Nicholas Nickleby · Character

Mrs. Nickleby

Nicholas and Kate's mother, a widow of boundless and rambling anecdote, whose well-meaning foolishness is both a comic engine and a genuine liability.

supporting

Also known as poor Mrs. Nickleby

First appearance: I

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

The widow of the deceased Nicholas Nickleby, left with limited means and two children to raise.

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Mrs. Nickleby means well and understands almost nothing, greeting every crisis with a story about someone she once knew whose name she has forgotten. She is easily flattered, easily misled, and utterly incapable of seeing the danger her brother-in-law represents, which makes her a burden her children must carry rather than a support. Dickens uses her torrents of inconsequential talk for comedy, but the comedy has an edge: her helplessness is exactly the kind of vulnerability that Ralph and his associates know how to exploit.

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See Mrs. Nickleby in I

Character Web

48 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Cheeryble circle and allies
Extended cast of actors, students, and townsfolk
Protagonist
Kenwigs family and neighbors

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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

Mrs. Nickleby appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Nicholas Nickleby
The widow of the deceased Nicholas Nickleby, left with limited means and two children to raise.
I
Wife of Nicholas Nickleby; encourages her husband to speculate, leading to financial ruin.
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.
Appeals to Ralph for help after her husband's death; defends Nicholas's education and character.
Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his leave-taking and his fellow-travellers, and what befell them on the road.
Anxiously prepares for Nicholas's departure and arrives at the coach-yard to embrace him, heedless of onlookers.
Chapter X
Easily swayed by Ralph's promises of prosperity, she encourages Kate to accept the position.
Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the city
Offers illogical comfort to Kate, dismisses concerns about the millinery trade, and shows characteristic obliviousness to practical difficulties.
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.
Kate's mother, who accompanies her to Miss Knag's brother's house and engages in rambling, self-absorbed conversation.
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
Eagerly encourages Kate to attend the dinner, reminiscing about lost jewelry and displaying her characteristic self-pity.
Chapter XX
Distressed and confused, she wavers between believing Ralph and supporting Nicholas.
Madam Mantalini finds herself in a situation of some difficulty, and Miss Nickleby finds herself in no situation at all.
Discovers the advertisement for a companion and encourages Kate to apply, showing her characteristic optimism and lack of awareness of the dangers.
Chapter XXVI
Walks to Ralph's office to deliver a letter, basks in the attention from Sir Mulberry and Lord Frederick, and daydreams about Kate's future marriage prospects.
Mrs. Nickleby Becomes Acquainted with Messrs. Pyke and Pluck, Whose Affection and Interest Are Beyond All Bounds
Flattered by Pyke and Pluck, she fantasizes about Kate marrying Sir Mulberry Hawk and becoming Lady Mulberry Hawk.
Miss Nickleby Appeals to Her Uncle for Protection
Writes a letter to Kate praising Sir Mulberry Hawk, completely unaware of her daughter's true suffering.
Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel.
Mrs. Nickleby is to be taken to the theatre by Miss La Creevy to prevent Ralph from finding her.
In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations.
Is hurriedly moved from her lodgings by Nicholas, with characteristic fussiness over forgotten items.
Smike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new acquaintances. Brighter days seem to dawn upon the family.
Takes possession of the cottage, talks incessantly, and is part of the family's new happy life.
XXXVII
Reveals to Nicholas that a neighbor has been sending gifts and proposing marriage.
Containing some romantic passages between Mrs. Nickleby and the gentleman in the small-clothes next door.
Begins to dress more attractively after her talk with Nicholas, and is flattered by the attentions of the elderly neighbor, despite Kate's alarm.
Chapter XLIII
Proud of her children during the visit, and engages in light banter about Frank's supposed German romance.
Chapter XLIX
Mistaken for Kate by an old gentleman who calls her 'Cat,' causing her to faint; later discusses Frank Cheeryble's visits with Kate.
LV
Confused and argumentative about Madeline's situation, then becomes supportive and takes credit; later schemes to test Frank Cheeryble's intentions toward Kate.
LXI
Grieves Smike in her self-centered manner, lamenting the loss of his attentions.
Chapter LXIII
Attends the dinner, speculates about the invitation's meaning, and is overwhelmed by the happiness of the occasion.

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