# Another Man explained — Our Mutual Friend

> Chapter companion for Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

The chapter details the inquest into John Harmon's death, the public fascination with the case, and the introduction of Mortimer Lightwood and Eugene Wrayburn as disaffected professionals. Mortimer visits the Hexam home with Eugene, meeting Charley Hexam and learning about his father Jesse's discovery of the body.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Mortality

The discovery of John Harmon's body and the inquest highlight the theme of death, with the river as a source of corpses.

### Identity and Disguise

The mystery surrounding John Harmon's death and the presence of Julius Handford hint at hidden identities.

## Character check-ins

### Mortimer Lightwood

Solicitor who gives evidence at the inquest and later visits the Hexam home with Eugene Wrayburn.

### Eugene Wrayburn

Barrister and friend of Mortimer; accompanies him to the Hexam residence, expressing disdain for his profession.

### Charley Hexam

Son of Jesse Hexam; delivers the note to Mortimer and shows literacy and curiosity about books.

### Gaffer Hexam

Father of Charley and Lizzie; the boatman who found John Harmon's body in the Thames.

### Lizzie Hexam

Sister of Charley; engaged in needlework at the Hexam home, credited with teaching Charley to read.

### Mr. Inspector

Police inspector who watches the inquest proceedings and later investigates the case.

## Key lines

> I hate my profession.

Eugene expresses strong dislike for his career as a barrister.

_Reflects the characters' disillusionment with their forced professions._

> If there is a word in the dictionary under any letter from A to Z that I abominate, it is energy.

Eugene despises the concept of energy, calling it a conventional superstition.

_Highlights the theme of apathy and critique of societal expectations._

> Pharaoh's multitude that were drowned in the Red Sea, ain't more beyond restoring to life.

Charley compares the state of the drowned body to the biblical Egyptians, emphasizing its irrecoverability.

_Shows Charley's literacy and biblical knowledge, contrasting with his rough environment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iii-another-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters