something about a character.? This
symbolic object can be as simple as the name of a character, such as Veneering,
indicating shallowness, or Bella Wilfer, beautiful wilful one.? Dickens also uses descriptions of the living
quarters or clothing in order to show us something new about a character.? In this way, Dickens can tell the reader
something about an individual character without actually saying it.? For example, the ?bran-newness? of
everything at the Veneerings indicates the fact that they have come into new
money and are new-comers to society, or in the case of Mr Boffin, described as ?a
very odd-looking old fellow altogether?, his dress shows us the comic
nature of the character and also his utter cluelessness when it comes to
fashion.? It also shows us something of
his simple nature, all through a simple description.? However, perhaps the visual symbolism is almost more
powerful.? The symbolic dust mountains I
have already mentioned, and the theme of money from rubbish, and therefore
money being dirty is prevalent throughout the story.? Another symbolic image is that of the river, which serves as the
embodiment of all that is dirty and poor in London, through the description of
the ?waterside characters? that make their livings from it.? However, it can also be a symbol of purification,
and in some cases seems to have baptismal qualities as in the case of Eugene
Wrayburn who arises from the river a new man, similarly, it is the river that
eventually proves to be the end of Gaffer Hexam, Rogue Riderhood, Bradley
Headstone and George Radfoot, the characters which could be described as ?evil?
in the story.? ??????????? Perhaps the
most discreet use of symbolism that Dickens uses is the symbolism he attributes
to his characters. In order to create a true impression of London, Dickens
encapsulates an element of the city in a character or characters.? For example, Veneering and Podsnap are used
to give the reader an impression of the lives of the richer, shallower upper
classes. Noddy Boffin and Reginald Wilfer are used to portray the typical working
class gentlemen, the former fortunately rich the latter extremely poor, but
between them they give us a fair impression of the type of honest, down to
earth people that made up the working classes and whom Dickens clearly admired.? Mr Venus, Mr Wegg, Pleasant Riderhood, and
Betty Higden are used to portray the poorer people who attempt to work for
their living.? However, Dickens displays
symbolically the range of characters who make up this element of society, Mr
Venus, an honest shopkeeper, Mr Wegg, a scoundrel, a cheat, a liar and an
opportunist, Pleasant Riderhood, a poor girl attempting to make some sort of
living for herself and Betty Higden, an example of the deserving poor, who
wants to support herself through working, but for whom supporting herself is a
never ending struggle.? I could
continue, as most characters in the book are representative of a certain type
of character who existed in London at that time, and between them gave a
cross-section of society as it existed then.?
In this way, Dickens most important use of symbolism is the way in which
his characters portray the society that existed in the city of London at that
time. ??????????? In his
novel ?Our Mutual Friend?, Dickens touches upon the recurring issues of whether
man in formed by his circumstances or the circumstances are formed by man. His
essential, ethical integrity leads to the conviction that things could and
should be better.? Dickens takes
characters such as of the Veneerings and the Podsnaps with their affluence and
wealth, and the apparent empty, shallow lives they lead and contrasts this with
the poverty of characters such as Betty Higden and confronts the reader with
the social injustices that are so apparent within the city that Dickens
describes. ??????????? Dickens
symbolism is an integral part of his writing, however, it is used sparingly and
only when it is vital to make a point.?
When symbolism is used, it is either making a statement about society or
else forming an integral part of the story.?
It is generally fairly obvious and easy to pick up on. ??????????? However, in
the same way that the characters are symbolic of London as a whole, the setting
is symbolic of society. The negative description of London used almost
throughout the novel, (it is rare that anything positive is said, except
perhaps in the case of the ?light, airy? description of the children?s
hospital), and this negative imagery and description of dark streets, a dirty
river and looming dust mounds certainly is symbolic of the state of society as
a whole.? The negative setting certainly
tells the reader what Dickens thinks of the shallow, upper classes only
concerned with each other in so far as they advance oneanothers positions in
society, the hard working middle classes, working endlessly for little or no
reward, and the swindling lower classes, blackmailing their way towards money
in some shape or form.? Dickens
decrepit, run-down picture of London is symbolic of his opinion of the society
that surrounds him, and it can be said that perhaps a hint of depression is
visible in the novel ?Our Mutual Friend.? ??????????? ???????????