# Mrs. Carey — Of Human Bondage character guide > Mrs. Carey in Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Louisa, Aunt Louisa **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Philip's gentle, childless aunt, whose quiet piety and small kindnesses form the only steady warmth of his orphaned boyhood in the vicarage. ## Who they are Aunt Louisa keeps the Blackstable vicarage running under her husband's dry rule, pouring her thwarted tenderness into the deformed nephew delivered to her care. Childless and devout, she clings to the hope that Philip will take orders, and her mild attempts to steer him sit awkwardly against his growing hunger for a life she cannot imagine. She is the first person to love Philip without understanding him, and the novel's early portrait of how love and incomprehension can share a single household. ## Relationships ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _family_ Philip's cold, religious aunt who raises him but shows little warmth or understanding. ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _family_ Philip's cold, religious aunt who raises him but shows little warmth or understanding. ### [Philip Carey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/philip_carey) _family_ Philip's cold, religious aunt who raises him but shows little warmth or understanding. ## In the story ### [The Day Breaks Gray and Dull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/i) Philip's mother, gravely ill after childbirth, who holds him and sobs over his future. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/iii) Philip's mother, who has just died; her bedroom and belongings are a source of comfort and grief for Philip. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/iv) Greets Philip shyly, shows him his room, and worries about his comfort and behavior. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/v) Philip's mother, who secretly had photographs taken before her death so that her son would remember her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/vi) Mrs. Carey manages the household shopping, avoids dissenting ministers, and mediates between her husband and Josiah Graves. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/vii) Mrs. Carey dresses carefully for church, obeys her husband's dress code, and shares gossip about parishioners during the drive home. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/viii) Struggles to connect with Philip; is hurt by his harsh words but finds happiness when he kisses her. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/ix) Discovers Philip crying, feels guilty, and provides him with picture books to comfort him. ### [Philip Goes to School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/x) Aunt Louisa is mentioned as part of the Careys' decision to send Philip to school. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xiii) Philip's mother, whose death is recalled in the context of his lie about the pen-holder. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xiv) Aunt Louisa gently supports Philip's religious inquiries but does not intervene in his crisis of faith. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xx) Aunt Louisa is mentioned as having encouraged Philip's drawing and as being forgetful about his school report. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxi) Aunt Louisa is deeply disappointed that Philip has given up the idea of ordination and cries over his decision. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxi) Writes to Philip about arrangements and Miss Wilkinson's visit. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxii) Aunt Louisa greets Philip with tearful joy; Philip sees her as frail and pathetic, feeling a sudden love for her. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxiii) Scolds Miss Wilkinson for flirting with Philip and discusses Philip's future with the Vicar. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxiv) Aunt Louisa is concerned for Miss Wilkinson's headache and leaves for church, unwittingly enabling Philip's plan. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxv) Remains at home due to illness; makes a dry comment about Miss Wilkinson's age. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxvii) Ill in November; she and the Vicar go to Cornwall for Christmas, leaving Philip without a place to go. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxix) Aunt Louisa secretly gives Philip her savings to support his artistic ambitions, expressing her deep love and hope for his future. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/li) Aunt Louisa dies suddenly; Philip receives the news via a letter from his uncle. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lii) Aunt Louisa has died; Philip views her body and reflects on her wasted life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/mrs_carey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters