It’s Friday and the end of Week 3! Of Human Bondage has surprised me in many ways.
By now, you should have read the following but many of you have expressed some challenges in keeping up with the reading. No worries! I set a schedule because some readers like that, but you read what you can and I won’t spoil the story for you.
This week we are discussing this section:
Chapters XL-LI / 40-51 (82 pp.)
Chapters LII-LIII / 52-53 (13 pp.)
Chapters LIV-LV / 54-55 (12 pp.)
Chapters LVI-LXII / 56-62 (38 pp.)
Chapters LXIII-LXVIII / 63-68 (29 pp.)
Discuss/Read the above by 10/18 (174 pages total)
Click here for the full schedule.
Week 3 – Where Do I Start?
I won’t provide a complete re-cap because it would give some things away but goodness!! So much has happened.
Philip heads to Paris. Aunt Louisa is rather stricken by his departure but Philip hardly bats an eye. The way he handles the goodbye seems especially cruel and harsh.
While in Paris, Philip meets all sorts of characters:
- Mrs. Otter
- Clutton
- Fanny Price – what a piece of work she is
- Cronshaw – fave quote “Sobriety disturbs conversation.”
- Lawson
- Miss Chalice – a slutty art model who gets around
- Dunsford
- Mildred – now this one really IS a piece of work
- Miss Nesbit
- Griffiths – a good chap
Philip’s family suffers a terrible loss but his reaction to it is mild, because he is utterly distracted by the truth. He is a mediocre artist at best and will never be more. His two years in Paris was a total waste. Surprised?
Much time is spent with Mildred. An interesting creature characterized by the green pallor of her skin. Philip is quite taken with her but although she at times shows interest, she cares for him not and makes that pretty clear. But Philip seems to have his head in the clouds. His infatuation with her takes up much of his life. It’s pitiful.
Enter Miss Nesbit. Is she the beacon of hope he needs to find his way? What about Griffiths?
Things to ponder:
Why does Philip subject himself with masochistic obstinacy to Mildred’s cruelty?
Cronshaw implies that pleasure is the only motive for human action. Would you say that Philip follows this rule for his own life?
Philip has tried many vocations and headed down several career paths, what do you think he is searching for? Even with his relationships, what is he looking for that he has not found?
What do you personally think of Philip?
Mildred is just dreadful. Why is Philip obsessed with her? Possibly because she is something that he can never have and because of his low self esteem sets himself up for punishment each and every time. Is he that lonely? Probably.
Cronshaw and his belief that pleasure is the only motive for human action is not far off the path for many, but I don’t feel it applies to Philip at all. He sets out to find peace and happiness but he is also motivated by horrible behavior and impossible relationships. He appears to be drawn to them. Perhaps knowing that they have no permanence.
With this week’s reading, I am having a hard time understanding what Philip wants in life. He is so, so lonely and desperate for interaction that he’s willing to endure horrible treatment to get it. He wants what other, better dressed, smarter boys have but at the first inkling of getting it, he quickly puts himself in reverse and backs away. I still think that the right girl could do him a world of good. But who?
Philip can be a little $hit. Honestly. He frustrates me. On one hand he is charming and delightfully awkward and likable but he gives up way too easily and talks himself out of things. BUT, big but, I am still rooting for him. I want him to find happiness and I really hope he does as we head toward the end of the book. His views on the importance of reading put me on his team.
Interesting note:
A movie was made in 1934 and Bette Davis played Mildred. Oh boy!
Your turn! What do you think?
Book Chatter 
The title is becoming forth coming isn’t it! human bondage, what we obsess over abd what keeps us slaves and trying to find the meaning of life ! I loved loved the conversation about all the artists ! Felt like the pulse of Paris in his words . He has a fascination with Paul Gauguin Thst he writes about in the moon and the sixpence (which I loved )
I loved how Gauguin showed up here in this book . He did actually meet him in real like abd hated him . This book is taking me on quite a journey !! Thank you for starting this read along !!
the title is becoming forth coming isn’t it! human bondage, what we obsess over abd what keeps us slaves and trying to find the meaning of life ! I loved loved the conversation about all the artists ! Felt like the pulse of Paris in his words . He has a fascination with Paul Gauguin Thst he writes about in the moon and the sixpence (which I loved )
I loved how Gauguin showed up here in this book . He did actually meet him in real like abd hated him . This book is taking me on quite a journey !! Thank you for starting this read along !!
Yes, frustrating is EXACTLY what Philip is! UGH – I do not like being in his head when he is so gaga for Mildred and allows her to treat him so badly. He won’t allow himself any rational reflection and only accepts the worst. Have you met Griffiths yet?!
Also, did you know that a 60s movie stars Kim Novak as Mildred!?
Kim Novak? Such a beauty. I would not have cast her for a green hued shrew.
Yes! I’ve met Griffiths. They are all quite interesting. I am in chapter 90.
On FB a reader mentioned the title. Indeed. Philip holds himself prisoner. Never able to obtain happiness and keep it.
I’m in Chapter 76; Mildred just back from lunch with Griffith and she seems remorseful? I have slowed down my listen because I’vebeen only scheduled one day a week for work. Grrrrrr
I will go check discussion on FB – title does make sense. I haven’t yet opened my Cliffs notes LOL
There are periods where Mildred is remorseful but she is her own worst enemy, like Philip. So she learns nothing and repeats bad behaviors.
I don’t think Philip’s time in Paris was a complete waste: his decision to leave is the first time he’s actually shown any maturity and willingness to make a hard decision and carry it out. I thought perhaps Philip was growing up. (hah!)
So. Mildred. Completely unrealistic. I might buy his infatuation if most of the time he wasn’t thinking about how ugly and vacuous she is. It just doesn’t make sense. Maugham hasn’t made me believe Philip’s infatuation.
Other than leaving Paris, he has been so STUPID!!! But near the end of this week’s reading he says, “I hope to God that I never see her again.” Yeah, right, let’s see.
Now enters Nora. When he is with her is he actually happy – and he recognizes the fact. I think that is what he’s wanted all along. After all, remember his mother died when he was very young. I’m sure that now we’ll have to watch him screw things up again. ARRRRRGGGGHHHH.
On to this week’s reading.
You make some excellent points here. I have an assumption about Mildred that I will share in the final week as I don’t want to give anything away. She’s horrid but things do get interesting when she shows her face. Do they not? Every story needs a good villain.
It does make me think of the past relationships Philip has had. His mom wasn’t around long enough to really know her as a person. And he’s not been successful really with anyone of the female persuasion.
I have seen many people inexplicably devote themselves to others who treat them in awful ways, just like Mildred and Philip, so I completely bought into that relationship. In psychology, it is said that this is the hardest relationship to break free from—treated badly, then, rarely, treated well.
Oh yes, I’ve seen it too. Sometimes it stems from low self esteem but at times Philip thinks very highly of himself so it baffles me.
Philip is frustrating and oh, how I hate Mildred! She clearly is using him until that man she really wants comes back to her. Of human bondage- yes those things we tie ourselves up with and get stuck in because we can’t seem to break away for some reason. It’s like Philip’s attachment to Mildred. His obsession really. He hasn’t know love, so he’s confusing his desire with it. That bond is a shackle and it continues to force him into situations that do him no good.
These jobs he keeps taking. He seems to think that work is the bondage. The slave to the work. He itches for freedom – life of a rich man and ability to flit here and there, but his monetary circumstances do not allow for that. He’s overspending and not focused at all on the right things.
What you said about desire is a good point but how can he desire the green skinned Mildred. Her description makes her sound absolutely horrid. He does seem to like to bail her out. Possibly, he finds purpose in doing so. Really, most of the women he interacts with have an odd relationship with him.
He does mention the shape of her face a lot. that might be the artist in him. He appreciates her face shape, etc. The green pallor really is not appealing.
All of the women seem to be leaning into his good nature and low opinion of himself to make themselves feel better.