# Mr. Ralph Nickleby receives sad tidings of his brother, but bears up nobly against the intelligence communicated to him. The reader is informed how he liked Nicholas, who is herein introduced, and how kindly he proposed to make his fortune at once. explained — Nicholas Nickleby

> Chapter companion for Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Ralph Nickleby learns of his brother's death from Newman Noggs and coldly receives the news. He visits the Nickleby family's lodgings, where he meets his sister-in-law, his niece Kate, and his nephew Nicholas. After a tense interview, Ralph arranges for Kate to be apprenticed at a boarding-school and decides to send Nicholas to work for Wackford Squeers at Dotheboys Hall.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Loyalty

Ralph's cold rejection of his brother's family contrasts with the loyalty Nicholas and Kate show to their mother and each other.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Ralph's outward show of businesslike efficiency masks his callous indifference to his brother's death and his family's plight.

### Social Injustice and Corruption

The exploitation of the poor by the wealthy is evident in Ralph's manipulation of the Nicklebys' situation and his arrangement for Nicholas to work for Squeers.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph Nickleby

Receives news of his brother's death with cold indifference; meets his niece and nephew for the first time; arranges Kate's apprenticeship and Nicholas's position with Squeers.

### Newman Noggs

Delivers the letter announcing Godfrey Nickleby's death to Ralph; shows subtle signs of sympathy for the Nickleby family.

### Nicholas Nickleby

Introduced as a proud, intelligent young man; clashes with Ralph over his father's memory and his own future; accepts the position at Dotheboys Hall.

### Kate Nickleby

Present during Ralph's visit; weeps at her uncle's harshness; agrees to try boarding-school work to support herself.

### Mrs. Nickleby

Appeals to Ralph for help after her husband's death; defends Nicholas's education and character.

### Miss La Creevy

Landlady of the house where the Nicklebys lodge; initially mistaken by Ralph; later warned by him not to expect financial support from the family.

## Key lines

> I know something of that hand, too. Newman, I shouldn't be surprised if my brother were dead.

Ralph recognizes the handwriting on the black-bordered letter and anticipates the news of his brother's death.

_Shows Ralph's emotional detachment and foresight._

> It galled Ralph to the heart's core, and he hated Nicholas from that hour.

Ralph's resentment toward Nicholas is ignited by the young man's proud and spirited demeanor.

_Establishes the central antagonism between uncle and nephew._

> We must try and get you apprenticed at some boarding-school. You have not been brought up too delicately for that, I hope?

Ralph proposes that Kate work as an apprentice at a boarding-school, implying she should not expect an easy life.

_Highlights Ralph's dismissive attitude toward his niece's welfare._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters