# Love and Obsession in Of Human Bondage

> Theme guide for Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham.

Philip's destructive, masochistic obsession with Mildred Rogers dominates much of the narrative, illustrating how irrational desire can enslave a person and override reason and self-respect.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/v): A mother's passionate love for her child drives her to a physically taxing act to ensure her memory endures.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxx): Cäcilie's passionate declaration of love for Herr Sung defies social norms and household authority, revealing the consuming nature of her attachment.
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxii): Philip's growing fascination with Miss Wilkinson and her stories hints at his early romantic and obsessive tendencies.
- [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxiii): Philip's infatuation with Miss Wilkinson drives him to pursue a romantic conquest, blending curiosity and desire.
- [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxv): Philip's initial infatuation quickly turns to repulsion, while Miss Wilkinson's obsessive attachment becomes a burden.
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xxxvii): Miss Wilkinson's obsessive, reproachful letters and Philip's guilt and desire to escape highlight the destructive side of love.
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lv): Philip's wounded pride leads to an obsessive preoccupation with Mildred, foreshadowing his later destructive infatuation.
- [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lvi): Philip's obsessive pursuit of Mildred despite her indifference and his own humiliation.
- [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lvii): Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a painful, obsessive yearning—a hunger of the soul—rather than a joyful rapture.
- [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lviii): Philip's love for Mildred is possessive and self-destructive, driving him to spy on her and endure her cruelty.
- [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lx): Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to endure suffering and vulnerability, despite knowing she may exploit his weakness.
- [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxi): Philip's love for Mildred is obsessive and self-destructive, marked by jealousy, possessiveness, and a willingness to endure humiliation.
- [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxii): Philip's love for Mildred is depicted as a parasitic torment, driving him to consider marriage despite his contempt for her.
- [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxiii): Philip's relentless, self-sacrificing pursuit of Mildred, despite her indifference, exemplifies obsessive love.
- [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxviii): Philip's intense admiration for Griffiths mirrors his earlier schoolboy crushes, highlighting his pattern of idealizing and worshipping others.
- [Chapter LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxi): Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to cruelly end his relationship with Norah.
- [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxii): Philip's unconditional devotion to Mildred, his joy in spending money on her, and his ritualistic goodnight kisses illustrate his obsessive love.
- [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxiv): Philip's obsessive love for Mildred leads him to tolerate her flirtation with Griffiths and to endure intense jealousy and self-torment.
- [LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxvii): Philip's obsessive love for Mildred drives him to fund her affair with Griffiths, leading to self-destructive behavior.
- [LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxviii): Philip's obsessive love for Mildred persists despite her cruelty, leading him to contemplate murder and suicide.
- [LXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxx): Mildred's obsessive pursuit of Griffiths and Philip's lingering emotional turmoil illustrate the destructive side of love.
- [XC](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xciii): Philip's intense attachment to Mildred's baby, despite it being another man's child, highlights his displaced affection and emotional need.
- [XCVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvi): Mildred's obsessive pursuit of Philip's affection contrasts with his now-extinguished passion, highlighting the destructive nature of one-sided love.
- [XCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvii): Philip's relationship with Mildred ends in violent destruction, highlighting the obsessive and destructive nature of his attachment to her.
- [CIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cix): Philip's inability to fully detach from Mildred, despite his hatred and disgust, underscores the lingering power of his past obsession.
- [CXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxix): Philip's growing attraction to Sally culminates in a spontaneous kiss, hinting at emerging romantic feelings.
- [CXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxi): Philip's love for Sally transforms from a romantic ideal into a practical commitment, marked by self-sacrifice rather than obsession.
- [CXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxxii): Philip's lingering, painful obsession with Mildred contrasts with his genuine, healthy love for Sally.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/themes/love_and_obsession
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/themes