Nicholas Nickleby · Character

Miss La Creevy

A chatty, warm-hearted miniature painter and landlady whose good nature and small business sense are forever tugging against each other.

supporting

Also known as La Creevy, Little Miss La Creevy, poor little Miss La Creevy

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Nicholas Nickleby, Miss La Creevy is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Landlady of the house where the Nicklebys lodge; initially mistaken by Ralph; later warned by him not to expect financial support from the family.

In the storyMr. 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.Open this moment free

Miss La Creevy lets lodgings and paints portraits in her little London house, and she takes the Nicklebys in when they arrive from the country with more grief than money. She is kind, talkative, and a little vain about her art, but she is also an unprotected woman who cannot afford to be generous indefinitely, and Ralph Nickleby knows exactly how to press that nerve. She matters because she is the first small, decent world the Nicklebys find in London, and because her wavering loyalty measures how hard kindness is under pressure.

See Miss La Creevy in 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.Book page

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Character Web

2 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Extended cast of actors, students, and townsfolk
Cheeryble circle and allies

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional peak is the rare, unguarded happiness of the group, particularly John Browdie’s e…

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In the story

Miss La Creevy appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

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.
Landlady of the house where the Nicklebys lodge; initially mistaken by Ralph; later warned by him not to expect financial support from the family.
Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his leave-taking and his fellow-travellers, and what befell them on the road.
Bids Nicholas goodbye early in the morning, promises to be kind to Kate, and receives a playful kiss.
Chapter X
Paints Kate's portrait and discusses the challenges of miniature painting.
Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the city
Bids a tearful farewell to Kate, expressing genuine affection and promising to pray for her welfare.
Chapter XX
Accompanies Nicholas to his mother's house and witnesses the confrontation.
Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel.
Miss La Creevy receives Newman and agrees to help by taking Mrs. Nickleby to the theatre to keep her away from Ralph.
Smike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new acquaintances. Brighter days seem to dawn upon the family.
Comes to help settle the cottage, loses her tools, and falls off steps while assisting.
XXXVIII
Observes Smike's decline, cheers him up, and prepares to return to London via omnibus.
LXI
Visits and is overcome with emotion upon seeing Nicholas return alone, eventually recovering from hysterics.
Chapter LXIII
Invited to the dinner, is comforted by Tim Linkinwater, and accepts his proposal.
Conclusion
Marries Tim Linkinwater, becomes a lighthearted and bustling wife, proud of her miniature paintings.

Chapter companion notes

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See Miss La Creevy in i