Dombey and Son - Chapter 1 - Dombey and Son

Sep 21, 2026

Dombey and Son introduces Mr Dombey’s rigid identity and the centrality of his “House” through the arrival of his heir, Paul. In the opening chapter, the narrative contrasts Dombey’s stern, ceremonial self-importance with the infant’s small, fragile presence, while emphasizing inherited naming, lineage, and the firm’s continuity. Symbolic language links family and business to nature’s order, portraying a world built to serve Dombey and Son’s trade.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages913

Reading Time23 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1 - Dombey and Son

Dombey’s introduction and the naming of the heir

Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens A Penn State Electronic Classics Series Publication Dombey & Son by Charles Dickens is a publication of the Pennsylvania State University. This Portable Document file is furnished free and without any charge of any kind. Any person using this document file, for any purpose, and in any way does so at his or her own risk. Neither the Pennsylvania State University nor Jim Manis, Faculty Editor, nor anyone associated with the Pennsylvania State University assumes any responsibility for the material contained within the document or for the file as an electronic transmission, in any way. Dombey & Son by Charles Dickens, the Pennsylvania State University, Electronic Classics Series, Jim Manis, Faculty Editor, Hazleton, PA 18201-1291 is a Portable Document File produced as part of an ongoing student publication project to bring classical works of literature, in English, to free and easy access of those wishing to make use of them. Cover Design: Jim Manis Copyright © 2007 The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University isan equal opportunity university. Dickens Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens CHAPTER 1. DOMBEY AND SON OMBEY SAT IN THE CORNER of the darkened room in the great Dalimtle-chbaaisr bketythebedsedseadi,deca, andrefulSonly dliayspuckesed odnup wara lowmseae immediately in front of the fire and close to it, as if his constitution were analogous to that ofa muffin, and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new. Dombey was about eight-and-forty years of age. Son about eightand-forty minutes. Dombey was rather bald, rather red, and though a handsome well-made man, too stern and pompous in appearance, tobe prepossessing. Son was very bald, and very red, and though (of course) an undeniably fine infant, somewhat crushed and spotty in his general effect, as yet. On the brow of Dombey, Time and his brother Care had set some marks, as on a tree that was to come down in goodtime—remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests, notching as they go—while the countenance of Son was crossed with a thousand little creases, which the same deceitful Time would take delight in smoothing out and wearing away with the flat part of his scythe, as a preparation of the surface for his deeper operations. Dombey, exulting in the long-looked-for event, jingled and jingled the heavy gold watch-chain that depended from below his trim blue coat, whereof the buttons sparkled phosphorescently in the feeble rays of the distant fire. Son, with his little fists curled up and clenched, seemed, in his feeble way, to be squaring at existence for having come upon him so unexpectedly. Dombey and Son ‘The House will once again, Mrs Dombey,’ said Mr Dombey,‘be not only in name but in fact Dombey and Son;’ and he added, in atone of luxurious satisfaction, with his eyes half-closed as if he were reading the name in a device of flowers, and inhaling their fragrance atthe same time; ‘Dom-bey and Son!’ The words had such a softening influence, that he appended a term of endearment to Mrs Dombey’s name (though not without some hesitation, as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said,‘Mrs Dombey, my—my dear.’ A transient flush of faint surprise overspread the sick lady’s face as she raised her eyes towards him. ‘He will be christened Paul, my—Mrs Dombey—of course.’ She feebly echoed,‘Of course,’ or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips, and closed her eyes again. ‘His father’s name, Mrs Dombey, and his grandfather’s! I wish his grandfather were alive this day! There is some inconvenience in the necessity of writing Junior,’ said Mr Dombey, making a fictitious autograph on his knee; ‘but it is merely of a private and personal complexion. It doesn’t enter into the correspondence of the House. Its signature remains the same.’ And again he said ‘Dombey and Son, in exactly the same tone as before. Those thr

FAQs

Who are Dombey and Son in Chapter 1?

Mr Dombey presents the household as “Dombey and Son” in name and fact, tying identity to the family firm and its inherited continuation.

What does Dombey believe about the purpose of the world?

He views nature—light, rivers, weather, and stars—as arranged to support Dombey and Son’s business enterprises.

What decision is made about the heir’s name?

The infant is to be christened Paul, and the father’s and grandfather’s names are echoed through the idea of “Junior,” reflecting lineage and tradition.

Sep 21, 2026

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