# Doctor South — Of Human Bondage character guide

> Doctor South in Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0106-cvii

## Who they are

A gruff, elderly doctor who employs Philip as an assistant in Dorset.

## Relationships

### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey)

_professional_

A gruff but fair doctor who becomes Philip's mentor and later offers him a partnership.

### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey)

_professional_

A gruff but fair doctor who becomes Philip's mentor and later offers him a partnership.

### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey)

_professional_

A gruff but fair doctor who becomes Philip's mentor and later offers him a partnership.

## In the story

### [CXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxvi)

Doctor South is a crusty, blunt old physician who initially tests Philip but gradually comes to appreciate his good humor and competence.

### [CXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxvii)

Offers Philip a partnership after a tense exchange about Philip's clubfoot; reveals his loneliness and disillusionment with life.

### [Chapter CXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxi)

Philip plans to write to Doctor South to accept his offer of a medical practice in a fishing village.

### [CXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxii)

Mentioned via telegram; Philip has written to him about a job offer.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/doctor_south
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters