Florence's Internal Strength and Power in Charles Dickens' \"Dombey and Son\"

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Essay from the year 2013 in the subject English - Literature, Works, language: English, abstract: The relationship between a father and his daughter is a well explored concept in Charles Dickens' novel "Dombey and Son." Various critics have suggested that the protagonists daughter, Florence, should be interpreted as a meek and feeble damsel in distress, tortured by her father's inability to love her. Florence's refusal to stand up to her father and unending quest for his love are represented as weaknesses that deem her a "fairy-tale princess." Is it possible, then, to reverse the lens and consider Florence an emblem of strength? Or does her father's abuse diminish her capacity as a nineteenth century heroine? This essay offers a character analysis on the basis of the text.