Dombey and Son · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.
Florence Dombey
major
Also known as Miss Florence, Little Florence, Miss Floy, Floy, Florence Dombey
Mr. Dombey's neglected daughter, whose loving nature contrasts with her father's coldness.
Paul Dombey
major
Also known as Master Paul, Little Paul, Paul Dombey, Little Paul Dombey, Poor Paul
Mr. Dombey's frail son and heir, whose early death shapes the novel's events.
Mr. Dombey
major
Also known as Dombey, Mr. Dombey, Paul Dombey Sr.
Proud, cold-hearted head of the Dombey shipping firm, obsessed with a male heir.
Edith Dombey
major
Also known as Edith, Edith Granger, Edith Dombey
Mr. Dombey's second wife, proud and rebellious, trapped in a loveless marriage.
Walter Gay
major
Also known as Walter, Wally, Young Walter, Walter Gay, Gay, Mr. Walter
Kind-hearted young clerk at Dombey's, who loves Florence and later marries her.
Captain Cuttle
major
Also known as Captain Cuttle, Ned Cuttle, Captain Edward Cuttle, the Captain
Eccentric, loyal old sailor and friend to Solomon Gills and Walter Gay.
Mr. Carker
major
Also known as Carker, Mr. Carker the Manager, James Carker, Jem Carker
Duplicitous manager at Dombey's, who schemes against his employer and family.
Susan Nipper
supporting
Also known as Susan Nipper, Miss Nipper, Susan, Nipper, the Nipper
Florence's loyal, outspoken maid and confidante.
Mr. Toots
supporting
Also known as Toots, Young Toots, the innocent Toots, Mr. Toots
Comic, good-natured former schoolmate of Paul, later devoted to Florence.
Solomon Gills
supporting
Also known as Solomon Gills, Sol Gills, Uncle Sol, Old Sol, Sol, Mr. Gills
Walter's uncle, owner of the Wooden Midshipman instrument shop.
Miss Tox
supporting
Also known as Miss Tox, Lucretia Tox, Tox
Genteel, devoted friend of Mrs. Chick, secretly in love with Mr. Dombey.
Mrs. Chick
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Chick, Louisa Chick, Louisa, Chick
Mr. Dombey's sister, meddling and socially ambitious.
Mrs. Skewton
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Skewton, the Honourable Mrs. Skewton, Cleopatra
Edith's manipulative, aging mother who pushes her into marriage with Dombey.
Major Bagstock
supporting
Also known as Major Bagstock, Bagstock, Joe Bagstock, Old Joe Bagstock, Joey
Blustering, sycophantic retired army officer who befriends Mr. Dombey.
Rob the Grinder
supporting
Also known as Rob, Grinder, Rob the Grinder, Robin
Young boy trained as a 'grinder,' later employed by Captain Cuttle.
Polly Toodle
supporting
Also known as Polly, Toodle, Polly Toodle, Richards, Mrs. Richards
Warm-hearted wet nurse for Paul, later a family friend.
Harriet Carker
supporting
Also known as Harriet Carker, Harriet, Miss Harriet
Kind sister of James Carker, estranged from her brother's schemes.
Cousin Feenix
supporting
Also known as Cousin Feenix, Feenix, Lord Feenix
Elderly, amiable nobleman and relative of Edith, who appears at key events.
Alice Marwood
supporting
Also known as Alice, Marwood, Alice Marwood, Ally
Bitter, fallen woman who seeks revenge on those who wronged her.
Good Mrs. Brown
supporting
Also known as Good Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Brown, Misses Brown
Sinister old woman who kidnaps Florence briefly and later aids Alice.
Mrs. MacStinger
supporting
Also known as Mrs. MacStinger, MacStinger, the dreadful Mrs. MacStinger
Fearsome landlady who terrorizes Captain Cuttle.
Doctor Blimber
supporting
Also known as Doctor Blimber, Doctor, Blimber, old Blimber
Headmaster of the school where Paul is sent, known for rigorous education.
Mrs. Blimber
minor
Also known as Mrs. Blimber, the discreet Mrs. Blimber
Doctor Blimber's wife, who runs the household at the school.
Cornelia Blimber
minor
Also known as Cornelia, Cornelia Blimber, the abstruse Cornelia
Doctor Blimber's learned daughter, who tutors the boys.
Mr. Feeder
minor
Also known as Mr. Feeder, Feeder, Mr. Feeder, B.A., the Reverend Alfred Feeder
Assistant master at Blimber's school, later marries Cornelia.
Mr. Toodle
minor
Also known as Mr. Toodle, Toodle, young Toodle, Toodle Junior
Polly's husband, a stoker on the railway.
Perch
minor
Also known as Perch, Mr. Perch, the unoffending Mr. Perch
Messenger and clerk at Dombey's office.
Mrs. Wickam
minor
Also known as Mrs. Wickam, Wickam, Berry
Nurse to Paul and later Florence at various times.
Mr. Chick
minor
Also known as Mr. Chick, Chick
Mrs. Chick's meek, henpecked husband.
Diogenes
minor
Also known as Diogenes, Di
Florence's loyal dog, a gift from Walter.
Mr. Bunsby
minor
Also known as Mr. Bunsby, Bunsby, Captain Bunsby, John Bunsby
Eccentric, oracular sea captain friend of Captain Cuttle.
Towlinson
minor
Also known as Towlinson, Mr. Towlinson
Butler in the Dombey household.
Sir Barnet Skettles
minor
Also known as Sir Barnet Skettles, Sir Barnet, Barnet, Skettles
Neighbor and MP who befriends the Dombeys.
Lady Skettles
minor
Also known as Lady Skettles
Sir Barnet's wife, a society hostess.
Master Bitherstone
minor
Also known as Master Bitherstone, Bitherstone
A boy at Mrs. Pipchin's and later Blimber's school.
Mrs. Pipchin
minor
Also known as Mrs. Pipchin, the doughty Mrs. Pipchin, the sardonic Pipchin
Cantankerous old woman who runs a boarding house for children.
Mr. Morfin
minor
Also known as Mr. Morfin, Morfin
Kind, thoughtful clerk at Dombey's, friend to Harriet Carker.
John Carker
minor
Also known as John Carker, Mr. John Carker, Mr. Carker the Junior, the grey Junior
James Carker's older, disgraced brother, humble and hardworking.
The Game Chicken
minor
Also known as the Chicken, The Chicken, Chicken, the faithful Chicken
A professional boxer and friend of Mr. Toots.
Mrs. Miff
minor
Also known as Mrs. Miff
Pew-opener at the church where Dombey marries.
Doctor Peps
minor
Also known as Doctor Peps, Doctor Parker Peps, Parker Peps
Fashionable physician attending Mrs. Dombey's childbirth.
Mr. Pilkins
minor
Also known as Mr. Pilkins
Family doctor to the Dombeys.
Brogley
minor
Also known as Brogley, Mr. Brogley
Money-lender who threatens Solomon Gills's shop.
Miss Pankey
minor
Also known as Miss Pankey, little Miss Pankey, Pankey
A young girl at Mrs. Pipchin's boarding house.
Old Glubb
minor
Also known as old Glubb, Glubb, the absent Glubb
An old man who tells stories to Paul at Brighton.
Briggs
minor
Also known as Briggs, Master Briggs, Mr. Briggs
A boy at Blimber's school, often bullied.
Tozer
minor
Also known as Tozer, Mrs. Tozer, Mr. Tozer, old Tozer
A boy at Blimber's school and his parents.
Withers
minor
Also known as Withers, Withers the Wan
A pale, sickly servant in the Dombey household.
Alexander MacStinger
minor
Also known as Alexander MacStinger, Alexander, young Alexander
One of Mrs. MacStinger's many children.
Juliana MacStinger
minor
Also known as Juliana MacStinger, Juliana
Another of Mrs. MacStinger's children.
Betsey Jane
minor
Also known as Betsey Jane, Jane
A MacStinger child.
Mrs. Perch
minor
Also known as Mrs. Perch, Perch
Mr. Perch's wife, often pregnant.
Mrs. Granger
minor
Also known as Mrs. Granger, Granger
Edith's mother's friend, mentioned in passing.
Jack Bunsby
minor
Also known as Johnny, Bunsby, Jack Bunsby
Alternate name for Captain Bunsby.
Mrs. Bokum
minor
Also known as Mrs. Bokum
A woman who keeps a boarding house.
Mr. Baps
minor
Also known as Mr. Baps
A dancing master.
Jack Adams
minor
Also known as Jack Adams, Jack
A sailor friend of Captain Cuttle.
Mrs. Toodle
minor
Also known as Mrs. Toodle, Toodle
Polly Toodle's mother-in-law.
Biler
minor
Also known as Biler, little Biler
One of Polly Toodle's sons.
Mr. Sownds
minor
Also known as Mr. Sownds the Beadle, the Beadle, Beadle, Mr. Sownds
The beadle at the church.
Miss Berry
minor
Also known as Miss Berry, Berry
Mrs. Pipchin's niece and assistant.
The Reverend Melchisedech Howler
minor
Also known as the Reverend Melchisedech Howler, the Reverend Melchisedech
A ranting preacher who rents Mrs. MacStinger's house.
Lieutenant Walters
minor
Also known as Lieutenant Walters, Walters
Walter Gay's father, a deceased naval officer.
Fanny
minor
Also known as Fanny, Poor Fanny, poor dear Fanny
Mr. Dombey's first wife, who dies after giving birth to Paul.
Mama
minor
Also known as Mama, Dear Mama, dear Mama
Florence and Paul's deceased mother, often remembered.
Papa
minor
Also known as Papa, dear Papa, Dear Papa
Florence and Paul's father, Mr. Dombey.
Son
minor
Also known as Son, Son Dombey
The longed-for male heir, Paul Dombey.
Cook
minor
Also known as Cook
A servant in the Dombey kitchen.
Madame
minor
Also known as Madame
A French maid or dressmaker.
Mrs. Feeder
minor
Also known as Mrs. Feeder, Feeder
Mr. Feeder's wife, formerly Cornelia Blimber.
Mrs. Toots
minor
Also known as Mrs. Toots, Mr. and Mrs. Toots
Mr. Toots's wife, formerly Susan Nipper.
Skettles Junior
minor
Also known as Skettles Junior
Son of Sir Barnet Skettles.
Master Skettles
minor
Also known as Master Skettles, Mr. Skettles
Another son of Sir Barnet Skettles.
Staggs
minor
Also known as Staggs, the Staggs, Mr. Staggs, Mrs. Staggs
A family mentioned in passing.
Mr. Clark
minor
Also known as Mr. Clark
A clerk at Dombey's office.
Tom Johnson
minor
Also known as Johnson, Tom, Tom Johnson, Tommy
A sailor or acquaintance.
Bill Bitherstone
minor
Also known as Bill Bitherstone, Bill
A relative of Master Bitherstone.
Kate
minor
Also known as Kate
A servant or minor character.
Martha
minor
Also known as Martha
A servant in the Dombey household.
Grangeby
minor
Also known as Grangeby
A name associated with Edith's past.
