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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. When Kitty asks Walter if he wanted her to die from cholera in Chapter 57, what is his response?

2. What startles Kitty when she accompanies Waddington on her first walk outside of the bungalow?

3. What do the nuns give Chinese parents in exchange for babies they would have otherwise abandoned?

4. During Kitty and Waddington's first dinner together, what unexpected mutual acquaintance do they discover?

5. What job is Kitty given at the convent?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. As Waddington tells Kitty about Chinese history and novels, how does Kitty's perception of the Chinese change?

3. Does Sister St. Joseph want to return to France? Why or why not?

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

5. How does Kitty describe her first impression of Waddington?

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

7. How does Waddington describe Charlie Townsend?

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

9. How does Waddington describe Walter?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship of marriage is evident in several different couples in The Painted Veil. Compare and contrast Kitty and Walter's marriage with Charlie and Dorothy's marriage or Mr. and Mrs. Garstin's marriage. Point out similarities and differences and what those details infer about the characters in those relationships.

Essay Topic 2

One recurrent theme in The Painted Veil is the importance of respect, especially in regard to the character of Kitty. Discuss what Kitty's idea of respect is and how that idea is influenced by secondary characters such as Waddington, Mother Superior, and Dorothy. Discuss how Kitty's idea of respect evolves throughout the novel, using specific textual examples of how this is manifested.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the point-of-view utilized by Maugham in The Painted Veil. As this was a deliberate choice, discuss why Maugham selected the view he did and what influences the point-of-view had on the development of themes. Make sure to use specific textual evidence to support your assertions.

(see the answer keys)

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