Thackeray gives his definition of gentlemen and he means this to be a description of Dobbin: ". . . whose aims are generous, whose truth is constant, and not only constant in its kind, but elevated in its degree; whose want of meanness makes them simple: who can look the world honestly in the face with an equal manly sympathy for the great and the small . . ."
Dobbin's growth in character begins when he steps out of his habitual modesty and asserts himself. At the beginning when he is in school, shunned and scorned by others because of his awkwardness and because of his father's having furnished food to the establishment, he rises out of himself to defend George. He defeats the enemy, and thereby gains the respect of his fellow students and begins to show better scholarship.
The same kind of growth starts when he finally tells Amelia that she is not worthy of the kind of love he bears her. She begins to wake up, respect him, and has even sent for him before Becky disillusions her about George. Restrained, modest, loyal, and good, Dobbin merits the love of all.
