Nicholas Nickleby

by

Charles Dickens

Mr. Snawley Character Analysis

Mr. Snawley is the stepfather of two boys who attend Dotheboys Hall. Ralph and Squeers enlist Mr. Snawley in a scheme in which he poses as Smike’s father, using forged documents to try and prove their assertions. Mr. Snawley ultimately confesses his part in that scheme to the Cheerybles, underlining the lack of loyalty that Ralph and Squeers inspire in others.
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Mr. Snawley Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Snawley appears in Nicholas Nickleby. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Altruism and Humility Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
A man named Mr. Snawley arrives with two children. He says that he’s the boys’ stepfather. Squeers says that many... (full context)
Chapter 38
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...his son usher Smike into a coach, where they beat him. They take him to Mr. Snawley ’s house. (Mr. Snawley sent his two stepsons to Dotheboys Hall.) At Mr. Snawley’s house,... (full context)
Chapter 39
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
...invitation, he would have thought twice before offering it. John, Matilda, and Fanny go to Mr. Snawley ’s house at 6 p.m. At one point, John becomes sick. Matilda says that if... (full context)
Chapter 40
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
Smike runs away from Squeers and Mr. Snawley ’s house so fast that he’s not sure exactly where he’s going. Eventually, though, he... (full context)
Chapter 45
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
Ralph enters accompanied by Squeers and Mr. Snawley . John steps between Ralph and Nicholas to stop either from advancing toward the other.... (full context)
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Power and Abuse Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...Smike clings to Nicholas and says he doesn’t want to leave. Nicholas tells Ralph and Mr. Snawley that Smike is free to make his own choices, and he has chosen to stay... (full context)
Chapter 46
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Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity Theme Icon
...regarding Smike. Nicholas explains the situation, and Charles agrees with Nicholas. He says that if Mr. Snawley is indeed Smike’s father, then Mr. Snawley is a barbarian and a hypocrite, and Nicholas... (full context)
Chapter 56
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
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Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...undertaken. He says he’s taken an enormous risk by lying to say that Smike is Mr. Snawley ’s son. Ralph says only Mr. Snawley is lying. Everything that Ralph and Squeers have... (full context)
Chapter 59
Greed and Selfishness Theme Icon
Altruism and Humility Theme Icon
Family and Loyalty Theme Icon
...Charles leaves. After that visit, Ralph thinks something is not right. He goes to visit Mr. Snawley , but Mrs. Snawley won’t let Ralph see her husband. She says she knows about... (full context)
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...Ned, and Tim expand on the evidence they have of Ralph’s crimes. They say that Mr. Snawley confessed to his role in the fraud of claiming that Smike was his son and... (full context)
Chapter 60
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...surname (Nickleby). Brooker returned to London and found Ralph’s clerk, Newman. Brooker told Newman that Mr. Snawley was not Smike’s father. From Newman, Brooker also learned that Smike was sick and had... (full context)