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Book 1, Chapter 8
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 makes it back to his Bower and tells Henerietty all about his day. They then start discussing what to do with their new money. They want to move to a new house in a new neighborhood but keep the Bower and hire someone else to watch it. Henerietty also gets the idea of doing something for Bella, who has lost so much after her intended husband John died. The couple decide that perhaps they could find a local orphan and raise him as their own, naming him John.
Boffin’s inability to let go of his old house, even though it is less spectacular than the mansion he’ll be able to afford, reflects how even after he achieves a wealthy status, he still holds on to his simple tastes. Henerietty’s idea to help Bella shows her generosity, as does her decision to adopt an orphan named John, even though the latter idea is a little unusual.
Themes
Boffin and Henerietty take a carriage to the home of the Reverend Frank Milvey. They explain their plan to him about wanting an orphan, and Milvey says that they’re like the kings and queens in fairy tales who have always wished for children. Milvey calls over his wife, Mrs. Margaretta Milvey. They discuss various orphans, with Mrs. Milvey rejecting all of Milvey’s ideas because she thinks those particular orphans would be too much of a nuisance to the Boffins. They promise to look into the matter, and the Boffins leave, feeling good about their choice to see Mulvey.
Although the Boffins feel good about working with the Milveys to find an orphan, this scene is again humorous. Reverend Milvey seems to be proud of himself, simply for playing a role in the Boffins’ adoption process. Meanwhile, Mrs. Milvey tries to find the Boffins an “easy” orphan, going against the spirit of charity behind the Boffins’ original intentions. Similar to the Inspector, the reverend and his wife are supposed to represent traditional morality but fall short in their efforts.
Themes
Next, Boffin and Henerietty go to see the Wilfer family. Lavinia greets them at the door and takes them to Mrs. Wilfer. Boffin and Henerietty announce that they’ve come to change Bella’s life. Mrs. Wilfer calls Bella into the room to speak for herself. The Boffins tell a surprised Bella that they’d like her to stay with them when they move to their new, fancier home.
Once again, the Boffins’ form of charity is unusual. They have decided to adopt Bella before even properly meeting her. Still, while there is something humorous about the way the Boffins go about their charity, they are undeniably generous and trusting people, who show a kind of nobility in spite of coming from a humble background.
Themes
While Boffin, Henerietty, Bella, and Mrs. Wilfer are having this discussion, George Sampson, a friend of the family (whom Bella wanted to marry at one point) arrives. George still likes Bella and is suspicious of anyone who might take her away. Nevertheless, Bella accepts the Boffins’ offer, and they promise to return for her at a later time.
As strange as the Boffins’ offer is, it holds appeal to Bella because she disagrees with many of the things her family expects from her (like being forced to marry George Sampson). The Boffins offer Bella the same economic security as marriage (which is essential for someone in Bella’s position, but with potentially fewer restrictions).
Themes
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On his way out, Boffin asks if Mrs. Wilfer has a lodger. Mrs. Wilfer describes Mr. Rokesmith, whom Boffin met earlier when Rokesmith offered to work as a secretary. Boffin refers to Mr. Rokesmith as “Our Mutual Friend,” since they both know him. Mr. Rokesmith himself appears and greets the Boffins. After the Boffins leave, Bella asks Rokesmith about the Boffins, and he says they’re “worthy” but admits that he doesn’t know them well. Bella suspects that Rokesmith admires her. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilfer says that on the surface the Boffins seem nice but there’s something about Henerietty’s face that suggests “dark deep underhanded plotting.”
The fact that Mr. Rokesmith gives the book its title suggests that he is an important character. “Our mutual friend” as a phrase seems to suggest connections between people in different social circles, emphasizing the novel’s focus on how the fates of people from different parts of London are all connected. Mrs. Wilfer’s suspicions of the Boffins show her condescension toward them because of their lower-class background, even though Mrs. Wilfer herself is currently living in poverty.
Themes
