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Homereading Guide To
W. Somerset Maugham's
The Painted Veil!



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3
Preface
William Somerset Maugham was born in 1874 in Paris, where his father, a
prosperous lawyer, was attached to the British Embassy, and lived there until he was
ten. After the deaths of both his parents (his mother died in 1882, father - in 1884) he
came to England to be brought up by his uncle. Willy undoubtedly was in great
isolation and wholly depended upon the will of his uncle and aunt for his well-being.
It was the bitter lesson of economic dependence that played a dominant role in his
decision to make himself and start earning money.
He was educated at King's School, Canterbury, united by long tradition to the
Cathedral. But Willy was not yet ready to accept a new lifestyle, so for a while his
education proceeded under the supervision of his uncle and aunt, whose world was
narrowly restricted and governed by astonishingly powerful taboos and conventions -
a kind of microcosm of late Victorian England. At school he had very few friends and
was alone most of the time. Another reason for that was his stammer. Its effect on the
child prevented his speech from keeping up with a precaucious rapidity of his mind.
There could not have been a stronger stimulus to turn to writing as a source of self-
expression.
After school William traditionally went to university. One of the critics said:
"We may be sure that Oxford or Cambridge would have produced an impressive
William Somerset Maugham, but the one who was to make a contribution to
literature began to emerge at Heidelberg University in Germany". He spent a year at
Heidelberg and afterwards returned to London (1897). William enrolled at
St.Thomas's Hospital. "I do not know a better training for a writer, Maugham wrote
in The Summing Up, "than spending a few years in a medical profession". Some of
his hospital experience is reflected in his first masterpieces.
Besides being a doctor and a writer he worked for the British intelligence
service in Geneva during the 1914-18 war, and then was sent to Russia in 1917 to try
to prevent the Bolshevik Revolution and keep Russia in the war. His efforts did not
meet with success. The world of espionage is commonly portrayed in fiction as
4

romantic and exciting: it appeared to Maugham as dull routine devoid not only
of glamour but even of humanity.
His first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), was very successful, and he
established a high reputation as a writer (being just 21). He also enjoyed great success
in the theatre writing plays. The sales of his books reached forty million and in
consequence he became not merely a famous writer but a very rich man. At the age of
85 he said that he had done just about everything he wanted to do, seen everything he
wanted to see, and had nearly every experience a man was capable of having.
Indeed the impression, which the reader forms of Somerset Maugham from his
stories, is of a man who has been everywhere and known people of all classes creeds
and races; who has no illusions or prejudices; whom nothing shocks. Yet he is always
focused on the strangeness of human behaviour! What an odd phenomenon is love,
for example! This theme often prevails among others in his stories. On the one hand,
it can make us happy and eager to perfect ourselves. However, love can cause
unbearable suffering and make our life painful and lonely. Trained as a doctor, he
observes clinically the sufferings of the human race, yet he prescribes no cure. He
views his characters with cool objectivity: they are to change their lives by
themselves.
Somerset Maugham's style is quite approachable and direct. The reader rarely
pauses at a memorable or striking phrase, for it is not the effect the author seeks. He
tries to create the impression of a storyteller talking naturally and easily, rather than a
"great writer creating literature": hence his sentence-construction, which is not too
complicated. His vocabulary is fairly conventional: he uses hackneyed phrases,
colloquialisms and slang not only in the dialogue but also in the narrative prose.
Since his early days he took great trouble to develop a style to suit his natural gifts. "I
knew, he wrote, "that I should never write as well as I could wish, but I thought that I
must aim at lucidity, simplicity and euphony. I have put these three qualities in the
order of the importance I assigned to them". The result for the reader is that it is very
easy to understand what he meant.
5

This guide is concerned with one of his well-known novels called "The Painted
Veil" (1925). W.S Maugham wrote: "I think this is the only novel I have written in
which I started from a story rather than from a character. It is difficult to explain the
relation between character and plot. You cannot very well think of a character in the
void; the moment you think of him, you think of him in some situation, doing
something; so that the character and at least his principal action seem to be the result
of a simultaneous act of the imagination. But in this case the characters were chosen
to fit the story I gradually evolved; they were constructed from persons I had long
known in different circumstances".
So what does it tell us about? It mirrors life of top people of that time,
highlighting their vulgarity, snobbery and cynicism. Their life was a stage where they
were playing the right roles and wearing the right masks. Right with a capital R, too.
We meet Charlie Townsend, the Assistant Colonial Secretary at Hong Kong, and his
wife, Dorothy. They were a "beautiful couple". The Right couple. Whatever happens,
they will not show emotion. No one should even guess the problem they have. For the
sake of public opinion they will ruin other people's lives. Take for example, Kitty
Fane's one, the wife of a colonial bacteriologist. Charlie had an affair with her that
resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Being absolutely sure in his support and love she
is ready to sacrifice everything she has for this man. As it turns out, the only treasure
she has is her husband - Walter Fane.
The nagging question of all times "What do we live for?" arises in this novel as
well. W. S. Maugham suggests his answer - to justify ourselves we have to work hard
to be useful for other people and perform good deeds simply to make the world
beautiful. Walter Fane is all of that: honest, intelligent, a real gentleman, he would
prefer to look silly himself rather than make somebody feel uneasy. This man has
lived a beautiful life which can be called the Art of Life.
This story is about his obsession with his wife Kitty, about a struggle with himself
and an attempt to overcome it. There is a turning point when Walter discovers the

