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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. Where is Walter buried?

2. What type of work does Kitty first offer to do at the convent?

3. What great noise brings Mother Superior to the room when Kitty is watching the children in Chapter 52?

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

5. How does the Chinese surgeon think that Walter contracted cholera?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After visiting the convent what type of relationship does Kitty want with Walter?

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

4. How does Waddington describe Charlie Townsend?

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

6. After Mother Superior agrees to let Kitty work in the convent, what advice does she give her?

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

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

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

10. How does Waddington describe Walter?

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

Throughout The Painted Veil, Maugham uses scenic imagery as a metaphor for the plot and character development. Give three specific examples of these metaphors and how they relate specific actions in the plot and/or character development. Discuss why or why not they are effective as literary tools augmenting the general action.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel Maugham sets forth different views on the purpose of life as given by several characters. Compare and contrast the specific view on the purpose of life by two or more characters. Give specific textual information on how these characters exhibit and come to these views. Also in the conclusion address whether or not Maugham selects one as being THE view on the purpose of life.

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