# Mrs. Athelny — Of Human Bondage character guide

> Mrs. Athelny in Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Athelny

**First appearance:** 0069-lxx

## Snapshot

The uneducated, quietly iron-willed wife of the flamboyant Thorpe Athelny, who feeds Philip when he is poorest and holds her dreaming husband to earth.

## Who they are

Bound to Athelny by no legal tie and by many children, Mrs. Athelny runs the household with sewing, thrift, and a mouth that tightens when her husband rhapsodizes about being wasted. She takes Philip's shillings with motherly tact, refusing more than he can spare, and her Sunday table becomes the one dependable solace of his draper's-assistant years. Her ascendancy over the brilliant, unstable Athelny shows Philip a kind of strength he has never credited: patience as its own form of power.

## In the story

### [LXXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxvii)

Athelny's wife, busy in the kitchen, greets Philip warmly.

### [LXXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxix)

Mrs. Athelny prepares tea, treats her husband like a child, and discovers a connection to Philip's uncle in Blackstable.

### [XCIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xciv)

Described as cheerful and hospitable, part of the Athelny family Philip admires.

### [CI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/ci)

Mrs. Athelny warmly welcomes Philip and offers to prepare a bed for him without hesitation.

### [CV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cv)

Treats Philip with motherly kindness now that he is in a different position, anxious that he should make a good meal.

### [CVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cviii)

Expresses regret about marriage and childbearing, wishes she had remained single.

### [CXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxv)

Anxious for Sally to accept the proposal due to the family's financial difficulties; shows practical concern for her daughter's future.

### [CXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxviii)

Fries bacon, keeps an eye on the children, and shows a hearty country demeanor.

### [CXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxix)

Oversees the family's work, sends Sally for tea, shows practical care.

### [CXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxx)

Mentioned as having gone to the village for shopping; Sally tells her about Philip's cold hands.

## Links

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