The death of their father has thrown the Nickleby family into chaos. They are forced to beg for protection from Mr. Nickleby's wealthy brother, Ralph Nickleby, a cruel and vengeful man with no regard for his relations. Nicholas is despatched to teach at a boarding school while his sister Kate is dangled before rich aristos. But with a helping hand from that truly Dickensian character, the benevolent stranger, Nicholas manages to find his way to true love and happiness in spite of his uncle's machinations and the worst intentions of a variety of comic characters.