# Thorpe Athelny — Of Human Bondage character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Athelny, Mr. Athelny

**First appearance:** 0069-lxx

## Snapshot

A flamboyant, self-dramatizing salesman who befriends Philip over Spanish literature and Sunday dinners, all the while being quietly managed by the woman he never married.

## Who they are

Athelny holds forth in his shabby, stately home about Cervantes and the glories of Spain, but in the shop he is a subdued little man hurrying between departments, his flamboyance extinguished. The gap between his self-image and his actual position — brilliant, unstable, stunted, starved — is the running irony of his household, and Mrs. Athelny's silent ascendancy over him is one of the novel's sharpest portraits of domestic power. For Philip in his lowest years, the Athelny Sundays offer warmth, food, and an unearned kindness that keeps despair at arm's length.

## In the story

### [LXXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxvi)

A journalist and patient with jaundice, he discusses Spanish literature and poetry with Philip, revealing his cultured background.

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

Hosts Philip, shows off his house and introduces his family.

### [LXXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxviii)

Athelny shares his translations of Spanish mystical poetry and discusses El Greco with Philip, revealing his own passion for the unseen.

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

Athelny entertains his children with stories, chaffs Sally, and shares his life story with Philip.

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

Invites Philip to visit his family during their hop-picking holiday in Kent.

### [XCIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcix)

Philip relies on Sunday dinners at the Athelny household but hesitates to reveal his poverty.

### [C](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/c)

Philip considers asking him for help but delays out of fear of rejection.

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

Athelny discovers Philip's homelessness and insists he come live with his family, showing great kindness.

### [CII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cii)

Arranges the interview for Philip and brings his poster to the manager.

### [CIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/ciii)

Lends Philip money and introduces him to the buyer at Lynn's.

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

Philip visits the Athelny home on Sundays, finding solace in their company and the stately Spanish chairs.

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

Discusses socialism and family life, contrasts with his wife's pragmatic view.

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

Boisterously plays the heavy father during Sally's suitor's visit, wearing a tarboosh and discoursing on Byzantine history.

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

Philip visits the Athelnys to share his good news about qualifying as a doctor.

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

Writes to Philip inviting him to join the family hop-picking in Kent.

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

Enthusiastic about country life, borrows a cart to meet Philip, cooks kippers, and jokes with the children.

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

Enjoys hop-picking, boasts of his hands, drinks at The Jolly Sailor, displays theatrical enthusiasm.

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

Referenced as 'Thorpy' when Sally recalls preparing his bed for Philip.

## Links

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