Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Of Human Bondage. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Philip Carey, freed at last from his painful obsession with the waitress Mildred, qualifies as a doctor and gives up his dreams of travelling the world. He proposes to Sally Athelny, a calm young woman he believes is pregnant with his child, and chooses an ordinary, contented life.
Quick facts
– Book: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
– First published: 1915
– Type: A semi-autobiographical novel
– Tone of the ending: Quietly hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Philip, an orphan with a club foot, is raised by his strict uncle. He tries studying in Germany, accountancy in London and painting in Paris, failing at each. He becomes obsessed with Mildred Rogers, a cold waitress who uses him again and again, and he loses most of his money.
What Happens at the End of Of Human Bondage
Philip, nearly destitute, is taken in by the warm Athelny family and works in a shop. His uncle dies, leaving him enough to finish medical school. He qualifies and plans to travel as a ship's doctor. Sally tells him she may be pregnant. Although she is not, Philip realizes he loves her and wants a simple life. He proposes, and she accepts.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Philip escapes Mildred.
- He becomes a doctor.
- He gives up his travel dreams.
- He finds peace with Sally.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Philip Carey | Marries Sally |
| Sally Athelny | Accepts Philip |
| Mildred Rogers | Disappears into illness and poverty |
| Thorpe Athelny | Philip's generous friend |
What the Ending Means
The ending suggests that happiness lies in accepting ordinary life rather than chasing an ideal.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find Philip's choice disappointing, others wise. The Persian rug Philip was told held the meaning of life becomes his symbol that life has no set pattern.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Obsession. Mildred controls Philip.
Meaning. Philip searches for meaning.
Acceptance. Philip accepts simplicity.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Of Human Bondage as quietly hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected W. Somerset Maugham to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are quietly hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how W. Somerset Maugham closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1934 film with Bette Davis focuses on the Mildred relationship and condenses the ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Of Human Bondage with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about obsession, and do you agree with W. Somerset Maugham's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as quietly hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces obsession and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what W. Somerset Maugham leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Of Human Bondage often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Of Human Bondage earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After Of Human Bondage
- The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Of Human Bondage?
Philip Carey, freed at last from his painful obsession with the waitress Mildred, qualifies as a doctor and gives up his dreams of travelling the world. He proposes to Sally Athelny, a calm young woman he believes is pregnant with his child, and chooses an ordinary, contented life.
Is the ending of Of Human Bondage happy or sad?
Most readers call it quietly hopeful.
What does the ending of Of Human Bondage mean?
The ending suggests that happiness lies in accepting ordinary life rather than chasing an ideal.
Is the ending of Of Human Bondage the same in the adaptation?
The 1934 film with Bette Davis focuses on the Mildred relationship and condenses the ending.
Who wrote Of Human Bondage and when was it published?
Of Human Bondage was written by W. Somerset Maugham and first published in 1915.
Is Of Human Bondage worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy semi-autobiographical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how W. Somerset Maugham prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Of Human Bondage before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.