Nicholas Nickleby · Chapter
Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel. explained
Ralph Nickleby, preoccupied with thoughts of his niece Kate, experiences a rare moment of introspection and loneliness, but quickly suppresses it upon noticing Newman Noggs watching him.
What happens
Ralph Nickleby, preoccupied with thoughts of his niece Kate, experiences a rare moment of introspection and loneliness, but quickly suppresses it upon noticing Newman Noggs watching him. Ralph sends Newman on an errand, but Newman instead visits Miss La Creevy to discuss a plan to protect Kate from Ralph's schemes, deciding to keep Mrs. Nickleby away from home.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Ralph's internal conflict about Kate and Newman's loyalty to the Nickleby family underscore the theme of familial bonds and betrayal.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Ralph's outward sternness contrasts with his inner, fleeting softness, while Newman's shabby appearance belies his shrewdness and loyalty.
Characters to notice
- Ralph Nickleby
Ralph is distracted by thoughts of Kate and experiences a fleeting moment of humanizing reflection, but quickly returns to his cold, calculating self.
- Newman Noggs
Newman observes Ralph closely, then visits Miss La Creevy to coordinate a plan to protect Kate from Ralph's machinations.
- Miss La Creevy
Miss La Creevy receives Newman and agrees to help by taking Mrs. Nickleby to the theatre to keep her away from Ralph.
- Kate Nickleby
Kate is the subject of Ralph's conflicted thoughts and the focus of Newman and Miss La Creevy's protective scheme.
- Mrs. Nickleby
Mrs. Nickleby is to be taken to the theatre by Miss La Creevy to prevent Ralph from finding her.
Key passages
“I am not a man to be moved by a pretty face... There is a grinning skull beneath it, and men like me who look and work below the surface see that, and not its delicate covering.”
Ralph claims he is not swayed by beauty, seeing only death beneath the surface, yet he admits to almost liking Kate.
This reveals Ralph's cynical worldview and his rare, conflicted tenderness toward Kate.
“Gold, for the instant, lost its lustre in his eyes, for there were countless treasures of the heart which it could never purchase.”
For a moment, Ralph realizes that money cannot buy emotional fulfillment or companionship.
This highlights Ralph's brief moment of self-awareness and loneliness.
“I thought you rang to say you didn’t ring,” replied Newman. “You often do.””
Newman sarcastically explains that he assumed Ralph rang just to cancel the previous ring, as he frequently does.
This exchange shows the tense, passive-aggressive dynamic between Ralph and Newman.