6

affair and insists on Kitty's accompanying him upon a dangerous mission to a
small Chinese town. They are both in grave danger as the place is cholera stricken.
Since then we observe the way Kitty changes; she comes to understand Charlie
Townsend's real nature and feels ashamed of having been so blind. At last she is able
to see the "real beauty" of a person and learns the difference between illusion and
reality.
All in all, in this powerful novel William Somerset Maugham depicts again the
dilemmas and predicaments of men and women who confuse love with passion.
By Pivovarova L.





























7

Introductory Unit

Answer the questions of the Quiz:
1) ...```````.. was a famous novelist and a talented storyteller.
a) W.Sunset Mougham; b) W.Somerset Maugham; c) W.Summer Mauhgam;

2) His father was a ................ .
a) lawyer; b) layer; c) lier;

3) He lived in .................... until he was ten.
a) parish; b) Paris; c) Parity;

4) After his parent's death his ........ took Willy to London.
a) aunt and uncle; b) aunt and ankle; c) ant and grasshopper;

5) He was educated at ...................., ......................... .
a) King's School, Canterbury; b) Kind's School, Canterbury; c) Kid's School,
Canterbury;

6) He spent a year at .................. and afterwards returned to London.
a) Helldelberg; b) Heidelberg; c) Heavenberg;

7) At St.Thomas's Hopital Somerset Maugham got a ......................... experience that
is reflected in his first masterpieces.
a) hostage; b) hospitality; c) hospital.

8) Apart from being a doctor and a writer he also served in Geneva as a .................. .
a) Estate agent; b) British agent; c) Chemical agent.

9) The sales of his books reached forty millions and he became not merely a famous
writer but a very .................. .
a) reach man; b) super man; c) rich man;

10) Yet in his novels he is constantly focused on the ................. of human behaviour!
a) beauty; b) strangeness; c) standards;

11) This guide is focused on one of his well-known novels called ............... .
a) "The Painted Veil"; b) "The Painted Van"; c) "The Painted Ale".

12) At the end of this quiz you are in a good mood and ready to ................ .
a) work hard this lesson; b) follow all the tasks in the guide; c) promise yourself to
love W.S. Maugham. (more than one answer is possible!)

8

Unit 1 Chapters I-V

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Give an account of the course of events in ch. I-V.
2. Introduce the main characters: Walter and Kitty Fane, Charles and Dorothy
Townsend.

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find words and phrases describing emotions (ch.1).
2. Find words related to the place and time which give the narration its colonial
colouring.
3. Find sentences where afeet and shoeb terms are used; a shoe horn, to be on the
tight side, to go in onebs bare feet, to lace a shoe.
4. Find in the text and translate the following into Russian:

pull yourself together
youbll get round him
be off with you
to get you out of it
ingratiating smile
how unfortunate to be called Dorothy
it dated you
be treated like dirt
to put up the back of the Assistant Secretary
to sit tight

5. Translate the following into English and/or find in the text:

(&,%<37 01- (2)
)&$":+)7/1)(&=&\)<
1@&,+07?
1 -"%< ")37 R&6&>. %. (6"!.@
c3& 3&R& )3&+6&
&%. %.>&,+6. %. %"R& )-":3"67%14 )=1=1
%.(1)=.37 %. )"$< >.N%&)37
)-+:+37)< ) O.=3&-
$:&)+37 (:.>,1 > 6+5&


9

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY


to take to dinner - to lead a lady to a dinner table
to be/come in for something - to be exposed for something unpleasant
to put/set somebody's back up - to annoy someone

DISCUSSION

1. Comment on a quotation from Percy B. Shelly's sonnet used as an epigraph ' `
the painted veil which those who live call life.' and discuss the contrast
between the solemn grandeur of the epigraph and the comical scene of a trivial
adultery which opens the book.
Is adultery time, place or culture-dependent?

2. 'From a social standpoint the man of science doesn't exist' ( Ch.IV)

Do you agree? Has the attitude to science changed ever since?


