Dombey and Son · Chapter
The Wedding explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Dombey marries Edith Granger in a grand ceremony. Florence attends, feeling isolated. Mr. Carker's presence unsettles Edith, who feels degraded by his knowledge of her. After the wedding, Florence returns home alone, thinking of her lost brother and Walter.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Power
The wedding is a transaction of social status and control, with Mr. Dombey asserting dominance over Edith.
Pride and Ambition
Mr. Dombey's pride in his new marriage and Edith's haughty demeanor reflect their personal ambitions.
Wealth and Morality
The opulent ceremony contrasts with the moral decay hinted at through Carker's manipulative presence.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Dombey
The groom, proud and solemn, leads his bride through the ceremony.
- Edith Dombey
The bride, haughty yet submissive, feels degraded by Carker's penetrating gaze.
- Florence Dombey
Attends the wedding, signs the register with a trembling hand, and later returns home alone, thinking of her lost brother and Walter.
- Mr. Carker
Observes Edith with a knowing smile, salutes her with a predatory air, and later rides into town repeating the marriage vows.
- Mrs. Skewton
The mother of the bride, feigns reluctance to keep Florence, but ultimately relinquishes her.
- Cousin Feenix
Gives the bride away, initially presenting the wrong woman due to his unsteady legs.
Key passages
“I am proud to see that my humble offering is graced by Mrs. Dombey’s hand, and permitted to hold so favoured a place in so joyful an occasion.”
Carker falsely claims to be honored that Edith wears his flowers at her wedding.
Carker's servile words contrast with his predatory intentions.
“The very words that Mr. Carker rides into town repeating, with his mouth stretched to the utmost, as he picks his dainty way.”
Carker mockingly recites the marriage vows as he rides away.
Carker's repetition of the vows underscores his cynical view of the marriage.