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Throughout Our Mutual Friend, the presence of ghosts and similar supernatural beings serves to emphasize the disparities caused by class and social mobility. An obvious instance of the ghost motif is the plight of John Harmon (Julius Handford/Rokesmith). While he is forced to take on a false identity in order to find out more about the circumstances around his "death" and his fortune, Harmon is also forced to be a part of a lower class. When he debates whether or not he should let everyone know he is alive, he eventually decides to hide himself for the benefit of Bella and muses, "I did not come back, and they have passed unspoiled into my place" (367). Harmon submits to a lesser role and resorts to haunting his own property like a spirit with unfinished business. He is literally a living ghost, and since he (for the time being) cannot reveal his true identity, he is stuck floating around the upper class.
Another character that embodies the ghost figure is Riderhood. The reader is continually introduced to Riderhood as he emerges from some dark place like a dark apparition. When he goes to meet Eugene Wrayburn and Mortimer Lightwood, they actually call him a ghost. "Apparently one of the ghosts has lost its way, and dropped in to be directed. Look at this phantom!" Eugene says when they first see Riderhood outside of their office (150). Riderhood is clearly not of the same class and therefore does not receive any respect from Eugene or Mortimer. After his failed attempt to blame the Harmon murder on Gaffer Hexam, Riderhood remains out of view for the most part. However, his false accusations have haunted Lizzie Hexam and Harmon, as he has ruined the name of Gaffer.
The event that solidifies Riderhood's role as a ghost among the rich is his boating accident. Though Riderhood comes back from the brink of death, he does not change his scheming ways and really does become a ghost to the people around him. He is rarely seen or mentioned until he runs into Bradley Headstone later on in the third portion of the novel.
The event that solidifies Riderhood's role as a ghost among the rich is his boating accident. Though Riderhood comes back from the brink of death, he does not change his scheming ways and really does become a ghost to the people around him. He is rarely seen or mentioned until he runs into Bradley Headstone later on in the third portion of the novel.
The skeleton in the Lammles' closet is yet another occurrence of the dead hanging around in places of wealth. When they are left alone together, the Lammles seem to always have "some invisible presence that appeared to take a station about midway between them" (544). This skeleton is a constant witness to their plots to get rich, forever reminding them that they are hiding behind a facade of wealth and happiness. In this way, the fact that their skeleton is always present during their private conversations highlights their status as lower class people.
Overall, the many mentions of ghosts in Our Mutual Friend reinforce the idea of the poverty-stricken remaining invisible, but not totally non-existent, to those in the upper class. The characters whom are part of the lower class (whether economically or socially) are made to be specters that, while seemingly invisible, eventually haunt their upper class counterparts.
Overall, the many mentions of ghosts in Our Mutual Friend reinforce the idea of the poverty-stricken remaining invisible, but not totally non-existent, to those in the upper class. The characters whom are part of the lower class (whether economically or socially) are made to be specters that, while seemingly invisible, eventually haunt their upper class counterparts.
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