HOMEWORK: Ch. VI-X
Translate into Russian: 'Mrs.Garstin was a hard` She
made much of promising politicians' (Ch.VI)




















10



Unit 2 Chapters VI-X

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Describe the main characters:

Mrs.Garstin Mr.Garstin

Kitty

Water Fane Doris

Collect all character adjectives and select two key adjectives for each of
the above. Compare your ideas.

Present the translation of the passage which introduces Mrs. Garstin.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Why did Mrs. Garstin set her hopes on her daughters?
2. Why did Mr. Garstin refuse to take silk?
3. For what reason did Kitty marry Walter?
4. Why was Doris supposed to crow over Kitty?

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find in the text and translate the following into Russian:

to cultivate people
she made much of promising politicians
they had long outstripped him
a bird in hand is worth two in the bush
to lead a dog's life
immediate circle
small talk/chit-chat
to set her standards a little lower
to play one off the other
wouldn't fail to crow over her

2. Translate the following into English and/or find in the text:
11

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&%. 67)3+6. )"$"
B. (&65"%?
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(:+%+-.37 =.= ,&6N%&"
1(1)3+37 )>&\ 0.%)
1@>.3+37)< B. )61!.\
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>&B6.R.37 %.,"N,?
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3. Using your dictionaries draw a distinction between 'lawyer', 'barrister',
'solicitor' and 'counsel'.

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to take silk - to become a King's/Queen's Counsel
to be called to the Bar - to become a barrister
pusillanimous - cowardly and week


HOMEWORK: Ch. XI-XY
Translate into Russian:
'But Kitty was a beauty`
`but a brilliant one'
(Character description) (Ch.YIII)














12

Unit 3 Chapters XI-XI

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Give a brief account of the events described in Ch. XI-XY.

2. Present the passage for translation from Ch.YIII which is centered on the main
female character e Kitty.
Is it important that she is beautiful?

3. Answer the questions:

Why did Kitty speak with her tongue in her chick when she answered Walter's
questions about the place they were going for the summer?

Speak on Kitty's motives for her marrying Walter Fane.

What made Kitty feel a sudden sympathy for her betrayed husband?
Find a metaphor revealing how she felt about the situation.
What is the difference between a metaphor and a similie? Which is more
effective and why? Give examples of your own.

4. Go back to the star-shaped diagram with Kitty in the centre (Unit 3).
Describe one more person - Charles Townsend and complete the diagram.
Similarly, select a key character adjective for Charlie.

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find and translate into Russian:

bury oneself in the country
you could knock me down with a feather
I think I'll improve on acquaintance
it would put her on the shelf
it's raining cats and dogs
he had no charm
was in the mood
Kitty was on the defensive
he is far and away the best bridge player
raging beauty
red tape

13

2. Translate into English and/or find in the text:

R&>&:+37 %.)-"06+>&, ) +:&%+"\
%.,"6.37 01-./(:&+B>")3+ )"%).5+4
,"3)=+\ 6"("3
$:.!%?" &3%&0"%+<
(6&@& &(6.!+>."-.< :.$&3.
&=.B.37 1)61R1

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

bear down on/upon - to come towards forcefully and threateningly at
speed
to be better turned out - to be dressed better
to insinuate - to suggest (something unpleasant) indirectly

DISCUSSION

'If nobody spoke unless he had something to say, the human race would very
soon lose the use of speech' (Ch. XII)


Do you agree? Do you like chatty people or people who are mysteriously
silent? Which category is easier to deal with? Are you a chatter-box by any chance?


HOMEWORK: Ch. XYI e XX
Translate into Russian:
Her happiness, sometimes almost more`
`a raging beauty'
(Character description), Ch. XYI











14
Unit 4 Chapters XYI XX

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Retell your favourite episode.

2. What was Charliebs idea of a healthy diet?
Whatbs yours? Are you diet-conscious?

3. Howbs Charlie described? Enumerate his accomplishments.

4. How did Kitty understand that Walter knew everything? What was
Charliebs immediate reaction to Walterbs assumed knowing of everything?

