# V explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip learns more about his parents through fragments of conversation and a packet of photographs. His uncle, the Vicar, reflects on his brother Henry's extravagance and his sister-in-law's beauty, while Philip discovers that his mother, knowing she was dying, secretly had photographs taken so that her son would have something to remember her by.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Mrs. Carey's desperate act to be remembered highlights the pain of mortality and the fear of being forgotten.

### Love and Obsession

A mother's passionate love for her child drives her to a physically taxing act to ensure her memory endures.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Begins to learn about his parents through fragments of conversation and the discovery of his mother's photographs.

### William Carey

The Vicar reflects on his brother's extravagance and his sister-in-law's beauty, and is irritated by the dozen photographs.

### Mrs. Carey

Philip's mother, who secretly had photographs taken before her death so that her son would remember her.

### Emma

The maid who helped Mrs. Carey and was present when she returned from the photographer.

### Miss Watkin

A friend who scolded Mrs. Carey for having the photographs taken and later explained the story to Mr. Carey.

## Key lines

> I wanted the boy to have something to remember me by when he grows up.

She wanted her son to have a tangible reminder of her after she was gone.

_Mrs. Carey's explanation for having the photographs taken, revealing her fear of being forgotten._

> I can't make out why she ordered a dozen. Two would have done.

He could not understand why she ordered so many copies; two would have been sufficient.

_Mr. Carey's practical and irritated reaction to the dozen photographs, contrasting with Mrs. Carey's emotional motive._

## Links

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