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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. Who is the first person to suppose that Kitty is expecting?

2. Why doesn't Kitty tell Mother Superior about her unhappiness and its cause?

3. What French delicacy does Mother Superior serve Kitty during tea?

4. What abruptly awakens Kitty during her first night in Mei-tan-fu?

5. Where is Walter buried?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What one thing does Kitty desire to do for Walter?

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

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

7. What does Sister St. Joseph think about Waddington?

8. When Kitty asks Waddington about immortality, what is his response?

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

In the novel Waddington makes a statement that he enjoys talking to Kitty because,"you (Kitty) and I (Waddington) are the only people here who walk quite quietly and peaceably on solid ground. The nuns walk in heaven and your husband-- in darkness." Explain what Waddington meant by this statement. Do you believe that this is an accurate analogy of the characters. Why or why not?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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