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Chapter 100
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Of Human Bondage, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Maturation and Finding Purpose
Marriage and Family
Religion and Belief
Poverty and Injustice
Summary
Analysis
Philip is moved when he sees Athelny’s children and they tell him how much they missed him the previous Sunday. Betty looks concerned and offers Philip extra food while they wait for dinner, but Philip refuses. As Sally sets the table, Philip teases her for putting on weight, while Sally replies that Philip looks gaunt. Athelny brags that Sally has a marriage offer, but Sally protests that it’s all lies.
Betty can tell that something is wrong with Philip, and yet he still refuses to admit it. This passage shows what a prideful person Philip is and how, while he might have the noble goal of not being a burden to others, he nevertheless makes his own life more difficult by refusing to admit his mistakes and ask for help.
Active
Themes
At dinner, Philip is so hungry that he paradoxically finds it difficult to eat. After dinner, he and Athelny are alone. Athelny asks why Philip never responded to his letter and why, when he went to visit Philip’s rooms, his landlady said he hadn’t been back in a week and owed money. Philip admits he’s been living on the streets. Athelny insists that Philip must live with him, Betty, and the children until he has a job. Philip refuses, knowing how poor Athelny himself is. Athelny insists, however, and tells Betty to prepare a bed for him. She does so gladly, and Philip starts to cry.