5. What was Kittybs idea of settling the matter? Find a sustained metaphor.

6. Present the home translation passage from Ch. 3.

VOCABULARY WORK

1. To revise new vocabulary items from Unit 3 answer a few personal
questions:

Are you a good mixer?
What might knock you down with a feather?
Would you enjoy playing one person off another?
What do we call asilly detailed unnecessary official rules that
delay actionb

2. Find English variants for:
(in order of appearance)

&%. $6"=6./1><,.6.
(:+6.R.37 >)" 1)+6+<
c3& >)" &$-.%/$6"O
&% )&)3&<6 +B )(6&0%?@ ,&)3&+%)3>
>+,"37)< 1=:.,=&\
"\ $?6& %.(6">.37 %. %"R&
=&-1 %1N"% $:+,N?
3? >?R6<,+07 +B-1!"%%&\/1)3.6&\

(":"3:<@+>.37 R:<B%&" $"67" %. 64,<@
>&\3+ > (&6&N"%+" ,:1R&R& !"6&>"=.
15
%" (:",)3.>6<37 )&$&\ %+!"R& &)&$"%%&R&
,&=&(.37)< ,& )13+

3. A person who discourages others or prevents them from enjoying themselves
is called a wet blanket. There is a range of English idioms connected with
different stereotypes of people. Can you guess who is who?

a couch potato
a fair weather friend
a stuffed shirt
a nosy parker
a rolling stone
a3new broom
an armchair critic
a wolf in sheepbs clothing

Do you know more? Which of the above human types is the most/least
unpleasant or just tolerable?

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to throw oneself away on somebody e waste onebs time, love, etc.
to speak at length e to use many words, in great detail
to be thrust upon somebody e to be given forcefully and suddenly

DISCUSSION

Could you predict the development of events at this point?


HOMEWORK: Ch. XXII e XXYII
Translate into Russian:
aI had no illusions about you`
`I was prepared to receive as a husbandb
(Monologue), Ch. XXIII.






Unit 5 Chapters XXII - XXYII
16

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Outline the events in Ch. XXII e XXYII without going into detail.

2. Answer the questions:

What kind of place is Mei-tan-fu?
What was Walterbs plan?
Was Walter as patient and quiet as you had thought him to be?
Did he judge Charles Townsend accurately?

3. Dramatise and act Ch. XXIII presenting it as a conversation between
Kitty and Walter and omitting the authorbs words. Comment on it.

4. Walter with his analytical mind of a scientist and wounded pride of
A betrayed husband preferred to expose Kitty to a calculated disillusion.
Support or disprove on the basis of ch. XXIV e XXVI.

5. Who lost the love battle?

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Present your Russian versions of Walterbs monologue in ch. XXXIII.
What vocabulary and syntactic means make it so emotional?

2. Translate into Russian and/or find in the text:

an agreeable companion
board and lodging
I shall file my petition
gather the sense
what on earth
to recover onebs nerve
subservient to all her whims
it gave her a little turn to realize
married him for convenience
she could have met violence with violence
therebs no time like the present
I donbt want a row but we canbt take it lying down

itbs a scrape webve got into
itbs quite out of the question
I should make it a clean breast
17
itbs a damned soft job to be a Colonial Governor
I donbt stand a dogbs chance
I canbt make head or tail of what you are saying
I havenbt turned a hair
Itbs Hobsonbs choice, isnbt it?
She welcomed the humiliation

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to square somebody e to pay or settle dishonestly
to crumple up at something- to lose the strength or will to fight

DISCUSSION

Who said that and in what connection? Comment on the statements:

aWounded vanity can make a woman more vindictive than a lioness
robbed of her cubsb

aTherebs no time like the presentb

aI know that every man has his priceb

aOne can be very much in love with a woman without wishing to spend
the rest of onebs life with herb

aThe best way to understand a man is to put yourself in his shoesb



HOMEWORK: Ch. XXVIII e XXXIII
Translate into Russian:
aShe awoke with a start`
`the wafer which is Godb
(Landscape), ch. XXVIII)







18
Unit 6 Chapters XXVIII - XXXIII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. What happened in ch. XXVIII e XXXIII? Give a brief account of the events.

2. Comment on Kittybs situation and Walterbs behaviour.

3. Describe and attempt an initial characterization of a new character e
Waddington, the Deputy Commissioner in Mei-tan-fu.

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Mini memory test.
Whatbs the English for:

3"(":7 ).-&" (&,@&,<_"" >:"-<
-? (&(.6+ > B.3:1,%+3"67%&" (&6&N"%+"
%" -&R1 :.B&$:.37)<
c3& %">&B-&N%&
>?$&: (&%">&6"/>?%1N,"%%?\ >?$&:

2. Find in the text:

1=:?37)<
$:&)+37 %. (:&+B>&6 )1,7$?
"" B.)3.6+ >:.)(6&@
&%. $?6. "-1 $"B:.B6+!%.
,.37 >&64 ()6"B.-)
"\ $?6& %"B.!"- N+37
(:&(.)37, :.B,"6<4_.< +@
,6< %"R& &%. $?6. >)"-
>?N,.37 (&,@&,<_+\ -&-"%3
)&$:.37)< ) ,1@&-
1 C.) :.$&3? $1,"3 (& R&:6&

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to bide onebs time e to wait for a long time, until the right moment
to someone/something justice e to treat in a fair or proper way;

To get the best results from
19
to break (the news) e to (cause to) come suddenly into being or notice

DISCUSSION

1. Comment on the significance of Kittybs dream (Ch. XXXIII). Is it symbolic/
prophetic?

2. Present the translated passage from ch. XXXIII. Is it equally important? Can
an empty-headed second-rate frivolous woman cry at the sight of absolute
Beauty? How does this fact characterize Kitty? Is there a ray of hope for this
shattered woman?

