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

2. How old is Charlie?

3. After being startled in Chapter 1, what item does Charlie give Kitty?

4. When Kitty goes to tell Charlie of Walter's ultimatum, what surprises her about his appearance?

5. What type of books does Walter like to read?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After they have been married for some time, why is Kitty surprised Walter ever fell in love with her?

3. What does Walter find humorous about Kitty's plan to marry Charlie upon her divorce from himself?

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

5. What pains does Charlie take to maintain his figure?

6. What two physical attributes are described of Doris in Chapter 8?

7. Why does Kitty feel her social position is lower in Hong Kong than it was at home in England?

8. Describe Charlie Townsend and why Kitty is initially attracted to him when she meets him at the social function.

9. How does Kitty describe Walter's appearance in Chapter 10?

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

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

Throughout the novel we only receive third-person information about Walter. Using specific descriptions from Kitty and others of Walter, discuss his development as a character. Be sure to reference how his actions in the plot, his dialogue and these third-person descriptions of his emotions and physical appearance support your conclusion.

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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