# XV: Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a New Pursuit for Walter Gay explained — Dombey and Son

> Chapter companion for Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Walter Gay struggles with how to tell his Uncle Sol about his impending departure for Barbados, a posting arranged by Mr. Dombey. He enlists Captain Cuttle's help to break the news, revealing his fears that the assignment may be a dead end and that Mr. Dombey dislikes him. The Captain, though initially reluctant, agrees to assist, and Walter expresses his love and trust for both his uncle and the Captain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Neglect

Walter's concern for his Uncle Sol's emotional well-being highlights the theme of familial duty and the pain of separation.

### Wealth and Morality

Mr. Dombey's power over Walter's fate and the moral dilemma of duty versus personal desire reflect the intersection of wealth and moral choices.

## Character check-ins

### Walter Gay

Struggles with telling Uncle Sol about the Barbados assignment; feels duty-bound to go despite Mr. Dombey's disdain.

### Captain Cuttle

Reluctantly agrees to break the news to Solomon Gills; shows deep loyalty and philosophical reflection.

### Mr. Dombey

Referenced as the one who assigned Walter to Barbados; Walter believes Mr. Dombey dislikes him.

### Solomon Gills

Uncle Sol is the one Walter fears to tell about the departure; he has recently recovered cheerfulness.

### Mrs. MacStinger

Mentioned as attending the Reverend Melchisedech Howler's services on Sundays.

### The Reverend Melchisedech Howler

Mentioned as the minister whose services Mrs. MacStinger attends.

## Key lines

> Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr. Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

For days, Walter was unsure how to proceed with the Barbados assignment, hoping Mr. Dombey might reconsider or change his mind.

_Walter's initial indecision and hope for a reprieve._

> When Mr. Dombey had looked at him, and told him he was young, and that his Uncle's circumstances were not good, there had been an expression of disdain in his face; a contemptuous and disparaging assumption that he would be quite content to live idly on a reduced old man, which stung the boy's generous soul.

Mr. Dombey's look and words implied Walter would be happy to live off his poor uncle, which deeply offended Walter's pride.

_Walter's perception of Mr. Dombey's contempt and his own wounded pride._

> I am not a favourite with Mr. Dombey. I have always tried to do my best, and I have always done it; but he does not like me.

Walter admits to Captain Cuttle that Mr. Dombey dislikes him despite his best efforts.

_Walter's candid acknowledgment of his strained relationship with Mr. Dombey._

## Links

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