# XXXIV explained — Nicholas Nickleby

> Chapter companion for Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Ralph Nickleby's hatred for Nicholas intensifies as he reflects on comparisons between them. Mr. Mantalini visits to discount bills, followed by Madame Mantalini. Squeers reveals details about Smike's mysterious past, and Ralph plots revenge through the boy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Corruption

Squeers's exploitation of Smike and Ralph's usurious dealings with Mantalini illustrate systemic corruption.

### Family and Loyalty

Ralph's twisted family loyalty manifests as hatred for Nicholas, while Squeers's 'charity' masks cruelty.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Mantalini's fawning demeanor contrasts with his financial desperation; Squeers's paternal pride hides his greed.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph Nickleby

Ralph's hatred for Nicholas grows as he recalls past comparisons and schemes for revenge.

### Newman Noggs

Newman admits Mantalini and Squeers, and reacts with cryptic outbursts to Squeers's boasts.

### Mr. Mantalini

Mantalini visits Ralph to discount bills, acting flamboyantly and nervously when his wife arrives.

### Madame Mantalini

Madame Mantalini appears unexpectedly, expressing shame at her husband's behavior.

### Wackford Squeers

Squeers discusses Smike's origins with Ralph, revealing the boy was left at Dotheboys Hall years ago.

### Smike

Smike is discussed as the target of Ralph's revenge plot, with Squeers providing details of his mysterious past.

## Key lines

> In exact proportion as Ralph Nickleby became conscious of a struggling and lingering regard for Kate, had his detestation of Nicholas augmented.

Ralph's growing affection for Kate made his hatred for Nicholas even stronger.

_Highlights Ralph's psychological conflict and motivation for revenge._

> It is to melt some scraps of dirty paper into bright, shining, chinking, tinkling, demd mint sauce.

Mantalini wants to turn worthless bills into cash.

_Illustrates Mantalini's flamboyant speech and the theme of financial speculation._

> He has the fatness of twenty boys, he has.

Little Wackford is extremely overweight compared to other boys.

_Squeers's boast reveals the neglect and starvation of other pupils at Dotheboys Hall._

## Links

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