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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 does the Chinese surgeon think that Walter contracted cholera?

2. What job is Kitty given at the convent?

3. As Kitty and Walter are entering Mei-tan-fu, what do the Chinese servants point out to Kitty?

4. What experience does Mother Superior recount to Kitty in Chapter 60?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Waddington describe his religious views to Kitty?

2. How does Kitty describe the chapel at the convent?

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

4. How does Kitty describe her first impression of Sister St. Joseph?

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

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

7. What are the first emotional hints that Kitty may be pregnant?

8. How does Waddington describe Dorothy Townsend?

9. How does Kitty regard her indiscretion with Townsend?

10. How does Waddington describe Charlie Townsend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the importance of setting within The Painted Veil. Make sure to discuss at least three different settings and how the descriptions of those settings are integral in the development of themes and characters.

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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