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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What about Walter's appearance, as described in Chapter 56, shocks Kitty during their conversation?

2. What crime is Colonel Yu trying desperately to prevent in Mei-tan-fu?

3. What does Kitty think of her first view from her window of the bungalow?

4. What compliment does Mother Superior pay Kitty when she sees her in disarray in Chapter 52?

5. When Kitty arrives at the convent to offer her services in Chapter 48, why is Mother Superior crying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Kitty's initial feelings towards the young orphan children and do her feelings change over time?

2. After visiting the convent, why does Kitty feel so unhappy back at the bungalow.

3. How does Waddington try and comfort Kitty about Walter's death?

4. How does Kitty describe Mother Superior's appearance?

5. How does Waddington describe Dorothy Townsend?

6. How does Kitty feel when she realizes she is no longer in love with Charlie?

7. Why doesn't Kitty lie to Walter when he asks her if he is the father of the baby?

8. When Kitty asks Waddington about immortality, what is his response?

9. How does Kitty regard her indiscretion with Townsend?

10. How does Kitty describe Waddington's Manchu mistress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Kitty meets Waddington's mistress she contemplates afterward that "the beliefs and the ideals of the West seemed crude beside ideals and beliefs of which in this exquisite creature she seemed to catch a fugitive glimpse." How does this statement reflect an overarching theme between the relationship between West vs. East as portrayed in The Painted Veil?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of love is central to The Painted Veil and has many manifestations. Compare and contrast two approaches to the idea of "what is love" as evidenced by the following characters:

a) Kitty's initial love for Charlie.

b) Walter's love for Kitty.

c) Charlie's love for Kitty.

d) Waddington's love for his mistress.

e) Mother Superior's love for God.

f) Kitty's love for her father.

Essay Topic 3

Duty is a theme throughout The Painted Veil. Discuss three different character's views of duty and how it is exhibited by their statements and actions. Based on these accounts of duty, does Maugham create an overarching definition of what duty is?

(see the answer keys)

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