# Mrs. Pipchin — Dombey and Son character guide

> Mrs. Pipchin in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mrs. Pipchin, the doughty Mrs. Pipchin, the sardonic Pipchin

**First appearance:** 0011-viii-paul-s-further-progress-growth-and-character

## Who they are

Cantankerous old woman who runs a boarding house for children.

## In the story

### [Paul’s Introduction to a New Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xi-paul-s-introduction-to-a-new-scene)

Paul's former caretaker; consulted by Mr. Dombey about Paul's education; advocates strict discipline.

### [Domestic Relations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xl-domestic-relations)

Mentioned by Dombey as the prospective housekeeper for the Brighton establishment, a former employee of his family.

### [Confidential and Accidental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlii-confidential-and-accidental)

Receives Mr. Dombey at the door after his accident and oversees the household.

### [The Watches of the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xliii-the-watches-of-the-night)

Mrs. Pipchin is acting as housekeeper and guard at Mr. Dombey's door, much to Susan Nipper's annoyance.

### [A Separation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xliv-a-separation)

Oversees Susan's dismissal with characteristic harshness, routing her from the house.

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

Receives Miss Tox and dismisses Edith's departure as a good riddance.

### [LIX: Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lix-retribution)

Decides to leave the Dombey house, complaining of the neglect and her own declining comfort.

## Links

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