Our Mutual Friend, published between 1864 and 1865, is Charles Dickens’s last completed novel. It is a complex story that weaves together themes of wealth, social class, greed, love, and identity, set against the backdrop of London’s ever-changing society. The novel explores how money influences relationships and corrupts human values.
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The Boffin Fortune and John Harmon
The story begins with the death of Old Mr. Harmon, a wealthy dust contractor (a dealer in garbage and refuse). His will states that his son, John Harmon, will inherit his fortune if he marries Bella Wilfer, a young woman he has never met. If John fails to comply, the money will go to Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, the Harmon family’s loyal servants.
However, news arrives that John Harmon has drowned on his return to London. The inheritance passes to the Boffins, who decide to embrace their newfound wealth while remaining kind-hearted and generous.
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John Rokesmith’s Secret
Unknown to everyone, John Harmon has faked his death to observe the people surrounding his inheritance and learn their true characters. Assuming the identity of John Rokesmith, he becomes Mr. Boffin’s secretary and falls in love with Bella Wilfer, who initially aspires to wealth and a luxurious lifestyle.
As Bella interacts with the kind and unpretentious Boffins, she begins to question her values and gradually falls in love with Rokesmith, unaware of his true identity.
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The Veneerings and Society’s Hypocrisy
The novel satirizes the pretentiousness and superficiality of Victorian society through characters like the Veneerings, a shallow and status-obsessed couple who surround themselves with equally self-serving acquaintances. They represent the hollow nature of social climbing and false friendships.
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Lizzie Hexam and Eugene Wrayburn
A parallel storyline follows Lizzie Hexam, the daughter of a river scavenger who retrieves bodies from the Thames. Lizzie is pursued by two men: Eugene Wrayburn, a bored and aristocratic lawyer, and Bradley Headstone, a schoolmaster consumed by jealousy and rage.
Lizzie is deeply moral and self-sacrificing, and despite her love for Eugene, she fears the disparity in their social statuses. Bradley’s obsession with Lizzie leads him to attempt murder, targeting Eugene in a fit of jealous rage. Lizzie nurses Eugene back to health, and they marry despite the class divide.
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The Boffins and Greed
A subplot involves Mr. Boffin pretending to develop a miserly and greedy nature to test Bella’s character. His behavior shocks Bella and helps her reject materialism. When the truth is revealed, Bella is overjoyed and marries John Rokesmith, eventually learning his true identity as John Harmon.
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The Legacy of Rogue Riderhood
Another storyline involves Rogue Riderhood, a deceitful and conniving scavenger, who manipulates others for his gain. His greed and treachery ultimately lead to his downfall, reinforcing the novel’s critique of selfish ambition.
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Resolution and Redemption
By the end of the novel, the various storylines converge. The Boffins’ generosity and Bella’s transformation highlight the value of love and integrity over wealth. Lizzie and Eugene’s marriage symbolizes the triumph of love over societal expectations. John Harmon reclaims his inheritance but remains grounded, thanks to Bella’s influence.
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Themes and Legacy
Our Mutual Friend examines the corrupting power of money, the emptiness of social status, and the transformative potential of love and kindness. Through its vivid characters and interwoven plots, Dickens critiques the inequalities and hypocrisies of Victorian society while celebrating the redemptive qualities of human connection.
The novel is widely regarded as one of Dickens’s most sophisticated works, blending social commentary with intricate storytelling.