The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Summary | Part 1, Act 1, Scenes 1-7 Summary

Scene 1. Members of the company, speaking in turn, give the family background of the Nickleby family. Mr. Godfrey Nickleby married late in life, fathered two sons, received an unexpected inheritance, bought a farm, and upon his death left the older son a large sum of money, and the younger son a smaller sum of money and the farm. The older son, Ralph, went to the city and successfully pursued a career in money making, while the younger son stayed on the farm. Encouraged by his wife to learn from his older brother, the younger Mr. Nickleby put a lot of money into the markets. Unfortunately, he lost everything and soon died, leaving his wife, son Nicholas and daughter Kate to fend for themselves. Having heard nothing but good things about Ralph from Mr. Nickleby, the widow and the two children went immediately to London to seek his help. The members of the company portray the bustle of London as the next scene appears and the story begins in earnest.

Scene 2. At a public meeting in a tavern, Member of Parliament Sir Matthew Pupker faces angry muffin and crumpet sellers when he presents a report on the dismal state of the muffin and crumpet trade. He turns to businessman Mr. Bonney, who moves that the government enact a bill to create a publicly offered muffin and crumpet corporation. Pupker then turns to Ralph Nickleby, who seconds Bonney's motion. There is a chorus of votes in favor, and the motion is passed. Ralph leaves the meeting. This scene blends with the next as again members of the company portray the hustle and bustle of London through which Ralph makes his way as he goes to his office.

Scene 3. As he arrives at his office, Ralph is met by his clerk Newman Noggs, who gives Ralph a letter informing him of his brother's death, that his brother's family has arrived in town, and that they would like to see him. Bonney arrives with a request for Ralph's investment in the muffin corporation. Ralph offers a few hundred pounds, which he says he'll withdraw whenever it looks as though he'll make a profit. Bonney agrees and leaves. Ralph complains to himself that his brother's family is nothing to him; he's never seen them, and then again makes his way through the streets of London as this scene blends with the next.

Scene 4. Ralph arrives at the lodgings where his brother's family is living. He's met by the elderly Miss LaCreevy, a painter of miniature portraits who immediately invites Ralph to sit for her. He refuses just as Mrs. Nickleby, Nicholas and Kate come in.

Ralph quizzes Nicholas and Kate about their qualifications and willingness to work. Nicholas appears eager and intelligent, Kate appears demure and trusting, and both appear willing. Ralph agrees to try to find them jobs. He proposes that Nicholas take the position of assistant schoolmaster at a country school called Dotheboys Hall. Although the family is reluctant to be parted, they're realistic enough to know that they have to pay their way. Nicholas is also romantic enough to hope that at the school there will be a young nobleman who will hire him on to be a private tutor, meet Kate, fall immediately in love with her, marry her, and provide them all with a living for the rest of their days. Ralph takes Nicholas to meet his new employer as this scene flows into the next.

Scene 5. At a tavern in the lower class end of London, Wackford Squeers, the headmaster of Dotheboys Hall, abuses two boys in his charge while he's waiting for his carriage. A man called Snawley arrives, and makes arrangements with Squeers to take his wife's two sons (from a previous marriage) to the school. Squeers and Snawley agree that the boys will stay at the school for as long as payments are regularly made.

Ralph and Nicholas come in just as Squeers and Snawley are completing their arrangements. Ralph persuades Squeers to take on Nicholas, who is relatively uneducated, as his assistant. Ralph warns Nicholas that any display of temper will cause him (Ralph) to withdraw assistance from Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Squeers tells Nicholas to be ready to leave early the next morning.

Noggs arrives with a letter from Bonney for Ralph, and finds himself staring at Nicholas, who becomes uncomfortable under the attention. Ralph tells Nicholas to hurry home and prepare to leave. Nicholas does so, and this scene blends with the next.

Scene 6. Mrs. Nickleby and Kate help Nicholas pack, all three telling us how upset they are at having to part.

Scene 7. Nicholas arrives at the tavern, where Squeers is depriving the boys in his charge, including now two Snawley brothers, of their breakfast. Members of the company create the carriage from various set pieces (benches, tables, etc) as Squeers gets the boys on board and Mrs. Nickleby and Kate arrive to bid farewell to Nicholas. Noggs also appears, and secretly gives Nicholas a letter. Squeers shouts at Nicholas to hurry, Nicholas says one last goodbye to his mother and sister, and the stagecoach leaves.