raising your little elephant

Chapter Nine- How to Defeat a Naricissist- by Charles Dickens

This is actually a recurring theme throughout most of the works of this literary genius of the nineteenth century. Most of his novels appear quite grim to the average person. They seem to paint humanity in some pretty bleak ways. Much of his writing seems to reflect his personal observations of the world in which he lived in the early days of the industrial revolution. He wrote at a time when higher learning was seeking ways to suppress and if possible, extinguish the elephant from the human consciousness. However, Charles Dickens revealed through his works of fiction that the human condition could only flourish if passion were given a voice in such dark mechanized times. One of these works stands out in showing that humanity can only survive through the preservation of human dignity embodied in the very heart of integrity of character.

The story to which I am referring is simply titled: "Nicholas Nickleby". It was originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839 and included the words: "The Life and Times of...". This was Dickens' third novel. This particular story focuses on the son of Nicholas by the same name. After Mr. Nickleby's death, his wife and children are left desolate. This requires the family to seek assistance from the dead man's brother Ralph, who is quickly identified as a narcissist of extraordinary means. Ralph Nickleby's business minded disposition moves him to exploit his brother's wife Catherine, along with her two children Nicholas and Kate. One of the most chilling statements in the story is when young Nicholas tells his uncle (who has agreed to care for his sister and mother) that he would "not soon forget" his uncle's kindness, only to have Uncle Ralph quickly respond: "Nor shall I" as if to indicate that he was merely doing a business transaction where debts would eventually become due.

If there was an elephant in Ralph Nickleby's room it was more than likely just of the head or tusks hanging on his wall or over the mantle. Animal skeletons are featured heavily throughout his study in the movie adaptation of this story. These subtle images that decorate the room where the uncle does business are reminders that death surrounds this man. Everyone who comes in contact with him should expect similar treatment.

In fact, his personal clerk, Newman Noggs indicates as much, as he parrots Nickleby in mocking fashion, due to some undisclosed personal grievance that seems to hold the odd little man captive in Nickleby's employ. Noggs seems to act as a sort of useless conscience to Ralph, often spouting the words that would be expected from a decent human being. Noggs almost reminds me of a mother who quietly slips money to her children who have been cut off by a tyrannical overbearing father. He doesn't do this literally, but he passes out knowledge almost as effectively.

Let's focus now on the main protagonist of this story. Mr. Nicholas Nickleby who is altogether quite the balanced young man. In fact, perhaps too balanced. His loving upbringing somehow gave him an almost Christ-like disposition. In a world of broken down, and abused humanity, this man stands out as a shining light in the darkness. He was not raised in wealth, and yet his humble home and clothes do not paint him as poor either. He is clearly some sort of untitled nobility. Nicholas is also a bit of an oddity in a society systemically stripped of human decency. By the pen of Charles Dickens however, this man cannot be bought. I say this because short of Jesus of Nazareth such a man has not graced our planet. However, for the sake of the story we will indulge this seeming perfection of character in the person of young Nicholas.

Everything he does and says matches up perfectly with Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Please join me as we explore this amazing young man of extraordinary character. Uncle Ralph has secured Nicholas employment with the headmaster at Dotheboys Hall, a psychologically brutal Yorkshire school. The boys who attend this mentally abusive board and care facility are exposed to a relentless education in perpetual fear comparable to the methods used by modern day child traffickers. Such a horrendous place may seem unimaginable, but such places did in fact exists in nineteenth century England. What is more unimaginable is that people actually paid for their children to attend such schools. It seems likely that these poor children were born out of wedlock or some other indiscretion of their parents that were trying to manage their shame by having a place to keep their unwanted offspring.