# LXXVII explained — The Painted Veil

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

## What happens

Kitty, determined to flee Hong Kong, secures passage on the first ship out and begins packing her belongings. Charles Townsend confronts her, attempting to reconcile and questioning the paternity of her unborn child. Kitty vehemently rejects him, expressing deep shame and self-loathing for their affair, and insists the child is Walter's.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Deception and Truth

Kitty confronts the truth of her own degradation and the animalistic nature of her affair, while Townsend continues to deceive himself about the significance of their relationship.

### Moral Awakening and Redemption

Kitty experiences a moral awakening, disowning her past actions and seeking to escape her shame, though her path to redemption remains uncertain.

## Character check-ins

### Kitty Fane

Kitty is determined to flee Hong Kong, feeling degraded and disgusted by her affair with Townsend. She secures a ship passage and packs her belongings, rejecting Townsend's advances and insisting her child is Walter's.

### Charles Townsend

Townsend confronts Kitty about her sudden departure, attempts to downplay the affair, and questions whether he is the father of her child. He shows vanity and a desire to maintain control over her.

### Walter Fane

Walter is deceased, but his presence looms over Kitty's thoughts and the packing of his belongings. Kitty insists the child is his, contrasting with Townsend's claims.

### Dorothy Townsend

Dorothy is kind and supportive, offering help to Kitty and informing her of the ship's departure. She remains unaware of the affair's continuation.

## Key lines

> I feel absolutely degraded. You can’t possibly despise me as much as I despise myself.

Kitty expresses profound self-loathing and shame over her affair with Townsend.

_This highlights her moral awakening and rejection of her past actions._

> I would rather kill myself than have a child of yours.

Kitty vehemently denies Townsend's paternity and rejects any connection to him.

_Shows her determination to sever ties with Townsend and assert the child is Walter's._

## Links

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