# LXXIX explained — The Painted Veil

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

## What happens

Kitty returns to her father's house in London after her mother's death. She finds her father, Bernard Garstin, trying to hide his relief at being free from his wife. Kitty visits her mother's body and reflects on their strained relationship, recognizing her mother's influence on her own character. Her sister Doris arrives, weeping dramatically, but Kitty feels unable to feign grief she does not feel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Deception and Truth

Bernard Garstin hides his relief at his wife's death, while Kitty confronts her own lack of grief and the truth of her mother's influence.

### Class and Social Status

Mrs. Garstin's lifelong ambition for social standing is shown as 'base and unworthy' in death, highlighting the emptiness of such pursuits.

## Character check-ins

### Kitty Fane

Returns home after her mother's death; reflects on her mother's influence and her own inability to grieve.

### Bernard Garstin

Kitty's father, now a widower, tries to conceal his relief at his wife's death.

### Mrs. Garstin

Deceased; Kitty views her body and reflects on her domineering, ambitious nature.

### Doris

Kitty's sister, who arrives weeping dramatically over their mother's death.

## Key lines

> He gave her his cheek to kiss in the manner she so well remembered.

Bernard offered his cheek for a kiss, a gesture Kitty recalled from their past.

_Illustrates the formal, distant relationship between Kitty and her father._

> She guessed at once what her father was trying to hide from her. It was relief he felt, an infinite relief, and he was frightened of himself.

Kitty immediately sensed that her father felt immense relief at his wife's death and was ashamed of that feeling.

_Highlights the theme of self-deception and the hidden truth of Bernard's emotions._

> She had schemed and intrigued all her life and never had she desired anything but what was base and unworthy.

Mrs. Garstin spent her life plotting and pursuing only low and unworthy goals.

_Reflects Kitty's critical view of her mother's ambitions and the theme of class and social status._

## Links

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