Madeline Character Analysis in Nicholas Nickleby

Madeline is Mr. Bray’s daughter. At the end of the novel, Madeline marries Nicholas. Madeline is also an acquaintance of Ned and Charles, who assist her financially to help her cover her father’s debts. Nicholas becomes infatuated with Madeline after he sees her at the employment office. She becomes engaged to Arthur when Arthur promises to forgive her father’s debt and give him an allowance of money, which will enable him to pursue his previous lifestyle and, Madeline believes, perhaps prolong his life. Madeline’s willingness to go through with that marriage shows that she, like Nicholas, places family before all else and that she is willing to sacrifice her own well-being for the good of her family. Madeline is ultimately saved from marrying Arthur when her father, Mr. Bray, dies just before the wedding ceremony is set to take place.

Madeline Quotes in Nicholas Nickleby

The Nicholas Nickleby quotes below are all either spoken by Madeline or refer to Madeline. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The Rules are a certain liberty adjoining the prison, and comprising some dozen streets in which debtors who can raise money to pay large fees, from which their creditors do not derive any benefit, are permitted to reside by the wise provisions of the same enlightened laws which leave the debtor who can raise no money to starve in jail, without the food, clothing, lodging, or warmth, which are provided for felons convicted of the most atrocious crimes that can disgrace humanity. There are many pleasant fictions of the law in constant operation, but there is not one so pleasant or practically humorous as that which supposes every man to be of equal value in its impartial eye, and the benefits of all laws to be equally attainable by all men, without the smallest reference to the furniture of their pockets.

Related Characters: Nicholas, Madeline, Charles, Mr. Bray

Page Number and Citation: 570-571

Explanation and Analysis:

'Hope to the last!' said Newman, clapping him on the back. 'Always hope; that's a dear boy. Never leave off hoping; it don't answer. Do you mind me, Nick? It don't answer. Don't leave a stone unturned. It's always something, to know you've done the most you could. But, don't leave off hoping, or it's of no use doing anything. Hope, hope, to the last!'

Related Characters: Newman (speaker), Nicholas, Arthur, Madeline, Ralph

Page Number and Citation: 641

Explanation and Analysis:

'I must go upstairs for a few minutes, to finish dressing. When I come down, I'll bring Madeline with me. Do you know, I had a very strange dream last night, which I have not remembered till this instant. I dreamt that it was this morning, and you and I had been talking as we have been this minute; that I went upstairs, for the very purpose for which I am going now; and that as I stretched out my hand to take Madeline's, and lead her down, the floor sunk with me, and after falling from such an indescribable and tremendous height as the imagination scarcely conceives, except in dreams, I alighted in a grave.'

'And you awoke, and found you were lying on your back, or with your head hanging over the bedside, or suffering some pain from indigestion?' said Ralph. 'Pshaw, Mr. Bray! Do as I do (you will have the opportunity, now that a constant round of pleasure and enjoyment opens upon you), and, occupying yourself a little more by day, have no time to think of what you dream by night.'

Related Characters: Mr. Bray (speaker), Ralph (speaker), Nicholas, Arthur, Madeline

Page Number and Citation: 671

Explanation and Analysis:

Madeline Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby

The timeline below shows where the character Madeline appears in Nicholas Nickleby. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the woman who Nicholas saw in Charles’s office a few days ago. That woman is Madeline Bray. She is the daughter of Mrs. Bray, who Charles was in love with when... (full context)

Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity Theme Icon

...the Brays’ house. The exterior seems shabby to him. When he goes inside, he sees Madeline, who has occupied countless hours of his thoughts. He can’t believe she’s sitting across from... (full context)

...elderly as Arthur. Arthur says no. Instead, she’s a beautiful 19-year-old woman. Her name is Madeline Bray. Arthur then explains his plan. Arthur holds a significant amount of Mr. Bray’s debt.... (full context)

...budge, and Arthur ultimately accepts Ralph’s terms. Newman overhears the conversation. He doesn’t know who Madeline is, but he pities her. Once they have agreed upon the terms of the arrangement,... (full context)

Ralph talks with Mr. Bray and attempts to convince him to marry Madeline to Arthur. Mr. Bray says that the decision isn’t up to him; it’s up to... (full context)

In the office, Nicholas thinks he must keep his feelings toward Madeline secret. He feels a duty toward Charles and Madeline as well to fulfill his role... (full context)

Nicholas’s feelings for Madeline continue to grow as he begins to see her regularly in his role as the... (full context)

...he tries on a suit. It’s the suit he plans to wear when he marries Madeline. Arthur’s housekeeper, Peg, jibes him. She says that it won’t matter what he’s wearing when... (full context)

