Nicholas Nickleby · Chapter
Of Miss Squeers, Mrs. Squeers, Master Squeers, and Mr. Squeers; and of various matters and persons connected no less with the Squeerses than Nicholas Nickleby explained
In this chapter, the Squeers family discusses Nicholas Nickleby at home.
What happens
In this chapter, the Squeers family discusses Nicholas Nickleby at home. Mrs. Squeers expresses her hatred for him, calling him proud and haughty, while Mr. Squeers defends keeping him as a cheap assistant. Their son, Master Wackford Squeers, eagerly anticipates taking over the school and abusing the boys. Later, Nicholas joins the family for tea, where he meets John Browdie and Miss Price. A tense exchange between Nicholas and Browdie nearly leads to a fight, but it is defused by the women. Miss Squeers shows interest in Nicholas, and the servant praises his appearance.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Exploitation
The Squeers family treats Nicholas as a cheap laborer to control the boys, reflecting the exploitative nature of the educational system at Dotheboys Hall.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Mrs. Squeers criticizes Nicholas for pride while she and her husband are themselves cruel and hypocritical, breaking the spirits of the boys under their care.
Family and Loyalty
The Squeers family presents a united front in their disdain for Nicholas, with Mr. Squeers flattering his wife and their son eagerly anticipating his future role in the family business.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Nickleby
Nicholas is discussed by the Squeers family, who view him as proud and haughty. He later joins the family for tea, where he tries to be amiable despite his misery, and nearly comes to blows with John Browdie.
- Wackford Squeers
Mr. Squeers defends keeping Nicholas as a cheap assistant and discusses his plan to have Nicholas manage the boys until his son is old enough. He flatters Mrs. Squeers for her ability to break spirits.
- Mrs. Squeers
Mrs. Squeers vehemently hates Nicholas, calling him a 'proud, haughty, consequential, turned-up-nosed peacock.' She is skilled at breaking the spirits of those under her care.
- Fanny Squeers
Miss Fanny Squeers, aged twenty-three, shows interest in Nicholas after hearing about him. She intervenes to prevent a fight between Nicholas and John Browdie, and later questions the servant about Nicholas's appearance.
- John Browdie
John Browdie, a corn-factor and suitor of Miss Price, engages in a tense exchange with Nicholas, making offensive remarks about the meager food. The conflict is defused by the women, and they shake hands.
- Tilda Price
Miss Matilda Price, the miller's daughter, is present at the tea. She stops John Browdie from escalating the argument with Nicholas and later suggests that Nicholas is fickle in matters of romance.
Key passages
“Because he’s a proud, haughty, consequential, turned-up-nosed peacock.”
Mrs. Squeers calls Nicholas arrogant and conceited, using exaggerated language to express her dislike.
This quote illustrates Mrs. Squeers's immediate hostility toward Nicholas and her use of colorful insults.
“A slave driver in the West Indies is allowed a man under him, to see that his blacks don’t run away, or get up a rebellion; and I’ll have a man under me to do the same with our blacks.”
Mr. Squeers compares his role as a schoolmaster to a slave driver, justifying his hiring of Nicholas to control the boys like slaves.
This dehumanizing comparison reveals the brutal and exploitative nature of Squeers's school.
“Oh my eye, won’t I give it to the boys! exclaimed the interesting child, grasping his father’s cane. Oh, father, won’t I make ’em squeak again!”
Young Wackford Squeers eagerly anticipates beating the boys when he takes over the school, showing his inherited cruelty.
This moment highlights the cycle of abuse and the moral corruption passed down in the Squeers family.
