The Painted Veil · Chapter
XXXVIII explained
Kitty ventures outside the compound for the first time since her arrival in Mei-tan-fu, accompanied by Waddington.
What happens
Kitty ventures outside the compound for the first time since her arrival in Mei-tan-fu, accompanied by Waddington. They encounter the body of a dead beggar, which deeply unsettles Kitty. During their walk to the archway on the hill, Waddington probes Kitty about her relationship with Walter, revealing his suspicion that she is afraid of her husband and that their marriage is strained. He also speaks of Walter's heroic efforts against the cholera epidemic, but questions Walter's motives for being there. Kitty deflects his inquiries with flippant remarks, but is visibly affected.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Growth
Kitty's encounter with death and her conversation with Waddington force her to confront the gravity of her situation, hinting at the beginning of a painful personal transformation.
Self-Deception and Truth
Kitty tries to maintain a facade of frivolity, but Waddington's probing exposes the truth of her unhappy marriage and her fear of Walter.
Sacrifice and Service
Waddington describes Walter's selfless work fighting the cholera epidemic, risking his life daily despite his personal turmoil.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Fane
Kitty is deeply shaken by the sight of the dead beggar and struggles with her emotions. She deflects Waddington's probing questions about her marriage with lighthearted remarks, but her fear and unhappiness are evident.
- Waddington
Waddington is perceptive and direct, questioning Kitty about her relationship with Walter and expressing concern for her well-being. He shows kindness beneath his ironic demeanor.
- Walter Fane
Walter is discussed by Waddington, who describes his heroic efforts against the cholera epidemic and his enigmatic behavior toward Kitty. Walter is not physically present in the chapter.
Key passages
“that malicious, ironical look in his bright eyes, but mingled with it, a shadow, like a tree standing at a river's edge and its reflection in the water, was an expression of singular kindliness.”
Waddington's eyes held a mix of mockery and genuine warmth, like a tree and its reflection in the water.
This describes Waddington's complex expression as he looks at Kitty with both irony and kindness.
“I don't think for a moment that you're in love with your husband. I think you dislike him, I shouldn't be surprised if you hated him. But I'm quite sure you're afraid of him.”
Waddington tells Kitty that he believes she is not in love with Walter, but rather dislikes or even hates him, and is certainly afraid of him.
Waddington directly confronts Kitty about her true feelings toward Walter.
“If any man single-handed can put a stop to this frightful epidemic he's going to do it. He's doctoring the sick, cleaning the city up, trying to get the drinking water pure.”
Waddington praises Walter's tireless efforts to combat the cholera epidemic, including treating the sick and improving sanitation.
Waddington describes Walter's heroic work in Mei-tan-fu.