Philippa Character Analysis in A Little Life

Philippa, a costume designer, is one of Willem’s girlfriends prior to his relationship with Jude. She and Willem eventually break up over Willem’s friendship with Jude, which Philippa feels is too “codependent.” Jude feels guilty about the breakup, but Willem doesn’t think that friendships should be any less important than romantic relationships.

Philippa Character Timeline in A Little Life

The timeline below shows where the character Philippa appears in A Little Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...a wheelchair more often than not, and Willem is now dating a costume designer named Philippa. Harold tells Jude that he and Julia have something important to ask Jude at Thanksgiving. (full context)

...was imperative that his new building had an elevator so that Jude could visit him. Philippa, his girlfriend at the time, had suggested that was rather “codependent” of Willem. But Willem... (full context)

Jude thinks back to a time when Willem was still with Philippa. They were joking about how when she and Willem were old someday, they’d move into... (full context)

...with. It’s filmed in an old mansion on the Hudson. It’s the kind of place Philippa had once imagined they’d grow old in. Willem enjoys the play but finds that it’s... (full context)