Nicholas Nickleby

by

Charles Dickens

Mr. Kenwigs Character Analysis

Mr. Kenwigs is Mrs. Kenwigs’s husband and Morleena’s father. He diligently works to curry favor with Mr. Lillyvick so that his children might inherit Mr. Lillyvick’s fortune. For that reason, he feels betrayed when Mr. Lillyvick marries Henrietta, which would deprive his children of that inheritance. He accepts Mr. Lillyvick back into his good graces when Mr. Lillyvick pledges his fortune to the Kenwigses’ children.
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Mr. Kenwigs Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Kenwigs appears in Nicholas Nickleby. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 14
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...apartment. The Kenwigses are throwing a party to celebrate their wedding anniversary. At the party, Mr. Kenwigs and Mrs. Kenwigs await the arrival of Mrs. Kenwigs’s uncle, a man named Mr. Lillyvick,... (full context)
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...in her lap. Mr. Lillyvick says that Mrs. Kenwigs’s family objected to her marriage to Mr. Kenwigs because he was not from the same social class. But, Mr. Lillyvick says, Mr. Kenwigs... (full context)
Chapter 15
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity Theme Icon
...the children. Mrs. Kenwigs becomes overwhelmed by the possibility. Just then, screams break out upstairs. Mr. Kenwigs rushes to find out what’s happened. (full context)
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Altruism and Humility Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
As Mr. Kenwigs runs up the stairs, Nicholas bursts from a door with the Kenwigs’ infant child in... (full context)
Chapter 36
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
Mr. Kenwigs buys the smallest pair of kid gloves he can find. He wraps them around the... (full context)
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...message from Mr. Lillyvick. The message is that Mr. Lillyvick and Henrietta have been married. Mr. Kenwigs flies into a rage. He says that his children have no chance in life now... (full context)
Chapter 52
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
Newman, Morleena, and Mr. Lillyvick return to the Kenwigses’ apartment. Mr. Kenwigs and Mrs. Kenwigs are shocked to see Mr. Lillyvick. They accuse him of betraying them... (full context)