# XXVIII: Alterations explained — Dombey and Son

> Chapter companion for Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Florence returns home after her visit, reflecting on Mr. Carker's unsettling attentions and her hope to win her father's love. She meets Edith Granger, who is to become her new mother, and shares a poignant, wordless embrace with her. The chapter also touches on Mr. Toots's persistent courtship of the family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Neglect

Florence's longing for her father's love and her hope that Edith will help bridge the emotional distance.

### Love and Sacrifice

Florence's selfless wish for her father's happiness despite his coldness, and Edith's tentative offer of affection.

### Marriage and Power

Mr. Dombey's marriage to Edith as a strategic alliance, with undertones of control and social standing.

## Character check-ins

### Florence Dombey

Returns home, troubled by Mr. Carker's mysterious behavior and hopeful of gaining her father's affection through her new stepmother.

### Mr. Dombey

Introduces Florence to Edith Granger, his intended bride, and shows displeasure at the dog Diogenes.

### Edith Dombey

Meets Florence for the first time; embraces her warmly but speaks little, asking Florence not to hate her.

### Mr. Carker

Visits Florence multiple times, hinting at the fate of Walter's ship and creating an uneasy sense of power over her.

### Susan Nipper

Accompanies Florence and shares her observations about Mr. Carker's influence over Mr. Dombey.

### Mr. Toots

Continues his devoted attentions to the family, leaving cards regularly at the villa.

## Key lines

> Oh, Papa, may you be happy! may you be very, very happy all your life!

Florence tearfully wishes her father joy upon learning of his engagement.

_Florence's immediate, heartfelt response to the news of her father's remarriage._

> You will not begin by hating me?

Edith asks Florence to start their relationship with goodwill rather than animosity.

_Edith's plea reveals her anxiety about being accepted by her stepdaughter._

> He is in Papa's confidence, and is his friend, I am sure.

Florence tries to reassure herself that Mr. Carker is trustworthy because of his close relationship with her father.

_Florence's internal struggle to reconcile her unease with Mr. Carker's apparent loyalty to Mr. Dombey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxviii-alterations
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters