In order of appearance:
Chapter 1
Mr Paul Dombey: The main character, about 48 years old as the novel opens. "
In all his life, he had never made a friend.
His cold and distant nature had neither sought one, nor found one".
He is left a widower with two children by the end of Chapter 1.
However, he only considers his son, Paul, to be worthy of his attention; his daughter, Florence, is "merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested — a bad boy".
The son's death shatters Mr. Dombey's hopes for an heir.
His neglect of his daughter Florence causes problems with his second wife, Edith, whom he essentially purchased.
Due to Edith's hatred for him and his own misplaced trust in James Carker, Dombey loses his business and his wealth.
Dombey finally realises that his daughter was the only person who truly cared for him, even when he has nothing left.
He reconnects with her in his later years and gains an heir through his son-in-law.

Mrs Fanny Dombey: Mr Dombey's first wife, mother of Florence and Paul; dies soon after Paul is born
Master Paul Dombey (Little Dombey): Born as the novel begins; he is weak and often ill.
A gentle child, he is adored by his sister Florence and beloved of his schoolmates.
He dies of an unspecified illness in Chapter 16.

Miss Florence (Floy) Dombey: Mr Dombey's daughter, about 6 years old as the novel begins.
She dotes on her little brother.
Despite her father's neglect, which amounts to emotional abuse, she loves him and longs for some return of her affection.
During an unauthorized outing with Mrs Richards (Toodle), she is snatched from the street by Good Mrs Brown.
After her father's wedding to Edith, she bonds with her stepmother.
Florence flees the house when she realizes that Edith has broken with her father, taking refuge with Captain Cuttle at The Wooden Midshipman.
She eventually marries Walter Gay and bears him two children.

Dr Parker Peps: One of the Court Physicians, pompously confuses Mrs Dombey's name with the names of aristocrats whom he has treated
Mrs Blockitt: Nurse, 'a simpering piece of faded gentility'
Mr Pilkins: Physician of the Dombey family, defers obsequiously to Dr Peps
Mrs Louisa Dombey Chick: Mr Dombey's sister; an anemic copy of her brother, who is also the only person for whom she has any affection.

Miss Lucretia Tox: Friend of Mrs Chick until their falling-out, great admirer of Mr Dombey, and neighbour of Major Bagstock
Chapter 2
Mr John Chick: Husband of Mrs Chick
Mr Toodle: A locomotive stoker
Mrs Polly Toodle (Richards): Fertile wife of Mr Toodle, engaged as nurse to young Paul.
Mr Dombey wants her to use 'an ordinary name, and convenient' while in his employ and thus requires her to answer to the name of Richards.
During an ill-advised visit to her home in Staggs's Gardens, Florence is temporarily taken by Good Mrs Brown.
Mr Dombey is undisturbed by the loss of his daughter in the urban crowd, but is incensed that Mrs Richards dared to take his son 'to such vile haunts' and summarily discharges her.
Later she is brought back by Captain Cuttle to keep house at The Wooden Midshipman
Robin Toodle (Rob the Grinder, Biler): Son of Mr Toodle and Polly.
Sent to the Charitable Grinders school through Mr Dombey's largesse, he cannot resist the lure of tending pigeons and skips school.
A pathetic boy, Rob is manipulated by the adults and cannot find a way to better his lot.
He is forced by Mr Carker the Manager to spy on Captain Cuttle and report the comings and goings at The Wooden Midshipman.
After Carker absconds late in the book, Rob is forced by Good Mrs Brown to bring her information concerning the location in France to which Carker and Mrs Dombey have fled.

