# CXI explained — Of Human Bondage

> Chapter companion for Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham.

## What happens

Philip continues working at Lynn's, growing increasingly weary and disillusioned as he awaits his uncle's death. When news finally arrives that the Vicar is dying, Philip returns to Blackstable. His uncle rallies temporarily, but eventually declines. In his final moments, Mr. Carey receives communion and finds peace, claiming he will rejoin his wife. Philip witnesses his uncle's death, feeling a mix of compassion and horror at the fear of death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip experiences lassitude and disappointment as his anticipated freedom is delayed; he witnesses his uncle's terror of death and the physical suffering of dying.

### Religion and Doubt

Philip reflects on the cruelty of a God who allows such suffering; his uncle finds peace through communion, but Philip remains skeptical.

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip feels disconnected from his work and colleagues; his uncle, facing death, reaches out for human comfort, clinging to Philip's hand.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Works at Lynn's with growing lassitude; returns to Blackstable for his uncle's death; nurses him and witnesses his final moments.

### William Carey

The dying vicar; initially rallies but then declines; receives communion and dies peacefully, claiming he will rejoin his wife.

### Mrs. Foster

The housekeeper who has nursed Mr. Carey for months; helps Philip care for him and arranges for the undertaker.

### Sampson

Philip's buyer at Lynn's; allows Philip to leave when he hears of his uncle's illness.

### Dr. Wigram

The doctor attending Mr. Carey; informs Philip that the end is near and mentions Mrs. Foster's superstition about a confession.

### Mrs. Hodges

Says goodbye to Philip at Lynn's with tears in her eyes.

## Key lines

> He became skilful in the designing of costumes, and though he had no inventive faculty acquired quickness in the adaptation of French fashions to the English market.

Philip became proficient at copying French fashion designs for English customers, even though he lacked original creativity.

_Highlights Philip's mechanical skill and lack of artistic fulfillment in his work._

> He had so anticipated the emotions he would experience on this occasion that now he felt nothing: he was as unconcerned as though he were going for a few days' holiday.

Philip had imagined he would feel a great sense of relief when leaving Lynn's, but instead he felt indifferent.

_Illustrates Philip's pattern of anticipation leading to disappointment._

> Oh, how monstrous it was, and they could believe in a God that allowed his creatures to suffer such a cruel torture!

Philip thought it was terrible that anyone could believe in a God who permitted such suffering.

_Reflects Philip's crisis of faith and his anger at the idea of a benevolent deity._

> He had taken the body and blood of his Savior, and they had given him strength so that he no longer feared the inevitable passage into the night.

After receiving communion, Mr. Carey felt strengthened and no longer afraid of death.

_Shows the transformative power of religious ritual for the dying vicar._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters