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Age and build

spare, short-waisted, high-shouldered build

“his spare, short-waisted, high-shouldered, mulberry-coloured great-coat” (David Copperfield, part 27)

lank and skeletal frame

“his long skeleton fingers into the still longer fingers of a great Guy Fawkes pair of gloves” (David Copperfield, part 26)

Face and hair

pale face with red eyes like suns

“his sleepless eyes would come below the writing, like two red suns, and stealthily stare at me” (David Copperfield, part 16)

red head and cadaverous appearance

“Uriah Heep put in his red head and his lank hand at the door” (David Copperfield, part 17)

shadowless eyes and cadaverous face

“with his shadowless eyes and cadaverous face, to be looking gauntly down upon us” (David Copperfield, part 26)

no eyebrows, small eyes, grisly hand

“He did not gather his eyebrows together, for he had none worth mentioning; but he frowned to that degree that he almost closed his small eyes, while the hurried raising of his grisly hand to his chin” (David Copperfield, part 53)

Dress

mulberry-coloured great-coat with umbrella

“his spare, short-waisted, high-shouldered, mulberry-coloured great-coat perched up, in company with an umbrella like a small tent, on the edge of the back seat” (David Copperfield, part 27)

suit of black at dinner party

“I found Uriah Heep among the company, in a suit of black, and in deep humility” (David Copperfield, part 26)

Voice and speech

affected humility and false deference in speech

“I am well aware that I am the umblest person going” (David Copperfield, part 17)

constant repetition of 'umble' and variations

“We live in a numble abode, Master Copperfield, but have much to be thankful for” (David Copperfield, part 17)

writhing physical accompaniment to speech

“He writhed himself quite off his stool in the excitement of his feelings” (David Copperfield, part 17)

Signature words

umble/umbleness (affected humility)

“I am well aware that I am the umblest person going” (David Copperfield, part 17)

Master Copperfield (deferential address)

“Yes, Master Copperfield,’ says Uriah” (David Copperfield, part 17)

How much have I to be thankful for (repeated phrase)

“How much have I to be thankful for in living with Mr. Wickfield” (David Copperfield, part 17)

With the blessing of Providence (pious phrase)

“With the blessing of Providence, Master Copperfield,’ returned Uriah” (David Copperfield, part 17)

fellow-partner (ingratiating address)

“Come, fellow-partner,’ said Uriah, ‘if I may take the liberty” (David Copperfield, part 40)

Gait and mannerisms

writhing and contorting body in false emotion

“Uriah, with his long hands slowly twining over one another, made a ghastly writhe from the waist upwards” (David Copperfield, part 18)

clammy, ghostly handshake

“what a clammy hand his was! as ghostly to the touch as to the sight” (David Copperfield, part 16)

hand like a fish in darkness

“his hand felt like a fish, in the dark” (David Copperfield, part 17)

shambling gait and creeping movement

“The shambling figure, and the scanty great-coat, were not to be mistaken” (David Copperfield, part 40)

Strengths

subtle and watchful manipulation

“He is subtle and watchful. He has mastered papa’s weaknesses, fostered them, and taken advantage of them” (David Copperfield, part 26)

Flaws

fundamental dishonesty and fraud

“The signatures to this instrument purporting to be executed by Mr. W. and attested by Wilkins Micawber, are forgeries by—HEEP” (David Copperfield, part 53)

cowardice when exposed

“He was a coward, from head to foot; and showed his dastardly nature through his sullenness and mortification” (David Copperfield, part 53)

malevolent nature beneath false humility

“Looking slowly round upon us with the darkest and wickedest expression that his face could wear” (David Copperfield, part 53)

capacity for threats and blackmail

“I’ll ruin him, if you do. Now, come! I have got some of you under the harrow. Think twice, before it goes over you” (David Copperfield, part 53)

Traits

obsessive attention to detail and observation

“his lank forefinger followed up every line as he read, and made clammy tracks along the page” (David Copperfield, part 17)

ingratiating and fawning manner

“he hovered about me in his gratitude all the rest of the evening” (David Copperfield, part 26)

Lines in their own words

menacing threat when exposed

“I’ll ruin him, if you do. Now, come! I have got some of you under the harrow. Think twice, before it goes over you” (David Copperfield, part 53)

false piety in prison

“I see my follies, now, sir. That’s what makes me comfortable” (David Copperfield, part 62)

bitter resentment beneath false forgiveness

“You knew me when, in spite of my follies, I was umble among them that was proud, and meek among them that was violent—you was violent to me yourself, Mr. Copperfield” (David Copperfield, part 62)