Nicholas Nickleby Education Analysis

“Educational system in 19th century” with reference to

Nicholas Nickelby by Charles Dickens

Introduction

Nicholas Nickleby is a novel written by Charles Dickens who was a well known author. The novel was Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839 and it was Dickens ' third novel. The original title of the novel is The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, the book was preceded by “oliver Twist” and followed by “the Old Curiosity“. As Like many of charles Dickens ' works, the novel has a very contemporary setting. Ironic social satire is the main tone of the work, with Dickens taking aim at what he perceives to be social injustices. Dickens has introduced many memorable characters are it includes Nicholas ' malevolent Uncle Ralph,

At the beginning of the 19th century there were certain individuals who were in favour of widespread education, but because of a number of reasons, they did not able to back either of the government or of the people. Then later on in the century leaders of the Chartist Movement and the Radicals they were in favour of some sort of national system of education. However, it is safe to say that there was no widespread desire for the education of the population as a whole. As in the social legislation of this period education did not become a real priority until the year of the first Education Act, 1870. Similarly, while it deals mainly with education in schools, some information about higher education is given where it is relevant to the development of education generally. In 19th century, there were not too many schools at that time. Most of those that existed were run by the church, for the church, stressing religious education. The Church of England resisted early attempts for the state to provide secular education.

In the 19th century “Public” schools were founded through generous donations

They tell the children to read the Bible, but not to do writing or arithmetic or any of the subjects which are dangerous or which were 'less necessary or even harmful '

Schools of industry 'Schools of industry ' were mainly set up so that it can provide the poor with manual training and elementary instruction. The children were taught how to read and write, other subjects such as geography and religion. Many of the older girls were employed in knitting, sewing, spinning and housework, and rest of the younger girls were employed in knitting only. The older boys were taught shoemaking, and many of the younger boys prepared machinery for carding wool. The older girls were mainly assisted in preparing breakfast, which was provided in the school but at some weekly charges. They were also taught laundry work.

The same education system as that in the 19th century were referred here in the novel Nicholas Nickelby or the life and adventure of Nicholas Nickleby where the children were maltreated and discrimination were there on the basis of their social class. As children who belongs to upper class are served better as compared to those who are poor.