HOMEWORK: Ch. XXXIV e XXXVIII































20


Unit 7 Chapters XXXIV - XXXVIII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Why Kittybs plans to go away from Mei-tan-fu were unreal?
2. Describe Charlie as seen through by Waddington. What was Kittybs reaction to
Waddingtonbs moral portrayal of Charlie?
3. Characterise Walter as portrayed by Waddington.
4. What kind of person was Waddington apart from being a funny old boy?
5. Retell the incident with salad and comment on it.
6. How shrewd was Waddington,b judgement on Walter and Kittybs relations?
Comment on Waddingtonbs remark : aIt interests me to see you together. I
sometimes wonder how you behave when youbre alone. When Ibm there youbre
are acting, both of you, and acting damned badly, by George. Youbd rather
`.get thirty bob a week in a touring company if thatbs the best you can dob

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find and translate the following into Russian:

robbed of its mystery
the dread grip of the pestilence
doesnbt give a damn for anyone but himself
puts on no frills
I will give him that credit
who fall to Charlie
carried his liquor well
to speak his mind
hebs got Colonel Yu in his pocket

2. Translate into English and/or find the following in the text:

&3,.37)< %. -+6&)37
&@>.!"%%.< <:&)374
(&=:.)%"37 &3 )3?,.
c3& "R& &$?!%?" (:+"-?/0.$6&%%?" 16&>=+
c3& %" > !"6&>"!")=+@ )+6.@
%+B=&" =&>.:)3>&
N.,"% ,& 6")3+
)3&<37 %. 3>":,&\ (&!>"

21
(+_. ,6< :.B-?06"%+\
=B.+R:?>.< )& )-":374

-&6<3)< %. %"R&
"\ $&R1/!")3%&" )6&>&


CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to dash off - to do quickly and without serious attention
to fall to somebody - to fall in love

DISCUSSION

1. Comment on the following: aShe wished to despise him because so long as
she only hated him she knew that she was very near loving himb (ch.XXXVI)
2. Comment on Waddingtonbs remark: a`you and I are the only people here
who walk quite quietly and peacefully on solid ground. The nuns walk in
heaven and your husband e in darkness.b What did he mean?
3. Wherebs the first direct reference to the title of the novel?
4. Speaking not ironically, is a wifebs place always by her husbandbs side?
(ch. XXXVIII)


HOMEWORK: Ch. XXXIX e XLIII
Translate into Russian:
aIt has been a great pleasure`Only
foolishness.b (narration)
(ch. XLIII)















22


Unit 8 Chapters XXXIX - XLIII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Give a short summary of each chapter.
2. Answer the following questions:

How are the English and French different in their attachment to the native
country? What about you? Would you feel comfortable outside Russia?
What levels of speaking a foreign language are mentioned in ch. XL?
Were you impressed by a new character e the Mother Superior? Describe her
in full detail and select one or two key character adjectives portraying her.
Do you find the statement a`this was a woman whose beauty, depending on
character, had grown with advancing yearsb paradoxical?
How did Kitty feel in aanother world situated neither in place nor in timeb?
What made her cry in the final episode of ch.XLIII? Support your answer with
your home translation.

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find and translate the following into Russian:

to ask an indiscrete question
she can impress with awe
inoffensive way
lost all sense of direction
smile hovered upon her lips
look of approval
in the Chinese fashion
gained a peculiar savour from the circumstances
it takes their minds off the danger


2. What is the difference between sewing, hemming and stitching? (ch. XLII)

3. Translate Waddingtonbs witticism into Russian: aI can say that at all events I
never drink except to an excess.b

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

a mite - a small child, especially one for whom one feels sorry
23

to bundle out - to make leave in a rough manner
to retrace onebs steps - to go back exactly the way one has come

DISCUSSION

Can you trace a racist touch in Kittybs perception of orphaned Chinese children at the
convent? (ch. XLII)? Was that the first display of a white manbs arrogance in the
novel? ( go back to ch. XXXVI).


