Reading the Chunksters discussion
Our Mutual Friend
>
Our Mutual Friend - Week 13
date
newest »
newest »
Wow. That was certainly an uncomfortable breakfast between the Boffins and Lammles! I am uncertain who's side Venus is really on. Wegg, from the beginning? Or Boffin since he had just told him all that Wegg was going to do. I expected him to do something during the Wegg/Boffin encounter, but maybe he has something up his sleeve for later on?
Also, I'm still scratching my head on what these mounds are.
Linda, we know old Mr. Harmon made his fortune collecting garbage and waste and I presume the mounds contain what today would be in a landfill, with the addition of more cinders and 'dust.' My understanding is that, at the time, money could be made both collecting the waste, as Harmon did, and then selling the waste to people such as brickmakers who convert it to useful products. So the mounds do contain some financial sources and are also consistent with what seems like a recycling or rebirth theme here. They may have some other symbolic value that I won't try to solve until I finish and read more on it. Instead I'll focus on seeing how the various plots resolve themselves as we are now on the last fifth of the book. I too am not sure about Boffin and Venus's actions with Weggs - but that uncertainty is a good thing as there is obviously more to tell on that story and I don't mind a bit of suspense.
Mod
Brian wrote: "Linda, we know old Mr. Harmon made his fortune collecting garbage and waste and I presume the mounds contain what today would be in a landfill,.."Brian - thank you for the explanation of the mounds. I guess I somehow missed how Mr. Harmon had made his money, so I didn't make the connection.
Chapter summaries:
(view spoiler)[
1. Riderhood, now a lock keeper up river, lets Wrayburn in a sculling boat into the lock. He also sees a bargeman lying on the bank. After a disagreeable conversation with Wrayburn he recognises the bargeman as “Totherest gentleman” ie Headstone, who is dressed like Riderhood himself. Headstone follows Wrayburn, but returns saying he has seen Wrayburn put up for the night at an inn. In the meantime Riderhood has changed into a distinctive red neckerchief. Two days later Headstone returns again, saying he has seen Wrayburn walking with Lizzie, and that he is staying for a few days. Headstone eats and rests, watched by Riderhood.
2. The Lammles breakfast at the Boffins, where Mrs Lammle fails to engage her hosts in conversation. Boffin gives her £100 but says their service for him is now at an end. Georgiana appears, offering Mrs Lammle her savings of £15 and a bracelet. Boffin takes these, and when Georgiana has gone he tells Mrs Lammle he will return them. The Lammles leaving, saying they plan to go abroad.
3. Boffin goes to the Bower, having arranged to meet Venus on the way. Venus has told Boffin what Wegg will say. Wegg treats Boffin as his servant and explains his demands. Boffin calls Sloppy in and allows Wegg to dismiss him from the house. Wegg demands that the whole estate including the three mounds be split into three parts, and that Boffin use his share to pay for his new house. He also demands Rokesmith’s dismissal, to be told this has already happened. He demands a simple Yes/No answer from Boffin. Boffin asks for a 15 minute walk to think, to which Wegg assents but insists on accompanying him. They go to Venus’s shop. Boffin asks them not to tell his wife about the agreement, and they agree to delay it until the mounds have been cleared. Wegg accompanies Boffin home.
4. Bella and RW get up early and head for Greenwich. There they meet Rokesmith and a “gruff and glum” pensioner. The four head for the church, where Bella and Rokesmith marry. Bella writes a letter to announce her wedding, and sends it home. They dine in the same place where Bella and her father went on their day out. RW eventually departs, leaving the newly married couple alone.
(hide spoiler)]