The character of Philemon in the short story "The Suit" by Can Themba
Philemon is dominated by a need to be in direct command of his own environment; in popular terms, he is a "control freak". He is unable to cope with any threat to his version of "the goodness of life." Tilly's affair occurs outside Philemon's self-imposed boundaries and he is not equipped to react to the crisis.
Philemon removes chance from even the most commonplace activities. His shoes and socks are at hand to be picked up as he sneaks out of the bedroom in the early morning. That "he did not like to wake his wife lying by his side" could indicate consideration, but the addition of "- just yet -" to the sentence reveals that he wants time to organise himself to a state where he is most comfortable. A "serene" wife of "pure beauty" is a requirement for his ideal world. …
