# Dombey and Son — Character guide

> Key figures in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

- [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey.md): Mr. Dombey's neglected daughter, whose loving nature contrasts with her father's coldness.
- [Paul Dombey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/paul_dombey.md): Mr. Dombey's frail son and heir, whose early death shapes the novel's events.
- [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey.md): Proud, cold-hearted head of the Dombey shipping firm, obsessed with a male heir.
- [Edith Dombey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/edith_dombey.md): Mr. Dombey's second wife, proud and rebellious, trapped in a loveless marriage.
- [Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/walter_gay.md): Kind-hearted young clerk at Dombey's, who loves Florence and later marries her.
- [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle.md): Eccentric, loyal old sailor and friend to Solomon Gills and Walter Gay.
- [Mr. Carker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_carker.md): Duplicitous manager at Dombey's, who schemes against his employer and family.
- [Susan Nipper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/susan_nipper.md): Florence's loyal, outspoken maid and confidante.
- [Mr. Toots](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_toots.md): Comic, good-natured former schoolmate of Paul, later devoted to Florence.
- [Solomon Gills](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/solomon_gills.md): Walter's uncle, owner of the Wooden Midshipman instrument shop.
- [Miss Tox](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/miss_tox.md): Genteel, devoted friend of Mrs. Chick, secretly in love with Mr. Dombey.
- [Mrs. Chick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_chick.md): Mr. Dombey's sister, meddling and socially ambitious.
- [Mrs. Skewton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_skewton.md): Edith's manipulative, aging mother who pushes her into marriage with Dombey.
- [Major Bagstock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/major_bagstock.md): Blustering, sycophantic retired army officer who befriends Mr. Dombey.
- [Rob the Grinder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/rob_the_grinder.md): Young boy trained as a 'grinder,' later employed by Captain Cuttle.
- [Polly Toodle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/polly_toodle.md): Warm-hearted wet nurse for Paul, later a family friend.
- [Harriet Carker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/harriet_carker.md): Kind sister of James Carker, estranged from her brother's schemes.
- [Cousin Feenix](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/cousin_feenix.md): Elderly, amiable nobleman and relative of Edith, who appears at key events.
- [Alice Marwood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/alice_marwood.md): Bitter, fallen woman who seeks revenge on those who wronged her.
- [Good Mrs. Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/good_mrs_brown.md): Sinister old woman who kidnaps Florence briefly and later aids Alice.
- [Mrs. MacStinger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_macstinger.md): Fearsome landlady who terrorizes Captain Cuttle.
- [Doctor Blimber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/doctor_blimber.md): Headmaster of the school where Paul is sent, known for rigorous education.
- [Mrs. Blimber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_blimber.md): Doctor Blimber's wife, who runs the household at the school.
- [Cornelia Blimber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/cornelia_blimber.md): Doctor Blimber's learned daughter, who tutors the boys.
- [Mr. Feeder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_feeder.md): Assistant master at Blimber's school, later marries Cornelia.
- [Mr. Toodle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_tootle.md): Polly's husband, a stoker on the railway.
- [Mrs. Wickam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_wickam.md): Nurse to Paul and later Florence at various times.
- [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/diogenes.md): Florence's loyal dog, a gift from Walter.
- [Mr. Bunsby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_bunsby.md): Eccentric, oracular sea captain friend of Captain Cuttle.
- [Sir Barnet Skettles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/sir_barnet_skettles.md): Neighbor and MP who befriends the Dombeys.
- [Master Bitherstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/master_bitherstone.md): A boy at Mrs. Pipchin's and later Blimber's school.
- [Mrs. Pipchin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_pipchin.md): Cantankerous old woman who runs a boarding house for children.
- [Mr. Morfin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_morfin.md): Kind, thoughtful clerk at Dombey's, friend to Harriet Carker.
- [John Carker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/john_carker.md): James Carker's older, disgraced brother, humble and hardworking.
- [The Game Chicken](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/the_game_chicken.md): A professional boxer and friend of Mr. Toots.
- [Mrs. Miff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_miff.md): Pew-opener at the church where Dombey marries.
- [Doctor Peps](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/doctor_peps.md): Fashionable physician attending Mrs. Dombey's childbirth.
- [Brogley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/brogley.md): Money-lender who threatens Solomon Gills's shop.
- [Miss Pankey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/miss_pankey.md): A young girl at Mrs. Pipchin's boarding house.
- [Old Glubb](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/old_glubb.md): An old man who tells stories to Paul at Brighton.
- [Briggs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/briggs.md): A boy at Blimber's school, often bullied.
- [Tozer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/tozer.md): A boy at Blimber's school and his parents.
- [Withers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/withers.md): A pale, sickly servant in the Dombey household.
- [Mrs. Granger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_granger.md): Edith's mother's friend, mentioned in passing.
- [The Reverend Melchisedech Howler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/the_reverend_melchisedech_howler.md): A ranting preacher who rents Mrs. MacStinger's house.
- [Lieutenant Walters](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/lieutenant_walters.md): Walter Gay's father, a deceased naval officer.
- [Fanny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/fanny.md): Mr. Dombey's first wife, who dies after giving birth to Paul.
- [Mama](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mama.md): Florence and Paul's deceased mother, often remembered.
- [Mrs. Feeder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_feeder.md): Mr. Feeder's wife, formerly Cornelia Blimber.
- [Mrs. Toots](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mrs_toots.md): Mr. Toots's wife, formerly Susan Nipper.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters