# Mother Superior — The Painted Veil character guide > Mother Superior in The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mother, the Mother Superior, The Mother Superior, the Superior **First appearance:** 0038-xxxvi ## Snapshot The grave, commanding head of the Mei-tan-fu convent, whose austere charity and quiet authority unsettle Kitty into seeing herself plainly. ## Who they are The Mother Superior runs the convent and its orphanage with a discipline that is both tender and absolute, and her presence makes Kitty feel like an awkward schoolgirl. She is a woman of deep faith and human tolerance, capable of a grave smile at Waddington's nonsense, yet she holds even those she likes at a certain distance. Her example of self-forgetful service becomes the standard against which Kitty measures her own smallness during the epidemic. ## Relationships ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _professional_ A respectful mentor-student relationship where Mother Superior guides Kitty toward selflessness and spiritual growth in the convent. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _professional_ A respectful professional relationship based on mutual admiration for their work during the cholera epidemic. ### [Waddington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/waddington) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ### [Doris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/doris) _social_ A minimal, indirect acquaintance through Kitty's reports of the convent. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _professional_ A respectful mentor-student relationship where Mother Superior guides Kitty toward selflessness and spiritual growth in the convent. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _professional_ A respectful mentor-student relationship where Mother Superior guides Kitty toward selflessness and spiritual growth in the convent. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _professional_ A respectful professional relationship based on mutual admiration for their work during the cholera epidemic. ### [Waddington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/waddington) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ### [Waddington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/waddington) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ## In the story ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxix) The Mother Superior is described as a remarkable woman from a great French family; she invites Kitty to the convent. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xli) The Mother Superior is described as a woman of authority and Christian charity, with a grave smile and a lively sense of the ridiculous. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlii) Guides Kitty through the convent, showing her the work being done and the suffering caused by cholera. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xliii) Leads the tour of the chapel, discusses the miraculous statue and the altarpiece, and praises Walter's work. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlv) Portrayed with great dignity, authority, and saintly humility; her aloofness makes Kitty feel like a stranger. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlviii) The Mother Superior grieves the loss of Sister St. Francis Xavier but eventually agrees to let Kitty assist, demonstrating her authority and compassion. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlix) Assigns Kitty to care for smaller children and supervise sewing; Kitty stands in awe of her. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/l) Speaks to Kitty about chapel attendance, allows her freedom to choose, and is described as tragic and austere. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/li) Dominates the convent with her personality; of noble French lineage; planned and supervised the convent's construction. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lii) Interrupts the children's game, compliments Kitty's beauty, and gently reminds her that beauty is a gift of God. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/liii) Mentioned as insisting Kitty must rest on Sundays, allowing her to take the day off. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/liv) Referenced indirectly through the nuns; Kitty feels a wall between herself and them. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lv) The Mother Superior calmly diagnoses Kitty's condition and reassures her. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lix) The Mother Superior shows maternal tenderness toward Kitty, praising Walter as a saint and encouraging Kitty to love him. She sits with Kitty in the evenings and speaks warmly of her. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lx) The Mother Superior shares her personal story of deciding to enter religious life, revealing her past struggles and her current serene devotion. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxi) Kitty considers confessing to the Mother Superior but fears her judgment. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxvii) Greets Kitty warmly, praises her courage, and assigns her tasks at the convent. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxviii) The Mother Superior firmly but kindly insists Kitty must leave for her own good, and later gives her a parcel and a blessing. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/mother_superior - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters