Our Mutual Friend · Chapter
The Golden Dustman at His Worst explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Boffin's character has darkened dramatically; he treats his secretary John Rokesmith with open insolence and distrust. Bella Wilfer is caught in the middle, horrified by Boffin's transformation and the revelation that Mrs. Lammle has told Boffin about her secret meeting with Rokesmith. Bella defends Rokesmith, denounces Boffin's behavior, and begs to be made poor again. Rokesmith, about to leave, declares his enduring love for Bella, insisting his motives are not mercenary. Boffin remains obstinately suspicious, but Bella's loyalty to Rokesmith is clear.
Themes in this chapter
Wealth and Corruption
Mr. Boffin's wealth has seemingly corrupted him, turning him into a suspicious, arrogant, and miserly figure, as seen in his treatment of Rokesmith.
Identity and Disguise
Bella's internal conflict and her plea to be made poor again highlight the tension between her true self and the role wealth forces upon her.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Boffin
Exhibits extreme avarice and distrust, openly insulting his secretary and accusing him of mercenary motives.
- Bella Wilfer
Horrified by Boffin's behavior, she defends Rokesmith, confesses her own fault in revealing their secret, and passionately wishes to be poor again.
- John Rokesmith
Quietly dignified under Boffin's attacks, he declares his unwavering love for Bella and insists his motives are pure.
- Mrs. Boffin
Anxious and distressed, she is forbidden to explain Boffin's behavior to Bella but watches her with concern.
- Sophronia Lammle
Referenced as the source of the tale-bearing that provoked Boffin's outburst, having reported Bella's secret meeting with Rokesmith.
Key passages
“His altered character had never been so grossly marked. His bearing towards his Secretary was so charged with insolent distrust and arrogance, that the latter rose and left the table before breakfast was half done.”
Mr. Boffin's changed personality was more obvious than ever; he treated his secretary with such rude suspicion that Rokesmith couldn't finish breakfast and left the table.
Illustrates Boffin's dramatic moral decline and the hostile atmosphere in the household.
“O Mr. Rokesmith, before you go, if you could but make me poor again! O! Make me poor again, Somebody, I beg and pray, or my heart will break if this goes on!”
Bella cries out desperately, wishing she could be poor again, because the wealth and the conflicts it brings are breaking her heart.
Bella's emotional climax, rejecting wealth and longing for her former simpler life.
“The best wish I can wish you is, that you had not one single farthing in the world. If any true friend and well-wisher could make you a bankrupt, you would be a duck; but as a man of property you are a demon!”
Bella tells Mr. Boffin that she wishes he were penniless, because without money he would be lovable, but with it he has become cruel and monstrous.
Direct condemnation of Boffin's wealth-induced corruption, showing Bella's moral outrage.