63 pages 2 hours read

Charles Dickens

Our Mutual Friend

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1865

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book 4, Chapters 9-17

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 4, Chapter 9 Summary: “Two Places Vacated”

Jenny visits Riah in the moneylending store, which she now knows has always belonged to Fledgeby. Riah confesses his regret and shame at being forced to lie to her, especially as he has furthered antisemitic stereotypes. He had planned to quit. Jenny urges Riah not to help Fledgeby, who then sends a note to Riah ending their partnership. Jenny invites Riah to stay with her. They walk to her house, spotting her father in a state of drunken collapse. He dies soon after. On the day of the funeral, Mortimer arrives with a message from Lizzie: Eugene is dying of his injuries and would like to see Jenny.

Book 4, Chapter 10 Summary: “The Dolls’ Dressmaker Discovers a Word”

Mortimer takes Jenny to the inn; Riah is left in charge of Jenny’s shop. In a moment of lucidity, Eugene asks that Headstone not be prosecuted for the attack. He fears that this will only hurt Lizzie’s reputation. Jenny understands that Eugene wants to marry Lizzie even though he is dying.

Book 4, Chapter 11 Summary: “Effect is given to the Dolls’ Dressmaker’s Discovery”

Mortimer leaves to fetch Bella, who is shocked that her husband will not accompany them to the wedding. In fact, John refuses even to meet Mortimer face-to-face. The Milveys and Bella go to the train station. They notice Headstone nearby and engage him in conversation.

Related Titles

By Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Barnaby Rudge

Charles Dickens

Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens

Plot Summary

logo

Dombey and Son

Charles Dickens

Dombey and Son

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Hard Times

Charles Dickens

Hard Times

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Little Dorrit

Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit

Charles Dickens

Plot Summary

logo

Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Nicholas Nickleby

Charles Dickens

Nicholas Nickleby

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens

Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Charles Dickens

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Old Curiosity Shop

Charles Dickens

The Old Curiosity Shop

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Signal-Man

Charles Dickens

The Signal-Man

Charles Dickens