# LV explained — The Painted Veil

> Chapter companion for The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham.

## What happens

Kitty experiences a sudden illness at the convent, fearing she has contracted cholera. The Mother Superior and Sister St. Joseph quickly diagnose that she is pregnant, not ill. Kitty is shocked and ashamed, but the nuns reassure her that this is a natural and joyful event. She insists on returning to work but is sent home to rest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Growth

Kitty's fear of death from cholera gives way to the shock of pregnancy, forcing her to confront new realities.

### Self-Deception and Truth

Kitty had not considered the possibility of pregnancy, revealing her avoidance of the truth about her marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Kitty Fane

Kitty faints and vomits at the convent, fearing cholera, but learns she is pregnant.

### Mother Superior

The Mother Superior calmly diagnoses Kitty's condition and reassures her.

### Sister St. Joseph

Sister St. Joseph correctly identifies Kitty's pregnancy and shows affectionate excitement.

## Key lines

> But today she felt on a sudden desperately sick and with her head swimming she stood at a window trying to compose herself.

Kitty suddenly felt extremely nauseous and dizzy, struggling to steady herself at the window.

_Describes the onset of Kitty's illness at the convent._

> It is quite evident. Did the possibility of such a thing never occur to you? You are with child, my dear.

The Mother Superior tells Kitty that she is pregnant, a possibility she had never considered.

_Reveals the diagnosis of pregnancy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_painted_veil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters