# XCVIII explained — Of Human Bondage > Chapter companion for Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. ## What happens Philip Carey, facing financial ruin after losing his inheritance in South African mining stocks during the Boer War, desperately appeals to his uncle for a loan to continue his medical studies. His uncle refuses, citing his own financial caution and Philip's past extravagance. Meanwhile, Philip encounters Hayward, who has enlisted as a trooper, and Macalister informs him that his shares are nearly worthless, leaving him with only seven pounds. Philip's despair deepens as he realizes he cannot continue his education. ## Themes in this chapter ### Suffering and Disillusionment Philip experiences profound suffering and disillusionment as his financial losses and his uncle's refusal crush his hopes for the future, highlighting the harsh realities of life. ### Freedom and Determinism Philip feels like a puppet of unknown forces, as his fortunes are tied to the unpredictable events of war and the stock market, questioning his own agency. ### Class and Social Mobility Philip's fall from a comfortable inheritance to near poverty underscores the precariousness of social mobility and the impact of financial loss on his aspirations. ## Character check-ins ### Philip Carey Philip is devastated by his financial losses and writes to his uncle for help, but is refused. He struggles with anxiety and despair over his inability to continue his medical studies. ### Macalister Macalister advises Philip on stock investments, initially optimistic but later pessimistic as shares fall. He informs Philip that his shares are nearly worthless and must be sold at a loss. ### Hayward Hayward appears in the tavern, having enlisted as a trooper in the war, which surprises Philip given his previous intellectual detachment. ### William Carey Uncle William refuses Philip's request for a loan, citing his own financial prudence and Philip's past irresponsibility, leaving Philip in dire straits. ## Key lines > It looked as though men were puppets in the hands of an unknown force, which drove them to do this and that; and sometimes they used their reason to justify their actions; and when this was impossible they did the actions in despite of reason. People seem to be controlled by an unseen power, acting without true reason, and even when they try to rationalize their behavior, they often act irrationally. _Philip reflects on the apparent lack of human agency, a key theme in the chapter._ > He kept on regretting his folly bitterly; and though he told himself that it was absurd to regret for what had happened was inevitable just because it had happened, he could not help himself. Philip bitterly regretted his foolishness, even though he knew it was pointless to regret what was already inevitable. _Philip's internal struggle with regret and acceptance of his financial ruin._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcviii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters