Dombey and Son · Character

Mrs. Skewton

A painted, wheedling dowager who calls herself Cleopatra and trades her daughter's beauty for position, she is the marriage-market's most shameless broker.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Skewton, the Honourable Mrs. Skewton, Cleopatra

First appearance: New Faces

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

The faded, artificial mother, presented as Cleopatra, eager to secure a wealthy match for her daughter.

In the storyNew FacesOpen this moment free

Mrs. Skewton drifts through fashionable watering-places in a wheeled chair, rouged and ringleted, insisting on being called Cleopatra while she arranges Edith's match with Mr. Dombey. Her charm is a business asset and her maternal affection a negotiating tactic; she wants luxury, adoration, and a titled son-in-law, and she will spend her daughter to get them. She matters because she embodies the transaction at the heart of the Dombey marriage, making visible how genteel society converts women into currency.

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Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Edith's manipulative circle
Central characters and household
Protagonist

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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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In the story

Mrs. Skewton appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

New Faces
The faded, artificial mother, presented as Cleopatra, eager to secure a wealthy match for her daughter.
Shadows of the Past and Future
Feigns distress over Edith's change but eagerly pursues Dombey's proposal through the Major.
Deeper Shadows
Encourages the outing and the musical performance, fluttered by Mr. Dombey's private communication.
The Interval Before the Marriage
Mrs. Skewton manipulates Mr. Dombey into leaving Florence in her care, feigning fragility and delighting in her youthful dress for the wedding.
The Wedding
The mother of the bride, feigns reluctance to keep Florence, but ultimately relinquishes her.
XXXV: The Happy Pair
Attired youthfully, she awaits the happy pair but grows fretful over the delayed dinner.
Housewarming
Holds levees in her apartments, helps arrange the entertainments, and intervenes during the quarrel to smooth things over with flattery.
More Warnings Than One
Recovering from illness, she complains of neglect and manipulates Edith with guilt, while clinging to her youthful appearance.
Domestic Relations
Her health is failing; she confuses names and is described as 'earthy' and imbecilic, yet remains vainly youthful in dress.
New Voices in the Waves
Lies ill and delirious, accusing Edith of neglect and seeing imaginary threats.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Skewton in New Faces