...that Arthur should not go to the Brays’ house for the next couple of days. Madeline doesn’t enjoy his presence, and he has been over too often recently. If Arthur keeps... (full context)

...lives since they last met. Newman brings up Cecilia Bobster, the woman he mistook for Madeline. He asks Nicholas the name of the woman he had actually been interested in. When... (full context)

Nicholas runs out of the tavern after learning that Madeline is set to marry Arthur. Newman shouts, “Thief,” hoping that someone will stop Nicholas. Afraid... (full context)

Nicholas goes to see Madeline and Mr. Bray. Mr. Bray tells him to take care of whatever business he has... (full context)

Nicholas then speaks with Madeline. He tells her that Arthur is a wicked man. Madeline says that if Arthur is... (full context)

...see Arthur. Arthur doesn’t know Nicholas but decides to hear him out. Nicholas says that Madeline hates Arthur. He asks Arthur to postpone the wedding by a few days and says... (full context)

Ralph visits Arthur on the morning that Arthur will marry Madeline. Arthur tells Ralph about the visitor from the night before. (Neither Ralph nor Arthur know... (full context)

...and put a stop to the wedding. Further, he says he is there to offer Madeline a “refuge and a home.” He has brought Kate in case she might be able... (full context)

...Nicholas, Kate, Arthur, and Ralph rush upstairs. They see Mr. Bray dead on the floor. Madeline is kneeling over him. Nicholas asks what happened, and someone says that Mr. Bray had... (full context)

When Kate and Nicholas bring Madeline back to the Nicklebys’ house, Mrs. Nickleby is reluctant to accept her. She also doesn’t... (full context)

...be interested in Kate, as his jealousy had convinced him that Frank had feelings for Madeline. But Nicholas tells Mrs. Nickleby that she must discourage—or, at least, must refrain from encouraging—Frank’s... (full context)

...the Brays’ house after Mr. Bray has died and Nicholas and Kate have left with Madeline. They can’t believe what happened. Arthur is afraid that Ralph will blame him for what... (full context)

...then tells Squeers that there’s another pressing matter. He explains the story of Arthur and Madeline and says that Nicholas interfered with that marriage, which caused Ralph to lose money. He... (full context)

...Ralph. He’s been trying to accomplish the mission of stealing the document that shows that Madeline is the rightful heir to a small fortune for six weeks. Squeers receives a letter... (full context)

...handing papers to Peg, telling her to burn them. Squeers finds the document related to Madeline’s fortune that he’s been looking for. He holds it up and says, “I got it!”... (full context)

...been staying, where Squeers also took a room to carry out the scheme of stealing Madeline’s deed from Peg. After making several inquiries, Ralph eventually finds out that Peg and Squeers... (full context)

...Squeers had been brought before a magistrate. Since he couldn’t account for his possession of Madeline’s deed or why he had been with Peg, he was remanded for a week. Peg... (full context)

...Squeers what document Squeers had, and Squeers says it was a will leaving money to Madeline. He doesn’t know any more about it. Ralph tells Squeers to fight the case and... (full context)

Nicholas returns home after Smike dies. Kate, Mrs. Nickleby, Miss La Creevy, and Madeline all grieve deeply. Nicholas asks Kate if the Cheerybles have decided where Madeline will live.... (full context)

...Charles about Frank’s proposal. Nicholas says he will also tell Charles about his love for Madeline to see if Charles can find a place for her to live so that Nicholas... (full context)

...Charles. He says that he should have mentioned it earlier, but he developed feelings for Madeline, and those feelings grew deeper by being in regular contact with her. Charles says that... (full context)

Frank hasn’t stopped by the Nicklebys’ house in several weeks, and Madeline has gone to live elsewhere. Charles sends a letter inviting Kate, Nicholas, and Mrs. Nickleby... (full context)

...the room too. Nicholas had thought Frank was abroad. Charles explains that a will from Madeline’s maternal grandfather recently came to light. That grandfather had initially pledged his money to charity... (full context)

Charles says that Frank is correct. Madeline is in love with Nicholas. Charles says that he also knows that Frank is in... (full context)

...share his good fortunes with his friend John. On several occasions, he sits down with Madeline to try and write a letter but finds himself unable to complete it. He decides... (full context)

Madeline and Nicholas marry when Madeline’s term of mourning for her father has expired. Kate and... (full context)

Nicholas Nickleby

Madeline Character Analysis

Madeline Quotes in Nicholas Nickleby

Chapter 46 Quotes

Chapter 52 Quotes

Chapter 54 Quotes

Madeline Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby