# Smike — Nicholas Nickleby character guide > Smike in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** poor Smike, the astonished Smike, the unfortunate Smike **First appearance:** 0005-iii ## Snapshot A starved, half-witted charity boy at Dotheboys Hall, beaten and abandoned, who becomes Nicholas's devoted companion after being rescued. ## Who they are Smike has been at Squeers's Yorkshire school so long he cannot remember any other life, and is worked, starved, and mocked as a matter of routine. When Nicholas defies Squeers to protect him, Smike attaches himself to his rescuer with a gratitude so total it becomes the tenderest relationship in the book. He is the human cost of the school system Dickens was attacking, and his helpless devotion forces Nicholas, and the reader, to keep asking what one person owes another. ## Relationships ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Nicholas becomes Smike's devoted protector and closest friend, rescuing him from abuse. ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Nicholas becomes Smike's devoted protector and closest friend, rescuing him from abuse. ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Nicholas becomes Smike's devoted protector and closest friend, rescuing him from abuse. ## In the story ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as one of the pupils traveling with Squeers, part of the group arriving at Greta Bridge. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Squeers at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/vii) A lame, neglected boy who appears at the gate and later in the parlour; he seems hopeless and is scolded by Squeers. ### [Of the internal economy of Dotheboys Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/viii) A broken-spirited drudge, beaten and abused; confides in Nicholas his despair and fear of dying alone, with no hope. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xii) Becomes attached to Nicholas; suffers increased abuse from Squeers and his family; struggles with learning but is motivated by desire to please Nicholas. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xiii) Runs away from Dotheboys Hall, is recaptured and brought back in a wretched state, then rescued by Nicholas during the flogging. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xv) Travels with Nicholas to London; drinks punch for the first time and shows surprise and delight. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xvi) Arranges Nicholas's room and prepares a meal, anxiously awaiting his return. ### [Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his fortune. He encounters Mr. Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxii) Accompanies Nicholas; reveals fragmented memories of his past, including a dark man who brought him to Yorkshire and a lonely room with a trapdoor. ### [Treats of the company of Mr. Vincent Crummles, and of his affairs, domestic and theatrical](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxiii) Travels with Nicholas and the Crummles boys; shares lodgings with Nicholas in Portsmouth. ### [Concerning a young lady from London, who joins the company, and an elderly admirer who follows in her train; with an affecting ceremony consequent on their arrival.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxv) Struggles to learn the Apothecary part but succeeds through Nicholas's patient teaching; performs well on stage. ### [Of the proceedings of Nicholas, and certain internal divisions in the company of Mr. Vincent Crummles.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxix) Shows deep affection for Nicholas, asks about his sister, and learns the name Ralph Nickleby, which he repeats to himself. ### [Nicholas Takes His Leave of the Theatre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxx) Plays the role of a tailor in the interlude and assists Nicholas in preparing for their departure. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxii) Travels with Nicholas to London and is awakened upon their arrival. ### [In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxiii) Sits anxiously with Newman waiting for Nicholas; is told that Newman will call for him shortly. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxiv) Smike is discussed as the target of Ralph's revenge plot, with Squeers providing details of his mysterious past. ### [Smike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new acquaintances. Brighter days seem to dawn upon the family.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxv) Anxiously awaits Nicholas, is brought to meet Kate and Mrs. Nickleby, and later helps make the garden beautiful. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxvii) Sits up with Mrs. Nickleby listening to her family stories before being sent to bed. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxviii) Shows a troubling change: more conscious of his weak intellect, brooding sorrowfully, and dejected, though still willing and faithful. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxix) Held prisoner by Squeers; is freed by John Browdie's clever ruse. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned as the target of the failed abduction scheme by Squeers. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlii) Referenced as the runaway boy whom John Browdie helped. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xliii) Accompanies the group on the walk, finding comfort in Charles Cheeryble's kindness. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlv) Terrified by Snawley's claim to be his father, shrinking back and refusing to go with him. ### [Throws some light upon Nicholas's Love; but whether for good or evil the reader must determine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlvi) His history is related to Mr. Cheeryble; Nicholas seeks approval for protecting him from his father. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlviii) Mentioned by Nicholas as 'the faithful Digby'; Nicholas reveals that Smike is very ill due to an enemy's attack. ### [Chapter XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlix) Health declining due to a dread disease; shows bright eyes, flushed cheeks, and labored breath, causing unease. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lviii) Dying, confesses his love for Kate, asks for a lock of her hair to be buried with him, and dies peacefully after a vision of Eden. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lx) Revealed to be the son of Ralph Nickleby, placed at Dotheboys Hall under the name Smike by Brooker. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxi) Mourned by the family; his death and memory are central to the chapter's emotional tone. ### [Ralph Makes One Last Appointment—and Keeps It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxii) Smike is revealed to be Ralph's son, now dead. His love for Nicholas and his deathbed scene torment Ralph. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxv) His grave is kept green and adorned with fresh flowers by the children, who speak softly of their poor dead cousin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/smike - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters