Our Mutual Friend Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who wrote 'Our Mutual Friend'?

Charles Dickens.

Why was John Harmon going to be rich?

Because he inherited all of his father's money.

Who spoke to Hexam from another boat?

Rogue Riderhood.

What was the thing at the end of the rope?

A body of a drowned man. Signup and view all the answers

Why did John Harmon come back again?

To inherit his father's money after his death. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Bella Wilfer?

The girl who would marry John Harmon. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mr. Lightwood?

He was John Harmon's lawyer. Signup and view all the answers

Who is John Harmon?

John Harmon, also known as Julius Handford and John Rokesmith, returns to England after living in South Africa. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nicodemus Boffin?

Nicodemus Boffin, also called Noddy and The Golden Dustman, inherits the Harmon fortune after John's supposed death. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Bella Wilfer?

A beautiful girl from a poor home, taken in by the Boffins. Signup and view all the answers

What did Hexam say about the river?

'The river is your best friend, and mine too, for we both make our living from it.' Signup and view all the answers

How does Lizzie show loyalty to her brother?

She gives him money and food and tells him to go away to learn. Signup and view all the answers

What does Harmon's will state?

John Harmon will not take the money until he marries an 18-year-old girl whom he last saw when she was 4 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Boffin ask Mortimer?

To be his secretary. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Boffins' offer to Bella?

They offered her to come to live with them as their daughter. Signup and view all the answers

What evil deeds does Riderhood commit?

He tried to blackmail Headstone. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Rokesmith do at Mr. Boffin's?

He becomes the secretary to the Boffins. Signup and view all the answers

What is the only thing Mr. Rokesmith would do at the Boffins?

He reads and replies to Mr. Boffin's letters because Mr. Boffin can't read or write. Signup and view all the answers

What changes occur in Bella after moving to the Boffins' house?

She became selfish. Signup and view all the answers

What is Bella's attitude towards Rokesmith and her family?

She became ashamed of her poor family and rejected his love with disdain. Signup and view all the answers

Clarify Lizzie and Charly's relationship and how her tenderness was met with ingratitude?

Lizzie is a kind sister who gives him food and money, while Charly is selfish and wants Lizzie to marry Mr. Headstone for his own benefits. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Characters

"Our Mutual Friend" was written by Charles Dickens.
John Harmon inherited his father's fortune after his death.
Rogue Riderhood is the character who spoke to Hexam from another boat.
Bella Wilfer is the young woman John Harmon was supposed to marry.

Plot Elements

The thing at the end of the rope turned out to be a drowned man's body.
John Harmon returned to England to claim his inheritance but faced attempts on his life.
Nicodemus Boffin, nicknamed Noddy and "The Golden Dustman," inherits the Harmon fortune after John Harmon's presumed death.
Bella's character evolves from selfishness to genuine affection towards John Harmon.

Key Relationships

Mr. Lightwood serves as John Harmon's lawyer throughout the story.
Lizzie Hexam is a loyal daughter, providing for her brother despite his ingratitude.
Lizzie's relationship with her brother Charly exemplifies the theme of familial loyalty met with selfishness.

Themes and Motifs

Money and avarice influence characters' actions and relationships; Boffin displays increasing greed under Harmon's secret guidance.
Bella's disdain for her family's poverty reflects how wealth affects personal values and relationships.
The old Harmon's will stipulates that John can only inherit if he marries a girl he last saw as a child, emphasizing the theme of obligation.

Symbolism and Quotes

"The river is your best friend" highlights Hexam's complex relationship with the river as a source of livelihood and danger.
John Rokesmith, another identity of John Harmon, becomes Boffin's secretary, leading to further developments in the plot.

Conflicts and Resolutions

Riderhood's actions include blackmail, proving his character to be morally corrupt.
Bella's transformation after moving in with the Boffins shows the impact of wealth on her character, initially making her selfish.
Mr. Rokesmith's role as a letter-reader for Mr. Boffin illustrates the theme of literacy and communication challenges faced by some characters.

Additional Notes

The relationship dynamics among characters often reflect broader societal themes related to class, wealth, and personal integrity.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Charles Dickens' novel, 'Our Mutual Friend', with these flashcards. Each card features a key question or word related to the characters and plot. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this classic work.