What a week. It’s been a little rough. The highs, the lows, the very low. It’s exhausting to keep lifting yourself up but historically that’s what we’ve done and we shall continue. That has not changed.
Right Now:
Getting ready to head to church for student and online ministry. I’ve got my coffee. I’m ready.
This Week:
I am off for the Veterans Day holiday this Monday and then because I need to use up some time, I am taking Tuesday off as well. Much needed. No plans just reading and relaxing with the pup. She is still hanging on and manages to enjoy her sunbeam bathing, reading with me on the couch and her new trick is jumping out of her stroller. This is not good! She hasn’t been able to jump at all so now I really need to watch her. She knew she was naughty too! She gave me such side eye.
Emma by Jane Austen (still trying to get through it)
So Late in The Day by Claire Keegan (liked her enough to pick up another book)
Watching:
Still watching Tulsa King. Not in the mood for much else. Is it time for Hallmark Christmas yet? I need cozy and feel good stuff.
Grateful for:
Stuffed crust personal pizzas that makes for an easy office lunch.
That McDs stunt that a certain person did recently got me off of those McD’s breakfast sandwiches. That’s a plus! They can’t be good for me.
Plants. They got me through the shutdowns and they are still alive!! Praise to the Lord!
Sweet students who share their sushi with me 🙂
This is a big one, my daughter’s boss decided to give her three days off at Christmas so she is coming down as well as my son and his cat Root Beer! Christmas will be sweet.
Something new! I started a Bookshop on Bookshop.org! It’s fun to add books and I’ve been a supporter of Indie stores for a long time but this is too cool.
Give me an update. How are you doing? Really? I am disappointed for sure but will carry on.
Hey, it’s Thursday the 31st and the end of our read-along! Of Human Bondage has been a pleasure to read, especially with the small group of us that have been reading it together. Thank you!
War has affected the stock market. This affects Philip because he’s risked money to make money. This doesn’t end well. He is without money and still completing school. Prospects are slim. He’s pretty desperate.
To avoid the landlady who he owes rent to, he ends up on the street. Hungry, confused and lonely. He ends up visiting Athelny for dinner and there, he is shown kindness that he’s never known.
With Athelny’s help, Philip lands a job as a shop walker, basically a retail salesman. It’s rather humbling to accept a lowly position but money is what he needs so he accepts. Plus, it includes lodging and his keep. Not a bad deal really.
Philip sees his old friend Lawson on the street. The two do not hit it off at all but before they part, Lawson delivers some bad news about Hayward.
At his lowest of low, guess who comes back? Mildred is once again in need of help and Philip agrees to see her but it’s a little different this time. She’s ill and needs his medical assistance.
While the shops close for the holidays, Philip visits his uncle who is not well. The question of whether God exists comes up again in regard to his uncles beliefs in what could be his last days.
While spending time with his uncle, Philip looks around the room and surveys what each thing is worth. Crazy! It seems as if Philip has learned nothing in his trials. Uncle is sick and Philip is counting down the minutes to his inheritance.
The last quarter of the book takes a turn. Philip is actually good at something and sees value in it. He also realizes the sacrifices he must make for happiness. That elusive feeling he’s been chasing all along is finally within his grasp.
Things to ponder:
That rug that was gifted to Philip was supposed to represent the meaning of life. It finally occurs to Philip that life HAS no meaning. Why does admitting this relieve Philip?
Mildred has been a constant thorn in Philip’s side. What changed? He finally rids himself of her and seems to care not what happens to her. Do you feel any empathy at all for Mildred?
The baby! What the heck happened to the baby? I got the feeling, in Maugham’s subtle way of writing that Mildred sold the kid for money. That would be on point for her. What do you think?
Why do you think Maugham ended the story with the decision for Sally and Philip to marry? Did you see this coming? Is this what Philip needed to feel complete and happy?
I don’t agree that life has no meaning but that’s the realization Philip comes to after pondering the rug that was gifted to him. No meaning? Or no meaning for Philip? It does seem to be what Philip was searching for throughout the entire book, happiness and meaning so coming to the conclusion that there is no meaning would be a bit of a relief to him, but was it the lazy way out?
Mildred. Philip has finally had it with her. What was the tipping point? She’s hurt him and disappointed him numerous times. Maybe without the baby she no longer held anything over his head. She never did approve of his fondness for the child. But what she does to his belongings was really shocking! They say you have to hit rock bottom for change to occur and I’d say that losing everything he owned at Mildred’s hand was just that.
The baby. You know Mildred sold that kid, right? It would be just like her to do that. Mildred spoke of her death but I doubt it. Mildred never seemed attached to the kid and left her unattended more than once while she was a lady of the night. The fact that the baby had no name meant that she didn’t plan to have her around for long. Whatever happened, the kid is better off.
Sally and Philip. Sally is a plain sort of girl. Decent. Kind. Has a sense of humor. Totally different from the women Philip has been involved with. I don’t like to say that someone completes another person, but I do think Sally is good for Philip. She has a work ethic that Philip isn’t used to and she comes from a family that Philip adores. Is there hope for young Philip? I do think so,.
Interesting note:
I was at lunch with a colleague talking about Of Human Bondage and my colleague asked me to look up this painting of Maugham. Isn’t it striking?
Maugham portrait by Graham Sutherland, 1949.
I really enjoyed this book. Yes, Philip was annoying but I did feel empathy for his situation at times. He just didn’t seem capable of being happy so I was very pleased with the ending.
That’s it for this read-along! I will post a formal review soon. Thanks for joining me!
Book Chatter 