Love and Obsession

Where it surfaces

• V

  A mother's passionate love for her child drives her to a physically taxing act to ensure her memory endures.

• XVIII

  Philip's attachment to Rose becomes obsessive, as he imagines himself in Rose's body and feels a 'curious tremor' in his heart, leading to possessive disappointment when Rose forgets their plan.

• The Scandal at Frau Erlin's

  Cäcilie's passionate declaration of love for Herr Sung defies social norms and household authority, revealing the consuming nature of her attachment.

• XXXII

  Philip's growing fascination with Miss Wilkinson and her stories hints at his early romantic and obsessive tendencies.

• XXXIII

  Philip's infatuation with Miss Wilkinson drives him to pursue a romantic conquest, blending curiosity and desire.

• XXXIV

  Philip's calculated pursuit of Miss Wilkinson is driven more by ego and the thrill of the game than genuine affection, highlighting the performative nature of his 'love'.

• XXXV

  Philip's initial infatuation quickly turns to repulsion, while Miss Wilkinson's obsessive attachment becomes a burden.

• XXXVII

  Miss Wilkinson's obsessive, reproachful letters and Philip's guilt and desire to escape highlight the destructive side of love.

• XXXIX

  Aunt Louisa's selfless love for Philip and her unrequited devotion to her indifferent husband illustrate the theme of love as both a source of strength and suffering.

• XLII

  Cronshaw contrasts art with love, claiming love is more compelling, and demonstrates this by flirting with a young woman, distracting Philip from poetry.

• XLVII

  Philip's intense longing for romantic passion and his envy of Lawson and Ruth's relationship highlight his obsession with the idea of love.

• LV

  Philip's wounded pride leads to an obsessive preoccupation with Mildred, foreshadowing his later destructive infatuation.

• LVI

  Philip's obsessive pursuit of Mildred despite her indifference and his own humiliation.

• LVII

  Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a painful, obsessive yearning—a hunger of the soul—rather than a joyful rapture.

• LVIII

  Philip's love for Mildred is possessive and self-destructive, driving him to spy on her and endure her cruelty.

• LIX

  Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a degrading, obsessive passion that overrides his reason and self-respect, causing him to humiliate himself and neglect his studies.

• LX

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to endure suffering and vulnerability, despite knowing she may exploit his weakness.

• LXI

  Philip's love for Mildred is obsessive and self-destructive, marked by jealousy, possessiveness, and a willingness to endure humiliation.

• LXII

  Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a parasitic torment, driving him to consider marriage despite his contempt for her.

• LXIII

  Philip's relentless, self-sacrificing pursuit of Mildred, despite her indifference, exemplifies obsessive love.

• LXVI

  Philip contrasts his healthy, affectionate relationship with Norah against his destructive obsession with Mildred, highlighting the difference between genuine love and possessive passion.

• LXVIII

  Philip's intense admiration for Griffiths mirrors his earlier schoolboy crushes, highlighting his pattern of idealizing and worshipping others.

• Chapter LXIX

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred persists despite her betrayal, leading him to support her financially and emotionally while repressing his own disgust.

• LXX

  Philip's irrational devotion to Mildred, despite her coldness and vulgarity, exemplifies the destructive nature of obsessive love. He prefers misery with her over happiness with Norah.

• LXXI

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to cruelly end his relationship with Norah.

• LXXII

  Philip's unconditional devotion to Mildred, his joy in spending money on her, and his ritualistic goodnight kisses illustrate his obsessive love.

• LXXIII

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred is evident in his detailed plans, passionate letters, and his fear of being a burden to her.

• LXXIV

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred leads him to tolerate her flirtation with Griffiths and to endure intense jealousy and self-torment.

• LXXV

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred is evident as he plans a trip despite her indifference, and his rage when she chooses Griffiths.

• LXXVI

  Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a destructive obsession, driving him to fund her affair with Griffiths despite his own agony.

• LXXVII

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to fund her affair with Griffiths, leading to self-destructive behavior.

• LXXVIII

  Philip's obsessive love for Mildred persists despite her cruelty, leading him to contemplate murder and suicide.

• LXXIX

  Philip's lingering feelings for Mildred and his attempt to rekindle with Norah highlight his struggle between obsessive love and genuine affection.

• Chapter LXXX

  Mildred's obsessive pursuit of Griffiths and Philip's lingering emotional turmoil illustrate the destructive side of love.

• XC

  Philip's offer to take Mildred in is driven not by love but by a complex mix of pity, guilt, and a lingering need to rescue the woman who once obsessed him.

• XCIII

  Philip's intense attachment to Mildred's baby, despite it being another man's child, highlights his displaced affection and emotional need.

• XCVI

  Mildred's obsessive pursuit of Philip's affection contrasts with his now-extinguished passion, highlighting the destructive nature of one-sided love.

• XCVII

  Philip's relationship with Mildred ends in violent destruction, highlighting the obsessive and destructive nature of his attachment to her.

• CIX

  Philip's inability to fully detach from Mildred, despite his hatred and disgust, underscores the lingering power of his past obsession.

• CXIX

  Philip's growing attraction to Sally culminates in a spontaneous kiss, hinting at emerging romantic feelings.

• CXX

  Philip's intense, self-doubting love for Sally contrasts with her calm, natural affection, highlighting the difference between passionate obsession and genuine care.

• Chapter CXXI

  Philip's love for Sally transforms from a romantic ideal into a practical commitment, marked by self-sacrifice rather than obsession.

• CXXII

  Philip's lingering, painful obsession with Mildred contrasts with his genuine, healthy love for Sally.