# LVIII explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip's obsessive love for Mildred deepens, marked by his humiliating attempts to win her affection. He meets her at the station, is rebuffed, and later spies on her when she cancels their theater date, suspecting she is with the German Miller. Their relationship is a cycle of cruelty and desperate reconciliation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Obsession

Philip's love for Mildred is possessive and self-destructive, driving him to spy on her and endure her cruelty.

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip's humiliation and the futility of his pursuit highlight his suffering and growing disillusionment with love.

### Class and Social Mobility

Mildred's pretensions about her family's gentility and her disdain for shop work reflect class anxieties.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Obsessively pursues Mildred, enduring her humiliations and spying on her.

### Mildred Rogers

Manipulates Philip, lies about her aunt's illness, and prioritizes Miller over him.

### Emil Miller

Rival for Mildred's attention; Philip suspects Mildred is meeting him instead.

## Key lines

> The fact was that he hated himself for loving her. She seemed to be constantly humiliating him, and for each snub that he endured he owed her a grudge.

Philip's love for Mildred is self-loathing; every insult she delivers deepens his resentment.

_Highlights the toxic dynamic of their relationship._

> I don't know what you've got to say to it. He's keeping you waiting, isn't he? Well, I'd rather wait for him than have you wait for me.

Mildred openly prefers Miller over Philip, dismissing Philip's feelings.

_Shows Mildred's cruelty and Philip's desperation._

## Links

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