Chapter VIII’s analysis of ‘Human Bondage’ by Somerset Maugham

Résumé du document

The excerpt to analyse retraces what may be considered as a part of the main body of the plot of the apprenticeship novel Of Human Bondage by the English writer Somerset Maugham. The passage I'm about to try to analyse is extracted from the 58th chapter which means that the reader is already half through reading the novel. However, even at this stage we can eventually say that we are at the very beginning of the real action. In fact, the story really begins once the main character, Philip Carey gets acquainted and falls for a young and vulgar waitress called Mildred Rogers who will literally change his life. That passage happens a few days after he actually met that young lady and has already been on a date with her. Philip had wished to see her again and she had accepted.

Extraits

[...] He has planned everything he is now confident and can't wait for the time of his date to come. II/ When the bubble bursts When jealousy meets disappointment Unfortunately, the sweet bubble which provided his self confidence is soon thing of the past. The word at the very beginning of the second paragraph announces a rupture between what he had expected and what is about to be happening. Philip is an honest man, even though he hasn't even imagined that Mildred could possibly cancel their date, he goes to the shop to make sure she will be able to make it. [...]

[...] Philip's addiction for Mildred is stronger than what seems rational. Even though he already knew that Mildred had cancelled their date to go out with Miller when he catches her red handed, it's much more than he can cope with. He feels betrayed, he feels hurt. So to defend himself, and to feel a bit less like a fool he tries to put Mildred down, tries to make her feel small, just the way she makes him feel, every time she makes fun of him. [...]

[...] But as she does so, she can't help herself adding details that are supposed to make her story look more credible: (l.34-35) aunt was taken ill last night, and it's the girl night out so I must go and sit with her. She can't be left alone, can Mildred's retort is extremely revealing. First, she lies without even seeming to regret it. She lies with amazing ease and worse she seems to get satisfaction from it. In her lies, she draws an honourable picture of her. She's taking care of her dear aunt, how noble is that! That way not only is she sure not to get any reproaches but she gets to improve her image. [...]

[...] However as Philip is quite proud he wants to reassure himself. In order to do so he alludes to Mildred's comportment qualifying it of cold (l.22-23) took comfort in the coldness of her temperament”. He seems to think Mildred unable to have any feelings. Masochistic obstinacy? We may at this stage wonder why is Philip interested in Mildred? After all, Mildred is just a selfish, vulgar, and cold waitress with very few qualities and yet Philip is dangerously attracted to her. [...]

[...] Philip: an ambiguous and problematic character As for Philip, he's even much harder to analyse. His character is indeed ambiguous. There are so many questions surrounding him. Why is it that whenever he's thinking of Mildred he's so joyful and when he's with her he's soon miserable and angry? When he says that he wants to hurt Mildred the way she makes him suffer, what exactly is this conception of love here? Why is he acting as if Mildred was already is official girlfriend? Why is he being so possessive? [...]