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Nicholas Nickleby
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Nicholas Nickleby: Week 9: Chapters XLVIII -LIV
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Wow-that was even more action than the last section!In ch 49, Dickens says of Smike
the result so sure, that day by day, and grain by grain, the mortal part wastes and withers away, so that the spirit grows light and sanguine with its lightening load, and, feeling immortality at hand, deems it but a new term of mortal life; a disease in which death and life are so strangely blended, that death takes the glow and hue of life, and life the gaunt and grisly form of death; a disease which medicine never cured, wealth never warded off, or poverty could boast exemption from; which sometimes moves in giant strides, and sometimes at a tardy sluggish pace, but, slow or quick, is ever sure and certain.
which suggests to me that he has tuberculosis, something that wouldn't have been uncommon in a school like Dotheboys (it was also TB that killed Jane's friend at school in Jane Eyre.)
I was also saddened by the death of Lord Versisopht-he seemed to have learned that Hawk was using him and to see the possibility of an alternate life for himself, particularly as he drove out to the duelling site and saw the beautiful pastoral scenery contrasting with his life of late night bars and gaming rooms.
I thought the section with Mrs Nickleby still appearing to think the madman next door was in love with her, only to have him turn his attentions to Miss LaCreevy, went too far-for her to believe the neighbour was a genuine suitor would imply that she was incredibly stupid, bordering on delusional.
By contrast, in explaining the actions of Mr Bray on the morning of the wedding, Dickens shows great understanding of human self-deception as Bray attempts to justify the selling of his daughter to pay his own debts and to buy himself a better life:
When men are about to commit, or to sanction the commission of some injustice, it is not uncommon for them to express pity for the object either of that or some parallel proceeding, and to feel themselves, at the time, quite virtuous and moral, and immensely superior to those who express no pity at all. This is a kind of upholding of faith above works, and is very comfortable. To do Ralph Nickleby justice, he seldom practised this sort of dissimulation; but he understood those who did, and therefore suffered Bray to say, again and again, with great vehemence, that they were jointly doing a very cruel thing, before he again offered to interpose a word.
The conclusion of this section, with the rescue of Madeline Bray following the well-timed death of her father, was a wonderfully Dickensian touch!
Mod
In ch 49, Dickens says of Smike
the result so sure, that day by day, and grain by grain, the mortal part wastes and withers away, so that the ..."
You are probably right, Frances - Smike might be suffering from tuberculosis, a common illness, and cause of death of that time.
So it seems we are to witness another sad death.
Smike retreating upstairs when Frank called really seemed yet another misery to heap onto his miserable life and was hard to take. Kate is definitely taken with Frank, he is all she can think about, but Smike is left alone with his pathetic life and with no chance of his aspiration towards Kate to succeed. Smike’s will to continue the fight against his debilitating illness must be ever diminishing when handsome Frank keeps coming round.The outcome of Sir Mulberry and Lord Verisopht’s duel was realistic in respect of the fact that Sir Mulberry has taken advantage and overwhelmed the Lord ever since he met him. There was only one outcome and it leaves Sir Mulberry as more dangerous adversary than before with seemingly no one to stop him planning his revenge on Nicholas. The only respite might be he has to stay abroad for a while.
I was relieved but a little disappointed by the way Madeline was reprieved from a marriage to despicable Gride. I hoped to see gallant Nicholas somehow concoct a plan (eg a humanitarian kidnap) but all his pleadings to her common sense were in vain. The death of her father moments before her marriage seemed rather contrived. Madeline definitely has a stubborn (or maybe resolute) side to her character so if she and Nicholas do get together there could be some interesting exchanges. She may be able to help control that violent temper of his.
Trev wrote: "Madeline definitely has a stubborn (or maybe resolute) side to her character so if she and Nicholas do get together there could be some interesting exchanges. She may be able to help control that violent temper of his."Unfortunately I think that stubbornness is only in the context of "doing her duty" in this case to save her despicable father by entering into this horrible marriage.
I expect in true Dickensian fashion she will be an equally dutiful and dependent wife, sacrificing herself for the good of those she loves.
The deaths in this section make an interesting comparison. Firstly we have Lord Verisopht's in the duel with Sir Mulberry Hawke. Lord Verisopht has shown glimmerings of understanding the duplicities and nastiness of Sir Mulberry. But, as the name tells us, he is very soft. Would he have been able to withstand the temptations of giving in to the strongest person in his hemisphere? Probably not. He is a character designed to demonstrate Hawkes' worst features, and his death leaves the latter without one of his supporters (although an unwilling one). However, Lord Verisopht is a character capable of redemption if he became involved with a strong but positive character and his death is a sad moment. In contrast, Mr Bray's death is such a positive story, with no sad moments. He is shown to be such a selfish character. The section about his feelings of guilt is marvellous. Too true, the lamentation of guilt is often enough for such characters, and they continue to follow their own desires for their satisfaction. There is no possibility of redemption on Mr Bray's part.
Perhaps the scenery observed by Lord Verisopht is to show what life could have been for him in other circumstances, and that the life he has is possibly not worth having. Mr Bray has no such pleasant moments. He goes upstairs after a mean, selfish decision and dies. Everyone rejoices!
Mod
I'm there with you on Smike, Trev. He obviously loves Kate and knows that there is no future for such feelings - he is sick and not in a position ever to marry a person like Kate. He sees it clearly with every visit Frank makes to the Nickleby house. I'm not very certain of how Kate feels - I sense a bit of indecision there. But yes, Frank occupies her thoughts.
It is interesting that you take the view of Sir Mulberry coming to complete his revenge upon Nicholas, for I thought this was Dickens's way of winding down that episode. Sir Mulberry deserves a very painful punishment for killing Lord Frederick and humiliating Kate, and I hope there will be another encounter between Nicholas and that villain in which he'll learn an unforgettable lesson from Nicholas.
I would like to describe Madeline as "resolute". She is conscientiously duty-bound to a selfish father. Although she is appalled at the very idea of her marriage to Gride, she is determined to go ahead, for her sole aim is to earn her father's freedom before his death.
God help Nicholas with his temper. I hope Madeline can help him there with time. :)
Mod
I agree that Madeline represents the true Dickensian character of duty and obedience - be it as a daughter or wife, sacrificing herself for the benefit of parent/husband.
Mod
That is an interesting comparison, Robin. The death of Lord Verisopht leaves us sad because he never could live a life on his own and enjoy it, being always under the clutch of Sir Mulberry. His regret over their treatment of Kate is evidence that the young lord had a good-heart amidst the idle and callous existence.
On the other hand, Mr. Bray's death a happy circumstance wicked though it may sound. That released Madeline from a deplorable marriage and him unable to trouble and burden her anymore.
I again feel for Smike. It’s really heart-wrenching to witness what he goes through. But NO, Frances and Pyiangie!!! Even when I was reading, sometimes it pained me to go on, as I really feel for Smike. The doctor said there was no need to worry and that his friend would soon recover. I also wonder if its lovesickness? I think Trev is right. And maybe they are all so caught up in their own lives at this point, but it seems that Smike’s demise has been going on for some time. Is it all Kate? I remember Dickens alluded earlier that Smike has nothing to do now since living in the new house. When Nicholas was with the theater Smike had parts to play and things to do. Now he’s stuck with Mrs. Nickelby. UGH!!!! No wonder he’s in ill health! It was strange with the neighbor, and again we see how Mrs. Nickelby is so devoid of anyone but herself. But I agree, I’m glad that had run its course. I wish she would in a way as well. LOL
It was quite sad about Lord Versisopht. Considering Hawk is so horrible I really thought it was going to come out the other way. I do hope it is the last of Mulberry, but with Dickens, one can’t ever be quite sure, can we? It was a rather strange ending, and sudden in a way to me. Out of no where we’re in a gambling hall, then there’s a duel, the Lord is dead, and Hawk is gone. Seems an awful buildup, and then just that in a way.
I liked the section with the Kenwigs and Lillyvick. Seems like Dickens got that into a tidy little knot and closed that one. :))
Gride is horrible. He makes my skin crawl. I was impressed with Nicholas bringing Kate to try to change Madeleine’s mind. Earlier I thought that Madeleine had no one, and maybe a friend in Kate would do her good. I was absolutely surprised how that turned out in the end!
Frances, I agree about Madeleine. I think she is on the wrong side of being a Martyr. Again, why her mother inflicted her pain on her daughter is beyond me. For years she endured the wrath of that horrible man and then chained her daughter to the same. The mothers in this book have very “interesting” personalities.
I agree that it was very suspenseful! I was also thinking of the first few chapters of the book until now, and how so much has changed!!! I like how this is broken down into chapters per week, especially now it makes me think how this might have been read in Dickens time as a serial. And, as we are at now…at a harrowing moment and must wait until the next installment…
Brenda wrote: "I again feel for Smike. It’s really heart-wrenching to witness what he goes through. But NO, Frances and Pyiangie!!! Even when I was reading, sometimes it pained me to go on, as I really feel for S..."I like the points you picked up about Smike and the theatre life, and then, later the one about Madeleine and her mother's behaviour. Almost leaving Madeleine a terrible inheritance of devotion to an unworthy cause.
In one of my earlier comments I suggested that one way Smike could have escaped the machinations of Squeers was to join the theatrical group who is leaving England and travelling to America. Others made the point that Smike's devotion to Nicholas would have prevented that being a solution. I'm wondering about the role of devotion. Obviously Nicholas is a relatively worthy character, and the hero, so devotion to him is to be expected. But I wonder how much Nicholas depended on Smike's devotion? You rightly talk of his having a role that was his and at which he did well in the theatre. That is, there was a broadening out of his life at this juncture in the novel. With the end of this period of his and Nicholas's journey together Smike is once again dependent on a small circle of friends. That he ends up being housed with Mrs Nickleby, and pining for Kate, seems to close him off from anything other than dependence and unrequited love.
The role of mothers in this novel is indeed interesting. They are self centred (Mrs Bray and Mrs Nickleby) or more obviously cruel (as in the case of Mrs Squeers). Only one woman, Kate, is painted as strong person, although others have reasonably positive roles.
Oh, the Kenwigs and Lilleyvick - yes you are so right. It was tied up neatly. The Kenwigs' conniving paid off, and Lillyvicks' acceptance of their 'generosity' without initially being prepared to keep his promises, makes the scenario satisfying.
Robin, I agreed with you on Smike, and perhaps theater in the US would have been a good fit. I just don’t see either him nor NN parting from each other no matter. I feel like Nicholas thinks he’s doing Smike a world of favor by the luxuries he’s affording Smike. Unfortunately, and maybe as we’re seeing, Smike needs more stimulation and probably to not feel like he’s being a burden. I think they depend on each other equally but Nicholas is growing in his world and poor Smike is becoming stagnant. Nicholas has too many things going on to really see all that is going on with Smike right now too. I do think Nicholas takes his friendship with Smike seriously and I think the whole family really is devoted to him. You know the Mrs wouldn’t notice anything if it knocked her on the head and Kate’s too involved with Frank. Perhaps Ms. LaCreery? She caught wind of something before. Although she’s kind of wrapped up in Tim now. Noggs? He seems to come to everyone’s rescue. I LOVE Smike, he’s a quick learner, so a type of trade isn’t so much an issue... is there a romance here for him anywhere?
I don’t think Nicholas has intentionally done Smike wrong, I think his intentions were above board and he thinks he’s being a great friend. Unfortunately it may not be best for Smike? And Smike is too humble and appreciative ever to say anything. I really don’t think Nicholas intends to close him off, but to ease the horrible life Smike had before of being a slave to Squeers. Sometimes our best intentions are not always the best though?
Dickens brought us this far... I feel like he’s not going to leave it hanging too long.
Brenda wrote: "Robin, I agreed with you on Smike, and perhaps theater in the US would have been a good fit. I just don’t see either him nor NN parting from each other no matter. I feel like Nicholas thinks he’s..."
I think that you are right about all of this in regard to Smike and Nicholas. I just like to look at how I might approach issues such as, for example, the role of devotion and codependency if I were to write a serious paper about such themes in Dickens novels. I get somewhat carried away and its great to have your response! It is thoughtful, and responsive but is keeping me on track.
Mod
I truly hope you are right about Smike, Brenda. That poor boy should not have a sad demise. He already has had enough suffering with the Squeers and now his broken heart over Kate. I hope will have a happy ending and not suffer the fate of poor Lord Verisopht.
Mod
Dickens does seem to have created some negative personalities for the roles of the mother.
No Robin, I like the diving deeper into and discussing it! :))Would it be codependent so much between Nicholas and Smike though I wonder, or more like a parent/child in a way? I think Smike really has to be dependent on someone to look out for him for his basic welfare. If we think about Madeleine and her mother, would they better fit a role of codependent? Although considering the time period, they are also dependent almost entirely on a man, their rights were so limited. So would that classification be fair or correct then?
Great. Thank you. That could well be right, that Nicholas has taken on a parental role with Smike. He might see that Smike is not ready for independence as yet. On the other hand, Nicholas might need the admiration from a person who is weaker than he is. After all, Kate really is the strong person in the family, in my view. You are right about the women having to be dependent on a man, and that would be the reason for Madeleine's mother to bow to her husband's commands. It is also the case with daughters who had to have a husband (and Madeleine is about to do this) to provide.
Mod
Piyangie wrote: "I too agree that Nicholas has taken a parental role with Smike. He takes care of Smike as a father takes care of his helpless child. Perhaps it will do good Smike if Nicholas tried to treat him as ..."Thank you for this insight. This idea was behind my reference to codependence in relation to Smike and Nicholas. I am always concerned when a character, fictional or real, is possibly dependent on having another character rely on them to an absurd degree. it is hard to justify being critical, as caring is such an important part of human relationships. However, I think that Dickens was keeping Smike in a subordinate position throughout the novel. Initially it is obvious this is a terrible situation. When it comes to his role with kind Nicholas , it is less easy to be critical. I think that I am keen for young people, even those as damaged as Smike, to be given the opportunity to grow beyond needing a parental figure.
I think that the description of Gride's house is really appalling and one of the best Dickens's pages I ever read. You have the impression to really smell the mould!I am so, so sorry for Lord Verisopht, poor thing. He paid dear his past mistakes.
I was astounded by Henrietta Petowker elopment, completely unexpected, I thought Mr. Lillyvick had attained a lifelong happiness.
As for the last scene, did someone of you notice Nicholas's words "if this is what I scarcely dare to hope it is"? Don't you think they are rather heartless? He was hoping for a death... The death of Mr. Bray is the solution of all the problems and it is perhaps the only way to stop the marriage but anyway Mr. Bray is Madeleine's father and his death will cause her great suffering.
Daniela wrote: "As for the last scene, did someone of you notice Nicholas's words "if this is what I scarcely dare to hope it is"? Don't you think they are rather heartless? He was hoping for a death..."I didn't notice that but went back to read it and that appears to be what he means-yes quite a surprising admission from Nicholas, particularly as Dickens seems to admire these young people (mostly women) who sacrifice themselves for a usually undeserving parent or grandparent.
Mod
At the time I didn't think much of it. I merely took it as feeling of relief Nicholas felt for Madeline's deliverance from the clutch of Arthur Gride. Nicholas loved the girl and resented his father's action in "selling" his daughter to gain his own freedom. Mr. Bray is not a man to be liked but the daughter loved him and was ready to be sacrificed. I'm not justifying Nicholas's feelings. I agree with both Daniela and Frances that it is heartless of Nicholas to feel relieved of the death of the father of the girl he loved. It is quite contrary to the character of Nicholas which so far was shown in a very favourable light. But I do think, mean though it is, it is the only reaction that he could have felt at that time, his resentment and abhorrence of Mr. Bray being so deep within him.
Dickens winds down another episode with a sad end. Sir Mulberry Hawk, having once again appeared in society, is already scheming his revenge on Nicholas. Lord Frederick on learning this addresses Sir Mulberry harshly on the matter. Sir Mulberry at first with his authority silences the young lord, but it doesn’t stop there. When the subject comes up again, it ends with Lord Frederick striking a blow to Sir Mulberry. This results in a duel killing Lord Frederick and Sir Mulberry fleeing to France.
I was saddened by this ending. It looks the innocent died and the wicked survived. I hope Mulberry will be aptly punished for his crime.
We see a little more into Arthur Gride’s life. He is nothing but an old miserly man – worse than even Ralph. Poor Madeline. Newman Noggs coming to Arthur Gride learns more of Ralph and Gride’s plans. He learns the name of the lady in question too. It looks the “stranger” who we met in the last segment keeps his contact with Noggs and that he has learned something. Noggs go to meet Nicholas regarding this stranger’s business. While they are enjoying themselves in a tavern, Noggs happens to reveal the plight of Madeleine Bray to the utter horror and dismay of Nicholas.
Nicholas is determined to try his best to save Madeline from the impending miserable marriage. He seeks her out and implores her to postpone the wedding for a week so that he and the Cheeryble brothers (who are away on business at present) could intervene. But Madeline is though broken-hearted is determined to go ahead so that his father would be free within a day. Not being successful to change her mind, Nicholas pays a visit to Arthur Gride and rather threatens him of possible treachery which Nicholas seems to have a very vague knowledge for the present but one he is determined to find out. However, he doesn’t succeed with Gride either. Yet his determination is strong that he appears still on the wedding morning at Bray’s house not alone but accompanied by Kate to the shock and amazement of Ralph. Ralph’s threats and insolent words don’t move either brother or sister and they all wait for the arrival of the bride and the father. The father being remorseful at the end suddenly dies leaving Madeline free from committing herself. Nicholas seizes this opportunity and removes Madeline from her abode and takes her and her servant with them despite the feeble attempt made by Ralph and Gride to stop him.
Madeline was safe at last. It was a relief. :) But that turn of events came as a surprise to me. Anyone else surprised? Or were you expecting something of that sort?
This was quite an exciting segment. What are your thoughts? To me, this is the most suspenseful segment so far.