# The Wedding explained — Dombey and Son

> Chapter companion for Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxi-the-wedding
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters