MovieChat Forums > The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2002) Discussion > Questions for those who read the novel

Questions for those who read the novel

posted 11 years ago by vertigothic70
2 replies | jump to latest

What was the uncle's idea behind that dinner he gave for the dozen young gentlemen, with Kate as the only female present?
He said later that he'd hoped one or some of the men would take a shine to her - but surely it can't have been an advantageous marriage he had in mind? I'm not an expert on Victorian customs, but I assume that her being presented in such circumstances, unchaperoned etc., would be highly unusual. Clearly she didn't appear as a carefully brought up young lady under her uncle's protection, but rather as fair game... Hawk certainly thought so.

Therefore I suppose her uncle planned for her to become someone's kept mistress, thus getting rid of her as a financial burden. Or did he want her to become 'spoiled goods,' i.e. put her in a position that would make it difficult for her to defend her virtue? Because then he suggested a similar arrangement with himself.

Are Ralph Nickleby's intentions made clearer in the novel?
I'm also wondering whether Hawk's attacks on her can have been as explicit in the book. And what about his friend, who first agreed to help Hawk get back at old Nickleby, but then challenged Hawk to the duel over Kate's reputation?

None of these circumstances were addressed later, I noticed. I guess everyone was discreet after all, and Kate emerged unblemished. Or her fiancé simply had faith in her, as Tweedledum and Tweedledee had in Nicholas.

Also, is Mrs Nickleby such a silly and naive woman that she doesn't have the least inkling of what's going on? I thought her not just annoying, but quite a failure as a parent - an unwitting accomplice to the uncle's schemes. Is she unsuspecting, or does she choose to ignore 'unpleasantness' for her own comfort? Like the father of Madeline who expects, or seems prepared to accept, any sacrifice on his daughter's part - although he at least dies with commendable timing. (The children seem much more anxious to shield their (selfish) parents from harm than the other way around. Is that a recurring theme in Dickens by any chance?)

Feel free to tell me I should just read the book, but if anyone familiar with it would take the time to answer, I'd appreciate it!

clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am...

[–] ljspin 10 years ago

Vertigothic70,

I only saw your questions just now or I would have answered them sooner. I do hope you check back here. It has been a while since I read the novel, but here goes:

Ralph Nickleby was a speculator, an investor. The men had money and Ralph wanted them as clients. He was using Kate as bait to draw these men into business with him. He especially wanted the investments of Sir Mulberry Hawks, which is why he encouraged Hawks' pursuit of Kate. Lord Frederick Verisopht initially goes along with Hawks, but actually comes to admire Kate and feels that they are wrong to treat Kate in such a way. The two friends have a falling out over this and Verisopht challenges Hawks to a duel to not only defend his honor, but Kate's as well.

Kate catches on to what her uncle is doing, but Mrs. Nickleby never does. She believes that Ralph is trying to set Kate up in a good marriage. Yes, Mrs. Nickleby is just as silly and naïve in the novel as she is in the movie. She and Kate are fortunate that they have Newman Noggs and Miss La Creevy looking out for them in London.

Dickens was writing for a Victorian audience, so the attacks on Kate were much milder in the book -- we might wonder why Kate was upset at all. But, if one reads between the lines, as Dickens' readers would have done, one can figure out what Hawks and Verisopht, not to mention Ralph, are up to.

I hope this helps.

[–] vertigothic70 10 years ago

Hello ljspin,

I had almost forgotten about my post here, but all the same I really appreciate that you took the time to answer my questions. You've made it much clearer for me, so thanks a lot for your reply!

clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am...