Miss Knag Character Analysis in Nicholas Nickleby

Miss Knag is a longtime employee at Madame Mantalini’s dress shop. When Kate struggles at the job, Miss Knag befriends her. When Kate becomes successful, though, Miss Knag accuses Kate of trying to steal her job. Miss Knag works to turn all of the other employees at Madame Mantalini’s shop against Kate, making Kate’s life miserable. After Madame Mantalini declares bankruptcy due to Mr. Mantalini’s extravagances, Miss Knag becomes a partner at the shop, and the shop bears her name. When Miss Knag becomes a partner in the business, she fires Kate.

Miss Knag Character Timeline in Nicholas Nickleby

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

Injustice, Complicity, and Moral Integrity Theme Icon

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

A wealthy woman and her daughter come into the dress shop. Kate helps Miss Knag attend to the customers. The woman and her daughter think that Kate is haughty and... (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... (full context)

After Kate’s second day of work, Miss Knag offers to walk Kate home. Kate tries to say that her mother (Mrs. Nickleby) is... (full context)

Kate and Miss Knag remain close for three days, surprising the other women who work at Madame Mantalini’s. Miss... (full context)

Madame Mantalini asks Kate to come up and sends Miss Knag away. Kate models bonnets for the couple and blushes as they watch her. When Madame... (full context)

The rest of Kate’s week is unbearable, as Miss Knag and the other women waste no opportunity to antagonize her. Kate counts down the days... (full context)

...La Creevy assumes that Ralph is to blame. At the shop, Miss La Creevy finds Miss Knag instead of Madame Mantalini. Miss La Creevy tells Miss Knag that Kate won’t be coming... (full context)

...what happened with Mulberry, Kate doesn’t go to work for three days. When she returns, Miss Knag continues to disparage her, and she is ostracized by the other women who work at... (full context)

...off until further notice. Three days later, Kate learns that Madame Mantalini has declared bankruptcy. Miss Knag will take over running the shop, and Kate won’t be rehired. When Kate tells Mrs.... (full context)

...believe he’s asking Ralph for more money. She says that she now has to pay Miss Knag a significant amount of money as a partner. Madame Mantalini decides she’s going to put... (full context)

...wants to leave him. Madame Mantalini remains firm in her decision to separate from him. Miss Knag brought about this change in behavior in Madame Mantalini. Once Miss Knag took over the... (full context)