Philip Abshire Character Analysis in The Time Traveler’s Wife

Philip is Clare’s father. He is a lawyer and respected community member. He seems to care about his wealth and his profession above all else, and he often criticizes his children when they fall short of his standards. Clare and Mark express frustration over their father’s comments, but Alicia is his most frequent target and most vocal critic. In contrast, Philip maintains a special tenderness for his wife Lucille, dropping his stoic demeanor and perfectionism to care for her when her depression spirals out of her control. Philip is there when Mark accidentally shoots and kills Henry during one of Henry’s time-traveling episodes. When Henry shows up with Clare for Christmas years later, he recognizes Henry as the person Mark shot and struggles to hide his reaction.

Philip Abshire Character Timeline in The Time Traveler’s Wife

The timeline below shows where the character Philip Abshire appears in The Time Traveler’s Wife. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Thursday, September 29, 1977 (Clare is 6, Henry is 35).Clare sees on her father Philip’s calendar that it’s the day the strange man she met in the Meadow is returning.... (full context)

...is their turn, but Clare would rather know about her mother Lucille’s wellbeing, her father Philip’s temper, her brother Mark’s hijinks, and Henry’s full identity. While Clare tries to formulate a... (full context)

...Suspecting it might be Henry, she runs out to the Meadow. She finds her father, Philip, and Mark in hunting gear, then she sees Henry standing next to them. They ask... (full context)

...with Clare’s sister Alicia and her brother Mark’s girlfriend, Sharon. Henry notices that Clare’s father, Philip, and Mark seem to be alarmed by him; Henry suspects they recognize him from somewhere.... (full context)

Clare goes skiing with Philip and Mark while Henry stays behind. He talks with Nell in the kitchen while she... (full context)

...Lucille is not doing well. Clare thinks she looks fine, but she suspects from her Philip’s wary expression that something terrible was said before they entered the room. Alicia explains that... (full context)

...fails during dessert. Henry watches as she begins to cry over her plate. Clare and Philip try to calm her, but she begins spouting comments about the pregnancy and family hypocrisy.... (full context)

...how Alicia’s decision to go off script during her cello performance at the church infuriated Philip. Alicia asserts that her father only cares about his children making him look perfect in... (full context)

...everyone and is especially fond of Alicia. They discuss the fact that Alicia, Mark, and Philip all seem to have seen Henry at some point during his time travels, but they... (full context)

...comforter. The sisters wrestle playfully until Etta comes upstairs to chastise them. Etta explains that Philip is bothered by all the noise they are making. She tells them to get dressed... (full context)

(1:55 p.m.). The ceremony is about to start. Clare is waiting with Philip, who knocks on the door where Henry is getting ready. Gomez comes out and asks... (full context)

...with a memory of waking as a girl to someone calling her name and finding Philip and Mark standing with Henry in the Meadow. Henry asks her what she’s thinking about,... (full context)

...he won’t put it on the list of dates he provides her for his visits. Philip and Mark will come out to hunt. As Henry waits in the clearing, something else... (full context)

...Clare sends them to Alba’s room to play. Alicia then finds Clare and points out Philip’s flirtation with Henry’s coworker, Isabelle. Richard approaches them as they break down in a fit... (full context)