Peggotty

the name of several characters in Dickens' David Copperfield. Clara Peggotty is David's nurse in childhood and his faithful friend always. She marries Barkis, famous for his laconic proposal, "Barkis is willin'." Her brother, Mr. Peggotty, is the uncle of Little Emily, in search of whom he wanders on foot through many lands. Ham Peggotty, nephew of Mr. Peggotty, gives his life in the great storm in an effort to save a shipwrecked crew. These three are among the finest examples of Dickens' power to portray the true nobility of character found among plain and humble people.