# XXIII explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip revels in his newfound freedom in Heidelberg, studying under the eccentric Wharton and enjoying the summer. He becomes infatuated with Fräulein Hedwig and accidentally makes a clumsy declaration of love, which she gently rejects.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Determinism

Philip savors his freedom from school and convention, while Wharton contrasts the freedoms of thought and action in Germany, France, and England.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Enjoys his freedom in Heidelberg, studies with Wharton, and develops a crush on Fräulein Hedwig.

### Fräulein Hedwig

A pretty boarder at Frau Professor Erlin's, she is in love with a hussar and gently rejects Philip's accidental declaration.

### Frau Professor Erlin

Oversees the household and is involved in Fräulein Thekla's romantic troubles.

### Thekla

The professor's elder daughter, engaged to an Englishman whose father disapproves, causing her frequent tears.

## Key lines

> Philip thought occasionally of the King’s School at Tercanbury, and laughed to himself as he remembered what at some particular moment of the day they were doing.

Philip sometimes recalled his old school and amused himself by imagining the daily routines there.

_Highlights Philip's sense of liberation from his past._

> He revelled in his freedom. He could go to bed when he chose and get up when the fancy took him. There was no one to order him about.

Philip delighted in being able to set his own schedule without anyone controlling him.

_Emphasizes the theme of freedom._

> He made the first declaration in his life to Fräulein Hedwig, but unfortunately it was an accident, and it happened in this manner.

Philip accidentally confessed his love to Fräulein Hedwig, marking his first such declaration.

_Illustrates Philip's awkwardness in romantic matters._

## Links

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