Quote by Charles Dickens

What is he to learn? To imitate? Or to avoid? When your friends the bees worry themselves about their sovereign, and become perfectly distracted touching the slightest monarchical movement, are we men to learn the greatness of Tuft-hunting, or the littleness of the Court Circular? I am not clear, Mr. Boffin, but that the hive may be satirical.'At all events, they work,' said Mr. Boffin.Ye-es,' returned Eugene, disparagingly, 'they work; but don't you think they overdo it?


What is he to learn? To imitate? Or to avoid? When your frie

Summary

This quote from the novel "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens is a conversation between two characters, Eugene and Mr. Boffin. Eugene questions the purpose of observing the behavior of bees, metaphorically representing society's fixation on the actions of those in power. He wonders whether people are meant to imitate the pursuit of status and wealth, or learn to avoid obsessing over such trivial matters. Eugene implies that the bees' diligence in serving their queen is excessive and raises the question of whether humans should be equally consumed by materialistic pursuits.

Topics

Work
By Charles Dickens
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