November 4, 2014 Nicholas Nickleby Synopsis of Part 1.

So far, I like this book. The characters are fascinating. I think Charles Dickens was true to his time period. There were nasty and pathetic people. Like Nicholas's mother. She was pathetic and helpless. Nicholas is a nice character. He helps Smike and overall is a good person. 

Most important characters:

Nicholas Nickleby: Honest, young, loyal and often hotheaded.

Kate Nickleby: Nicholas's sister, similar qualities to Nicholas, but more demure. She is very pretty.

Catherine Nickleby: Their Mother, a widow. Often serves as a comic relief. She was flippy. Nicholas and Kate had to take care of her.

Ralph Nickleby: Their uncle. He is a villain - a bad guy - crook. And a cheapskate.

The Squeers: They run Dotheboys Hall - a "school" for boys. They beat the boys and basically steal all their money. And they have a "learning system" is actually just a way to make the boys do all the work. They really don't run a school, it's more like a work house.

Smike: Secretly, Nicholas's cousin, Ralph's son. He works at Dotheboy's and get beaten more than the other kids.

Part 1

This book (movie) is a dark story written by Charles Dickens. Some of it is kind of funny, but it's starts with a sad beginning as Nicholas' Dad dies.

Nicholas must make some money in order to pay the bills. His father left them no money. The family goes to London and seek out their uncle. His uncle gets him a job working for Dotheboys Hall. Apparently, the headmaster and his family are mean. Nicholas does not agree with the way the boys are treated, or the way they treat Smike. Nicholas beats up Mr. Squeers before Mr. Squeers can beat up Smike. Both boys run away. But, Squeers daughter accuses Nicholas of stealing a ring (Her love for him was unrequited.)

The boys ran away to London. They get work at a theater run by the Crummies. The Crummies are okay to Nicholas and Smike. They let them work in the theater and got to act in Romeo and Juliet. Nicholas was Romeo.

Kate got fired from her job at the hat factory because the lady she worked for didn't like her. The lady was jealous of Kate because Kate was prettier. After that, her uncle wanted her to house-keep for him during a party. (Be a hostess) When she got there she realized it was an all male party. She felt tricked and uncomfortable.