Chapter 3
Miss Susan Nipper: Florence's spitfire loyal nurse, about 14 years old at the time of her introduction to the reader.
She believes that 'childhood, like money, must be shaken and rattled and jostled about a good deal to keep it bright'.
After about ten years, she impudently berates Mr Dombey for his emotional neglect of his daughter and is summarily dismissed from the house.
She is later joyfully reun
In order of appearance:
Chapter 1
Mr Paul Dombey: The main character, about 48 years old as the novel opens. "In all his life, he had never made a friend. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one, nor found one". He is left a widower with two children by the end of Chapter 1. However, he only considers his son, Paul, to be worthy of his attention; his daughter, Florence, is "merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested — a bad boy". The son's death shatters Mr. Dombey's hopes for an heir. His neglect of his daughter Florence causes problems with his second wife, Edith, whom he essentially purchased. Due to Edith's hatred for him and his own misplaced trust in James Carker, Dombey loses his business and his wealth. Dombey finally realises that his daughter was the only person who truly cared for him, even when he has nothing left. He reconnects with her in his later years and gains an heir through his son-in-law.
Mrs Fanny Dombey: Mr Dombey's first wife, mother of Florence and Paul; dies soon after Paul is born
Master Paul Dombey (Little Dombey): Born as the novel begins; he is weak and often ill. A gentle child, he is adored by his sister Florence and beloved of his schoolmates. He dies of an unspecified illness in Chapter 16.
Miss Florence (Floy) Dombey: Mr Dombey's daughter, about 6 years old as the novel begins. She dotes on her little brother. Despite her father's neglect, which amounts to emotional abuse, she loves him and longs for some return of her affection. During an unauthorized outing with Mrs Richards (Toodle), she is snatched from the street by Good Mrs Brown. After her father's wedding to Edith, she bonds with her stepmother. Florence flees the house when she realizes that Edith has broken with her father, taking refuge with Captain Cuttle at The Wooden Midshipman. She eventually marries Walter Gay and bears him two children.
Dr Parker Peps: One of the Court Physicians, pompously confuses Mrs Dombey's name with the names of aristocrats whom he has treated
Mrs Blockitt: Nurse, 'a simpering piece of faded gentility'
Mr Pilkins: Physician of the Dombey family, defers obsequiously to Dr Peps
Mrs Louisa Dombey Chick: Mr Dombey's sister; an anemic copy of her brother, who is also the only person for whom she has any affection.
Miss Lucretia Tox: Friend of Mrs Chick until their falling-out, great admirer of Mr Dombey, and neighbour of Major Bagstock
Chapter 2
Mr John Chick: Husband of Mrs Chick
Mr Toodle: A locomotive stoker
Mrs Polly Toodle (Richards): Fertile wife of Mr Toodle, engaged as nurse to young Paul. Mr Dombey wants her to use 'an ordinary name, and convenient' while in his employ and thus requires her to answer to the name of Richards. During an ill-advised visit to her home in Staggs's Gardens, Florence is temporarily taken by Good Mrs Brown. Mr Dombey is undisturbed by the loss of his daughter in the urban crowd, but is incensed that Mrs Richards dared to take his son 'to such vile haunts' and summarily discharges her. Later she is brought back by Captain Cuttle to keep house at The Wooden Midshipman
Robin Toodle (Rob the Grinder, Biler): Son of Mr Toodle and Polly. Sent to the Charitable Grinders school through Mr Dombey's largesse, he cannot resist the lure of tending pigeons and skips school. A pathetic boy, Rob is manipulated by the adults and cannot find a way to better his lot. He is forced by Mr Carker the Manager to spy on Captain Cuttle and report the comings and goings at The Wooden Midshipman. After Carker absconds late in the book, Rob is forced by Good Mrs Brown to bring her information concerning the location in France to which Carker and Mrs Dombey have fled.
Chapter 3
Miss Susan Nipper: Florence's spitfire loyal nurse, about 14 years old at the time of her introduction to the reader. She believes that 'childhood, like money, must be shaken and rattled and jostled about a good deal to keep it bright'. After about ten years, she impudently berates Mr Dombey for his emotional neglect of his daughter and is summarily dismissed from the house. She is later joyfully reun
Dombey and Son