# Perch — Dombey and Son character guide

> Perch in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Perch, Mr. Perch, the unoffending Mr. Perch

**First appearance:** 0016-xiii-shipping-intelligence-and-office-business

## Who they are

Messenger and clerk at Dombey's office.

## In the story

### [Shipping Intelligence and Office Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xiii-shipping-intelligence-and-office-business)

The messenger, extremely deferential; prepares Mr. Dombey's room and hangs up his coat and hat.

### [Captain Cuttle Does a Little Business for the Young People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xvii-captain-cuttle-does-a-little-business-for-the-young-people)

The messenger at the Dombey office; Captain Cuttle invites him for a glass of rum-and-water and toasts Walter.

### [Father and Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xviii-father-and-daughter)

The messenger, who stays long on errands and treats his wife to a veal cutlet and Scotch ale.

### [A Trifle of Management by Mr. Carker the Manager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxii-a-trifle-of-management-by-mr-carker-the-manager)

The messenger who reports Rob's loitering and suggests having him removed.

### [Recognizant and Reflective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlvi-recognizant-and-reflective)

Admires Mr. Carker's industry, though it cuts into his domestic time with Mrs. Perch and their twins.

### [LIII: More Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/liii-more-intelligence)

Delivers a note to John Carker, visibly shaken by the scandal at Dombey and Son.

### [After a Lapse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lviii-after-a-lapse)

The messenger who becomes a minor celebrity due to the bankruptcy, telling exaggerated stories to curious listeners.

## Links

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