# Chapter III explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip's uncle, Mr. Carey, arrives to take him to Blackstable after his mother's death. Philip is told he must leave Emma, his nurse, and can only take one memento of each parent. He chooses a small clock and then enters his mother's bedroom, where he buries his face in her clothes and lies on her bed, unable to accept that she is gone forever.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip confronts the harsh reality of his mother's death and the loss of his nurse, facing a future of emotional and financial uncertainty.

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip is uprooted from his home and the care of Emma, forced to go live with an uncle he barely knows, deepening his sense of loneliness.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Grieving his mother's death, Philip is taken by his uncle and must leave his nurse Emma behind.

### William Carey

Philip's uncle, who reluctantly takes charge of him and explains the financial constraints of the family.

### Emma

Philip's devoted nurse, who must leave him despite his desperate pleas for her to stay.

### Mrs. Carey

Philip's mother, who has just died; her bedroom and belongings are a source of comfort and grief for Philip.

## Key lines

> Without a word Philip slipped off his uncle's knee, but Mr. Carey stopped him. "We must go tomorrow, because on Saturday I've got to prepare my sermon, and you must tell Emma to get your things ready today."

Philip silently got down from his uncle's lap, but Mr. Carey held him back, saying they had to leave the next day since he needed Saturday to work on his sermon, and Philip should have Emma pack his belongings.

_Mr. Carey prioritizes his clerical duties over Philip's emotional needs, showing his detachment._

> He climbed up on the bed and put his head on the pillow. He lay there quite still.

Philip got onto the bed and rested his head on the pillow, lying motionless.

_Philip seeks comfort in his mother's bed, unable to accept her death._

## Links

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