# Preface of 1867 explained — Dombey and Son

> Chapter companion for Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Dickens reflects on the rarity of correctly observing human character, noting common mistakes such as confusing shyness with arrogance and misunderstanding obstinate natures. He explains that Mr. Dombey's character undergoes no violent change but rather a long internal struggle with his own injustice. Dickens also recalls the places where he wrote the book—beginning by the Lake of Geneva, continuing in France, and finishing in England—and how the settings remain vividly associated with the story in his mind.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Ambition

Dickens discusses Mr. Dombey's obstinate nature and internal struggle with injustice, central to his pride and ambition.

### Redemption and Change

The preface emphasizes that Mr. Dombey's change is not violent but a long contest, hinting at his eventual redemption.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Dombey

Dickens explains that Mr. Dombey's character does not undergo a violent change; rather, he is in a perpetual internal struggle with his own sense of injustice.

### Florence Dombey

Mentioned in connection with the church where she was married, a vivid memory for Dickens.

### Captain Cuttle

Dickens imagines him secluding himself from Mrs. MacStinger among the mountains of Switzerland, reflecting the strong association between writing and place.

### Mrs. MacStinger

Referenced as the person from whom Captain Cuttle is imagined to be secluding himself.

### Paul Dombey

Dickens refers to 'my little friend' when recalling the chapter in which they parted company, alluding to Paul's death.

## Key lines

> I make so bold as to believe that the faculty (or the habit) of correctly observing the characters of men, is a rare one.

Dickens asserts that the ability to accurately observe human character is uncommon.

_Opening statement on the rarity of true character observation._

> Mr. Dombey undergoes no violent change, either in this book, or in real life. A sense of his injustice is within him, all along.

Mr. Dombey does not suddenly transform; he always harbors an awareness of his own unfairness.

_Key insight into Dombey's character development._

> I began this book by the Lake of Geneva, and went on with it for some months in France, before pursuing it in England.

Dickens started writing the novel near Lake Geneva, continued in France, and finished in England.

_Details the geographical progression of the novel's composition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/preface-of-1867
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters