# XIV explained — Nicholas Nickleby

> Chapter companion for Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

The chapter describes a lively family gathering at the Kenwigs' home, where Mr. Lillyvick, the collector, is honored. The evening includes a dance by Morleena Kenwigs and a dramatic recitation by Miss Petowker, while Newman Noggs prepares punch. The scene then shifts to a dilapidated street in Golden Square, where Newman Noggs and a neighbor, Mr. Crowl, interact in their shabby garret lodgings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Loyalty

The Kenwigs family gathering emphasizes familial bonds, with Mrs. Kenwigs' pride in her children and Mr. Lillyvick's acceptance of Mr. Kenwigs into the family.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

The party's forced politeness and the staged reluctance of Miss Petowker to perform highlight the social pretenses of the gathering.

## Character check-ins

### Newman Noggs

Present at the Kenwigs' party, preparing punch and enjoying the spirits; later seen in his garret lodging.

### Mrs. Kenwigs

Hostess of the party, emotional over her children's beauty, and orchestrates the evening's entertainments.

### Mr. Kenwigs

Host, proud of his family's high connections, and participates in the festivities.

### Mr. Lillyvick

The collector and honored guest, recalls the courtship of Mr. and Mrs. Kenwigs, and is kissed by the children.

### Morleena Kenwigs

The eldest Kenwigs child, performs a figure dance for the company.

### Henrietta Petowker

A guest who recites 'The Blood-Drinker's Burial' after some persuasion.

## Key lines

> demand for clean knives and forks; which made poor Mrs. Kenwigs wish, more than once, that private society adopted the principle of schools, and required that every guest should bring his own knife, fork, and spoon; which doubtless would be a great accommodation in many cases, and to no one more so than to the lady and gentleman of the house, especially if the school principle were carried out to the full extent, and the articles were expected, as a matter of delicacy, not to be taken away again.

Mrs. Kenwigs wished that guests would bring their own cutlery, as is done in schools, to ease the burden on the host.

_Highlights the domestic strain of hosting and the comic exaggeration of Mrs. Kenwigs' plight._

> ‘They are so beautiful!’ said Mrs. Kenwigs, sobbing. ‘Oh, dear,’ said all the ladies, ‘so they are! it’s very natural you should feel proud of that; but don’t give way, don’t.’

Mrs. Kenwigs weeps over her children's beauty, and the other ladies console her.

_Illustrates the sentimental and melodramatic tone of the family gathering._

> ‘This day eight year,’ said Mr. Kenwigs after a pause. ‘Dear me⁠—ah!’ This reflection was echoed by all present, who said ‘Ah!’ first, and ‘dear me,’ afterwards.

Mr. Kenwigs remarks on the passage of eight years, and everyone echoes his sentiment.

_Shows the ritualistic and communal nature of the celebration._

## Links

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