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Book 3, 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
Breakfast at the Boffins’ is usually pleasant, but it’s become clear recently how much Boffin has changed, and he brings a dark mood with him. As it turns out, Boffin’s mood is particularly bad this morning because he wants to confront Rokesmith—he has learned from Alfred and Sophronia that Rokesmith proposed to Bella. Bella herself tries to intervene, saying Boffin is going too far in his anger.
Although Boffin previously viewed Rokesmith as a trusted worker, he speaks disapprovingly of Bella’s potential marriage to Rokesmith. This disapproval seems to have a reverse psychology effect, with Bella knowing that Boffin has become greedier lately and that his disapproval of Rokesmith might be a good sign that Rokesmith himself isn’t greedy.
Themes
Boffin doesn’t back down: he accuses Rokesmith of using his closeness to Boffin to try to get money. Henerietty also tries unsuccessfully to intervene on Rokesmith’s behalf. Eventually, Bella gets so angry at Boffin that she threatens to go back to her family, the Wilfers. Boffin accuses Bella of trying to collaborate with Rokesmith to get Boffin’s fortune. Ultimately, Boffin fires Rokesmith and Bella runs home to Mr. Wilfer and Mrs. Wilfer.
Bella’s confrontation with Boffin represents her finally rejecting greed after being tempted by it for so long. In contrast, this seems to be the lowest point for Boffin, who rejects both Rokesmith and Bella, two characters that he had a good relationship with and who brought out the best in him. By inheriting old Mr. Harmon’s money, Boffin seems to have taken on the same miserly character flaws.
Themes
