Our Mutual Friend · Chapter
Mr. Wegg Prepares a Grindstone for Mr. Boffin’s Nose explained
Silas Wegg grows increasingly possessive and hostile toward Mr.
What happens
Silas Wegg grows increasingly possessive and hostile toward Mr. Boffin, viewing Boffin's management of the Harmon property as an encroachment on his own future wealth. Mr. Venus, troubled by his partnership with Wegg, secretly meets with Mr. Boffin and reveals Wegg's discovery of a later will that would give the Harmon fortune to the Crown. Venus refuses to profit dishonestly and warns Boffin of Wegg's intentions. When Wegg arrives unexpectedly, Boffin hides behind a stuffed alligator to overhear Wegg's schemes.
Themes in this chapter
Wealth and Corruption
Wegg's greed and sense of entitlement to the Harmon fortune corrupt his judgment, while Mr. Boffin's avarice is exposed in his willingness to buy off Wegg and destroy the will.
Charity and Hypocrisy
Mr. Boffin's earlier generosity is undermined by his secretive dealings and desperate attempts to preserve his wealth, revealing a hypocritical attachment to money.
Characters to notice
- Silas Wegg
Grows increasingly resentful of Mr. Boffin, viewing Boffin's actions as theft of his own property; plans to threaten Boffin and assert control over the Harmon estate.
- Mr. Venus
Secretly meets with Mr. Boffin to confess his role in Wegg's scheme and reveal the existence of the later will; refuses to take any dishonest profit and seeks to return to 'the right.'
- Mr. Boffin
Visits Mr. Venus in secret, learns of Wegg's discovery of the will, and hides behind an alligator to eavesdrop on Wegg's plotting; shows signs of avarice and anxiety over losing the fortune.
- Sloppy
Mentioned as a menial tool sent by Mr. Boffin to oversee the carting and work in the yard, provoking Wegg's anger.
Key passages
“Every time I see him putting his hand in his pocket, I see him putting it into my pocket. Every time I hear him jingling his money, I hear him taking liberties with my money.”
Wegg feels that Boffin's every financial action is a theft from his own future inheritance.
Highlights Wegg's obsessive sense of ownership over the Harmon fortune.
“It seems to me, after maturely thinking it over, that the best amends for having got out of the square is to get back into the square.”
Venus believes the only proper way to atone for his dishonest involvement is to act honestly.
Shows Venus's moral awakening and rejection of the scheme.
“Get your head well behind his smile, Mr. Boffin, and you’ll lie comfortable there; you’ll find plenty of room behind his smile.”
Venus instructs Boffin to hide behind the alligator's open mouth, noting there is ample space.
Illustrates the darkly comic and theatrical nature of the eavesdropping scene.