Kate Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby

Loving and protective siblings who support each other through hardship.

Ralph Nickleby

Kate is Ralph's niece, whom he exploits and treats coldly for his own purposes.

Fanny Squeers

Fanny is bitterly jealous of Kate's beauty and sees her as a romantic rival.

Nicholas Nickleby

Loving and protective siblings who support each other through hardship.

Nicholas Nickleby

Loving and protective siblings who support each other through hardship.

Fanny Squeers

Fanny is bitterly jealous of Kate's beauty and sees her as a romantic rival.

Ralph Nickleby

Kate is Ralph's niece, whom he exploits and treats coldly for his own purposes.

Fanny Squeers

Fanny is bitterly jealous of Kate's beauty and sees her as a romantic rival.

Ralph Nickleby

Kate is Ralph's niece, whom he exploits and treats coldly for his own purposes.

Nicholas Nickleby

Introduced as the daughter of the deceased, a young woman of beauty and virtue.

I

Daughter of Nicholas and Mrs. Nickleby; about fourteen years old at the time of her father's death.

Mr. Ralph Nickleby receives sad tidings of his brother, but bears up nobly against the intelligence communicated to him. The reader is informed how he liked Nicholas, who is herein introduced, and how kindly he proposed to make his fortune at once.

Present during Ralph's visit; weeps at her uncle's harshness; agrees to try boarding-school work to support herself.

Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his leave-taking and his fellow-travellers, and what befell them on the road.

Helps pack Nicholas's trunk, weeps silently, and comes to the coach-yard to see him off, expressing distaste for Squeers.

Chapter X

Sits for her portrait with Miss La Creevy and is taken by Ralph to begin work at Madame Mantalini's.

Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the city

Reflects despondently on her new career and the gloomy house; shows perceptiveness and gratitude toward Miss La Creevy and Newman Noggs.

Follows the fortunes of Miss Nickleby

Begins her employment at Madame Mantalini's, feeling heavy-hearted and facing the grim realities of working life.

Miss Knag, after doting on Kate Nickleby for three whole days, makes up her mind to hate her forevermore. The causes which led Miss Knag to form this resolution.

Begins her novitiate at Madame Mantalini's; described as awkward and weary, she is manipulated by Miss Knag's false friendship.

Descriptive of a Dinner at Mr. Ralph Nickleby's, and of the manner in which the company entertained themselves, before dinner, at dinner, and after dinner

Endures a difficult week at work and is reluctantly drawn into Ralph's dinner party, where she faces disrespect from his guests.

Chapter XX

Defends Nicholas against Ralph's accusations and pleads with him to stay.

Madam Mantalini finds herself in a situation of some difficulty, and Miss Nickleby finds herself in no situation at all.

Returns to work after illness, faces Miss Knag's hostility, is dismissed when Madame Mantalini's business fails, and then applies for a companion position with Mrs. Wititterly.

Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his fortune. He encounters Mr. Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest.

Mentioned as Nicholas stands beneath her window, thinking of her and deciding not to say goodbye to spare her pain.

Chapter XXVI

Though not present, she is the subject of her mother's fantasies and Ralph's troubled thoughts, as well as the target of the noblemen's predatory interest.

Mrs. Nickleby Becomes Acquainted with Messrs. Pyke and Pluck, Whose Affection and Interest Are Beyond All Bounds

Forced to endure Sir Mulberry Hawk's company at the theater; she angrily rejects his advances and threatens him with her brother's retaliation.

Miss Nickleby Appeals to Her Uncle for Protection

Desperate and distressed, she appeals to her uncle for protection after suffering harassment and unjust accusations.

Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel.

Kate is the subject of Ralph's conflicted thoughts and the focus of Newman and Miss La Creevy's protective scheme.

XXXII

Her name and virtue are derided by Sir Mulberry and his companions, prompting Nicholas's confrontation.

In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations.

Found pale and miserable at the Wititterlys'; is immediately removed by Nicholas and expresses her relief and gratitude.

Smike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new acquaintances. Brighter days seem to dawn upon the family.

Warmly welcomes Smike and busies herself with settling into the new cottage.

XXXVIII

Enjoys a settled feeling of tranquility and happiness living with her brother, her cheerfulness and beauty restored.

Containing some romantic passages between Mrs. Nickleby and the gentleman in the small-clothes next door.

Terrified by the neighbor's strange behavior, she urges her mother to come inside and is perplexed by Mrs. Nickleby's complacency.

Chapter XLIII

Blushes at Frank's visit and enjoys the evening walk and conversation.

XLV

Pale but quiet, stays close to her brother during the confrontation.

Chapter XLIX

Lives peacefully with her mother; flushes when Mrs. Nickleby praises Frank Cheeryble's attentiveness.

LV

Gently tries to explain Madeline's circumstances to her mother; nurses Madeline devotedly during her illness.

LVIII

Mentioned in Nicholas's memories and as the object of Smike's secret love.

LXI

Mourns Smike, supports Nicholas's decision, and shares her own regrets about a past sacrifice.

Chapter LXIII

Attends the dinner, is emotional about Madeline's silence, and is led to a room where she finds a letter from Madeline.

An Old Acquaintance is Recognised Under Melancholy Circumstances, and Dotheboys Hall Breaks Up Forever

Accompanies Nicholas on his walk and recognizes Mr. Mantalini in the cellar.

Conclusion

Marries Frank Cheeryble on the same day as Nicholas's wedding, remaining a gentle and loving sister and mother.