 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Mutual Friend |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Updated September 7, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Return to Dickens Page |
|
|
|
|
Return to My Reading Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Our Mutual Friend is my favorite Dickens novel. I love how he weaves together the different stories of the Boffins, the waterfront folks, the Veneerings, and the school teacher. His mix of people from so many walks of life is fascinating. Maybe that is why I just finished my fifth reading of this novel.
I would be open to posting differing interpretations if anyone cares to share them. Please e-mail me with your views, questions or better ways to organize this page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eye on Shakespeare |
|
|
|
|
|
I cannot read Our Mutual Friend and not think of Shakespeare. The overall structure of the book reminds me of one of Shakespeare's comedies where the reader is lead to the brink of disaster only to have disaster torn away (thankfully) and to celebrate four weddings.
Further, we have such unabashed characters of evil. When I read the descriptions of people live Fascination Fledgeby and Rogue Riderhood, I cannot help but think of Iago from Othello. |
|
|
|
|
|
Deception |
|
|
|
|
|
The theme of deception pervades the novel, and in most cases it is justly punished. The deception of the Lammles of each other in their marriage is punished by a miserable union and countless failed attepts at deceiving others. Fledgeby's decption is punished by a well deserved beating and beibng revealed as the usurer he is. Bradley Headstone's attempted deception of Riderhood by framin him for the murder of Eugene Wrayburn results in both of their deaths. Silas Wegg's attempt to decieve the Boffin's is also soundly rebuffed by facts and the truth.
However, the primary deception that the novel revolves around is rewarded. John Harmon, posing as John Rokesmith, convinces the Boffins (who discover that he is truly Harmon) to act parts to decive Bella Wilfer. They do it for Bella's own well being by showing her the harmful effects of "going in for the money." This decption creates a situation where she falls in love with a non-existent person (Rokesmith) and denounces her benefactors (the Boffins) as miserable misers. Yet, in the end, Harmon is rewarded with a beautiful wife, a child, and a fortune. It is ironic how all other deceivers are so overwhelmingly brought down, yet Harmon - the mutual friend - is exaulted. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Info: |
|
|
|
Email: |
|
[email protected] |
|
|
|
 |
|