Dombey and Son
Summary
Dombey and Son, published serially between 1846-1848, is one of Charles Dickens' major novels. The story follows shipping firm owner Paul Dombey and his dysfunctional relationships, particularly with his neglected daughter Florence. Through a cast of vivid characters, Dickens offers a scathing critique of the arranged marriages and child mistreatment prevalent in Victorian society at the time. While not as popular today as some of Dickens' other works, Dombey and Son is considered an important transitional novel that foreshadows the author's later masterpieces.
Plot
The novel follows wealthy shipping merchant Paul Dombey, whose dream is to have a son to carry on the family business. His wife dies shortly after giving birth to their son. Dombey neglects his young daughter Florence, focusing all his attention on his frail son, also named Paul. When Paul dies at age six, Dombey's hopes are dashed. He continues to reject Florence's love and attempts to get closer to him.
Dombey remarries, to the proud and beautiful Edith Granger. However, their marriage is loveless and contentious. Meanwhile, Florence forms a close bond with Walter Gay, a kind young man who works for her father. Dombey sends Walter away on business to separate him from Florence. Meanwhile, the manipulative manager of Dombey's firm, James Carker, gains Dombey's trust, all the while secretly undermining the business. Edith leaves Dombey, appearing to run away with Carker, which devastates Dombey's pride. He blames Florence and violently rejects her, resulting in her fleeing the house.
Florence takes refuge with the retired sea captain Edward Cuttle. She eventually reunites with Walter, who was feared lost at sea, and they marry. Dombey's firm collapses due to Carker's scheming. Dombey becomes a broken, reclusive man. In the end, Florence returns to reconcile with her father, bringing her young son. Dombey finally opens his heart to his daughter's love and finds peace as a doting grandfather in his old age.
Themes
• Pride and arrogance vs. humility
• The corrupting influence of wealth and power
• Family relationships and emotional neglect
• Social class divisions in Victorian England
• The impacts of industrialization and progress
• Redemption and reconciliation
The role of women in Victorian society
Setting
Charles Dickens' novel Dombey and Son is set in mid-19th century England during the early years of the Victorian era. The story primarily takes place in London, capturing the social and economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the rise of railways. Dickens vividly portrays the stark contrasts between the wealthy commercial districts and the impoverished slums of the rapidly growing metropolis.
Much of the action centers around the Dombey family's grand house, set in an affluent part of London. This magnificent estate serves as a symbol of Mr. Dombey's pride and ambition. Other key locations include the Dombey and Son shipping firm's offices in the City of London and the seaside town of Brighton, where young Paul Dombey is sent to improve his health. The novel also ventures briefly to France when characters flee there later in the story.
Throughout the book, Dickens weaves in scenes depicting the construction of new railway lines cutting through older London neighborhoods. This provides a backdrop of societal upheaval and “railway mania” that mirrors the personal transformations experienced by the characters. From lavish upper-class homes to seedy dockside shops, Dickens creates a rich tapestry of Victorian urban and coastal settings to frame his tale of pride, family, and redemption.
Characters
• Paul Dombey Sr.: The wealthy, proud owner of Dombey and Son shipping firm. Cold and emotionally distant, especially toward his daughter Florence.
• Florence Dombey: Mr. Dombey's neglected daughter who longs for her father's love and affection.
• Paul Dombey Jr.: Mr. Dombey's sickly young son and heir who dies as a child.
• Edith Granger: Mr. Dombey's second wife, a proud and resentful woman who eventually abandons him.
• Walter Gay: A kind-hearted young man who works for Dombey and Son and eventually marries Florence.
• Captain Edward Cuttle: A warmhearted retired sea captain and friend to Walter and Florence.
• James Carker: The devious manager at Dombey and Son who betrays Mr. Dombey.
• Susan Nipper: Florence's loyal and outspoken maid.
• Solomon Gills: Walter's uncle who owns a nautical instrument shop called The Wooden Midshipman.
• Major Bagstock: Mr. Dombey's obsequious friend who introduces him to Edith.
• Mrs. Louisa Chick: Mr. Dombey's sister who shares his cold demeanor.
• Mr. Toots: A wealthy, good-natured but simple-minded young man infatuated with Florence.
Quick facts
• The novel was originally published in 19 monthly installments from 1846 to 1848 before being released as a complete book.
• It was the first novel Dickens wrote in Switzerland, beginning it while staying in Lausanne.
• Dombey and Son was one of Dickens' favorite works among his own novels.
• The character of Paul Dombey Jr. was likely inspired by Dickens' own sickly young son, Walter, who died in infancy.
• The novel reflects Dickens' concerns about the rapid growth of railways and industrialization in England at the time.
• Captain Cuttle became one of Dickens' most beloved comic characters, with his sayings becoming popular catchphrases.
• The book's original full title was “Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation."
• It was the first Dickens novel to be illustrated by Phiz (Hablot Knight Browne) from the very beginning.
• The character of Mr. Dombey was possibly inspired by the real-life Christopher Huffam, Dickens' own godfather.
• Despite being over 900 pages long, Dombey and Son was one of Dickens' most tightly-plotted and carefully-structured novels.
About the author
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was one of the most prolific and influential English novelists of the Victorian era. Born in 1812 near Portsmouth, Dickens rose from humble beginnings to become a literary celebrity by his mid-20s. His early experiences of poverty and hardship, including a stint working in a blacking factory as a child while his father was imprisoned for debt, deeply shaped his writing and social views.
Dickens began his literary career as a journalist before achieving fame with his serialized novel The Pickwick Papers in 1836. Over the next three decades, he produced a series of acclaimed novels including Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations. His vivid characters, compelling plots, and keen social commentary made him immensely popular across class lines. Dickens pioneered serial publication, allowing his stories to reach a wide audience.
Beyond his literary output, Dickens was a tireless social reformer who used his writing and celebrity to advocate for the poor and criticize social injustice. His novels highlighted issues like child labor, education reform, and the failings of the legal system. Dickens also founded and edited literary magazines, gave public readings, and was involved in philanthropic endeavors like founding a home for “fallen women."
Dickens's influence on literature and popular culture has been immense and enduring. His colorful characters and evocative depictions of Victorian London have become cultural touchstones. Terms like “Dickensian” and “Scrooge” have entered common usage. Though some critics have found fault with aspects of his style, Dickens is widely regarded as a literary genius whose works offer profound insights into human nature and 19th-century society. His novels remain widely read and adapted more than 150 years after his death in 1870.