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Book 1, Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Our Mutual Friend, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Society, Class, and Character
Greed and Corruption
Marriage, Adoption, and Family
Education vs. Real-World Experience
Misfits and Outcasts
Summary
Analysis
Boffin and Henerietty are sitting in the Bower after breakfast when they are surprised by a visit from Rokesmith about the secretary job. He wants to help them organize their papers, so Boffin tells him to start with the papers he and Henerietty are looking at right now. Rokesmith sees that they are all cost estimates about the new house, so he arranges them.
Rokesmith’s role in the story is still mysterious at this point. Although he claims to want to help Boffin with matters that he doesn’t understand, Boffin’s ignorance makes him vulnerable to being scammed. Boffin’s move to a new house symbolizes how his character is moving up in the world and will have to leave behind the things he’s gotten used to.
Themes
Boffin tells Rokesmith that it’s important when they move houses not to do anything that might make Wegg feel unwanted or jealous. Boffin intends to keep him as his “literary man.” In fact, Wegg has a lead about a potential property to buy. Boffin informs Rokesmith of his intention to keep the Bower property even after moving out.
Boffin’s loyalty to Wegg, a near-stranger who works for him as an employee, shows how generous he is and how he sees other people as human. This creates contrast between him and the more manipulative perspectives of many of the other characters. Wegg himself is less generous, using Boffin as a means to finally get to the house that he calls “Our House.”
Themes
That evening, Boffin waits anxiously for Wegg to continue reading to him about Rome. Before they begin, Boffin says he has a proposal for Wegg that might allow him to stop manning the stall he runs every day. Boffin wants Wegg to be the one in charge of manning the Bower while the Boffins are at their new home. Wegg wants to also be paid his salary as a reader on top of his salary as a house-sitter, even on nights he doesn’t read, and Boffin agrees.
Although Boffin gives Wegg a very generous offer, Wegg continues to ask for more, requesting money even on the nights when he doesn’t work for Boffin. This is a sign that lower-class Wegg is susceptible to the same greed as wealthier characters, where nothing will be enough to satisfy him.
Themes
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Boffin goes to check on Henerietty and finds that she is distressed, feeling that she has seen the face of the old Mr. Harmon and his two children (John and his daughter who died) in the house. Boffin fears the house may be haunted and decides to send Wegg home without telling him, so as not to scare him away from the job of watching it. Boffin takes Henerietty out for a walk to calm her nerves, then they sit down to supper.
Henerietty’s vision of old Mr. Harmon in the house shows how his presence continues to linger over what he left behind—perhaps a reflection of how he’s tried to control his legacy through his will. Although this story does not ultimately go in a supernatural direction, it shows how people continue to have influence even after death.
Themes
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