HOMEWORK: Ch. XLIV - XLVIII
Find 10 interesting and/or useful
expressions to be remembered






























24



Unit 9 Chapters XLIV - XLVIII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Give a brief account of the events in ch. XLIV e XLVIII

2. Answer the following questions:

How did Kitty feel in aanother world situated strangely neither in space
nor in timeb?
What was the reason for Kittybs contempt for herself?
Was Kitty accepted at athe garden of spiritb? If not, why?
Speak on Kittybs failed attempt to reconcile with her husband.
What was Kittybs diagnosis concerning Walter? How was she accurate?
Can you share Kittybs impatience with Walter? Find an impressive
sustained metaphor explaining her feelings.
What trouble reduced the Mother Superior to tears?
What were Kittybs points for working in the convent?

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Share and pool home selected expressions (10).

2. Find all nouns and adjectives which characterize the Mother Superior.
Present some of them in contrasting pairs reflecting her deep and
complex nature.

e.g. condescention - humility
austerity e gentleness, etc.

3. Find a modified version of the English proverb aEvery cloud has a silver
liningb. How are they different?
Can you think of any corresponding Russian sayings?

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to look to - to depend on
to throttle out - to seize by the throat to stop breathing


25


DISCUSSION

1. Comment on the Mother Superiorbs words: aOne cannot find peace in work or
in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in onebs soulb. (Ch. XLVIII)

2. Kitty seems to be at the starting point of her long way towards spiritual
regeneration, doesnbt she?


HOMEWORK: Ch. XLIX e LIII
Translate into Russian:
aKitty had a queer feeling`
Oh, the relief and sense of liberation!b
(Ch. LII)




























26



Unit 10 Chapters XLIX - LIII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Retell ch. XLIX e LIII without going into too many details.

2. Answer the questions:

What were Kittybs duties at the convent? What unexpected talents did she
have? What were her relationships with the children?
Are you prepared to deal with the children or handicapped professionally?

3. Speak on the early activities of the convent and closely related life story
of one of the sisters.

4. What was wrong with Waddingtonbs morals?

5. What was Kitty cured of? Present the translated passage from ch.LII and
comment on it.

6. What is the symbolic significance of Kitty and Waddingtonbs visit to
a Buddhist monastery?

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find and translate the following into Russian:

bantering tones
to surrender to her instincts
she forced her lips into a smile
she didnbt dislike a bit of scandal
the pranks I used to play
a wayward child
once they were in such straits
she loves him to distraction
it is very wicked of him

2. Find the following acare expressionsb in the text (Ch. XLIX):

to keep an eye on somebody
to be in charge of somebody
27
to take care of somebody

to give into somebodybs care
Do you know more?

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to lead on - to influence into doing something they shouldnbt do
on sufferance - with permission, though not welcomed
top heavy - not properly balanced because of too much weight at the top

DISCUSSION

aBeautiful people spark a subconscious brain reaction, which is long remembered
though not self-dependent`b
TV programme
aBeauty is ` a gift of God, one of the most rare and precious, and we should be
thankful if we are happy enough to possess it and thankful, if we are not, that others
possess it for our pleasure.b (Ch. LII)

Who do these citations refer to?
Is life easier for beautiful people?


HOMEWORK: Ch. LIV - LVII



















28



Unit 11 Chapters LIV - LVII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Answer the questions:

Why was there a wall between Kitty and the nuns? How did she explain?

Tell the love story of the Manchu princess and Waddington. Why was Kitty so
attracted by that alien love?

What kind of unforeseen discovery did Kitty make? Were you possibly able
to predict the situation?

A single positive answer to a very natural question might have settled a big problem.
What question was asked?

Why did Kitty have to tell the truth? What was Walterbs reaction?

Why did Kitty pity Walter?

Do you understand the reasons for Kittybs refusal to leave Mei-tan-fu?

Did Walter admit his intention to kill Kitty by bringing her to a cholera-stricken
place?

What do you think of Kittybs unspoken suggestion to be friends with Walter?

Comment on Walterbs words: aLet the future take care of itself.b (Ch. LVII).

VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find a deeply philosophical sustained metaphor in ch. LIV which is divided
into 3 parts by an equally meaningful and interesting dialogue.

2. Translate the following into English and/or find in the text (in order of
appearance):

&%. $:&)+6./B.$?6. >)"
,10. N.N,"3 %"+B>")3%&R&
$?6+ 3>":,& 1>":"%?
29
B.:.B+37)</(&,5"(+37 $&6"B%7

-"%< %" &$-.%"07 > 3.=+@ ,"6.@
,.4 !")3%&" )6&>&
>?+R:.37 >:"-<
$:&)+37 > 6+5& 1(:"=
%.06. -")3& ,6< N.6&)3+
(:&)3+6 )1(:1N")=14 %">":%&)37

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to put oneself out - to take trouble to help
not to matter a rap/straw - of no importance

DISCUSSION

Comment on Kittybs words: aBut itbs loving thatbs the important thing, not being
loved. Onebs not even grateful to the people who love one; if one doesnbt love them,
they only bore one.b Do you agree?


