Chapter 7: Dobbin of Ours

Amelia Sedley

Kind-hearted and gentle; she is the object of George's affection and Dobbin's silent devotion. She welcomes Dobbin to her home and is the reason Dobbin feels such a strong connection to the evening's events.

Rebecca Crawley

Observant, cynical, and socially ambitious. She observes the interactions between George, Amelia, and Dobbin, mentally 'gauging' George's character.

Miss Pinkerton

Pompous, authoritative, and easily outmaneuvered by Rebecca's defiance. She is described in flashbacks as having been defeated by Rebecca's refusal to teach music and her use of French to mock her.

Sambo

A cheerful and observant servant who is amused by the family's antics. He serves dinner and tea, laughs at Mr. Sedley's jokes, and delivers flowers and a pineapple.

Miss Swartz

A wealthy, emotional, and generous parlour-boarder from St. Kitt's. She is devastated by Amelia's departure, falling into a fit of hysterical tears that requires medical attention.

Mrs. Sedley

Kind and hospitable, though prone to social gossip. She hosts the dinner and recalls Dobbin's clumsy behavior at a party years prior.

Miss Briggs

An envious pupil. Mentioned as someone who, despite her envy, never spoke ill of Amelia.

Joseph Sedley

Vain, shy around women, and prone to overindulgence in food and drink. He tells hunting stories at dinner and drinks heavily to prepare himself for the social pressure of Vauxhall.

George Osborne, Junior (the baby)

Popular, somewhat vain, and conscious of social status, yet he recognizes Dobbin's merit after the fight. As a child, he inadvertently causes Dobbin's bullying and is later protected by him; as an adult, he invites Dobbin to the Sedley dinner.

Sir Pitt Crawley

Rebecca's future employer. Mentioned as the person to whom a letter must be written to extend Rebecca's leave.

Captain William Dobbin

Quiet, clumsy, and seemingly dull but possesses a generous soul, acute sense of wrong, and deep gratitude. He is a talented mathematician and a loyal friend. The central figure of the chapter's backstory; he defends George Osborne from Cuff's bullying and later joins the Sedleys for dinner as a Captain.

Manager of the Performance

Reflective, melancholy, and observant; he serves as the narrator/presenter of the story. He sits before the curtain, observes the fair, and introduces the puppets and the moral tone of the performance to the audience.

Tom Fool

A weary performer and family man who works as a tumbler. He is seen washing off his face paint and eating dinner with his family behind the scenes.

Jack Puddings

A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.

Becky Puppet

Described as uncommonly flexible in the joints and lively on the wire. Mentioned by the Manager as one of the lead puppets in the upcoming show.

Amelia Doll

Carved and dressed with great care, though she has a smaller circle of admirers than Becky. Mentioned by the Manager as a carefully crafted figure in the performance.

Wicked Nobleman

A richly dressed figure representing high-status villainy. Mentioned as a character who will be taken away by Old Nick at the end of the play.

Old Nick

A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.

Miss Jemima Pinkerton

Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.

Laura Martin

A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.

Miss Saltire

A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.

Doctor Johnson

A famous historical figure whose past visit to the school is the source of Miss Pinkerton's prestige. Mentioned as the author of the dictionary and the school's patron spirit.

Mr. Sharp

A clever, dissolute artist, prone to drunkenness and debt. Described in backstory as the man who taught Rebecca her wit and social survival skills before dying of delirium tremens.

Rebecca's Mother

A French opera dancer of humble origins. Mentioned as the source of Rebecca's French fluency and the subject of Rebecca's lies about noble Gascon ancestry.

Reverend Mr. Crisp

Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.

Bonamy

A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.

Mulligatawney

A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.

Mrs. Blenkinsop

The housekeeper who is susceptible to Rebecca's feigned interest in domestic duties. She is charmed by Rebecca's interest in her jam-making and listens to her singing from the landing.

Dr. Gollop

The family apothecary. Mentioned by Joseph as having visited him while he was singing in bed.

Reginald Cuff

A dashing, athletic, and arrogant school bully who is talented in Latin and French but uses his status to tyrannize younger boys. He bullies George Osborne and is subsequently defeated by Dobbin in a thirteen-round boxing match, later showing magnanimity by taking the blame.

Dr. Swishtail

The headmaster of the academy, described as somewhat intimidated by his top students. He presides over the school and awards Dobbin a prize-book for his academic progress.

Lady Dobbin

Socially active wife of the Alderman. Mentioned by Mrs. Sedley as being at Highbury with her daughters.

Russell Square

The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.

Vanity Fair

Chiswick Mall

Miss Pinkerton's Academy

Soho

Boggley Wollah

Vauxhall

Dr. Swishtail’s Academy

Thames Street