The Painted Veil · Chapter
XXXIX explained
Waddington tells Kitty about the Mother Superior and the convent in Mei-tan-fu, describing the remarkable French nuns who have sacrificed everything to serve in the epidemic.
What happens
Waddington tells Kitty about the Mother Superior and the convent in Mei-tan-fu, describing the remarkable French nuns who have sacrificed everything to serve in the epidemic. He conveys the Mother Superior's invitation for Kitty to visit the convent, and Kitty agrees to go.
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
- Sacrifice and Service
Waddington describes the nuns' lifelong sacrifice, leaving France forever to serve the poor and sick in Mei-tan-fu.
- East vs. West
The convent is described as 'a little bit of France' in the midst of a Chinese city, highlighting the cultural and geographical divide.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Fane
Kitty listens to Waddington's description of the convent and agrees to visit.
- Waddington
Waddington speaks admiringly of the Mother Superior and the nuns, and delivers the invitation to Kitty.
- Mother Superior
The Mother Superior is described as a remarkable woman from a great French family; she invites Kitty to the convent.
- Walter Fane
Waddington suggests that the nuns have unbounded admiration for Walter.
Key passages
“The Mother Superior is a very remarkable woman. The Sisters tell me that she belongs to one of the greatest families in France, but they won’t tell me which; the Mother Superior, they say, doesn’t wish it to be talked of.”
Waddington tells Kitty that the Mother Superior is an extraordinary woman from a noble French family, though the nuns keep her background secret at her request.
Waddington's admiration for the Mother Superior's humility and character.
“When they leave France they leave it forever. They’re not like the Protestant missionaries who have a year’s leave every now and then. I always think that must be the hardest thing of all.”
Waddington notes that unlike Protestant missionaries who get periodic furloughs, these nuns make a permanent sacrifice by leaving their homeland forever.
Highlights the theme of sacrifice and the emotional cost of service.