HOMEWORK: Ch. LVIII e LXII
Translate into Russian:
aKitty shook hands with her`
`the breeding of uncounted centuriesb
(Character description) (Ch. LVIII)


















30




Unit 12 Chapters LVIII LXII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Answer the following questions:

Do you think it was possible for Waddington to resist the Manchu ladybs love and
devotion? Is it natural to love an idol, or as Kitty put it, aa phantomb?
What was Kittybs reason for seeing her? What impression does this exotic woman
produce on you?

Comment on the new interest the nuns and the Mother Superior took in Kitty. Find a
similie showing the Mother Superiorbs new attitude.

What was Kittybs only desire in her new condition? Was she on the verge of some
break-through in her relations with Walter?

What was the Mother Superiorbs most memorable day? Could you devote your life to
religion?

Look for one more similie in the most reflective of all chapters set for homework
(Ch. LXI). What does it have to do with the atmosphere of this chapter.

Do you remember the stylistic device of suspense? How does it work in ch. LXII?
Was the time of the event calculated precisely?


VOCABULARY WORK

1. Describe the Manchu princess in Russian (home translation). Find at least 10
adjectives making the image very special.

2. Translate the following into Russian:

haphazard sojourn
it offends my taste
the hint of a smile
it (the Way) leads nowither
on a flimsy pretext

31
3. Translate the following into English and/or find in the text:

(&!1>)3>&>.6. )"$< %"1=64N"\
c3& %" $?6& (:+%<3& > "" =:1R1
N+B%7 > ,:1R&\ (6&)=&)3+
$:&)+37)< > R6.B.
&$-.%137 $,+3"67%&)37
B.R6.,+37 >+%1


CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

sojourn - a stay in a place other than onebs home for a time
to communicate - (in the Christian church) to receive communion (bread and
wine)


DISCUSSION

Comment on Kittybs words:

aAs if a woman ever loved a man for his virtueb (Ch. LVIII)

aIt was a pity that with his great qualities, his unselfishness and honour, his
intelligence and sensibility, he should be so unlovableb (Ch. LXI)


HOMEWORK: Ch.LXIII - LXVII
Translate into Russian:
aIt was Way and the Waygoer`
`Mighty is he who conquers himselfb
(Ch. LXVI)












32




Unit 13 Chapters LXIII - LXVII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Answer the following questions:

Were you surprised / disappointed / relieved at the writerbs decision ato killb Walter?
Do you remember your predictions?

How did it happen? Describe the scene and the reaction of all the characters.

What were Walterbs final remarks? Whatbs the role of the allusion to Oliver
Goldsmithbs aAn Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dogb?

Who read the burial service? Describe the burial rites.

What was Waddingtonbs answer to a series of Kittybs questions: aDo you think the
soul is immortal? Supposing there is no life everlasting? They (the nuns) have given
up all for nothing. Theybve been cheated. They are dupes`b
(Ch. LXVL) What do we call the stylistic device on which Waddingtonbs reply is
based?

What did Kitty do on the morning following the burial? Comment on the Mother
Superiorbs manner of treating Kitty. Was it wise of her?


VOCABULARY WORK

Translate the following into Russian:

it gave her a pang
dreadful ebbing of his life
a fluttering moth and its wings were heavy with hatred
a commonplace of her vocabulary
have mercy on me
life everlasting
imposed various tasks upon her
pressing affairs


33


CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

effects - belongings; personal property
a pretty kettle of fish - a difficult or awkward situation

it had a familiar ring - I had heard it before


DISCUSSION

Translate the passage concerning Tao (Ch. LXVI).

Were you impressed? Are you interested in the religions of the East? Why are many
people nowadays attracted by exotic religious theories and rituals?
Are you?

HOMEWORK: Ch. LXVIII e LXXIV

























34




Unit 14 Chapters LXVIII - LXXIV

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Could you predict the development of events for Kitty? Charles Townsend?
Waddington? The Mother Superior?

2. Answer the following questions:

Why did the Mother Superior think it necessary for Kitty to join her mother in
England? What were Kittybs reasons to go on with her work at the convent?

How did Kitty take leave of Mei-tan-fu? Was she successful in her attempt to make
the Mother Superior express natural feelings? What seemed wrong with Sister St.
Josephbs farewell?

What metaphor (sustained) describes Kittybs feelings about the past during her long
journey to Hong Kong?

Was it Christian resignation that helped Kitty to bear her loss so courageously?
Why did Waddington have his tongue in his chick? Do you understand Kittybs feeling
of freedom? Freedom from what?

