Of Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham Essay

In the novel Of merciful Bondage, the main character, Philip Carey, has a myriad of throng whom are really prestigious in his sprightliness. William Somerset Maugham portrays Philip as having three women in his life that are of gr exhaust impressiveness to Philips character. These three women are Mildred Rogers, Norah Nesbit, and snap Athelny. Mildred is a negative influence on Philip whereas the other two women serve as positive influences in Philips life. Of the three, Philip cuts Mildred the most, though Mildred issues him not.Mildred is a negative influence on Philip. Though he effs her, she doesnt recognize him back. She is grateful toward Philip and rewards him with various degrees of affection. This forebodes the fact that she becomes a prostitute later on in the novel. While with Philip, Mildred distracts him from filming and causes him to spend each his money to take her out to eat and see musicals. This causes Philip to fail his two very important medical examin ations. Mildred is a snobby, stupid, harden, shallow, vain, and egocentric fair sex. Aware of Philips feelings for her, she takes advantage of him. She accepts his gifts and seeks his protection, except thwarts his affection. Philip forgives her for her deceitfulness and helps her when she is in trouble. In fall for Philips deal, kindness and generosity, she gives him pain, abuse, and misery. She proves her heartless character when she runs away with Emil Miller, has an affair with Griffiths, and destroys Philips home. She to a fault abandons her infant to the care of a strange in order to enjoy life. This demonstrates her ungenerous nature. Mildred seems to be Philips foil.Theyre so different from one another that Mildred doesnt even understand Philip. Philips generosity, kindness, and love cannot be understood by such(prenominal) a selfish, vicious, hateful charr. Its a wonder how Philip is bonded to this human anti-epitome. Philip chose Mildred because she is the type of woman that was a challenge for him. He had skilful begun medical school and was feeling worldly when suddenly he came upon this ill-mannered hack of a waitress in a tea shop. From that moment on, he couldnt get enough of her. He ceaselessly tried to get back at her but never quite could. It was as if he was doomed to spend the proportion of his life bonded to her. It was too much to gestate for him. Her indifferent attitude toward him drove him touchy over the brink of obsession. He excruciate himself to try andget a woman that he could never have and she would never love him back. He was even volition to marry her to get back at her for all the evil she inflicted upon him. Philip finally breaks finished the bonds of love and sees Mildred for who she really is a conniving, callous prostitute.Norah Nesbit is another influential woman in Philips life. Though Philip doesnt love Norah, she is a positive influence in his life nevertheless. Norah pampers Philip using her mothe rly instincts and encourages him to do what he can for himself go on vacation to take a break, and study hard for school to pass his exams. She is lucky in convincing Philip to focus on his studies rather than herself. and so when hes with her, he passes all three exams without each trouble and has earned his vacation that he is reluctant to go on, but is persuaded by thoughtful Norah to do so. Unlike Mildred, Norah appreciates Philip and doesnt allow him to waste his money. Philip intentionally chose Norahs ilk because Norah is nurturing, kind-hearted, and loving. Philip chooses her in his time of need, aft(prenominal)(prenominal)wards he is hurt by the rigor and pain that Mildred has inflicted upon him. She ameliorates him back to life after the thought and sight of Mildred has tormented him for many dreary months. cracking, the third and final influential woman in his life, helps Philip establish his personal identity in the world. The eldest child of Mr. Athelny, she is sensible, maternal, pretty, charming, and responsible. She is the haughtiness of her family and wins the heart of everyone with her pleasant manners and warmth, including Philip. scissure falls for Philips simplicity and preceding(a) manner, but does not force herself on him. She patiently waits for him to recognize her appeal. While Philip vacations with the Athelnys in Kent, he begins to notice Sally and he realizes that he is attracted to her. He begins to see her regularly and decides to spend the rest of his life with her. She accepts his marriage offer of marriage.Sally is a contrast to Mildred. Sallys presence calms Philip, while Mildreds presence troubles him. His passion for Mildred had disrupted his life and career, but Sallys love gives him hope for a bright future. Philip learns to love Sally, though not like Mildred, and she loves him back. Therefore Sally is the best woman for Philip since they twain love one another. Sally is in that location when Philip call forher. Shes not pushy or demanding, so Philip chooses her because he needs someone of her ilk to depend upon after Mildred ruins his life yet again by making him homeless and penniless.