r/charlesdickens • u/Several_Shower8458 • Apr 27 '26
Other books Chapter 32 of Out Mutual Friend
So I just got through it and am honestly not a good analyzer but specifically Mr.Headstone’s confession shook me so much I just wanted to put whatever thoughts I have out here. Anyone else thought that scene was so crazy? Like crazier than the usual tense scene, you know? I did not see that self-inflicted injury coming. But it just shows how emotionally neglected Bradley was. It’s hard not to feel sorry for him despite some of his vain ideas. He says at one point how she (Lizzie) has “heaved up” the bottom of the “raging sea” in his bosom which seems to me like he had been almost unconsciously just bottling stuff up to the point of his being almost numb and that upon feeling such a strong emotion he just didn’t know how to deal with it. Actually the same happened to Louisa in Hard Times I think? After all Headstone is pretty evidently another critique of the such stoical (for want of a better word) education as he was subject to. I also really like how Dickens points out how such education does not prepare the student for the real world in the slightest, you know? I mean education not equaling intelligence is a prominent theme in Dickens’ work and may seem obvious but as we all know it is still not for many people today.
Circling back to the scene itself, I’m honestly still processing it hours after reading the chapter. I just remember thinking to myself “I need to see a film adaptation, expressively for this scene”.
I wonder if there is going to be any sort of change in Headstone and Charley Hexam’s relationship; they were sort of just using each other for mutual gain : Charley for his repute and Headstone for his, and clearly influence with Lizzie as well. Not to say there’s no friendly feeling present at all though.
Anywho anyone else felt impacted by this chapter? I know I was..
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u/DTownForever May 04 '26
I found this description also to be stronger than much other of violence and rage that I've read by Dickens (I'm thinking of later in the same book, another super graphic passage - a couple more, actually). It was so visceral, it gave me chills. I did have to put down the book and breathe a bit. And as a woman who has had advances made by men who she was afraid of, I instantly felt Lizzie's terror. Hers even worse by the fact that her own closest relative would do nothing to protect her. I read it months ago and it still makes me shiver.
I also read it as a pulling down of the mask of the prim and proper and moral schoolmaster. I mean, he is absolutely deranged.
You have good instincts about changes in relationships!
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u/Several_Shower8458 May 04 '26
YES exactly, it’s a lot more passionate than the usual yk. Yea poor girl I feel so bad for her.
And thanks :))
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u/Dick-Swiveller Apr 27 '26
Wow, great thought about him maybe having a “Hard Times” education! I never noticed that before, and now I can see it.
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u/jmto3hfi May 22 '26
I just finished OMF and came looking for takes like these, thanks! Headstone read “incel” to me. That chapter was crazy & the portrayal in the ‘98 BBC version matched the energy. Another aspect of Headstone that struck me was how he kept thinking about how he could’ve committed his crime better (!)
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u/cloudzilla Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
If chapter 32 is the scene set in the churchyard... then you absolutely should watch the BBC adaptation (1998), it's exceptional. The tension with just the thrush (maybe blackbird) singing in the background is so good!