# Major Bagstock — Dombey and Son character guide

> Major Bagstock in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Major Bagstock, Bagstock, Joe Bagstock, Old Joe Bagstock, Joey

**First appearance:** 0023-xx-mr-dombey-goes-upon-a-journey

## Snapshot

A wheezing, self-christened 'Joey B.' who talks of himself in the third person and latches onto Mr. Dombey as a social prize.

## Who they are

Major Bagstock, retired from the army and bloated with self-regard, cultivates Mr. Dombey's friendship at Leamington and Brighton, forever boasting of 'old Joe' and his toughness. He is selfish to the stomach, jealous of any rival for attention, and comically wounded when Miss Tox forgets him. His flattery and meddling help push Dombey toward Edith, making him the story's most grotesque instrument of social engineering.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey)

_friendship_

Major Bagstock is a sycophantic, manipulative friend who flatters Mr. Dombey while secretly exploiting his pride for his own amusement.

### [Sir Barnet Skettles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/sir_barnet_skettles)

_social_

Major Bagstock and Sir Barnet Skettles are social acquaintances who move in the same high-society circles, exchanging flattery and gossip.

### [Sir Barnet Skettles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/sir_barnet_skettles)

_social_

Major Bagstock and Sir Barnet Skettles are social acquaintances who move in the same high-society circles, exchanging flattery and gossip.

### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey)

_friendship_

Major Bagstock is a sycophantic, manipulative friend who flatters Mr. Dombey while secretly exploiting his pride for his own amusement.

### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey)

_friendship_

Major Bagstock is a sycophantic, manipulative friend who flatters Mr. Dombey while secretly exploiting his pride for his own amusement.

## In the story

### [A Bird's-Eye Glimpse of Miss Tox's Dwelling-Place: Also of the State of Miss Tox's Affections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/vii-a-bird-s-eye-glimpse-of-miss-tox-s-dwelling-place-also-of-the-state-of-miss-tox-s-affections)

Major Bagstock is a blue-faced, selfish military man who lives opposite Miss Tox. He is initially proud of her attention but becomes confused and irritated as she ignores him in favor of baby Paul.

### [Containing the Sequel of the Midshipman's Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/x-containing-the-sequel-of-the-midshipman-s-disaster)

Schemes to meet Mr. Dombey, uses Master Bitherstone as a pretext, and successfully ingratiates himself with Mr. Dombey.

### [Mr. Dombey Goes Upon a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xx-mr-dombey-goes-upon-a-journey)

Hosts Mr. Dombey, expressing exaggerated sympathy and criticizing Miss Tox's ambitions while puffing himself up.

### [New Faces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxi-new-faces)

Acts as matchmaker, praising Edith and encouraging Mr. Dombey's attention.

### [Shadows of the Past and Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxvi-shadows-of-the-past-and-future)

Acts as matchmaker, toasts Edith, and conspires with Mrs. Skewton to secure the marriage.

### [Deeper Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxvii-deeper-shadows)

Accompanies the party, makes jovial remarks, and dines with the gentlemen.

### [Housewarming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxvi-housewarming)

A frequent attendant at Mrs. Skewton's levees, relates stories of the Duke of York at dinner, and is part of the social circle.

### [Mr. Dombey and the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/li-mr-dombey-and-the-world)

Accompanies Cousin Feenix and offers to help Mr. Dombey take action against Carker.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/major_bagstock
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters