Nicholas Nickleby: Week 06 - Chapters 25-30

[Zulfiya]

Hello, everybody.

The thread is now open to discuss the next portion of the book. Please post your thoughts below.

[Zulfiya]

So, we have read the first half of the book, and the novel itself is an exploration of the ordeal of the two siblings – Kate and Nicholas. One might say that Kate is somewhat a mousy, grey, weak character, and it is true, but only BY MODERN STANDARDS. As a 19th century heroine, she is an amazing lady. She tries to find her way in life; she also tries to support herself and her mother. Besides, she is (again using the modern terminology) being stalked by the bunch of perverted socialites, and she tries to keep her dignity and to rebuff them. If she first started as a passive character, now she is a very tangible, independent, and interesting character.

Mrs. Nickleby, on the other hand, still dwells in the world of dreams, and some of them are quite annoying and vexatious. … that good lady in a perfect ecstasy of satisfaction, no less with the attentions shown her by two titled gentlemen, than with the conviction that Kate might now pick and choose, at least between two large fortunes, and most unexceptionable husbands. She could have been more insightful and perspicacious, but oh, well, it might have been the role she was assigned as a character.

Her other pretentious statement about Shakespeare and a distinct possibility (again, according to Mrs. Nickleby’s opinion) that Nicholas could have become another Shakespeare show not only her motherly feelings, but also portray her more like a caricature rather than a true character. I recollect I was in the family way with my son Nicholas at the time, and I had been very much frightened by an Italian image boy that very morning. In fact, it was quite a mercy, ma'am,' added Mrs Nickleby, in a whisper to Mrs Wititterly, 'that my son didn't turn out to be a Shakespeare, and what a dreadful thing that would have been!'
Dickens satirical eye is quite relentless, and even when we might suspect that the description of the Snevellicci’s household is somewhat a space-filler, the master is still at his best describing the family members. Here is one of Dickens pearls, describing the Jack of all trades, namely Mr. Snevellicci.
Such was, and in such an attitude sat Miss Snevellicci's papa, who had been in the profession ever since he had first played the ten-year-old imps in the Christmas pantomimes; who could sing a little, dance a little, fence a little, act a little, and do everything a little, but not much; who had been sometimes in the ballet, and sometimes in the chorus, at every theatre in London; who was always selected in virtue of his figure to play the military visitors and the speechless noblemen; who always wore a smart dress, and came on arm-in-arm with a smart lady in short petticoats,--and always did it too with such an air that people in the pit had been several times known to cry out 'Bravo!' under the impression that he was somebody.

You just can’t help smiling when you read these lines.

[MadgeUK]

Dickens too was a Jack-of-all- trades in the theatre - was he perhaps ironically describing himself?

[Zulfiya]

MadgeUK wrote: "Dickens too was a Jack-of-all- trades in the theatre - was he perhaps ironically describing himself?"

Oh, he definitely was that Jack:-)a clerk, a reporter, a writer, a reader to name just a few.

[Lynnm]

Zulfiya wrote: "So, we have read the first half of the book, and the novel itself is an exploration of the ordeal of the two siblings – Kate and Nicholas. One might say that Kate is somewhat a mousy, grey, weak ch..."

I agree about Kate. By modern sensibilities, she is annoying at first. In those first scenes between Kate and Sir Mulberry, you think, much ado about nothing. Learn how to play along and give as good as you get. And Sir Mulberry seems like just a typical young man out to have some fun.

But the more I read about him, and his manipulations of everyone (the Lord, Mrs. Nickleby, etc.), the more his truly bad behavior stands out.

Kate obviously has a keen sense of right and wrong, and Sir Mulberry is definitely in the wrong.

We could use more Kate's in the world; people with standards and some values.

Although I have to say that I must be a bad person, because I found Pyke and Pluck to be funny. :-)

And as usual, Mrs. Nickleby is a silly twit. Her rambling on and on is annoying, and if she could read one situation correctly, it would be a wonder.

I also have to say, that the more I'm reading Dickens again, the more I marvel at his ability to understand human nature. It is why his novels have endured all these years. I'm really enjoying our Dickens project!

[Mari]

My life has been positively Dickensian this week but I have finally posted some pictures from this past week's reading, and have caught up with the reading as well.

I agree with Lynnm, marveling at Dickens' ability to understand human nature. And to portray it so convincingly in his characters, and the situations they get themselves into, and the world in general.

I've enjoyed Nicholas' time on the stage, with that troupe of actors and actresses, but now that he is traveling back to London, I foresee some fur flying...

[Hedi]

After finally having caught up again and reading the posts here, I must agree with Lynm on the characters.

Kate is really a strong character for her time and compared to her mother not willing to see only the positive sides despite their dependable situation. Somehow Mrs. Nickleby reminds me a little of Mrs. Bennett in pride and prejudice, who sees any rich man as potential son-in-law regardless of his character. Under these circumstances it is even more courageous of Kate to withstand these temptations.

I also think that Mrs Nickleby is more of a caricature than a character. She might also be a satirical representative of her times. Also the theatrical group which is not only performing drama on stage, but also in real life, seems a little satirical and comical, but it is definitely fun to read.
Lynm said she liked Mr. Pluck and Mr. Pyke somehow. I must admit they seem to be kind of funny, but I cannot stand their pushiness and false gentleness and their deliberately manipulating people for Sir Mulberry Hawk. They do not seem to have any conscience, but again Dickens shows his ability to turn something morally wrong into something still funny, comical and satirical.

I hope I will be able to keep up with the schedule again.

[Zulfiya]

Hedi wrote: "After finally having caught up again and reading the posts here, I must agree with Lynm on the characters.

Kate is really a strong character for her time and compared to her mother not willing to ..."

My goodness, she is truly another embodiment of Mrs. Bennett. Thank you, Hedi

Lynnm, I am truly enjoying this project - before this project I had been nursing the idea of re-reading Dickens, but it is so exhilarating and so much fun to read it as a group, and hey, the journey is much more enjoyable when there are several literary travelers. As a result, the destination (all his novels read and discussed) seems much more achievable.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I agree about the project, I feel fortunate to have joined the group right when this was being planned. I have so many other things I want to read but the way we are doing this I can fit it in. So many of Dickens' works I read many, many years ago so it's a delight to rediscover them, and some I never read, so I really look forward to that!

[Lynnm]

Zulfiya wrote: "before this project I had been nursing the idea of re-reading Dickens, but it is so exhilarating and so much fun to read it as a group, and hey, the journey is much more enjoyable when there are several literary travelers. As a result, the destination (all his novels read and discussed) seems much more achievable. "

It is more achievable. I highly doubt that I would stick with it if I were to try to do this on my own. Even though I love Dickens, I would get behind, and then the entire project would fall away.

But when you do it in a group, you have more concrete deadlines, and the enjoyment of sharing comments keeps it all moving along.

[Lynnm]

Hedi wrote: "Lynm said she liked Mr. Pluck and Mr. Pyke somehow. I must admit they seem to be kind of funny, but I cannot stand their pushiness and false gentleness and their deliberately manipulating people for Sir Mulberry Hawk."

I agree. I think the reason that I found them amusing was that they were manipulating Mrs. Nickleby...and I find it hard to have any sympathy for her. Shame on me. :-)

[Bob]

Lynnm wrote: "Hedi wrote: "Lynm said she liked Mr. Pluck and Mr. Pyke somehow. I must admit they seem to be kind of funny, but I cannot stand their pushiness and false gentleness and their deliberately manipulat..."

I'm trying to make sense of their names. Pluck is pretty clear - they're plucking poor Lord What's-his-name, feather by feather. But Pyke . . . is he planning to stick Lord Whosis with his pike when they're done plucking him . . . or is he reeling him in like a pike on the end of a fishing rod . . . or . . . ???

[Zulfiya]

Bob wrote: "Lynnm wrote: "Hedi wrote: "Lynm said she liked Mr. Pluck and Mr. Pyke somehow. I must admit they seem to be kind of funny, but I cannot stand their pushiness and false gentleness and their delibera..."

I think Pyke is 'pike' like a spear and/or a fish of prey (it can also have a cannibalistic diet). IMHO:-)