Our Mutual Friend

By Charles Dickens

“Our Mutual Friend” by Charles Dickens is a classic novel that tells the story of a young man who inherits a fortune from his father, only to find himself embroiled in a web of deceit and manipulation. Dickens uses literary devices such as foreshadowing, irony, and characterization to create a vivid and engaging world filled with memorable characters and complex themes. Through the novel, readers are challenged to consider questions of morality, social class, and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Themes 📚

1. Wealth and social class: The novel explores the theme of wealth and social class, as various characters struggle to maintain their status and navigate the complexities of the class system.
2. Corruption and deception: The novel examines the theme of corruption and deception, as characters engage in acts of deceit and manipulation in order to gain power and wealth.
3. Love and relationships: The novel explores the theme of love and relationships, as various characters navigate the complexities of romantic and familial bonds.
4. Morality and ethics: The novel examines questions of morality and ethics, as characters struggle to do what is right in a world that values wealth and status above all else.
5. Identity and self-discovery: The novel explores the theme of identity and self-discovery, as characters grapple with questions of who they are and what they want out of life.
6. Nature vs. nurture: The novel examines the tension between nature and nurture, as characters struggle to overcome their pasts and become better people.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Foreshadowing: Dickens uses foreshadowing to hint at future events and create a sense of tension and anticipation throughout the novel.
2. Irony: Irony is used to create a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, such as when characters who seem virtuous turn out to be corrupt and deceitful.
3. Characterization: Dickens uses characterization to create complex and memorable characters who are both realistic and larger-than-life.
4. Symbolism: Symbolism is used to represent important ideas and themes, such as the river Thames representing the corruption and decay of London.
5. Imagery: Imagery is used to create vivid descriptions of the setting and characters, from the squalor of the London slums to the opulence of the Veneerings’ dinner parties.
6. Allusion: Allusion is used to reference other works of literature or cultural phenomena, such as when Dickens references Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in the character of Bradley Headstone.
7. Satire: Satire is used to criticize and lampoon societal institutions and norms, such as the obsession with wealth and status in Victorian England.
8. Pathos: Pathos is used to create an emotional response in the reader, such as when characters experience heartbreak or tragedy.
9. Dialogue: Dialogue is used to reveal character and advance the plot, and Dickens is known for his distinctive and memorable dialogue.
10. Point of view: Dickens uses a shifting point of view to give readers access to the inner thoughts and motivations of multiple characters, creating a complex and multi-layered narrative.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
The tension between Bella and her father	This foreshadows Bella’s eventual decision to leave her father’s house and start a new life.
The mysterious behavior of the man who calls himself John Rokesmith	This foreshadows the revelation of his true identity later in the novel.
The hints about Bradley Headstone’s violent nature	This foreshadows his eventual attempt to murder Eugene Wrayburn.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The river	The river symbolizes life’s unpredictability and the constant flow of time. It’s also a place of death and rebirth, where bodies are found and fortunes are made.
The dust heaps	These heaps symbolize the greed and corruption in society, as well as the idea that wealth can come from the most unlikely places.
The golden doll’s dress	It symbolizes Bella’s shallow pursuit of wealth and status at the beginning of the novel.

3. Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Her father was a machine.”	This metaphor is used to describe Bella’s father’s mechanical, unemotional manner.
“The river was a dragon, winding through the city.”	This metaphor adds a mythical, powerful quality to the river.
“His heart was a stone.”	This metaphor describes a character’s inability to feel compassion or love.

4. Simile

Example	Explanation
“He was as cold as ice.”	This simile is used to convey a character’s lack of emotion or empathy.
“She was as bright as a star.”	This simile describes a character’s happiness or vivacity.
“He worked like a horse.”	This simile is used to describe a character’s hard work and determination.

5. Irony

Example	Explanation
The revelation of John Harmon’s true identity	This is an example of dramatic irony, as the reader knows his true identity before most of the characters do.
The fact that the wealthy Veneerings are completely shallow	This is situational irony; despite their wealth, the Veneerings lack depth and substance.
Bella’s change of heart about wealth	This is also situational irony; Bella initially desires wealth, but later rejects it for love.

FAQs 💭