Dombey Character Analysis

Dickens portrays Dombey with an image of self absorption. The characteristics of his attire, as well as his thoughts, reveals his narcissist personality. His thoughts are predominantly about his son and the future he has for his business. Dombey is seen as supercilious due to the figurative language that describes his atties, syntax of his thoughts, and diction reflecting on Dombey’s personality that lacks display of sympathy.
The author’s description of Dombey’s appearance gives an inkling of his disposition. He is characterized with a bald head and his skin tone is a tint of red. The man is known for looking “stern and pompous.” (7) Dickens is already gradually conveying the sense that he is a serious man. Dombey is dressed with a watch-chain

made with gold along with buttons on his coat which is described as something luxurious. At this point, he is seen as a rich and serious man, which can conclude to Dombey being in high class.
The syntax of Dombey’s thoughts concludes the centeredness he obtains.

Throughout the text he mentions bizarre analogies that are infrequently heard of. He considers naming a date after himself. According to Dombey, “anno Domini, but stood for anno Dombei” (39). He clearly becomes more conceded when he compares himself to Jesus. Dickens tries to describe how superior Dombey believes to be. Dombey also thinks, “That a matrimonial alliance with himself…[is] honourable to any woman of common sense” (49). He says that being with him is the best accomplishment anyone in their right minds would do. His wife should be appreciative because she is married to

him.
Dombey reveals little sympathy to others because of his egotistical personality and the future of his business.

Throughout the text the name Dombey and Son appear frequently. This the name of the business that he cares most about aside from himself. He only cares for his son because he is the future to the firm. In the opinion of Dombey, everything in nature was aligned for the purpose of the business. In order to follow the company’s name, he named his own son after his father and himself. Before the baby has arrived, Dombey uses comforting words around his wife. The author notes, “A transient flush of faint surprise overspread the sick lady’s face” (25). She was startled by his endearment because of how rare he says them. His thoughts about the business overwhelms his mind as he doesn’t seem to care about his

wife.
The thoughts stated were to convey the true personality of Dombey. Without them, the reader would assume he was a pleasant business man with a huge ambition due to his outer actions and clothing. Unfortunately he is a self-absorbed man who creates allusions to describe how important he thinks he is. His comments might also appeal to the reader as laughable because of how outrageous they are. The remarks he makes are uncommonly heard that it’s amusing to see a person thinking in the manner. Dickens presents Dombey as someone who’s self absorbed through his thoughts unlike his exterior appearance.