# Mr. and Mrs. Boffin in Consultation explained — Our Mutual Friend

> Chapter companion for Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Boffin returns home to the Bower and discusses with Mrs. Boffin their new life as inheritors of the Harmon fortune. Mrs. Boffin expresses a desire for fashionable society and a grand lifestyle, while also proposing to adopt an orphan child to bear the name of the deceased John Harmon. They visit the Milveys to seek help in finding a suitable orphan, and then proceed to the Wilfer residence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Corruption

The Boffins discuss how to 'act up to' their fortune, with Mrs. Boffin desiring a grand lifestyle including a carriage and fashionable society, highlighting the transformative and potentially corrupting influence of wealth.

### Charity and Hypocrisy

Mrs. Boffin's plan to adopt an orphan is presented as a charitable act, yet the search for a 'suitable' child reveals underlying social prejudices and the complexities of genuine benevolence.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Boffin

Returns home and consults with Mrs. Boffin about their new fortune and lifestyle. He supports her plans and accompanies her to visit the Milveys and the Wilfers.

### Mrs. Boffin

Eager to embrace fashionable society and proposes adopting an orphan to give the name of John Harmon. She visits the Milveys to seek help in finding a suitable child.

### Bella Wilfer

Mentions of her being the 'disappointed girl' whom Mrs. Boffin wishes to help. She interacts with Mr. Rokesmith and is teased by her sister Lavinia after the Boffins' visit.

### John Rokesmith

Present at the Boffins' departure from the Wilfer home; reacts with alarm when Mrs. Boffin mentions showing 'little John Harmon' to Bella, mistaking it for a reference to the dead.

### Reverend Frank Milvey

Consulted by the Boffins about finding a suitable orphan; he and his wife discuss various candidates but find objections to each.

### Mrs. Milvey

Assists her husband in the orphan search, pointing out flaws in each candidate such as snuff-taking, squinting, or being too old.

## Key lines

> Now, I'll tell you what I want, Noddy, I want Society.

Mrs. Boffin declares her desire to enter fashionable society.

_Expresses her aspiration for social status after inheriting wealth._

> I should like to find some orphan child, and take the boy and adopt him and give him John's name, and provide for him.

Mrs. Boffin proposes adopting an orphan to bear the name of the deceased John Harmon.

_Reflects her wish to honor the memory of John Harmon through a charitable act._

> How can you show her the dead?

Mr. Rokesmith reacts with shock to Mrs. Boffin's mention of showing 'little John Harmon' to Bella.

_Indicates his secret knowledge and emotional connection to the deceased John Harmon._

## Links

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