Chapters 14-16 Summary

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The end of the first term is fast approaching, and Paul dreads it since it means that Florence will be returning to London. He sits with Cornelia Blimber as she gives him his end-of-term analysis. While he generally good in his studies and his behavior, she says that he is so old fashioned that the others at Doctor Blimber’s school do not like him as much as they might wish. This makes Paul unhappy, for he has been trying so much to make people like him. He steps up his efforts, but he soon falls ill. The physician comes to examine him, but Paul can barely hear his comments that his health in general is not at all good. After that, Paul is excused from the rest of classes, and he notices that people go out of their way to be kind to him. He is looking forward to the end-of-term party, to which Florence has been invited.

At the party, Paul is too ill to take part much, but he sits on a sofa and watches the others, especially Florence, dancing. Everyone makes an effort to talk to him, being very solicitous of his health. Sir Barnet and Lady Skettles are quite taken with both Paul and Florence. Toots finally carries him up to bed. The next day, Paul leaves Doctor Blimber’s, with everyone one coming out to say good-bye. He begs Toots to take care of Diogenes, the dog who had been his friend for these past months. Since he is too ill to go all the way to London, Paul and Florence stay for several days with Mrs. Pipchin. At last, Paul returns home and is carried upstairs. He asks Florence if that was his father he saw, going into his own room and crying.

Walter cannot bring himself to tell his uncle of his assignment to go to Barbados. At first, he wonders if Mr. Dombey was serious and decides to talk to Captain Cuttle about it. He explains that he worries that Uncle Sol will wither away without his nephew. He asks Captain Cuttle to tell his uncle about the expected departure, which will most likely mean the last time that Walter sees his aged uncle.

Captain Cuttle decides first to discuss the matter with Mr. Dombey in hopes that he may change his mind. Walter walks with him to the house and then walks on further. He is overtaken by Susan Nipper, who is trying to find Polly Toodle since Paul has asked to see his old nurse. The Toodle home has been demolished to make way for the railroad, but their new abode is soon found. Polly returns to the Dombey home along with Susan and Walter.

Paul does not rise from his bed again. He feels that the river is sweeping him away. He asks to see his old nurse. All his friends gather around him as he tells them good-bye. He asks his father to watch over Walter. He tells Florence that he sees his mother and that she looks like Florence. Paul dies, saying that the picture of heaven on the stairs is not bright enough.

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