Greed
Greed is an important theme in the novel; it is displayed primarily in the attitude characters show towards money, but also sometimes in their attitude to power, social status, or even other individuals. The drive to get "more" is a major force in the novel: "From the glittering parlors of the Veneering set to the muddy shores of the Thames where Rogue Riderhood and Gaffer Hexam dredge the water for bodies, Dickens's city turns acquisitive habits into naturalized affects so that the desire for advancement becomes second nature" (Gibson, pg.76). In perhaps the most extreme example, Bradley Headstone is greedy in his desire to possess Lizzie as his wife and have her all to himself, despite her own lack of interest. While in all these cases, greed is shown to be a toxic and corrupting force, characters such as Bella and Mrs. Lammle also signal that it is possible to break free from being greedy in order to do the right thing or redeem oneself.
Money
Money is the element that drives most of the plots in the novel, including the significance of the Harmon murder, Harmon's disguise of himself as Rokesmith, the tricking of Bella, and the deceptions of Fledgeby and the Lammles. It is typically seen as a force that brings out the worst in characters, encouraging them to cheat, lie, and deceive one another. However, using plotlines such as little Johnny and Betty Higden, Dickens also shows the cruel effects of poverty, and once characters such as Bella and Lizzie have shown themselves to be loyal and virtuous, wealth, or at least a comfortable income, are part of the reward they receive. Therefore, money is better seen as an amplifying force in the novel, rather than a corrupting one: it will bring out the worst in characters who are already inclined to be greedy or selfish, but if a character is truly good at heart, they cannot be corrupted by money.
Parents
While the Victorian era tended to idealize domestic life and the family, Dickens was often critical of parent-child relationships. Old Mr. Harmon is portrayed as a cold and vindictive parent who alienates both his son and daughter, and ultimately drives John Harmon to conceal his identity. Gaffer Hexam and Jenny Wren's father are both sources of shame and embarrassment to their children; the fact that Jenny refers to her father as her child shows that she is more responsible than he is, and has to take care of the both of them. While Bella loves her father, Mr. Wilfer is also largely childlike and somewhat helpless, as his nickname "Cherub" hints; he is unable to successfully stand up to his wife, or provide moral guidance to his daughter as she struggles with becoming greedy and materialistic.
Marriage
The novel does portray some happy marriages, including the Boffins, Bella and John, and Wrayburn and Lizzie; in the last example, Dickens specifically shows that different class backgrounds and social standings should not be an obstacle if both partners truly love each other. However, many of the marriages shown in the novel are less successful: the Wilfers frequently do not get along and Mrs. Wilfer regrets her marriage, while the Lammles both believe they are deceiving the other, and are horrified to learn that neither of them is wealthy. Old Mr. Harmon attempts to use marriage as a kind of weapon and method to control his son with, believing he can enforce a marriage even if the two partners do not know anything about each other. While marriage has the potential to be a source of happiness, it is also shown to be a source of long-term unhappiness, especially since at this time it was extremely difficult and scandalous to get a divorce.
Education
Education is shown to be something that can help a character, but also something that can have a dark and corrupting influence. Silas Wegg and Bradley Headstone are both villains, but are also both teacher figures: Silas is assigned to educate Boffin by reading to him, while Bradley is a well-respected schoolteacher. They misuse their power and authority, and less educated figures, including Jenny, Lizzie, and Betty Higden seem to have much more integrity. The process of becoming more educated is not necessarily a positive progression: as Charley Hexam becomes better educated, he becomes more of a snob, and comes to be embarrassed by his family of origin and his sister. He is willing to pressure Lizzie to marry a man she does not love so that she can have a higher position, and he will not have to risk being embarrassed by her.
Rebirth/Regeneration
Although John Harmon fakes his death, he is also symbolically reborn in his new identity as Rokesmith/Handford. This new identity is what allows him to observe the people around him and determine who is trustworthy; it is also what allows him to cultivate a real relationship with Bella and ensure that they genuinely love each other. The birth of a new identity leads to a regeneration of the Harmon family identity, and how the legacy will live on in a new way. The imagery of John Harmon emerging from the waters of the river Thames reflects the idea of a birth; later in the novel, Eugene Wrayburn will also be pulled from the water in a state near death, and then be symbolically redeemed and reborn through the power of Lizzie's love for him.
Disability
A number of characters in the novel display some kind of physical disability: Silas has a wooden leg and Jenny Wren has a bad back and "queer legs." As the world Dickens portrays has become corrupted by greed and materialism, the bodies of people become warped and ruined. The portrayal of disability is also influenced by the idea of heredity: Jenny's disabled body reflects the taint and punishment for her father's alcoholism.
