Montreal Dickens Fellowship Study Questions: “Our Mutual Friend"
May 5, 2026
Book III Chap. 11-17 and Book IV Chap 1-6
- Compare and contrast Bradley Headstone and Rogue Riderhood as villains.
- Are you at all sympathetic to the Lammles’ plight?
- Fledgeby’s evil deeds make Mr. Riah look more pure. Comment on Dickens’ portrayal of these two characters.
- Discuss Mr. Venus’ change of heart.
- Why do you think Mr. Boffin who started as such a good, kind character has become so very miserly and greedy?
- Dickens often has the worst of one character bring out the best in another. How does this apply to Wegg and Venus, Boffin and Bella?
- How do the Veneerings serve as a “social chorus”?
- Bradley Headstone is a complex, scary villain. He has trouble containing himself just as he cannot contain his nosebleed, which is a sign of his explosive nature and of the building pressure of the scene. How does Dickens effectively create suspense?
- Compare Bella’s treating her father like a child to Jenny Wren’s treatment of her father.
- Water gives or takes away life in this book. Eugene almost dies in it, but Lizzie is able to save him. Comment on this theme.