Dombey and Son · Chapter
New Faces explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Dombey and Major Bagstock encounter the Honourable Mrs. Skewton and her daughter Edith Granger in Leamington. The Major, an old acquaintance, arranges a visit, during which Mr. Dombey is introduced to the beautiful but haughty Edith. The chapter explores the contrast between the faded, artificial Mrs. Skewton and her proud, indifferent daughter, and sets the stage for Mr. Dombey's growing interest in Edith.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Power
Mrs. Skewton's maneuvering to secure a wealthy husband for Edith reflects the transactional nature of marriage among the upper classes.
Pride and Ambition
Edith's haughty demeanor and Mr. Dombey's pride are highlighted, with the Major praising pride as a high quality.
Wealth and Morality
The Skewton family's poverty despite noble blood underscores the tension between social status and financial reality.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Dombey
Accompanies Major Bagstock on walks and visits, showing interest in Edith Granger.
- Major Bagstock
Acts as matchmaker, praising Edith and encouraging Mr. Dombey's attention.
- Mrs. Skewton
The faded, artificial mother, presented as Cleopatra, eager to secure a wealthy match for her daughter.
- Edith Dombey
Introduced as Mrs. Granger, a proud and beautiful widow, indifferent to Mr. Dombey's advances.
- Withers
The wan page who pushes Mrs. Skewton's wheeled chair, struggling with the task.
Key passages
“The Honourable Mrs. Skewton and her daughter, Mrs. Granger, resided, while at Leamington, in lodgings that were fashionable enough and dear enough, but rather limited in point of space and conveniences”
Mrs. Skewton and Edith stayed in expensive but cramped lodgings in Leamington.
Highlights the contrast between their pretensions and their actual circumstances.
“It was a remarkable characteristic of this lady's beauty that it appeared to vaunt and assert itself without her aid, and against her will.”
Edith's beauty seemed to demand attention even when she did not want it.
Describes Edith's proud and conflicted relationship with her own attractiveness.