With close reference to chapter 13 of

Mrs. Squeers (Mrs.S) plays a less effective role in the chapter acting almost as a sidekick to Mr. Squeers (Squeers), often encouraging him and backing up his insults:  when the voice of Squeers was heard, calling from the bottom of the stairs. “You lazy hounds?' added Mrs Squeers, finishing the sentence” This suggests that Mrs.S is of the same or at least similar nature to Squeers as far as the treatment of the boys is concerned. Squeers likes taking control and is quite taken back when his wife takes over: “Stupid!' said Mrs Squeers angrily. `He hadn't any money, had he?'“ When Mrs.S takes over, she becomes Squeers and Squeers her, still of the same opinion. Although Squeers never talks to his wife in the same manner as him to her, it may be the he is too frightened. Mrs.S is unhappy with Nicholas staying and working at Dotheboys Hall, she often makes this very clear: “and indeed and indeed again, Mister Jackanapes,' said the excited lady; `and I wouldn't keep such as you in the house another hour, if I had my way.'” This suggests that Mrs.S is unhappy with Nicholas’s conduct, he dose not share the same views as her, and this suggests that she has a quiet dislike for him. Mrs.S has not many lines describing her in this section of the book so Dickens uses adverbs: Contemptuously, (+more). These words shows how his style allows him to fit in heavy descriptions with few words, it adds to the moment when used with running speech creates a sense of action in the scene and brings characters movements into the forefront of the readers mind.

Nicholas is the central character and hero of the chapter; He is disgusted by what goes on at Dotheboys Hall: “which Nicholas showed his disgust as plainly as looks could show it...” This shows the reader both Nicholas’ facial expression, and his characters views on the way the school is run, it is made clear that he has a lot of sympathy for the boys. Nicholas has a calm attitude towards the goings on at the school and his insults: “`Indeed!' said Nicholas” Dickens use of punctuation here tells the reader Nicholas’s tone of voice, this sarcastic tone tells us that Nicholas is repressing his anger, and sticks to the odd sarcastic comment and a strained tone of voice. Nicholas takes a liking to Smike and fells sorry for him: “Nicholas looked hurriedly round again, but made no answer.” Nicholas tries to protect Smike and this is one of Nicholas reasons to fallout with Squeers. Dickens Portrayal of Smike as a woeful character helps the reader become in touch with Nicholas’s opinions, and see him as the heroic character, as mentioned before. Nicholas has been looking for an excuse to confront Squeers for some time during the chapter: “I have a long series of insults to avenge,' Dickens shows the reader a more aggressive side to Nicholas. This is good as it opposes the insults the have been administered by Mr. and Mrs. Squeers. Dickens decries the feelings of Nicholas as he attacks Squeers of those of “rage, scorn, and indignation” showing all the sides of Nicholas basic dislike for Squeers, it also gives three key words that can be related to Nicholas’s feelings to Squeers in the future.

The Squeers’ treats Smike like a slave: “Where's that Smike?” .Because of Smikes position at Dotheboys Hall he is often the subject of beatings from the Squeers even when not provoked the sadists make an example of Smike, adding to this are poor sleeping conditions, and had work along with others. Dickens descriptions of Smikes living conditions at the beginning of the chapter and ones of other aspects of his life throughout the chapter show the reader what the basic character of the boys is like: “, just visible in the leaden light, bore more the aspect of dead bodies than of living creatures”. By using the word “just,” even in its context Dickens uses it to describe a flickering image, use of this word decreases the quality of the condition they are in dramatically. After the climax of the chapter, Smike is rendered helpless so he tries to stay with Nicholas: “He had followed him, it seemed; had never lost sight of him all the way; had watched while he slept, and when he halted for refreshment; and had feared to appear before, lest he should be sent back.” Smike has nowhere to go and his only hope is Nicholas Dickens uses dialogue at this point to make it seem as if Smike was pleading to go with the reader rather than Nicholas but after the chapters recent events it would be hard to turn down such a bedraggled and unloved character such as Smike.

I have enjoyed reading and unwrapping the hidden parts, which would not normally stand out as you plough through the chapter. Although it can be hard going to read Dickens’s work, his highly expressive and intricate style of writing, can become incredibly engaging to the reader, as it does to me. You become almost used to it after a while .This stile gives the reader a sense of emotional involvement with the characters in the book. It makes the reader more in touch with the characters moods and personalities, giving the book a better dramatic influence on the reader. A favourite quotation: “`Which no doubt you would have been devilish sorry to do,' said Squeers in a taunting fashion.” This line sums up Squeers’s character as, the conniving villain that he undoubtedly is, but when said out loud in the proper style, this quotation can start a passion to read more writing in this style and explore the character from whose lips those word were said, rejoined, retorted, demanded, or even sneered.