What Mr Dickins thinks

Themes

A loveless marriage,
 with a brutal, bullying husband, versus meek, loving wife who dies in child birth.
Mr Dombey and his first wife                                - Dombey and Son (D&S)
Mr Murdstone and David Copperfield's Mother    - David Copperfield (DC)

An elopement
James Steerforth and Little Em'ly                          -  DC
Mrs Dombey and Mr Carker                                  - D&S

Hopeless, blind, crazed, infatuation 
Mr Toots for Florence                                            - D&S
DC for Dora Spenlow   - (his first wife)                - DC

The scheming clerk,
set on taking control of the business
Uriah Heep                                                              -DC
James Carker                                                          - D&S

David Copperfield is Dickens eighth book written in 48/49.  It is considered to be his 'veiled autobiography'.
Dombey and Son was written in 48 when Dickens stayed in Lausanne.