# Preface to the First Edition explained — Nicholas Nickleby

> Chapter companion for Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

In the preface, Dickens addresses claims from Yorkshire schoolmasters that Mr. Squeers is based on them, asserting that Squeers represents a class of brutal, ignorant schoolmasters rather than any individual. He emphasizes that the horrors depicted at Dotheboys Hall are understated compared to real atrocities. He also reveals that the Cheeryble brothers are drawn from real, benevolent individuals. The preface concludes with a farewell to readers, reflecting on the intimate bond between a periodical writer and his audience.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Exploitation

Dickens condemns the brutal, exploitative system of Yorkshire schools, using Squeers as a symbol of institutionalized cruelty and greed.

### Charity and Compassion

The Cheeryble brothers are praised for their genuine, secret benevolence, contrasting with the cruelty of the school system.

## Character check-ins

### Wackford Squeers

Dickens defends Squeers as a representative of a class of brutal schoolmasters, not a specific individual, despite claims from Yorkshire schoolmasters.

### Charles Cheeryble

Mentioned as one of the Brothers Cheeryble, drawn from real-life benevolent individuals known for their charity.

### Ned Cheeryble

Mentioned as one of the Brothers Cheeryble, drawn from real-life benevolent individuals known for their charity.

## Key lines

> Mr. Squeers is the representative of a class, and not of an individual.

Squeers symbolizes a whole category of corrupt schoolmasters, not any one real person.

_Dickens clarifies his intent to critique a system, not to libel a specific person._

> The Brothers Cheeryble live; that their liberal charity, their singleness of heart, their noble nature, and their unbounded benevolence, are no creations of the author’s brain.

The Cheeryble brothers are based on real people who are still alive and known for their generous, selfless acts.

_Dickens assures readers that these virtuous characters are drawn from life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/preface-to-the-first-edition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters