Nicholas Nickleby · Chapter
Conclusion explained
The novel concludes with the marriages of Nicholas to Madeline and Kate to Frank Cheeryble, as well as the quiet wedding of Tim Linkinwater and Miss La Creevy.
What happens
The novel concludes with the marriages of Nicholas to Madeline and Kate to Frank Cheeryble, as well as the quiet wedding of Tim Linkinwater and Miss La Creevy. Nicholas invests his wife's fortune in the Cheeryble firm, which becomes Cheeryble and Nickleby. Ralph's estate goes to the state after his suicide, Arthur Gride is murdered, and Sir Mulberry Hawk dies in debtors' prison. Nicholas buys his father's old house, and Newman Noggs becomes a beloved figure to the children. Smike's grave is tended by the children, who remember him fondly.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
The chapter emphasizes the enduring bonds of family, with Nicholas and Kate's marriages strengthening their family circle, and the children tending Smike's grave.
Resilience and Moral Integrity
Nicholas and Kate's refusal to claim Ralph's wealth, despite being legal heirs, demonstrates their moral integrity and rejection of ill-gotten gains.
Charity and Compassion
The children's care for Smike's grave and Newman Noggs's role as a beloved figure highlight the theme of compassion and kindness.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Nickleby
Marries Madeline Bray and becomes a wealthy merchant, investing in Cheeryble Brothers and buying his father's old house.
- Kate Nickleby
Marries Frank Cheeryble on the same day as Nicholas's wedding, remaining a gentle and loving sister and mother.
- Tim Linkinwater
Marries Miss La Creevy, accepts a share in the house but continues his clerkly duties, living in the old house with his cheerful wife.
- Miss La Creevy
Marries Tim Linkinwater, becomes a lighthearted and bustling wife, proud of her miniature paintings.
- Newman Noggs
Lives in a cottage near Nicholas's house, becomes a childlike master of revels to the children, dearly loved by all.
- Smike
His grave is kept green and adorned with fresh flowers by the children, who speak softly of their poor dead cousin.
Key passages
“When her term of mourning had expired, Madeline gave her hand and fortune to Nicholas; and, on the same day and at the same time, Kate became Mrs. Frank Cheeryble.”
After Madeline's mourning period ended, she married Nicholas, and on the same day Kate married Frank Cheeryble.
This describes the double wedding that concludes the main romantic arcs.
“The money which Nicholas acquired in right of his wife he invested in the firm of Cheeryble Brothers, in which Frank had become a partner.”
Nicholas invested Madeline's dowry into the Cheeryble Brothers business, where Frank was already a partner.
This shows Nicholas's integration into the Cheeryble family and his financial success.
“They made no claim to his wealth; and the riches for which he had toiled all his days, and burdened his soul with so many evil deeds, were swept at last into the coffers of the state, and no man was the better or the happier for them.”
Nicholas and Kate refused to inherit Ralph's money, so it went to the state, benefiting no one.
This underscores the moral that Ralph's ill-gotten wealth brought no happiness.
“The grass was green above the dead boy's grave, and trodden by feet so small and light, that not a daisy drooped its head beneath their pressure.”
Smike's grave was covered with green grass, and the children's gentle footsteps did not harm the daisies growing there.
This poignant image reflects the lasting memory and love for Smike.
