Nicholas Nickleby is Charles Dickens s third published novel. Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839. The action takes place in London, with excursions to Devon, Yorkshire, and Portsmouth, as we follow the adventures of the eponymous hero. Nicholas is forced to unwelcome employment to help secure support for his widowed mother and his sister from their mercenary relative Ralph, on whose mercy they have been thrown. After many adventures Nicholas finally triumphs over his Uncle, although his success is also tinged with sadness. The book contains many memorable characters: the Yorkshire schoolmaster Wackford Squeers, the traveling thespian Vincent Crummles, the poor drudge Smike, the clerk Newman Noggs, and the wonderful and generous Brothers Cheeryble. The tone of the work is that of ironic social satire, with Dickens taking aim at what he perceives to be social injustices. Many memorable characters are introduced, including Nicholas s malevolent Uncle Ralph, and the villainous Wackford Squeers, who operates an abusive all-boys boarding school at which Nicholas temporarily serves as a tutor.