# XXVII explained — Of Human Bondage

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

## What happens

Philip, Hayward, and Weeks engage in a series of intellectual and theological discussions in Weeks' rooms at Frau Erlin's house. Hayward espouses a vague, aesthetic spirituality, while Weeks, a Harvard graduate, exposes the superficiality of Hayward's learning with gentle irony. Philip, caught between them, tries to define what a gentleman is, revealing his own conventional prejudices. Weeks gives Philip a copy of Renan's 'Vie de Jésus'.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Doubt

The central topic of conversation: Hayward's aesthetic faith, Weeks' Unitarian skepticism, and Philip's conventional Anglican views are contrasted.

### Class and Social Mobility

Philip's attempt to define a 'gentleman' reveals the class assumptions of English society, and Weeks' American perspective challenges them.

### Art and Authenticity

Hayward's claim to be a 'poet' and his emphasis on feeling over logic represent a Romantic view of art, which Weeks' critical intellect deflates.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Carey

Participates in discussions about religion and class; tries to define a gentleman; receives Renan's 'Vie de Jésus' from Weeks.

### Hayward

Expounds his aesthetic and syncretic beliefs; is repeatedly bested in argument by Weeks; becomes increasingly irritated.

### Weeks

Hosts the discussions; reveals his scholarly depth; gently mocks Hayward's pretensions; identifies as a Unitarian.

## Key lines

> I believe in the Whole, the Good, and the Beautiful.

Hayward professes a vague, aesthetic spirituality that prioritizes feeling over doctrine.

_This encapsulates Hayward's Romantic and anti-intellectual approach to faith._

> I think, if you don't mind my saying so, you're a little drunk.

Weeks gently suggests that Hayward's eloquence is fueled by alcohol.

_Weeks uses understatement to deflate Hayward's grand pronouncements._

> A Unitarian very earnestly disbelieves in almost everything that anybody else believes, and he has a very lively sustaining faith in he doesn't quite know what.

Weeks humorously defines Unitarianism as a faith based on disbelief and uncertainty.

_This ironic definition highlights the intellectual skepticism of Weeks' position._

## Links

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