#Classic Nicholas Nickelby

 

Introduction:

1. Nicholas Nickleby is set in the mid-1820s, 15 years earlier than its publication.
2. Dickens antedated many of his stories.
3. But here the date is historically significant.
4. Yorkshire at the period of the novel’s action was a kind of British Siberia.
5. From the 18th century, abusive parents had been dumping their unwanted offspring at cheap boarding schools there.
6. It was all about to change, just at the period Dickens was writing Nicholas Nickleby.
7. The age of the stagecoach was over, the age of the railway coach began.
8. Nicholas Nickleby is, historically, on the cusp of this revolution.
9. Yorkshire, thanks to steam, would soon be a few hours, not days away.
10. It was no longer remote.

 

Strong points:

1. Dense narrative
2. Vivid characters
3. Colorful and inventive writing style
4. Multi-layered plots that keep readers interested from beginning to end.
5. Writing appeals of our sense of hearing when read aloud! Dickens repeats “hard letters”
6. …like “P” with characters Pyke and Puck…ch 19.
7. PS: READ THE BOOK…the movie (2002) left so much out that is great reading in the book!

 

 

Conclusion:

1. I’ve read quite a few novels by Dickens and can probably predict the budding romances
2. and who is going to bestowed an unexpected inheritance.
3. But this book had some real surprises in chapters 60-65!
4. There is no reason this book should not be named in the TOP-TEN Dickens novels.
5. It deserves more attention.
6. Name: Newman Noggs (nog = alcoholic drink) for an alcoholic office clerk.
7. Name: DoTheBoys School…boys boarding school where they are mistreated.
8. Name: Wackford Squeers ( wack = very bad) sadistic and abusive headmaster.
9. Name: Mr. Veriospht (very soft)
10. Name: Mr Snobb (snob)

 

1. Sometimes the sheer size of a Dickens novel makes me not want to start the book.
2. This time I used an audible version – listened to 3 chapters a day ( usually with  breakfast and my coffee)
3. ….and had the experience as Dickens intended  “reading a serial novel”.
4. The first serialised novel was  Pickwick.  
5. Charles Dickens wrote this novel at the age 24 and it was the first serial novel!
6. It consisted of sequences of loose adventures.
7. I strongly recommend reading this book also as AUDIO book!  
8. I used it during my daily walks a few years ago and 
9. laughed so much! Yes the book is a “chunkster” but worth investing in an audio version.
10. Funniest characters in Nicholas Nickelby:  
11. That has to be Mr. and Mrs. Crummles and their band of thespians! 
12. I hope to watch the film version this afternoon with Mr. Crummels played by Nathan Lane and
13. …Mrs. Crummels played by Barry Humphries of “Dame Edna Everage” fame.

 

Notes:

04.09.2023 – 3rd novel by Dickens…65 chapters. Reading 3 chapters a day + taking notes.

Jim Broadbent as Wackford Squeers in Nicholas Nickelby film 2002.

 

Newman Noggs….knows more than we can imagine! – 

1. “He looked down, and there stood
2. Newman Noggs, who pushed up into his hand a dirty letter.
3. ‘What’s this?’ inquired Nicholas.
4. ‘Hush!’ rejoined Noggs, pointing to Mr Ralph Nickleby, who was
5. saying a few earnest words to Squeers, a short distance off: ‘Take
6. it. Read it. Nobody knows. That’s all.”
7. Noggs played by Tom Courtenay

 

September 4, 2023 – page 66

8.08% “3rd novel by Dickens…65 chapters. Reading 3 chapters a day + taking notes. Dickens give his characters odd names! Newman Noggs (nog = alcoholic drink) for an alcoholic office clerk. Also the name of the boys boarding school where they are mistreated: “DoTheBoys” School.

Wackford Squeers ( wack = very bad) sadistic and abusive headmaster”

September 5, 2023 – page 116

14.2% “Ch 6-7-8: Skipped ch 6 ..it was an embedded ‘story’ told by a travelling gentleman…nothing to do with the narrative. ch 7: Nicholas finally read the secret letter that Newman Noggs gave him. ch 8 Nicholas is a witness to the beatings an cruelty shown to the boys by Mr. Squeetrs. N is shocked.”

September 6, 2023 – page 158

19.34% “Ch 9-10-11 – Mr Squeers force feeds boy at his boarding school an ‘appetite depressant’…saves money on food. Fanny Sqeers (daughter) falls in love with Nicholas but is bluntly rebuffed. Kate Nickelby (sister) finds work in a dress shop owned by Mrs. Mantalini and her husband Alfred...dressed in Turkish trousers, a pink silk neckerchief and bright green slippers!”

September 7, 2023 – page 202

24.72% “Ch 12-13-15  New characters: Mr Crowl, Henriette Petowker, Mr Lilyvick and Mr Snewkes!”

September 8, 2023 – page 252

30.84% “Ch 15 – Nichols escapes Dotheboys School and arrives with Smike at Mr. Nogg’s apartment. Ch 16 Nichols finds a job as a French teacher at the home in Mr/Mrs Kenwigs. Ch 17 Narrative swerves off to tell more about Kate Nickelby, job as dressmaker Mrs/Mr Mantalini. They are an excellent example of comic relief!”

September 9, 2023 – page 301

36.84% “Ch 18 – Kate is now the object of Mrs. Knag’s hate! 

Ch 19 – Poor Kate is now made a pawn in her uncle’s business affairs!

Ch 20 – Nicholas returns and confronts his evil uncle…turning point in the book.”

September 10, 2023 – page 351

42.96% “Ch 21 – Kate changes jobs…becomes a ladie’s companion.

Ch 22 – Nicholas/Simike set off to Portsmouth to find employment.

Ch 23 – Funny chapter…b/c NN/Smike met Mr. Crummles and his travelling theatre company. A motley crew but willing to help NN/S with some work.”

September 11, 2023 – page 399

48.84% “Ch 24 – Nicholas begins his training as an actor with Mr. Crummles.

Ch 25 – Long chapters describing the unexpected marriage of the actress Miss Petowker with the old wealthy gentleman Mr. Lillyvick!

Ch 26 – Sir Mulberry Hawk fancies Miss Kate Nickelby and does his best to make her formal acquaintance.”

September 12, 2023 – page 446

54.59% “Ch 27 – Kate is being harrassed by Sir Mulberry Hawk

Ch 28 – Uncle Ralph will not criticise his “business” partner Mulberry and refuses to help his niece. Ralph: “We all have our trials….and this one is one of yours.” Kindly Newman Noggs comforts Kate and promises to help her.

CH 29 Noggs sends a letter to Nicholas Nickelby…your sister needs your help!”

September 13, 2023 – page 485

59.36% “Ch 30 – Nicholas leaves Mr Crummles group of thespians….his last performance to the chagrin on many ladies in the company!

Ch 31 – Noggs and Miss La Creevey and ready to welcome Nicholas back to London but must be careful that NN does not lash out when he hears of his sister’s predicament. 

Ch 32 – NN hears in hotel coffee room 4 men talking about his sister ….NN is livid!”

September 14, 2023 – page 532

65.12%  Ch 33 “These chapters reveal a turning point in Nicholas’s life!

Ch – 33 Nicholas rescues his sister and sends letter to uncle: “You are no family of ours, you wretch!”

Ch 34 Ralph Nickeby (uncle) continues to lend money and earn money. He tears up NN’s letter and is very angry.

Ch 35 Good news! The jolly and rich Cheeryble Brothers (Ned and Charles) hire NN in accounting house + give Kate and Mrs. N a cottage to live in.”

September 15, 2023 – page 580

70.99% “Ch 36 – Mr/Mrs Kenwigs hear that Uncle Lillyvick has married actress Miss Petowker. Mrs. K faints….b/c she knows there will no inheritance for her daughter!

Ch 37 – Bros. Cheeryble celebrate their old clerks’ birthday . Mrs Nickelby has received proposal of marriage from neighbour!

Ch 38 – Mr Squeers kidnaps Smike from a London street…beats him and locks him up in his lodging until returning to DoTheBoys School.”

September 16, 2023 – page 624

76.38% “Ch 39 Smile escapes the “grip of Squeers”…with the help on an old friend!

Ch 40 Nicholas fall in love….wit the help of Noggs tries to meet her.

Mystery: who is SHE?

Ch 41 Mrs. Nickelby is approached by the besotted neighbour with worlds of love….but people tell Mrs N the man is crazy! She does not believe this b/c “…there is too much method to his madness! 

Mystery: who is HE?”