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To
explore the world of London in Our Mutual
Friend is to explore a world of masquerade and deception. From the
pseudonyms that the characters take on, to complete separate personas, the
characters that populate Dickens’ novel, and the Boffins’ lives in particular, grapple
with shaping their identities despite the selves warring inside. This vehicle
of changing identity is the force that allows Dickens to transcend class and
society, forming a system of death and rebirth.
Since Our Mutual Friend opens with a literal
death, we will talk about John Harmon/Rokesmith’s transformation. The character
of John Rokesmith transforms from his place as the rich inheritor John Harmon
in order to discover both the true nature of old acquaintances, as well as get
to know the insolent creature Bella Wilfer. Although giving up the life of John
Harmon, Rokesmith takes on a role that allows him to love Bella as a person on
her level, as opposed to entering a false marriage with her for the want of
money. Rokesmith even begins to prefer this identity, stating that, "When the right time comes, I will ask no more than will replace me in my former path of life, and John Rokesmith shall tread it as contentedly as he may. But John Harmon shall come back no more" (367).
John
Rokesmith’s position as secretary allows him to overcome class boundaries by
not being forced to conform to societal standards of the high class and being
able to get in the servitude position to begin with. In the Boffin’s house, the
entire paradigm of social hierarchy has shifted, leaving displaced figures like
Bella Wilfer left to work out the new social order.
Although
John Harmon-smith is the most obvious candidate for a discussion about
masquerade, more minor characters also play into the theme of disguise and misdirection.
Silas Wegg is a character whose deception factors largely into the novel. Wegg’s
position as a reader to Mr. Boffin allows him to take on many different roles
throughout, from poet to blackmailer. Wegg’s existence transcends boundaries of
class and money typical for his station in life, since Boffin endows him with a
bit of money and Boffin’s’ Bower, the center for his mischief.
Bella,
too, takes on a new role, by taking the name of the Boffin’s adopted daughter.
Bella has lived in both worlds of poverty and wealth, and it is crucial to her
growth as a person to be forced to choose between the two. Ultimately, however,
it is Bella’s looks that allow her to overcome the barriers that stand before
her, and in this way, she is masquerading in a different sense – she hides
behind looks and not her true self. Bella’s looks bring her wealth and status,
even when she chooses to marry for love, on account of Rokesmiths’ true
position in life.
Finally,
the entire cast of high society lives in a form of constant masquerade, as
signified by the dinner parties they constantly throw. They are always putting
on fronts, always putting on an air cordiality and friendship when behind
closed doors they are proud, plotting, and treacherous people. The Veneerings
are a vain couple who pretend to have many friends. The Lammals are a couple
who pretend to have money, yet are constantly scheming to get more. In the end,
all of this deception is for the want of money, money, money, and higher status
within the world.
Through
creating new personas, the people related to the Boffins have the chance to
renew themselves and become a new person – rising, in a sense, out of the
watery depths of John Harmon’s murder to new and better aspirations and
desires. Even when one aspect of them dies, they can create a new part of themselves like the starfish regrowing a lost point, often with fluidity and grace as Dickens drives them through the plot.
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