Dombey and Son · Chapter
Mr. Dombey Goes Upon a Journey explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Dombey visits Major Bagstock before their journey to Leamington. The Major expresses exaggerated sympathy for Dombey's recent losses, while subtly criticizing Miss Tox's ambitions. Dombey, feeling isolated and seeking distraction, begins to thaw toward the Major's companionship, seeing him as a respectable and worldly friend.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Ambition
Mr. Dombey's pride is soothed by Major Bagstock's flattery, while the Major's own ambition is evident in his self-promotion and criticism of Miss Tox.
Wealth and Morality
Dombey reflects on the impotence of wealth after his son's death, yet finds reassurance in the Major's recognition of his status.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Dombey
Accepts Major Bagstock's hospitality and companionship, feeling his pride reaffirmed by the Major's deference.
- Major Bagstock
Hosts Mr. Dombey, expressing exaggerated sympathy and criticizing Miss Tox's ambitions while puffing himself up.
- Miss Tox
Observed watering her flowers across the street; Major Bagstock denounces her as a scheming and ambitious woman.
Key passages
“What could it do, his boy had asked him. Sometimes, thinking of the baby question, he could hardly forbear inquiring, himself, what could it do indeed: what had it done?”
Dombey recalls his son's question about the power of wealth, and now wonders himself what wealth has truly accomplished.
Reflects Dombey's doubt about the value of his fortune after Paul's death.
“But these were lonely thoughts, bred late at night in the sullen despondency and gloom of his retirement, and pride easily found its reassurance in many testimonies to the truth, as unimpeachable and precious as the Major’s.”
Dombey's dark reflections are dispelled by his pride, which is bolstered by flattery like the Major's.
Highlights Dombey's reliance on pride to overcome grief.