# IV explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip arrives at the vicarage in Blackstable with his uncle, Mr. Carey. He is greeted by his shy Aunt Louisa, who is uncertain how to treat him. Philip is shown to a small room and joins his aunt and uncle for tea, where he sits on books to reach the table and is given the top of his uncle's egg.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip's arrival at the vicarage highlights his sense of displacement and the awkwardness of fitting into a new, unfamiliar household.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Arrives at the vicarage, remembers the gate, and adapts to his new surroundings.

### William Carey

Walks with Philip from the station, makes up the fire, and shares his egg top.

### Mrs. Carey

Greets Philip shyly, shows him his room, and worries about his comfort and behavior.

### Mary Ann

Brings in the egg and places books on Philip's chair so he can reach the table.

## Key lines

> Philip parted from Emma with tears, but the journey to Blackstable amused him, and, when they arrived, he was resigned and cheerful.

Philip cried when leaving Emma, but the trip to Blackstable entertained him, and by the time they arrived he had accepted the situation and was in good spirits.

_Philip's emotional transition from sorrow to acceptance upon arriving at the vicarage._

> Mrs. Carey, knowing by what train they were coming, waited in the drawing-room and listened for the click of the gate.

Aunt Louisa, aware of their train schedule, stayed in the drawing-room and listened for the sound of the gate latch.

_Mrs. Carey's anxious anticipation of Philip's arrival._

> I'll put some books under him, said Mary Ann. She took from the top of the harmonium the large Bible and the prayerbook from which the Vicar was accustomed to read prayers, and put them on Philip's chair.

Mary Ann suggested placing books under Philip to raise him up, and she fetched the large Bible and prayerbook from the harmonium to set on his chair.

_The practical but symbolically charged solution to Philip being too short for the table._

## Links

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