# Solomon Gills — Dombey and Son character guide

> Solomon Gills in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Solomon Gills, Sol Gills, Uncle Sol, Old Sol, Sol, Mr. Gills

**First appearance:** 0012-ix-in-which-the-wooden-midshipman-gets-into-trouble

## Snapshot

Walter's anxious uncle and proprietor of the Wooden Midshipman, a nautical instrument shop running quietly aground.

## Who they are

Sol Gills keeps his shop, his nephew, and his hopes with the same gentle, misty persistence, watching the door for customers who rarely come. His investments and his faith in Walter's future are the twin burdens of a man too soft for the counting-house world that surrounds him. When the firm of Dombey and Son casts its shadow over Walter, Sol's small, decent household becomes the measure of what commerce casually destroys.

## In the story

### [In Which Some More First Appearances Are Made on the Stage of These Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/iv-in-which-some-more-first-appearances-are-made-on-the-stage-of-these-adventures)

The elderly instrument-maker, proud of his shop and his nephew, but secretly drawn to the sea despite his warnings to Walter.

### [Paul's Second Deprivation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/vi-paul-s-second-deprivation)

Hosts Florence at his home after she is found; she dines there and becomes comfortable with him.

### [In Which the Wooden Midshipman Gets Into Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-wooden-midshipman-gets-into-trouble)

Deeply discouraged by the lack of customers; fears the shop will never recover; tries to hide his despair from Walter.

### [Containing the Sequel of the Midshipman's Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/x-containing-the-sequel-of-the-midshipman-s-disaster)

Revived and hopeful after Walter's intervention saves his business.

### [XV: Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a New Pursuit for Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xv-amazing-artfulness-of-captain-cuttle-and-a-new-pursuit-for-walter-gay)

Uncle Sol is the one Walter fears to tell about the departure; he has recently recovered cheerfulness.

### [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)

Initially stunned and distressed by the news of Walter's voyage, but is gradually reconciled by Captain Cuttle and Walter's assurances.

### [Walter Goes Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xix-walter-goes-away)

Walter's uncle, saddened by his departure but comforted by Florence's kindness.

### [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)

Mentioned as having looked in at the office about a payment; Carker plans to have him watched.

### [Strange News of Uncle Sol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxv-strange-news-of-uncle-sol)

Has vanished, leaving a letter and keys for Captain Cuttle.

### [The Wooden Midshipman Goes to Pieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxii-the-wooden-midshipman-goes-to-pieces)

His disappearance is known to the Captain but not yet to Florence.

### [XLVIII: The Flight of Florence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlviii-the-flight-of-florence)

His home is the destination of Florence's flight; he is absent but his room is used for Florence.

### [Another Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvii-another-wedding)

Attends the wedding, reads Walter's letter aloud, and decides to save the last bottle of old Madeira for a future occasion.

### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxii-final)

Contented and jovial, his old investments proving successful, and partner with Captain Cuttle.

## Links

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