# Walter Gay — Dombey and Son character guide > Walter Gay in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Walter, Wally, Young Walter, Walter Gay, Gay, Mr. Walter **First appearance:** 0012-ix-in-which-the-wooden-midshipman-gets-into-trouble ## Snapshot A warm-hearted young clerk at Dombey's, whose cheerful decency and devotion to Florence make him the story's quiet counterweight to pride. ## Who they are Walter is the good-natured nephew of Solomon Gills, the nautical instrument-maker, and a junior clerk in the Dombey counting-house where his honesty and open temper stand out against the firm's cold formality. He adores Florence from afar with a loyalty that costs him dearly, and his fortunes become entangled with the Dombey family in ways that test his optimism. He matters because his kindness and perseverance offer the novel a moral alternative to the world Mr. Dombey has built. ## Relationships ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _romantic_ Florence and Walter share a deep, affectionate bond that blossoms into love, with Walter as her protector and eventual husband. ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _romantic_ Florence and Walter share a deep, affectionate bond that blossoms into love, with Walter as her protector and eventual husband. ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _romantic_ Florence and Walter share a deep, affectionate bond that blossoms into love, with Walter as her protector and eventual husband. ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ## 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) A fourteen-year-old boy, eager and romantic, who longs for a life of adventure at sea, encouraged by his uncle's stories. ### [Paul's Second Deprivation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/vi-paul-s-second-deprivation) Finds Florence lost on the wharf, escorts her home, and is rewarded by Mr. Dombey but treated with disfavor. ### [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) Daydreams about Florence and his own heroic future; worries about his uncle's depression; reluctantly agrees to approach Mr. Dombey for a loan. ### [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) Secures money from Mr. Dombey to save his uncle, but feels humbled and cast down about his prospects with Florence. ### [Shipping Intelligence and Office Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xiii-shipping-intelligence-and-office-business) Brings letters to Mr. Dombey; picks up a dropped letter from Florence; is summoned back and informed of his posting to the West Indies. ### [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) Struggles with telling Uncle Sol about the Barbados assignment; feels duty-bound to go despite Mr. Dombey's disdain. ### [What the Waves Were Always Saying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xvi-what-the-waves-were-always-saying) Walter is called to Paul's bedside at Paul's request; Paul says goodbye to him and asks his father to remember Walter. ### [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) Returns from his long walk and relates his experiences; feigns hope and ardour about his voyage to the West Indies to reassure his uncle. ### [Walter Goes Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xix-walter-goes-away) Preparing to leave for Barbados; bids farewell to his uncle and receives Florence's visit. ### [Strange News of Uncle Sol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxv-strange-news-of-uncle-sol) Mentioned as the one for whom a home must be kept in the old place. ### [The Wooden Midshipman Goes to Pieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxii-the-wooden-midshipman-goes-to-pieces) His ship remains unheard of; the Captain believes him lost and reads the Burial Service for him. ### [XXXIX: Further Adventures of Captain Edward Cuttle, Mariner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxix-further-adventures-of-captain-edward-cuttle-mariner) Mentioned as dear boy Wal'r; the Captain thinks of him and Florence as lost to him, and his memory of them is of eternal youth. ### [XLVIII: The Flight of Florence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlviii-the-flight-of-florence) Mentioned as the nephew of Solomon Gills; Florence thinks of him and his uncle's home. ### [XLIX: The Midshipman Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlix-the-midshipman-makes-a-discovery) Mentioned by Captain Cuttle as Florence's 'nat'ral born friend'; his presumed drowning is alluded to, causing Florence grief. ### [Mr. Toots's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/l-mr-toots-s-complaint) Walter is deeply affected by Florence's words, confessing his love and respect for her, and explaining that he cannot treat her as a sister because she has grown into a woman. ### [Several People Delighted, and the Game Chicken Disgusted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvi-several-people-delighted-and-the-game-chicken-disgusted) Plans the wedding and departure with Florence, reassuring her of his love and the richness she brings to his life. ### [Another Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvii-another-wedding) Marries Florence, writes a letter to Mr. Dombey expressing his devotion, and sails with her on their wedding voyage. ### [LXI: Relenting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxi-relenting) Supports Florence throughout, waiting outside during her interview with Edith and later comforting her. ### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxii-final) Returned from sea, now in a trusted position at home, and happily married to Florence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/walter_gay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters