The Painted Veil · Chapter
LVII explained
In a sultry night, Walter returns late and suggests Kitty leave Mei-tan-fu for her safety, given her pregnancy.
What happens
In a sultry night, Walter returns late and suggests Kitty leave Mei-tan-fu for her safety, given her pregnancy. Kitty refuses, insisting on staying and continuing her work at the convent. They confront their past—Walter admits he initially wanted her to die, but she has thrived. Kitty feels indifferent toward Charlie Townsend and pities Walter. They agree to let the future take care of itself, acknowledging their failed marriage.
Themes in this chapter
Moral Awakening and Redemption
Kitty experiences a moral shift: she no longer cares about her affair with Townsend, feels pity for Walter, and finds purpose in her work at the convent, suggesting a path toward redemption.
Self-Deception and Truth
Walter admits his initial murderous intent, and Kitty confronts the truth of her loveless marriage and her own past self-deceptions about love and fidelity.
Suffering and Growth
Both characters have suffered—Walter from betrayal and guilt, Kitty from fear and isolation—yet Kitty feels strangely at peace and has grown in self-awareness and compassion.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Fane
Sits at the window, composed after weeping; refuses to leave Mei-tan-fu; feels pity for Walter and indifference toward Townsend; reflects on her pregnancy and the absurdity of marital fidelity.
- Walter Fane
Returns late, suggests Kitty leave for her safety; admits he initially wanted her to die; shows weariness and sensitivity; struggles with wounded vanity and the failure of their marriage.
- Charles Townsend
Mentioned in Kitty's thoughts; she now sees him as an abject fool and cannot recall his features; her love for him has entirely passed.
- Colonel Yü
Mentioned as the person Walter has spoken to about providing Kitty an escort if she leaves.
Key passages
“When death stood round the corner, taking lives like a gardener digging up potatoes, it was foolishness to care what dirty things this person or that did with his body.”
In the face of widespread death from cholera, worrying about sexual infidelity seems trivial and absurd.
Kitty reflects on the insignificance of her affair amid the epidemic.
“I think it's rather unfair to despise me so much because you made such a mistake in your judgment of me. It's not my fault that you were such an ass.”
You shouldn't hate me for your own poor judgment; I'm not responsible for your foolishness.
Kitty defends herself against Walter's contempt, pointing out his own role in their situation.
“We have made a dreadful hash of things, haven't we?”
We've completely ruined our marriage and our lives.
Walter acknowledges the mutual failure of their relationship.