Our Mutual Friend · Chapter
A Respected Friend in a New Aspect explained
Riah the Jew visits Jenny Wren, and they go together to the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters to deliver a message from Lizzie Hexam to Miss Abbey Potterson.
What happens
Riah the Jew visits Jenny Wren, and they go together to the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters to deliver a message from Lizzie Hexam to Miss Abbey Potterson. During their visit, a steamer accident occurs on the river, causing a commotion. Miss Abbey learns that a man has been run down and drowned.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Betty Higden’s life…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Charity and Hypocrisy
Riah's kindness to Jenny Wren and the delivery of Lizzie's message contrast with the harsh judgments of society, as seen in Miss Abbey's initial suspicion.
- The River as Symbol
The river is a site of danger and death, as shown by the steamer accident and the drowning, reinforcing its role as a symbol of mortality and uncertainty.
Characters to notice
- Riah
Visits Jenny Wren and accompanies her to the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters to deliver a paper from Lizzie Hexam.
- Jenny Wren
Expects Riah's visit, refers to him as 'godmother,' and accompanies him to the tavern.
- Miss Abbey Potterson
Presides at the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, receives Riah and Jenny, and handles the river accident.
- Lizzie Hexam
Mentioned as having left a paper with Riah and Jenny to deliver to Miss Abbey.
- Tom Tootle
Reports to Miss Abbey about the steamer accident.
- Bob Gliddery
Brings news of the river accident to Miss Abbey.
Key passages
“Good evening, godmother!”
Jenny Wren greets Riah affectionately as 'godmother.'
Highlights the playful, familial bond between Jenny and Riah.
“It's summut run down in the fog, ma'am. There's ever so many people in the river.”
Bob Gliddery reports that something has been run down in the fog, causing many people to enter the river.
Introduces the river accident and the ensuing chaos.
“If it's proud to have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts, she is proud.”
Jenny Wren defends Lizzie Hexam's pride as a virtue of kindness and patience.
Shows Jenny's loyalty to Lizzie and challenges Miss Abbey's earlier criticism.
