Madame Mantalini Character Analysis in Nicholas Nickleby

Madame Mantalini is Mr. Mantalini’s husband. She is a dressmaker and milliner (hatmaker) who owns the dress shop where Kate goes to work. While Madame Mantalini seems generally conscientious and well-meaning, her husband’s extravagance upends her life and causes her to lose her business. At one point, Madame Mantalini leaves Mr. Mantalini, but at the end of the novel they are back together, showing the difficulties that can arise in unbalanced and manipulative relationships.

Madame Mantalini Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby

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

...for Kate to work for a milliner (a hatmaker) and dressmaker. The dressmaker’s name is Madame Mantalini , and she’s an acquaintance of Ralph. He says that dressmakers are wealthy in London.... (full context)

When Madame Mantalini arrives, she discusses with Kate the conditions of the job. Kate will work from 9... (full context)

Kate goes to her first day of work as a dressmaker at Madame Mantalini ’s. A clerk shows her to a waiting room when Kate arrives. While Kate sits,... (full context)

Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity Theme Icon

Madame Mantalini takes Kate to work for a woman named Miss Knag, who helps customers with fittings.... (full context)

...say they would much rather be served by someone else if they come back to Madame Mantalini ’s. After the shoppers leave, Kate begins to cry. She hadn’t been ready for the... (full context)

After Kate’s first day of work, Miss Knag compliments her to Madame Mantalini . Madame Mantalini says that she’s not sure what Kate did other than upset two... (full context)

...is ill, and Miss Knag says that he is heartbroken. He had been devoted to Madame Mantalini . When she married, his hopes were dashed. But, Miss Knag says, the disappointment turned... (full context)

...and Miss Knag remain close for three days, surprising the other women who work at Madame Mantalini ’s. Miss Knag isn’t known for forming friendships. On that third day, an elderly lord... (full context)

Madame Mantalini asks Kate to come up and sends Miss Knag away. Kate models bonnets for the... (full context)

On Monday, Miss La Creevy goes to Madame Mantalini ’s shop to tell her that Kate is too sick to come to work. Miss... (full context)

...disparage her, and she is ostracized by the other women who work at the dressmaker’s. Madame Mantalini calls Kate upstairs so Kate can help set up the showroom. Kate notices something is... (full context)

...a card to Kate and tells her to pass it along to Mr. Mantalini. When Madame Mantalini arrives, they hand her a letter, which says that they are legally authorized to seize... (full context)

Madame Mantalini tells the women who work for her that they will be laid off until further... (full context)

...office, trying to get Ralph to loan him more money. Ralph ultimately agrees but then Madame Mantalini comes into the office. She says that Mr. Mantalini will be the ruin of her,... (full context)

...saying that he took poison while others say it’s not true. It surprises Ralph that Madame Mantalini is not weeping over Mr. Mantalini’s body. Instead, she scowls at him from across the... (full context)

Madame Mantalini announces that she’s had it with Mr. Mantalini’s debts and excesses. She says she’s going... (full context)

...a couple fighting, and Kate tells Nicholas that it’s the Mantalinis. They listen and hear Madame Mantalini cursing Mr. Mantalini. She has recently bailed him out of jail, but he seems to... (full context)