However, the surroundings of the school are described to be dirty and old, for example when Dickens describes the desks in the classrooms to be ‘old and rickety’ this portrays that the school is poorly kept and unbearable to see. This also illustrates that the classrooms are kept insufficiently and hygienically. The children are sleeping in bad conditions for example ‘as they lay closely packed together, covered from warmth’s sake. This demonstrates poor conditions in the school. I think that Dickens creates a dreadful picture of the school in the novel ‘Nicholas Nickleby’
In this Novel ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ Dickens described the children as thin bags of bone for example ‘the children are pale and have got lank bone figures’ this illustrates to the reader that the children are not being given enough food and water as this could result in death. 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 force he could muster’ this analyses how Nickleby uses violent and revenge on behalf of the children. here are quotes from Nicholas ‘I have a long series of insults to avenge’ this discusses how Nicholas is not beating him for the sake of himself but to avenge everyone whose ever come across him.’ ‘And my indignation is aggravated by the dastardly cruelties practiced on these helpless infancy’s. This quote shows how angry and deep Nicholas feels about how insulting Squeers is, not just towards him but the children as well. The anger was building inside of Nicholas as he saw how the poor children were treated. Nicholas action demonstrates to the readers how fast he reacted from such an educated man, to the inappropriate action caused by Squeers.
Dickens uses violent language and physical violence to show good and bad. The good reason why to use violent is when Nickleby attacked Mr. Squeers in the story for example I’ll flog you within an inch of your life’. This discusses that Nicholas is tired of seeing corporal punishment and wants to make a stop to it NOW. Dickens uses physical violence in the novel for example ‘administering a cut with the cane’. This examines that Mr. Squeers can hit the children and no one can say anything to him. The children have no parents and no one really cares about them, so they are in the inferior social class.
In conclusion, I think Dickens creates good picture of the school by using such strong vocabulary. I think that Dickens wrote this novel because at that time corporal punishment was aloud in schools and Dickens thought it was wrong so he wanted to write a novel to show how bad it was then with bad teachers and poor students and if there was no corporal punishment I n those days he would of made Mr. Squeers a good person.
