leave her family and run off with Steerforth as an unmarried woman. Steerforth has betrayed the trust...