Narcissism, defined as extreme selfishness combined with a lack of empathy for others, is the exact trait Dombey displays in the story. Immediately after his wife gives birth to their son, he shows his indifference towards her by focusing solely on his son who has to follow his legacy. Viewing her child as a tool for future business rather than caressing her newborn and enjoying the moment of his birth further validates her selfish agenda. In the excerpt, the author shows his disapproval of Dombey's self-centered nature as well as his pity towards Dombey's son and wife through a variety of figurative devices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The author ensures that the reader is aware of his disgust for Dombey throughout the story excerpt. The passage begins with the description of the environment in which Dombey, the son and Mrs. Dombey relax. While "Dombey sat in the corner of the dark room... his son lay warm in a little basket-shaped bed." The reader immediately recognizes the tension in the room as well as the indifference of the father, Dombey, who has distanced himself from his newborn son. Usually a new parent smothers their child with attention and love, yet Dombey appears to be completely uninterested in the presence of his new child. The author also makes note to title Mr. and Mrs. Dombey's son the same way Dombey himself addresses him, simply as "Son." Her aloof diction through the use of "Son" rather than "my baby", "my son", or even addressing him by his name, shows her lack of empathy and compassion. His lack of empathy is further demonstrated when he attempts to lovingly address his wife. While attempting to discuss plans for the baptism of her Son, “he added a term of endearment to Mrs. Dombey's name (though not without some hesitation, as he was a man unaccustomed to that form of address). Once again, Dombey struggles to even express signs of compassion. through terms of endearment to none other than his wife. In addition to his inability to address Mrs. Dombey as his "darling," he also plans life between him and his son as if she would. not be present in their future. Dombey repeatedly repeats the phrase "Dombey and Son" without any regard for his ailing wife's feelings. The author feels immense sympathy towards Son throughout the passage due to Dombey's selfishness and having to be raised by a person who lacks compassion. father who has already planned his life Immediately after birth, the son is already bonded with his father Dombey, indicating that Dombey expects the son to be just as he ages with an intelligent, “Dombey was about forty-eight years old. Son, about forty-eight minutes.” The comparison of ages foreshadows Dombey's constant control over Son's new life and the shackle Son must be forced to wear from the future pre-programmed by his father for him. Son's defiance of his chained future with Dombey is shown through his innocent actions. The author describes how “The son…seemed, in his own feeble way, to face existence for having stumbled upon him so unexpectedly.” Although his actions may be perceived as harmless and normal, the author seems to foreshadow a strained relationship between Son and Dombey. Furthermore, the author reinforces Son's life controlled by Dombey by describing the perfect life he imagines for them together. Son's life has already been predetermined by Dombey who believes that "the earth was created so that Dombey and Son.