Dombey and Son · Chapter
In Which Mr. Dombey, as a Man and a Father, Is Seen at the Head of the Home-Department explained
After the funeral of Mrs.
What happens
After the funeral of Mrs. Dombey, the household settles into a somber routine. Mr. Dombey, focused entirely on his infant son Paul, keeps the house dark and covered, and has the nurse Polly Toodle (Richards) parade the baby in a glass room while he watches from a distance. Florence, his daughter, returns home and seeks comfort from Polly, asking about her mother's death. Polly tells her a gentle story of heaven. Florence tries to connect with her father, but Mr. Dombey is cold and dismissive, preferring to ignore her. Polly attempts to bring Florence and Paul together, but Florence feels unwanted. Susan Nipper, Florence's maid, resents Polly's temporary influence.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Neglect
Mr. Dombey's coldness toward Florence and his exclusive focus on Paul highlight the neglect of familial bonds beyond the male heir.
Innocence and Childhood
Florence's innocent questions about death and her yearning for her father's love contrast with the harsh reality of her neglect.
Wealth and Morality
The Dombey house, with its dark, covered furniture and grim atmosphere, reflects the moral emptiness and emotional sterility of wealth.
Characters to notice
- Florence Dombey
Returns home after her mother's funeral, seeks comfort from the nurse Polly, and is coldly rebuffed by her father.
- Mr. Dombey
Observes his infant son from a distance, keeps the house in mourning, and treats Florence with cold indifference.
- Polly Toodle
Serves as Paul's wet nurse, tries to comfort Florence with a story about her mother's death, and attempts to bring Florence closer to her father.
- Paul Dombey
The infant son, paraded in the glass room; his presence is the sole focus of Mr. Dombey's attention.
- Susan Nipper
Florence's maid, resentful of Polly's temporary status and influence in the household.
- Mrs. Chick
Mentioned as accompanying Polly and the baby on walks, part of the household routine.
Key passages
“What have you done with my Mama?”
Florence asks the nurse what happened to her mother.
Florence's direct and poignant question reveals her confusion and grief over her mother's death.
“He don't want me. He don't want me!”
Florence feels that her father does not want her.
Florence's repeated exclamation underscores her deep sense of rejection by Mr. Dombey.
“It doesn't matter. You can let her come and go without regarding me.”
Mr. Dombey dismisses Florence's presence, saying she can come and go as she pleases without his attention.
Mr. Dombey's cold indifference to Florence is starkly expressed in this line.