Who Wackford Squeers is
Wackford Squeers runs Dotheboys Hall, a boarding school in Yorkshire where hunger and fear take the place of care. He is one eyed, loud and greedy, accepting boys whose families pay small fees and ask no questions. His promises of education hide a school where boys are beaten and lessons become excuses for unpaid work.
What Wackford Squeers wants
Squeers wants the boys' fees without spending the money needed to feed and care for them. He also twists their families' letters when reading them aloud, using words from home to keep the boys afraid.
Wackford Squeers and the others in the story
Nicholas comes to the school as an assistant, but he is quickly sickened by what he sees. Squeers keeps Smike as a drudge after the payments for him stop, working and beating the vulnerable young man. When Squeers prepares to flog Smike before the school, Nicholas can no longer stand silently by.
Questions
Who is Wackford Squeers?
Wackford Squeers is the greedy master of Dotheboys Hall, where Nicholas takes a job as his assistant.
How does Wackford Squeers treat Smike?
He treats Smike as a servant to be worked and beaten, keeping him at the school after his fees stop.
