Of Human Bondage

Philip moves into his new home in London. He keeps thinking of Norah Nesbit, and one day he decides to go and see her. Philip wonders if he can persuade Norah to take him back. Norah is kind to him but tells him that she is engaged. Philip wishes her well but rejects her offer to remain friends, claiming, “It would make me too envious to see you happy” (392).

Philip focuses on his studies. Since Griffiths is also a medical student, Philip sometimes hears gossip about him. It turns out that Mildred became quite obsessed with Griffiths after they spent time together; Griffiths was uncomfortable with her intensity, as he was hoping for a casual fling. He has broken things off several times, but Mildred often accosts him and tries to persuade Griffiths to renew their relationship. Griffiths finally tells her decisively to leave him alone, and that is the last he hears of her: “She vanished into the vast anonymous mass of the population of London” (396).

Philip progresses to the next phase of his studies and begins to meet with patients under the supervision of a doctor named Dr. Tyrell. Philip enjoys meeting with patients and hearing their stories; many of them are poor and experience ill health as a result of poor living and working conditions.