Nicholas Nickleby · Character

Newman Noggs

Ralph Nickleby's ragged, drink-sodden clerk, who once knew better days and secretly works against his master to help Nicholas.

supporting

Also known as Noggs, Mr. Noggs, Mr. Newman Noggs

First appearance: i

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

Ralph's clerk, a fallen gentleman who once kept horses and hounds, now impoverished and eccentric.

In the storyOf Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his establishments, and his undertakings, and of a great joint stock company of vast national importance.Open this moment free

Newman Noggs scratches out Ralph's correspondence from a butler's pantry, his coat rusty, his nose red, his face twisted into expressions no one can read. He was once a gentleman of some means, and his fall has left him with nothing but a stubborn loyalty to the memory of Ralph's dead brother and a fierce sympathy for the man's children. He is the novel's quiet double agent, passing warnings and small kindnesses under his employer's nose, and his cracked dignity is one of Dickens's most affecting creations.

See Newman Noggs in Of Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his establishments, and his undertakings, and of a great joint stock company of vast national importance.Book page

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Character Web

41 connections

A slice of how Newman Noggs sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

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

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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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Relationships

Ralph Nickleby
professional · negative
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. How this plays out →
Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Ralph Nickleby
professional · negative
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. How this plays out →
Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Ralph Nickleby
professional · negative
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. How this plays out →

Ralph Nickleby
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes.
Nicholas Nickleby
Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans.
Ralph Nickleby
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes.
Nicholas Nickleby
Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans.
Nicholas Nickleby
Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans.
Ralph Nickleby
Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Newman Noggs in i

In the story

Newman Noggs appears across 26 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Of Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his establishments, and his undertakings, and of a great joint stock company of vast national importance.
Ralph's clerk, a fallen gentleman who once kept horses and hounds, now impoverished and eccentric.
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.
Delivers the letter announcing Godfrey Nickleby's death to Ralph; shows subtle signs of sympathy for the Nickleby family.
Chapter IV
Ralph's clerk, who silently scrutinizes Nicholas when he delivers a parcel.
Mr. and Mrs. Squeers at Home
Mentioned through a mysterious letter that falls from Nicholas's coat, offering shelter in London if needed.
Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the city
Assists the move with quiet efficiency, lies about having seen Nicholas off, and displays a gentlemanly demeanor beneath his shabby appearance.
XIV
Present at the Kenwigs' party, preparing punch and enjoying the spirits; later seen in his garret lodging.
XV
Provides shelter and food for Nicholas and Smike; reluctantly reveals the letter from Squeers; expresses pride in Nicholas's actions.
XVI
Visits Nicholas at his new lodgings and relays the tutoring proposition from Mrs. Kenwigs.
Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his fortune. He encounters Mr. Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest.
Walks part of the way with Nicholas and Smike, providing a can of rum and milk for their journey and expressing concern about Nicholas's plans.
Chapter XXVI
Briefly appears answering the door at Ralph's office, departing from custom for a private reason upon seeing the visitor.
Of the proceedings of Nicholas, and certain internal divisions in the company of Mr. Vincent Crummles.
Returns the ten pounds sent by Nicholas and writes a cryptic letter hinting that Kate may soon need her brother's protection.
Nicholas Takes His Leave of the Theatre
Sends a letter urging Nicholas to return to London immediately.
Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel.
Newman observes Ralph closely, then visits Miss La Creevy to coordinate a plan to protect Kate from Ralph's machinations.
XXXII
Not present when Nicholas arrives, but has prepared his room and left word for him.
In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations.
Anxiously awaits Nicholas, tends his wounds with excessive vigor, and delivers the letter to Ralph with barely concealed glee.
XXXIV
Newman admits Mantalini and Squeers, and reacts with cryptic outbursts to Squeers's boasts.
XL
Arranges the secret interview for Nicholas; guides him through the area and helps him escape when Mr. Bobster arrives.
Mr. Ralph Nickleby cuts an old acquaintance. It would also appear from the contents hereof, that a joke, even between husband and wife, may be sometimes carried too far.
Newman delivers news to Ralph that Sir Mulberry Hawk has left for France, taking pleasure in Ralph's annoyance.
Mr. Ralph Nickleby has some confidential intercourse with another old friend. They concert between them a project, which promises well for both.
Grumbles about Ralph's delays and hides in a closet to avoid being detained, overhearing the conversation between Ralph and Gride.
Chapter LI
Delivers Ralph's letter to Gride, reads it secretly, and later reveals the plot to Nicholas.
LII
Urges Nicholas to keep hope and act, then witnesses the Kenwigses' domestic drama.
LVI
Briefly mentioned as Ralph's clerk, who is kept in the dark about the plot.
LIX
Reveals his secret surveillance of Ralph and his role in uncovering the conspiracy; delivers an impassioned accusation.
LX
Mentioned as the clerk who was approached by Brooker to learn about the ongoing events.
Ralph Makes One Last Appointment—and Keeps It
Newman is implied as part of the network of those who have turned against Ralph.
Conclusion
Lives in a cottage near Nicholas's house, becomes a childlike master of revels to the children, dearly loved by all.

Chapter companion notes

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See Newman Noggs in i

See Newman Noggs in Of Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his establishments, and his undertakings, and of a great joint stock company of vast national importance.