# Mildred Rogers — Of Human Bondage character guide > Mildred Rogers in Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mildred, Milly **First appearance:** 0030-xxxi ## Snapshot A London waitress with cheap tastes and a colder heart, she becomes the obsession Philip cannot reason, shame, or starve himself out of. ## Who they are Mildred drifts into Philip's life as a tea-shop waitress, indifferent to his devotion and quick to humiliate him, and he returns to her again and again against every instinct of self-preservation. She cannot conceive of generosity without suspecting a motive, and when Philip treats her with restraint she reads it as a slight and grows more cruel. Her hold over him is the novel's central test of whether a thinking man can govern his own desires. ## Relationships ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _psychological_ Philip is obsessively infatuated with Mildred, who manipulates and exploits his feelings while treating him with contempt. ### [Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/griffiths) _romantic_ A brief, passionate affair that devastates Philip and reveals Mildred's shallow nature. ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _psychological_ Philip is obsessively infatuated with Mildred, who manipulates and exploits his feelings while treating him with contempt. ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _psychological_ Philip is obsessively infatuated with Mildred, who manipulates and exploits his feelings while treating him with contempt. ### [Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/griffiths) _romantic_ A brief, passionate affair that devastates Philip and reveals Mildred's shallow nature. ### [Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/griffiths) _romantic_ A brief, passionate affair that devastates Philip and reveals Mildred's shallow nature. ## In the story ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lv) A waitress at a tea shop; cold and insolent toward Philip, which piques his pride and leads to an obsession. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lvi) Shows indifference to Philip, talks to a German customer, and expresses interest in Dunsford's appearance. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lvii) Mildred keeps Philip waiting, is ungracious and indifferent, but enjoys the champagne and musical comedy; her vulgarity and affectations are noted by Philip. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lviii) Manipulates Philip, lies about her aunt's illness, and prioritizes Miller over him. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lix) Mildred is indifferent to Philip's suffering, demands an apology, and agrees to dine with him after he humbles himself. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lx) Indifferent and restless, she tolerates Philip's affection but remains detached, preferring entertainment over intimacy. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxi) Cold and indifferent to Philip's feelings, she accepts his gifts and attention but shows little affection and often goes out with other men. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxii) Indifferent to Philip's passion, she rejects his marriage proposal, prioritizing her financial security. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxiii) Becomes more confidential with Philip, but ultimately announces her engagement to Miller, showing her pragmatic approach to relationships. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxiv) Philip obsesses over her marriage; he buys her a vulgar dressing-bag as a wedding present, and the wedding occurs during his outing with Hayward. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxvi) Mentioned as the object of Philip's past hideous passion, now viewed with loathing and horror. ### [Chapter LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxix) Mildred returns to Philip, reveals Emil Miller's deception and abandonment, and accepts Philip's help while showing a new thoughtfulness. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxx) Mildred returns and accepts Philip's help in setting up new lodgings. She is indifferent to his feelings, planning to visit a friend despite Philip's sacrifice. ### [LXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxi) Philip's obsessive love for her motivates his breakup with Norah. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxii) Accepts Philip's support, remains emotionally detached, and gives birth to a daughter. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxiii) Recovers from childbirth, goes to Brighton with her baby, shows indifference to the child, enjoys socializing, and extends her stay despite Philip's feelings. ### [LXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxiv) Mildred is captivated by Griffiths' charm and good looks, showing him open affection and neglecting Philip. ### [LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxv) Mildred is infatuated with Griffiths, shows Mildred's manipulative and cold side, and refuses to go to Paris with Philip. ### [LXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxvi) Mildred is torn between her infatuation with Griffiths and her practical need for Philip's financial support. She is manipulative and shameless, using Philip's love to secure money and comfort. ### [LXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxvii) Collects the five pounds from Philip and leaves with Griffiths for Oxford. ### [LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxviii) Mildred deceives Philip again by staying in Oxford with Griffiths and then leaving her London lodgings without contacting him. ### [Chapter LXXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxx) Obsessively pursues Griffiths after their weekend together; eventually rebuffed and vanishes. ### [XC](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xc) Mildred is working as a prostitute, desperate and ill. She accepts Philip's offer to live with him and care for his flat. ### [XCI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xci) Arrives with her baby, is subdued and exhausted, and initially feels humiliated about eating with Philip. ### [XCII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcii) Settles into Philip's flat, performs domestic duties, lies to the landlady about being married to Philip, and attempts to seduce him but is rebuffed. ### [XCIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xciii) Mildred is sulky and taciturn after Philip's rejection, but accepts the domestic arrangement; she jokes cruelly about Philip's stock market telegram. ### [XCIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xciv) Shows forgetfulness and disinterest in Philip's conversations; sleeps on the beach and is indifferent to planning. ### [XCV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcv) Quarrels with Philip, dislikes his Paris nudes, punishes him through the baby, refuses to work, and shows poor household management. ### [XCVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvi) Grows exasperated by Philip's rejection, attempts seduction, and upon refusal unleashes a furious, abusive tirade. ### [XCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvii) Destroys Philip's flat in a rage, slashing furniture, breaking dishes, and ruining his possessions; leaves without a note. ### [CIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cix) Contacts Philip in distress, is ill with a sexually transmitted disease, and shows signs of returning to her old life. ### [CXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxvi) Philip occasionally wanders streets where he might see Mildred, experiencing a mix of fear, curiosity, and painful emotion. ### [Chapter CXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxi) Philip forgives Mildred for the pain she caused him, seeing her as a victim of blind chance. ### [CXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxii) Mentioned as a lingering obsession; Philip mistakes a stranger for her and feels a lasting, desperate thirst for her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/mildred_rogers - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters