# XVII explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip continues his education at the King's School, experiencing a period of comfortable monotony. He is not bullied much due to his deformity, but remains lonely. Under the influence of the headmaster, Mr. Perkins, Philip experiences a religious revival and decides to be ordained. He offers his clubfoot as a sacrifice to God during his confirmation. As he grows older, he begins to feel the first stirrings of aesthetic emotion, finding beauty in the cathedral and the countryside.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Doubt

Philip experiences a profound religious revival under Mr. Perkins' influence, deciding to be ordained and offering his clubfoot as a sacrifice. However, his piety had not stood the test of time, hinting at future doubt.

### Isolation and Belonging

Philip is not popular and is very lonely. His deformity isolates him from games, but he finds comfort in solitary walks and the quiet of the precincts.

### Suffering and Disillusionment

Philip's clubfoot causes him shame and humiliation, but Mr. Perkins encourages him to see it as a cross to bear. Philip offers it as a sacrifice, yet the underlying suffering remains.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Philip experiences a religious revival under Mr. Perkins' influence, decides to be ordained, and offers his deformity as a sacrifice during confirmation. He also begins to feel the first dawn of aesthetic emotion.

### Mr. Perkins

The headmaster takes confirmation preparation seriously, speaks to Philip about his future and his clubfoot, and inspires Philip's devotion.

### Winks

Philip spends a couple of terms with Winks in the Upper Third. Winks is kind, gentle, and foolish, with a great belief in the honour of boys.

### Mr. Turner

Turner, nicknamed Tar, is the most vivacious of the old masters, worldly and fond of good food. He takes over Philip's form after the Upper Third.

## Key lines

> I wonder if you're not oversensitive about your misfortune. Has it ever struck you to thank God for it?

Mr. Perkins suggests that Philip should be grateful for his clubfoot, viewing it as a sign of God's favour rather than a source of shame.

_This conversation highlights the theme of suffering and the religious interpretation of adversity._

> And he found himself taking a new interest in what he saw from the window of the Fourth Form room. It looked on to old lawns, carefully tended, and fine trees with foliage dense and rich. It gave him an odd feeling in his heart, and he did not know if it was pain or pleasure. It was the first dawn of the aesthetic emotion.

Philip begins to experience a new, undefined emotional response to beauty, marking the beginning of his aesthetic sensibility.

_This passage marks a key moment in Philip's emotional and artistic development._

## Links

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