# XCII explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip returns home to find Mildred settling into his flat, caring for her baby and doing housework. He maintains a platonic distance, insisting she is only there as a housekeeper. At the tavern, he learns of a stock market opportunity he missed, deepening his financial anxiety. Mildred attempts to rekindle intimacy, but Philip firmly rejects her advances, asserting his boundaries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip reflects on his past pain over Mildred and now feels only pity, illustrating his disillusionment with love and the fading of intense emotions.

### Class and Social Mobility

Mildred's lie to the landlady about being married to Philip underscores her concern with social respectability and the precariousness of her class position.

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip's insistence on keeping Mildred at a distance and his solitary walks home highlight his ongoing struggle with intimacy and belonging.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Maintains a platonic relationship with Mildred, feels pity rather than love, and is anxious about his finances after missing a stock market opportunity.

### Mildred Rogers

Settles into Philip's flat, performs domestic duties, lies to the landlady about being married to Philip, and attempts to seduce him but is rebuffed.

### Macalister

Philosophic stockbroker who shares stock tips at the tavern; he made a profit for Hayward and Lawson but Philip missed out.

### Hayward

Present at the tavern, made fifty pounds from Macalister's stock tip, engages in arguments with Macalister.

### Frederick Lawson

Also at the tavern, profited from the stock tip, pleased with his recent success as a portrait painter.

## Key lines

> I feel I couldn't. I can't explain it, but it would spoil it all.

Philip tells Mildred he cannot be intimate with her because it would ruin the arrangement they have.

_Philip asserts his boundary, prioritizing a platonic relationship over physical desire._

> It's just like old times, Phil.

Mildred tries to evoke nostalgia by calling Philip by the nickname Griffiths used, hoping to rekindle their past romance.

_Mildred's attempt at intimacy is met with Philip's emotional detachment._

> My God, why didn't you write to me? If you only knew how useful a hundred pounds would be to me.

Philip regrets missing the stock tip, as he is desperate for money with only six hundred pounds left.

_Philip's financial anxiety is heightened by the missed opportunity._

## Links

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