Summary

In Chapter 13, we are introduced to the offices of Dombey and Son. Dombey’s personal assistant is Mr. James Carker (Carker), the brother of Walter’s lowly coworker (John), who Carker does everything to avoid. Carker is very aware of Dombey’s need for constant deference and flattery. He is often identified and described by this disturbingly white, straight teeth.

Walter delivers a letter to Carker and Dombey one day which informs them that one of their employees has died in Barbadoes and someone needs to be sent as a replacement. Because Walter is in front of him, Dombey decides on a whim to send Walter and informs him with little ceremony or compassion that he should prepare to leave for the West Indies in a month or two. Walter is shocked.

Later, while discussing his strained relationship to his brother, Walter’s...