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Book 2, 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
Rokesmith learns that a man named Sloppy has just arrived at the Boffin mansion with news about Johnny, the orphan the Boffins are interested in: He is very sick and not ready to come yet. Rokesmith leaves to break the news to Henerietty. Henerietty decides to take some gifts for the orphan right to Betty Higden’s house, and Bella accompanies her. She sees that Johnny is in a very bad condition. Johnny, in a daze, keeps asking about the “boofer” (beautiful) lady, meaning Bella.
Although Johnny’s health problems are tragic, there is an element of comedy to how difficult it is for Boffin and Henerietty to complete their good deed of adopting an orphan to offset John Harmon’s death. This shows the futility of trying to “undo” a death, with the young Johnny himself being on the verge of potentially dying himself.
Themes
Henerietty convinces Betty that Johnny needs to go to the Children’s Hospital, and Betty is amazed to learn that such places even exist. Rokesmith accompanies them. A doctor at the hospital says it’s too late for Johnny—he should’ve come earlier. Johnny is weak and can barely speak. He kisses Rokesmith on the cheek, saying, “A kiss for the boofer lady.” At last, he puts his head down and dies.
Johnny wants Rokesmith to kiss Bella, the “boofer lady,” on his behalf. Once again, the scene blends tragedy and comedy, with the solemnity of Johnny’s last words contrasting with his childish way of speaking. The fact that Johnny might have lived if he’d gone to the hospital earlier—and Betty didn’t even know to take him—shows again how life is more precarious for the lower class.
Themes
Literary Devices
