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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. How old is Charlie?

2. How does Charlie describe his feelings for Dorothy?

3. After Kitty and Charlie consummate their affair, how does she feel?

4. How old is Kitty when she becomes engaged?

5. After being married for some time, how does Kitty feel towards Walter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Once they are married, what daily habits does Walter display that shows his affection for Kitty?

2. Why does Kitty believe her rendezvous with Charlie at the curio shop are completely safe?

3. For what reasons does Kitty believe that Charlie remains with his wife?

4. How does her affair with Charlie affect Kitty's appearance?

5. When Kitty tells Charlie about Walter's ultimatum, what is his response?

6. When Walter first tells Kitty about going to Mei-tan-fu, what reasons does she give for not wanting to accompany him?

7. After Kitty describes Walter's polite and standoffish behavior in Chapter 20, why does Charlie become so confident and happy?

8. What two attributes does Mrs.Garstin display in the way she arranges her dinner parties?

9. Describe Dorothy Townsend's appearance as given by Kitty in Chapter 3.

10. Describe Walter's behavior towards others at the dinner party in Chapter 21.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the preface Maugham discusses how he was inspired by a plot line in Dante's Purgatorio due to its modern elements. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that: The Painted Veil is a modern plot? Specifically discuss why or why not it is relevant and applicable to today's society and if it is accessible to the reader.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the dramatic structure of The Painted Veil. Use textual evidence to designate the expository, rising action, the climax, falling action and denouement.

Essay Topic 3

A recurrent theme in The Painted Veil is that of vanity, and how characters react when their vanity is wounded or bruised. Compare and contrast vanity as exhibited by Kitty, Charlie and Walter and how it either shifts throughout the novel or remains the same. Discuss how each character reacts when their vanity is wounded and what this reaction infers about that character.

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