The Painted Veil · Chapter
XL explained
Kitty crosses the river by sampan and is carried in a chair through the water-gate into a narrow, littered Chinese street.
What happens
Kitty crosses the river by sampan and is carried in a chair through the water-gate into a narrow, littered Chinese street. Waddington accompanies her, noting that business is at a standstill due to the cholera epidemic. They arrive at a small doorway marked by a cross, where a Chinese girl lets them in. Inside, Sister St. Joseph greets them with cheerful laughter, surprising Kitty, who had expected nuns to be grave.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, Kitty reaches an emotional and psychological peak by confronting her own shame and humility i…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Suffering and Growth
Kitty confronts the grim reality of the cholera-stricken streets, hinting at her moral awakening through exposure to suffering.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Fane
Kitty is carried through the water-gate and observes the desolate, stench-filled streets; she is surprised by Sister St. Joseph's merriment.
- Waddington
Waddington walks beside Kitty, comments on the halted business due to cholera, and introduces her to Sister St. Joseph.
- Sister St. Joseph
Sister St. Joseph, a plump, cheerful nun, greets Kitty and Waddington with laughter and speaks only French.
Key passages
“Of course all business is at a standstill. Under normal circumstances you have to fight your way through the coolies carrying loads up and down to the junks.”
Waddington explains that the cholera epidemic has brought commerce to a halt, whereas usually the streets would be crowded with workers.
Highlights the disruption caused by the epidemic.
“She had an idea that the religious were always grave and this sweet and childlike merriment touched her.”
Kitty had assumed nuns were always serious, so Sister St. Joseph's joyful demeanor moved her.
Shows Kitty's preconceptions being challenged.
