`The Burden of Human Passions` is considered in large part autobiographical. Here is the story of a young man who is just starting his independent life. His lot includes more than one trial. Having become an orphan early, he was left without parental care. He dreamed of becoming an artist, but never did. And his love for a vicious, narrow-minded woman brings only suffering. Philip bravely goes through all the trials and finds his place in life.