Our Mutual Friend · Chapter
Meaning Mischief explained
The Lammles, financially desperate and trapped by their mutual deceit, plot to undermine Mr.
What happens
The Lammles, financially desperate and trapped by their mutual deceit, plot to undermine Mr. Boffin's trust in his secretary, John Rokesmith, by having Sophronia pretend to reveal a confidence about Rokesmith's supposed mercenary designs on Bella Wilfer. They hope this will get Rokesmith dismissed, open a path for Alfred Lammle to replace him, and secure the Boffins' fortune for themselves.
Themes in this chapter
Wealth and Corruption
The Lammles' desperate scheming to gain the Boffins' fortune reveals how the pursuit of wealth corrupts personal integrity and marriage.
Charity and Hypocrisy
Sophronia plans to feign a sensitive conscience and virtuous unease to manipulate Mr. Boffin, highlighting the hypocrisy behind pretended moral scruples.
Love and Marriage
The Lammles' marriage is a business partnership of mutual deceit, contrasting sharply with ideals of romantic love and trust.
Characters to notice
- Alfred Lammle
Sits at breakfast discontented, conspires with his wife to ruin the Boffins' secretary for financial gain.
- Sophronia Lammle
Plots with her husband to betray Bella Wilfer's confidence and manipulate Mr. Boffin into dismissing his secretary.
- Fledgeby
Visits the Lammles; Mrs. Lammle attempts to coax him into using his influence with the Jewish moneylender Riah.
- Mr. Boffin
Target of the Lammles' scheme; they plan to exploit his growing suspicion and miserliness.
- John Rokesmith
The Boffins' secretary whom the Lammles plot to have dismissed by falsely accusing him of a mercenary design on Bella.
- Bella Wilfer
Mentioned as the girl whose confidence Sophronia plans to betray in order to incriminate Rokesmith.
Key passages
“The happy pair of swindlers, with the comfortable tie between them that each had swindled the other, sat moodily observant of the tablecloth.”
The Lammles, both con artists who have tricked each other, sit gloomily staring at the tablecloth.
Highlights the ironic 'comfort' of their mutual deception.
“Perhaps the skeleton in the cupboard comes out to be talked to, on such domestic occasions?”
Maybe the hidden family secret is the one they address during these marital arguments.
Narrator's ironic comment on the Lammles' indirect communication.
“If we could have packed the brute off with Georgiana;—but however; that’s spilled milk.”
If only we could have sent that brute away with Georgiana, but that plan is ruined.
Lammle regrets a failed scheme involving Georgiana Podsnap.
“Suppose my conscience should not allow me to keep to myself any longer what that upstart girl told me of the Secretary’s having made a declaration to her.”
Imagine if my conscience forced me to reveal what that presumptuous girl told me about the Secretary proposing to her.
Sophronia's plan to feign moral scruples to betray Bella's confidence.
“We are to work together for our joint interest, and you are as knowing a hand as I am.”
We are partners in this scheme for mutual benefit, and you are just as shrewd as I am.
Lammle reminds his wife of their pact of mutual exploitation.
