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Dickens' Creation of a Picture of Nineteenth Century School in Nicholas Nickleby

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Dickens' Creation of a Picture of Nineteenth Century School in Nicholas Nickleby

This essay demonstrates how Charles Dickens, the author of the novel 'Nicholas Nickleby' creates an image of the 19th century school Dotheby's Hall School for Boys. Also I will be discussing the conditions of the school, the description of the boys and the protagonists (Mr. Squeers, Smike and Nicholas.) In the 19th century the rich students were treated pleasantly because they had the money to pay the school however the poor students were treated harshly. Also, in the 19th century there was no social service so the teachers could do as they wished to the students.

When Dickens was writing this novel, conditions in …show more content…

In addition here is another quotation 'an unhealthy looking boy with warts all over his hands.' This portrays that the children are not being given any medicine for any wounds. Dickens is trying to make the reader create a picture that makes them feel repentant for the boys.

However, Dickens shows the character Mr. and Mrs. Squeers as the symbol of evil and violence in this novel. Mr. Squeers has power in the beginning of the story but through the extent of the novel he looses the power to Nicholas Nickleby and the children gain hope from Nicholas Nickleby. For example 'administering a cut with the cane'. This examines that Mr. Squeers has the power to do what ever he wishes to the children. Mr. Squeers looses his power over the children at the end for example 'beat the ruffian till he roared for mercy'. This studies how Mr. Squeers is weakened by one man. Nickleby also uses violence to gain power over Mr. Squeers Nickelby uses violence for the right reason.

The character Nickleby is shown to be nice, mature and understanding. Nickleby stands up to Mr. and Mrs. Squeers for example 'flung Squeers from him with all the

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