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Chapter 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Nicholas Nickleby, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Greed and Selfishness
Power and Abuse
Altruism and Humility
Family and Loyalty
Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity
Summary
Analysis
It’s impossible to say exactly what Ralph does for a job. He’s not a businessman, a banker, a lawyer, or a notary. Instead, he seems to be a combination of all of those things. In short, he finds ways to make money. And he’s made enough money to live in a large, expensive house in London. He doesn’t live in the most upscale or fashionable part of the city, but he prefers it that way. Ralph is sitting in his office one day when his clerk, Newman Noggs, comes in. Newman discusses with Ralph the meeting in parliament that Ralph will go to later that day.
Ralph left his family in Devonshire with the goal of becoming wealthy, and it appears that he has succeeded. The fact that his occupation is unknown or hard to pin down suggests that there might be something secretive or unmentionable about Ralph’s work. The emphasis on money as the sole goal of that work points again to Ralph’s motivation to pursue wealth above all else.
Themes
Just then, a man named Mr. Bonney rings Ralph’s office bell and comes in. He talks with Ralph about a new company that is starting and already has an abundance of supporting investments behind it. He says the company is named United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company. Within 10 days, the price of shares will reach a premium. At that point, Mr. Bonney says, Ralph will know what to do. Ralph then tells Mr. Bonney about Newman. He says that Newman had once invested with Ralph, but he fell on hard times and started drinking. Ralph gave him a job as his clerk. Ralph leaves out the fact that because Newman is destitute, he can get away with paying him less than he would pay a 13-year-old boy.
Like Nicholas Sr., Newman fell into debt. Once in debt, Nicholas Sr. and Newman become reliant on the mercy of others, which leaves Newman vulnerable to exploitation at the hands of someone like Ralph. Ralph’s exploitation of Newman points to the novel’s ideas about power and abuse. Because Ralph holds power over Newman, he seems to believe that he has the right to exploit Newman. He seemingly doesn’t consider paying Newman a living wage or otherwise acknowledging Newman’s dignity.
Themes
Literary Devices
Mr. Bonney and Ralph leave to go to the meeting in Parliament. There, Sir Matthew Pupker introduces a bill to allow the company United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company to come into existence. Mr. Bonney makes a speech in support of the bill. In that speech, he says that the entire muffin business is in disarray. Those who currently sell muffins are alcoholics and delinquents, and he’s witnessed the same behavior in the houses of impoverished people throughout London. The problem, he says, is that those impoverished people do not have access to muffins, so they must seek stimulation through things like alcohol. A muffin delivery business would solve the issue, he concludes.
Mr. Bonney and Ralph’s previous conversation has made it clear that they’re interested in the muffin business because it will lead to profits for them. When Matthew Pupker talks about the business, though, he doesn’t mention profits. Instead, he couches his support for the business in terms of the good it will do for the community. Specifically, he says that increased access to muffins will cut down on rates of alcoholism, a statement that makes it clear that Dickens is satirizing politicians’ use of benefitting the public good as a talking point when they are actually interested in their own profits.
Themes
The bill has two resolutions. The first is that the muffin delivery company will commence. The second is that all other private muffin sales will cease immediately. Another man stands up and gives an impassioned speech about how the muffin business mistreats those who are most misfortunate. He says he heard the story of a boy who worked in the business. His employer put him out to sleep on the streets each night. He also heard of another boy, an orphan, who worked in the muffin business. He was run over by a carriage and is now forced to work in the muffin business on crutches. After the man’s speech, the bill with both resolutions is passed almost unanimously. Everyone who voted is enthusiastic, convinced that they’ve acted honorably and virtuously and that profits will undoubtedly follow.
Dickens continues to satirize the way that people loudly proclaim their own virtue and benevolent intentions when they are really self-interested and intent on securing their own profits above all else. The man who speaks specifically brings up stories of people who are down on their luck, but it’s unclear how the muffin business will materially benefit the people he references. Instead, the muffin business will function to benefit the wealthy politicians and businessmen who are already in the room.
Themes
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