Dotheboys Hall is a fictional boarding school featured in Charles Dickens' novel, Nicholas Nickleby. It is known for its harsh conditions and cruel treatment of students, particularly by its owner, Wackford Squeers. The school serves as a critique of the educational system and the mistreatment of children during the Victorian era. The name "Dotheboys" is derived from the phrase "do the boys," reflecting the school's focus on exploiting its students for profit. The story highlights the struggles of Nicholas Nickleby, who seeks to improve the lives of the boys at the school and expose its injustices.