# Mrs. Squeers — Nicholas Nickleby character guide

> Mrs. Squeers in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Squeers, Mr. and Mrs. Squeers

**First appearance:** 0005-iii

## Snapshot

Squeers's brawny, retort-loving wife, who keeps the boys in brimstone-and-treacle and greets every kindness with a sneer.

## Who they are

Mrs. Squeers rules the domestic side of Dotheboys Hall with the same brutality her husband applies in the schoolroom, dosing boys with foul medicine and grudging every crust. When Smike goes missing, she blames the new teacher for stirring rebellion and orders Nicholas off to the schoolroom without a moment's pause. Her cold appraisal of Nicholas on his first night sets the tone for the household he has entered.

## In the story

### [Mr. and Mrs. Squeers at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/vii)

Bustles about the house, locks up food and clothes, and treats Nicholas with condescending hospitality.

### [Of the internal economy of Dotheboys Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/viii)

Openly explains the cynical purpose of brimstone and treacle: to spoil appetites and save money; bullies Smike and the boys.

### [Of Miss Squeers, Mrs. Squeers, Master Squeers, and Mr. Squeers; and of various matters and persons connected no less with the Squeerses than Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/ix)

Mrs. Squeers vehemently hates Nicholas, calling him a 'proud, haughty, consequential, turned-up-nosed peacock.' She is skilled at breaking the spirits of those under her care.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xiii)

Assists in recapturing Smike and joins the attack on Nicholas during the flogging.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned in the letter as having been assaulted by Nicholas, with her back comb driven into her head.

### [An Old Acquaintance is Recognised Under Melancholy Circumstances, and Dotheboys Hall Breaks Up Forever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxiv)

Forced to kneel and swallow brimstone and treacle during the rebellion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/mrs_squeers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters