Nicholas Nickleby · Chapter
Throws some light upon Nicholas's Love; but whether for good or evil the reader must determine explained
Nicholas confides in Mr.
What happens
Nicholas confides in Mr. Charles Cheeryble about Smike's history and his decision to protect Smike from his father. Mr. Cheeryble defends Nicholas's actions, arguing that natural affection must be nurtured. He reveals that Ralph Nickleby visited to complain about Nicholas but was rebuffed. Nicholas then visits Madeline Bray in the King's Bench Rules, where he sees her caring for her sick father. Later, Mr. Cheeryble explains Madeline's difficult situation and proposes that Nicholas pose as a buyer of her artwork to provide discreet financial aid.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Explored through Nicholas's protection of Smike, Madeline's devotion to her father, and Mr. Cheeryble's discourse on natural affection.
Charity and Compassion
The Cheerybles' plan to secretly aid Madeline through purchasing her artwork exemplifies discreet generosity.
Social Injustice and Corruption
Highlighted by the description of debtors' suffering and the inequities of the legal system.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Nickleby
Confides in Mr. Cheeryble about Smike, visits Madeline Bray, and agrees to help her discreetly.
- Charles Cheeryble
Listens to Nicholas's story, defends his actions, and reveals Ralph's visit and the plan to aid Madeline.
- Smike
His history is related to Mr. Cheeryble; Nicholas seeks approval for protecting him from his father.
- Ralph Nickleby
Visits the Cheerybles to complain about Nicholas but is rebuffed.
- Madeline Bray
Visited by Nicholas at her home in the King's Bench Rules; she cares for her sick father and supports herself through artwork.
- Tim Linkinwater
Mentioned as having confronted Ralph during his visit.
Key passages
“Natural affections and instincts, my dear sir, are the most beautiful of the Almighty's works, but like other beautiful works of His, they must be reared and fostered, or it is as natural that they should be wholly obscured, and that new feelings should usurp their place, as it is that the sweetest productions of the earth, left untended, should be choked with weeds and briers.”
Mr. Cheeryble argues that love and loyalty in families need nurturing; without care, they can wither and be replaced by negative emotions, just as neglected plants are overrun by weeds.
This reflects the theme of family and loyalty, emphasizing that affection is not automatic but must be cultivated.
“There are many pleasant fictions of the law in constant operation, but there is not one so pleasant or practically humorous as that which supposes every man to be of equal value in its impartial eye, and the benefits of all laws to be equally attainable by all men, without the smallest reference to the furniture of their pockets.”
The narrator satirizes the legal system's pretense of equality, noting that in reality, wealth determines access to justice.
This critique of social injustice underscores the chapter's commentary on the plight of the poor.