Dombey and Son · Character

Mrs. Chick

Mr. Dombey's sister, forever fretting about Florence's Dombey-ness and managing her brother's domestic arrangements with self-satisfied sighs.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Chick, Louisa Chick, Louisa, Chick

First appearance: In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families

As a supporting figure in Dombey and Son, Mrs. Chick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mrs. Chick in In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families Book page

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Mrs. Chick presides over the nursery and the family's opinions with a sigh of modest merit, quick to pronounce that Florence will never, never be a Dombey. Her loyalty to her brother's grandeur is absolute, and her sympathy for anyone outside it is thin. As the household's chief arbiter of who belongs, she helps set the cold terms on which Florence must live, making her auntly judgments feel like verdicts.

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The fuller portrait of Mrs. Chick sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mrs. Chick in In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families

Character Web

56 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Chick sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Central characters and household
Minor and background figures
Protagonist

+51 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, Susan Nipper’s bold, unauthorized confrontation with Mr. Dombey represents the story’s emotiona…

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Relationships

Florence Dombey
family · negative
Mr. Dombey
family · ambivalent
Florence Dombey
family · negative
Mr. Dombey
family · ambivalent
Florence Dombey
family · negative
Mr. Dombey
family · ambivalent

Florence Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Florence's critical, self-absorbed aunt who often sides with Mr. Dombey and shows little genuine warmth toward her.
Mr. Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Mr. Dombey's sister, who enables his pride and coldness while meddling in family affairs with little real affection.
Florence Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Florence's critical, self-absorbed aunt who often sides with Mr. Dombey and shows little genuine warmth toward her.
Mr. Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Mr. Dombey's sister, who enables his pride and coldness while meddling in family affairs with little real affection.
Florence Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Florence's critical, self-absorbed aunt who often sides with Mr. Dombey and shows little genuine warmth toward her.
Mr. Dombey
Mrs. Chick is Mr. Dombey's sister, who enables his pride and coldness while meddling in family affairs with little real affection.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Chick in In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families

In the story

Mrs. Chick appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dombey and Son
Mr. Dombey's sister, who praises the birth and attempts to rouse Fanny from her lethargy.
In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families
Assists in negotiating terms with Polly and tries to comfort her with promises of luxury.
In Which Mr. Dombey, as a Man and a Father, Is Seen at the Head of the Home-Department
Mentioned as accompanying Polly and the baby on walks, part of the household routine.
Paul's Progress and Christening
Mrs. Chick discusses Florence's lack of Dombey nature with Miss Tox and participates in the christening arrangements.
A Bird's-Eye Glimpse of Miss Tox's Dwelling-Place: Also of the State of Miss Tox's Affections
Mrs. Chick, Mr. Dombey's sister, interacts with Miss Tox about baby Paul, noting how much he resembles his father and discussing the late Mrs. Dombey.
Paul’s Further Progress, Growth and Character
Mrs. Chick, along with Miss Tox, takes over the nursery after the dismissal of Richards, showing great vigilance in caring for Paul.
Containing the Sequel of the Midshipman's Disaster
Accompanies Mr. Dombey and Miss Tox to Brighton, and later investigates Walter's arrival.
XXIX: The Opening of the Eyes of Mrs. Chick
Mrs. Chick visits Miss Tox to announce Mr. Dombey's intention to marry a second wife, speaking with stateliness and a sense of family duty, while subtly testing Miss Tox's reaction.
Miss Tox Improves an Old Acquaintance
Mentioned as having abandoned Miss Tox, causing her distress.
Mr. Dombey and the World
Attempts to console Mr. Dombey and question him about Florence, but is silenced.
LIX: Retribution
Visits Mrs. Pipchin to lament her brother's obstinacy and inability to face the world after his ruin.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Chick unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Chick in In Which Timely Provision Is Made for an Emergency That Will Sometimes Arise in the Best-Regulated Families