David Copperfield: The many differences between James Steerforth and Tommy Traddles In the novel, David Copperfield, Charles Dickens contrasts many different characters. The main two characters that he contrasts are Tommy Traddles and James Steerforth. He displays the contrast between these two characters in many different ways. The only common thing that they share is their close friendship with David. Dickens shows these differences through their looks, personalities, and the final results of their lives. For one thing, Charles Dickens contrasts these two characters through their looks