Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the name of the heartless businessman in 'Dombey and Son'?
What is the name of the heartless businessman in 'Dombey and Son'?
Where does Little Paul Dombey receive an intense education in 'Dombey and Son'?
Where does Little Paul Dombey receive an intense education in 'Dombey and Son'?
Who serves as a wet nurse to Little Dombey in 'Dombey and Son'?
Who serves as a wet nurse to Little Dombey in 'Dombey and Son'?
What is the name of Mr. Dombey's son in 'Dombey and Son'?
What is the name of Mr. Dombey's son in 'Dombey and Son'?
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Where does Little Dombey's health improve in 'Dombey and Son'?
Where does Little Dombey's health improve in 'Dombey and Son'?
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Who becomes friends with Little Paul Dombey at Dr. and Mrs. Blimber's school?
Who becomes friends with Little Paul Dombey at Dr. and Mrs. Blimber's school?
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What is the name of Florence's friend who is sent to work in Barbados?
What is the name of Florence's friend who is sent to work in Barbados?
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'Dombey and Son' was published each month as a __________ novel.
'Dombey and Son' was published each month as a __________ novel.
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'Dombey and Son' tells the tale of a family led by a __________ businessman.
'Dombey and Son' tells the tale of a family led by a __________ businessman.
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'Dombey and Son' focuses on Mr. Dombey's hope for his son to take over his __________ empire.
'Dombey and Son' focuses on Mr. Dombey's hope for his son to take over his __________ empire.
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Who does Mr. Dombey marry in the text?
Who does Mr. Dombey marry in the text?
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Why does Edith Granger marry Mr. Dombey in the text?
Why does Edith Granger marry Mr. Dombey in the text?
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Who helps Mr. Dombey locate his wife, Edith, in the text?
Who helps Mr. Dombey locate his wife, Edith, in the text?
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Why does Florence run away from home in the text?
Why does Florence run away from home in the text?
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Which character helps nurse Florence back to health at the Wooden Midshipman in the text?
Which character helps nurse Florence back to health at the Wooden Midshipman in the text?
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What causes the bankruptcy of Dombey and Son in the text?
What causes the bankruptcy of Dombey and Son in the text?
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What event leads to Mr. Carker's death in the text?
What event leads to Mr. Carker's death in the text?
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Why does Mr. Dombey sell everything in his home in the text?
Why does Mr. Dombey sell everything in his home in the text?
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Where did Dickens conceive 'Dombey and Son'?
Where did Dickens conceive 'Dombey and Son'?
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What was Dickens working on simultaneously with 'Dombey and Son'?
What was Dickens working on simultaneously with 'Dombey and Son'?
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Who may have inspired the character of Mr. Dombey in 'Dombey and Son'?
Who may have inspired the character of Mr. Dombey in 'Dombey and Son'?
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Where did Dickens find it troublesome to manage both 'The Battle of Life' and 'Dombey and Son'?
Where did Dickens find it troublesome to manage both 'The Battle of Life' and 'Dombey and Son'?
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What public engagement did Dickens undertake while writing 'Dombey and Son'?
What public engagement did Dickens undertake while writing 'Dombey and Son'?
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Who acted as godfather to Charles Dickens?
Who acted as godfather to Charles Dickens?
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What is a prominent theme in 'Dombey and Son' related to Paul Dombey senior?
What is a prominent theme in 'Dombey and Son' related to Paul Dombey senior?
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According to George Gissing's critique, what inadequacy is mentioned in 'Dombey and Son'?
According to George Gissing's critique, what inadequacy is mentioned in 'Dombey and Son'?
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What does Gissing argue is the main moral theme of 'Dombey and Son'?
What does Gissing argue is the main moral theme of 'Dombey and Son'?
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What reason does Gissing give for feeling a gap between Chapter XVI and the subsequent part of the novel?
What reason does Gissing give for feeling a gap between Chapter XVI and the subsequent part of the novel?
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In 'Dombey and Son,' what characteristic of Dickens's writing style does Gissing criticize?
In 'Dombey and Son,' what characteristic of Dickens's writing style does Gissing criticize?
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What is a significant element missing according to Gissing's critique of 'Dombey and Son'?
What is a significant element missing according to Gissing's critique of 'Dombey and Son'?
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Study Notes
Characters in 'Dombey and Son'
- Mr. Dombey is a heartless businessman.
- Little Paul Dombey is Mr. Dombey's son.
- Florence is Mr. Dombey's daughter and Little Paul's sister.
- Edith Granger is Mr. Dombey's second wife.
- Mr. Carker is a character in the novel.
- Mrs. Blimber is the owner of a school where Little Paul Dombey receives an education.
Plot and Events
- Little Paul Dombey receives an intense education at Dr. and Mrs. Blimber's school.
- Polly Toodles serves as a wet nurse to Little Dombey.
- Little Dombey's health improves in the seaside town of Brighton.
- Florence runs away from home due to her father's neglect and cruelty.
- Captain Cuttle helps nurse Florence back to health at the Wooden Midshipman.
- The bankruptcy of Dombey and Son is caused by Mr. Dombey's business partner, Mr. Carker.
- Mr. Carker's death is a result of a train accident.
- Mr. Dombey sells everything in his home after his business fails.
Publication and Context
- 'Dombey and Son' was published each month as a serial novel.
- Charles Dickens conceived the novel while staying in Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Dickens was simultaneously working on 'The Battle of Life' while writing 'Dombey and Son'.
- Dickens found it troublesome to manage both novels in Switzerland.
- Dickens undertook a public reading tour while writing 'Dombey and Son'.
- Christopher Hogwood acted as godfather to Charles Dickens.
Themes and Critique
- A prominent theme in 'Dombey and Son' is the pride of Mr. Dombey senior.
- According to George Gissing's critique, the novel lacks a clear connection between the first and second parts.
- Gissing argues that the main moral theme of 'Dombey and Son' is the dangers of pride and the importance of humility.
- Gissing criticizes Dickens's writing style for being overly sentimental and melodramatic.
- A significant element missing in 'Dombey and Son' is a clear connection between the characters' emotions and the plot.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the novel 'Dombey and Son' by Charles Dickens, which follows the story of a dysfunctional family led by a heartless businessman who hopes his son will inherit his business empire. Learn about the characters, plot, and themes in this classic piece of literature.
