# Paul Dombey — Dombey and Son character guide > Paul Dombey in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Master Paul, Little Paul, Paul Dombey, Little Paul Dombey, Poor Paul **First appearance:** 0004-i-dombey-and-son ## Snapshot Mr. Dombey's frail, old-souled son and heir, whose strange precocity and haunting questions unsettle the very father who dotes on him. ## Who they are Little Paul is the cherished hope of the firm of Dombey and Son, groomed from infancy to become the man his father already converses with in his imagination. Yet the boy is wan, wistful, and unnervingly thoughtful, prone to brooding in his miniature armchair and asking his father what money is. His odd, sage-like gravity and fragile health make him the emotional fault line of the early novel, exposing the hollowness beneath Mr. Dombey's pride. ## Relationships ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _family_ Florence is the devoted older sister to the frail, beloved Paul, caring for him deeply until his tragic death. ### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey) _family_ Mr. Dombey idolizes his frail son Paul as his business heir, but his cold, prideful love contributes to Paul's isolation and early death. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _family_ Florence is the devoted older sister to the frail, beloved Paul, caring for him deeply until his tragic death. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _family_ Florence is the devoted older sister to the frail, beloved Paul, caring for him deeply until his tragic death. ### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey) _family_ Mr. Dombey idolizes his frail son Paul as his business heir, but his cold, prideful love contributes to Paul's isolation and early death. ### [Mr. Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_dombey) _family_ Mr. Dombey idolizes his frail son Paul as his business heir, but his cold, prideful love contributes to Paul's isolation and early death. ## In the story ### [Preface of 1867](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/preface-of-1867) Dickens refers to 'my little friend' when recalling the chapter in which they parted company, alluding to Paul's death. ### [Dombey and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/dombey-and-son) The newborn son and heir, whose birth is the central event of the chapter. ### [Dombey and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/i-dombey-and-son) The newborn son, referred to as 'Son' and 'this young gentleman,' destined to carry on the family firm. ### [In Which Mr. Dombey, as a Man and a Father, Is Seen at the Head of the Home-Department](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/iii-in-which-mr-dombey-as-a-man-and-a-father-is-seen-at-the-head-of-the-home-department) The infant son, paraded in the glass room; his presence is the sole focus of Mr. Dombey's attention. ### [Paul's Progress and Christening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/v-paul-s-progress-and-christening) Little Paul grows stouter and stronger daily, cherished by Miss Tox and the focus of the christening ceremony. ### [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) Baby Paul Dombey is the object of Miss Tox's intense affection. She frequently visits him, nurses him, and plays with him, seeing him as a picture of his father. ### [Paul’s Further Progress, Growth and Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/viii-paul-s-further-progress-growth-and-character) Now nearly five years old, Paul is delicate, thoughtful, and prone to illness. He asks his father deep questions about money and its limitations, showing a precocious and melancholy nature. ### [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) Introduced to Doctor Blimber's school; described as thin, delicate, and dreamy. ### [XII: Paul's Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xii-paul-s-education) Struggles with the rigorous education at Dr. Blimber's school, becomes more reserved and thoughtful, and cherishes his bond with Florence. ### [Paul Grows More and More Old-Fashioned, and Goes Home for the Holidays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xiv-paul-grows-more-and-more-old-fashioned-and-goes-home-for-the-holidays) Paul is described as 'old-fashioned' and singular, but he strives to be liked by everyone at school, showing a deep need for affection and connection. ### [What the Waves Were Always Saying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xvi-what-the-waves-were-always-saying) On his deathbed, Paul experiences visions of a river and the sea, speaks of his mother, and bids farewell to his father and Walter Gay before dying peacefully. ### [Father and Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xviii-father-and-daughter) His recent death is the central event, deeply affecting all characters. ### [XLIX: The Midshipman Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlix-the-midshipman-makes-a-discovery) Florence mourns him, crying 'Oh, dear, dear Paul!' alongside Walter. ### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxii-final) Remembered through the likeness of Florence's son, who is strong and healthy unlike his frail uncle. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/paul_dombey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters