Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

AP English IV

Dombey Essay

Neph131
10/20/14

 

         In the passage “Dombey”, the author uses biblical references, tranquil tone, descriptive adjectives, and unaffectionate attitude towards his son.

         The passage starts off with Dombey sitting in a “darkened room” by his newborn son’s bed. Unlike many new fathers, Dombey doesn’t show much excitement towards the baby itself. Instead, he uses an analogy to compare his son to breakfast food, more specifically, a muffin. Line 3 reveals how Dombey sees his son more as a thing  instead of seeing his newborn as a human being.

           Dombey doesn’t hold his 48 minutes old newborn in his arms. His son’s “basket bedstead” was placed in front of the fire place without no paternal interaction. The repetition of the word “fire” in line 16, is a biblical allusion of how those who are no good or not wanted are burn in the fire. Dombey’s character doesn’t show any attitude toward his son that shows that he wants or even is excited about his newborn. The author uses a biblical reference in line 24. “He will be christened Paul.” Dombey names his son Paul like the apostle Paul. Like the apostle Paul followed Jesus, Dombey’s son shall follow his father’s footsteps. Son is capitalized as a biblical reference to Jesus, the “Son” of God. Like Jesus was God on earth, Paul shall be the future Mr. Dombey business wise.

         The peaceful tone and detailed descriptions, starting in line 5, reveals Dombey’s “stern and pompous” figure. Like him, his son was “rather bald and rather red”. The author’s use  of parallelism portrays the similarities between Dombey and his son. This shows how Dombey’s son resembles him already as a newborn. Perhaps, he shall resemble his father in the future when he becomes a grown man. “Time” was personified to convey that Dombey has been waiting to have a son for long time. “Care” is also personified to convey the idea that Dombey’s son will take care of the firm, and carry on his name, which is all that he cares about.

         Dombey starts manifesting excitement in line 18, where he starts to see a future where his name will be carried on. He tells his wife that “the house will once again be Dombey and son”. Dombey is thrilled because he thinks about his son taking over his trading company.  His wife is shocked when he uses the term “dear” when he referred to her. She answers him weakly due to the fact that she is sick. Dombey carries on about how his son will be carry on his name and doesn’t show much care towards his wife. This shows that Dombey’s marriage is not one of the healthiest marriages and that his image and his business are what matters to him. Lines 29-30 portrays how Dombey sees his son’s future. The author included this line to show Dombey’s joy and excitement about his name being carried on. He loves the idea of “Dombey and son.” The repetition of “Dombey and son” reveals Dombey’s egotism; he cared so much about his name being carried on, that  A.D stood for “anno Dombei_and son.”