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Book 1, Chapter 7
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 goes to visit Mortimer at his law office. Mortimer is out, so Boffin speaks with Blight, who manages Mortimer’s appointments. When Mortimer finally arrives, he looks weary, as he always does. Boffin talks about how he and Henerietty were always close with the old Mr. Harmon’s children.
A "blight” is a disease, and so “Blight” continues the trend of whimsical names (while also suggesting that Blight might not be a particularly impressive person). Mortimer’s constant weariness suggests that he is getting tired of the strict requirements of upper-class London life, although it takes him a while to realize this.
Themes
Literary Devices
Boffin has come to Mortimer to discuss the new money he’s inherited from the old Mr. Harmon, which is considerable now that John is gone. He says he’d like to use part of his money to set up a large reward for whoever catches John’s killer. Mortimer tries to talk him out of it, but Boffin insists. Boffin also wants to draft a short will that will leave what remains of his fortune all to his wife, Henerietty.
Boffin’s decisions for how to use his money reflect both his generosity as well as his simplicity. He believes that since he got the money through John’s death, he should invest a portion of it toward trying to find the killer, not realizing that the reward might attract scammers. Similarly, he doesn’t understand how complicated wills can become and just wants to leave everything to Henerietty, rather than setting elaborate terms as old Mr. Harmon did.
Themes
As Mortimer is showing Boffin the door, Eugene is also by the door. He introduces himself to Boffin. Boffin makes a comment about how it’s good to be busy like a bee, but Eugene thinks it’s possible to work too hard and says he doesn’t like bees anyway.
Eugene’s lack of interest in working reflects how in general he is often uncomfortable with fulfilling other people’s expectations of what he should do.
Themes
Boffin leaves the law office, and on his walk back home, a stranger approaches him. The man tells Boffin that he can tell Boffin is a fair dealer who has had some good fortune lately and is now in much greater circumstances than before. The man offers that he could act as a secretary to help Boffin adjust to his new lifestyle. The man dodges Boffin’s questions at first before finally revealing his name is Rokesmith and he’s staying with the Wilfers.
Rokesmith seems to know a suspiciously large amount about Boffin—more than he could tell just by looking at him. Nevertheless, in keeping with Boffin’s generous personality, Boffin doesn’t suspect Rokesmith of anything suspicious. This passage seems to suggest that Rokesmith might take advantage of Boffin’s trusting personality.
Themes
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Boffin isn’t sure about Rokesmith’s proposal to be his secretary, but Rokesmith says Boffin can take some time to think it over. Boffin gives Rokesmith his address, and Rokesmith promises to come by in a few days.
Even someone as trusting as Boffin doesn’t accept Rokesmith’s proposal immediately, showing how unusual Rokesmith’s behavior is. Perhaps Boffin is beginning to learn some of the responsibilities and pitfalls that come with his newfound wealth—including how other people will try to take a piece of it.
Themes
