# New Faces explained — Dombey and Son

> Chapter companion for Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxi-new-faces
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters