# Chapter XVI explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip continues at school under the tyrannical Mr. Gordon, who humiliates him for his clubfoot. The headmaster, Mr. Perkins, introduces progressive changes to the school, including new teachers and a system of swapping classes. After Mr. Gordon black-books Philip for 'gross impertinence,' Mr. Perkins shows him photographs of Athens and reveals that he too was once bullied by Mr. Gordon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip endures cruel humiliation from Mr. Gordon, who mocks his clubfoot and reduces him to terrified silence, highlighting the suffering inflicted by authority figures.

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip's deformity makes him a target, isolating him from his peers and masters, though Mr. Perkins' kindness offers a brief sense of belonging.

### Class and Social Mobility

Mr. Perkins' plan to attract boys from London reflects tensions between traditional provincial values and the desire for social and educational advancement.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Philip is terrorized by Mr. Gordon, who calls him a 'clubfooted blockhead.' He finds solace in Mr. Perkins' classes and is comforted by the headmaster's kindness after being black-booked.

### Mr. Perkins

The headmaster introduces progressive changes to the school, including new teachers and class-swapping. He shows Philip photographs of Athens and reveals his own past bullying by Mr. Gordon.

### Mr. Gordon

A tyrannical master who bullies Philip, calling him a 'clubfooted blockhead' and black-booking him for 'gross impertinence.'

### Mr. Turner

Also known as 'Tar,' he is one of the masters affected by Mr. Perkins' class-swapping innovation and finds it undignified.

### Sighs

An elderly clergyman and form-master who opposes Mr. Perkins' plan to attract London boys and is shocked by the suggestion that he marry.

## Key lines

> Mr. Gordon said I was a clubfooted blockhead.

Mr. Gordon called me a blockhead with a clubfoot.

_Philip reports the insult to Mr. Perkins after being black-booked._

> I remember Mr. Gordon used to call me a gipsy counter-jumper when I was in his form.

Mr. Perkins recalls that Mr. Gordon also bullied him when he was a student.

_Mr. Perkins reveals his shared experience of Mr. Gordon's cruelty to comfort Philip._

## Links

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