Let's just say this up front: Mr. Murdstone is one mean dude. He's a vicious tyrant who gets his jollies from tormenting weak, defenseless women under the guise of "improving" them or "disciplining" them. Mr. Murdstone flatters silly Mrs. Copperfield into marrying him. Then, as soon as she does, Mr. Murdstone (in Miss Betsey's words) becomes "a tyrant to the simple Baby, and [he breaks] her heart" (14.135). And Mr. Murdstone is so committed to this pattern of behavior that, once he gets over Mrs. Copperfield's death, he marries another young woman and breaks her spirit.