Moral Worth

Our Mutual Friend centers on John Harmon’s inheritance as the novel demonstrates the corrupting power of money. Dickens uses the themes of money, class, love, education and death in order to create and depict the diverse and numerous characters in the novel. While the characters are all very different from one another, they are similar in that every character strives to live a life of satisfaction. Through these common themes and through the consistent trial and error of characters as they work to gain worthiness, it is possible that Dickens is attempting to make a statement about morality. It is a person’s motivation for their actions that matters; it is not what they are, but what they do and why they do it that determines their moral worth.

Money is the most prominent obstacle that causes characters to act without moral motivation. For the most part, money is corrupting. This is most evident in the character development of Mr. Boffin. Money turns the newly wealthy Mr. Boffin into a monster as he verbally abuses and dehumanizes Mr. Rokesmith for proposing to Bella. After the scene, Mrs. Boffin says to her husband, “You seem to be not quite like your old self” (458). Overtime, the Harmon inheritance has clouded over Mr. Boffin’s naturally respectable intentions. Similarly, Fascination Fledgby’s actions are driven by money rather than morals. Mr. Lammle illustrates this as she describes Fledgby to Mrs. Lammle as being “a match for the devil” when “money is in the question” (265). Both Mr. Boffin and Fledgby struggle to attain moral worth because the motivation for their actions is dependent on money only.

At lunch with her father one day, Bella says to him: “and yet I have money always in my thoughts and my desires; and the whole life I place before myself is money, money, money and what money can make of life” (455). This quote demonstrates the temptation to ignore ones feelings and ethics when determining how to live. While Bella is tempted by the power of money and social class, she never fully loses her principles. Bella takes action and leaves the Boffin’s when she has become fed up with Mr. Boffin living without good intention. Mrs. Wilfer states “Bella has acted in a truly brave spirit, and with truly right feeling” (597).

The characters in the novel with respectable motivations for their actions succeed in achieving their goals. Characters who are only concerned with what they are and don’t consider why they act certain ways never end up satisfied. As the narrator explains: “For evil often stops short and dies with the doer of it; but good, never” (105). Like Bella, many characters explain their ambition towards moral worth as they act with intention and kindness. Riah defends himself to Fledgby as he says, “Sir, I have no motive but to help the helpless” (425). Riah is described as a “gentle” and thoughtful old man and he asserts he acts “with all [his] heart” (429). Mr. Venus is overcome by sympathy and decides to tell Mr. Boffin of Wegg’s evil plan. Venus describes his motivation to tell Mr. Boffin as being “told upon [his] heart, and almost equally upon [his] skeleton” (565). Mrs. Boffin feels the need to give back to the world around her, as she feels thankful to now have wealth. She declares to Mr. Boffin, “Wanting to do good, why not do it for its own sake, and put my tastes and likings by?” (330). In this instance, Mrs. Boffin questions her moral worth and decides adopting a child would be an act motivated by kindness and generosity. Lizzie Hexam always lives with “her own purpose” and constantly seems to be acting for others (77). Charley tells Headstone, “there is no pretending about my sister” (217). Lizzie realizes the necessity to send her brother Charlie to school and works to make it possible. Likewise, Lizzie leaves her life in the city and lives in solitude in order to protect Wrayburn’s life from the unrelenting and violent Mr. Headstone.

John Rokesmith lives his life by focusing on why he is doing something rather than what he is doing. Rokesmith comes into existence because John Harmon wants to earn his own identity in the world –this includes his own wealth and his alleged bride. As he says to himself: “Making my memory an incentive to good actions done in my name” (367). It is through Rokesmith and the other numerous characters in Our Mutual Friend that Dickens suggests it is not about what a person is, but rather what he or she does and why it is done that determines moral worth.