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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 was Mother Superior's first name before she became a nun?

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

4. How does Mother Superior treat Kitty since the discovery of her pregnancy?

5. What job is Kitty given at the convent?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Waddington describe Walter?

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

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

4. How does Kitty describe the city of Mei-tan-fu as she is carried to Walter's deathbed?

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

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

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

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

9. How does Waddington describe Dorothy Townsend?

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

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

At the conclusion of the novel Kitty emerges a very different character from the way she is portrayed in the beginning. Through the development of her character is Maugham setting forth a moral or just bringing up different themes? Take one standpoint and defend your assertions with textual evidence.

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