Your comments on the fact that it was Dorothy Townsend who came to meet Kitty.
Why did she want to make amends to Kitty?

What was the reason of Kittybs sardonic satisfaction?

Comment on a contrast between the luxury of Townsendsb home and Walter and
Kittybs bungalow in Mei-tan-fu. There is one more example of a striking contrast in
ch. LXXII. Can you find it?

What kind of trick did Kittybs imagination play on her? How did Charlie succeed
In making her cheerful? Were there any social blunders on his part?

Why did Kitty wish that Waddington were in Hong Kong? Did she receive much
attention?



35


VOCABULARY WORK

1. Translate into Russian: aThese ladies used Kitty as though she were a piece of
porcelain which was as fragile as it was preciousb (Ch. LXXIV).
2. Find in the text and translate the following into Russian:

the name-day of my mother (Do you know yours?)
for the face sake
nameless supers
he had his tongue in his chick
I must leave you to your own devices
ladies of consequence
to take onebs ease

3. Translate the following into English and/or find in the text:

!"6&>"!")=.< )6.$&)37
> =&R3<@ )-":3+
).,%+37 =.= <B>.
=&-&= > R&:6"
)!+3.\3" %.0 ,&- )>&+-
%")3+ !107/R.6+-.374
(&,01!+>.37/-&:&!+37 R&6&>1


CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

habiliment(s) - clothes
to be taken by - to be attracted


DISCUSSION

Comment on the following: a`oh, canbt you turn a minute away from God and give
me a little compassion; not the Christian compassion that you have for all suffering
things, but just human compassion for me?b (Ch. XLVIII)
Can there be abstract and individual kindness? How are they different? Which is
more important?


HOMEWORK: Ch. LXXV eLXXX;
Find all proverbs and common sayings.
36




Unit 15 Chapters LXXV - LXVII

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Give an account of events in ch. LXXV e LXV

2. Answer the following questions:

Was it possible to predict the development of the story line?
Leave out the authorbs words and act the dialogue between Kitty and
Charlie (Ch. LXXV).
Have you changed your attitude to the presumably reformed Kitty?

How are Kittybs feelings described? What are these phrases : alike little yellow
butterfliesb, alike soaring thoughtsb, alike white egretsb, alike
a spacious plainb ? What is the prevailing form of discourse?

Who was the winner in the second , farewell battle of the two former lovers?


VOCABULARY WORK

1. Find in the text and give Russian equivalents for the following:

What the eye doesnbt see the heart doesnbt grieve for

I fell head over ears in love with you

We were dashed uncomfortable in the frying pan, but we should have been a
damned sight worse off in the fire (to jump/leap out of the frying-pan into the
fire)

The proof of the pudding is in the eating

Hold your tongue!

She could never look him in the face again

When my husband was hardly cold in his grave

37
My kiddies are absolutely the living image of me

Are idioms, proverbs, or sayings common in your speech or writing?

2. Translate the following into English or/and find in the text:

)61!.\%& +6+ %.-":"%%&
&% $?6 %">&B-13+-
@&B<\=. (&6&N"%+<
c3& 1N !":")!1:
)&@:.%<37 (:+)13)3>+" ,1@.
3":<37 R&6&>1
(:+%<37 :.B1-%?" -":? (:",&)3&:&N%&)3+
)3&+3 ,")<3":?@ 3.=+@ =.= 3?
< >(&6%" )(:.>64)7 ).-.
< &3:"=.4)7 &3 %""
1 -"%< ,&>&67%& 0+:&=+" >BR6<,?


CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

a harlot / slut - a whore
Hang it all - expresses annoyance (f":3 >&B7-+!)
make someonebs gorge rise - to make someone feel sickened or feel strong dislike


DISCUSSION

What do you think of Dorothy? Do you find the Townsendbs marriage model
appealing/convenient?


HOMEWORK: Ch. LXXVIII - LXXX
Translate into Russian:
aThe past was finished ` the path that led
to peaceb (Ch. LXXX)








38




Unit 16 Chapters LXXVIII - LXXX

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Answer the following questions:

Why was the golden statue of the Blessed Virgin in Marseilles mentioned? In what
connection?

Did Kitty manage to repair her self-respect during the long journey home?

What was the main point in Kittybs mother letter? Dwell on relations between parents
and children as described by the author in the form of Kittybs reflections.

What did Kittybs father and sister inform her about? How different were those letters?

Describe the meeting of the father and daughter. Was Kitty able to understand her
fatherbs state? Could you draw a parallel between the feelings of Mr. Garstin
and Kitty concerning Mrs. Garstin and Walter?

Relate Mrs. Garstinbs earthly course with the way she looked in her death bed.
Did Kitty feel any grief for her? Did Doris feel extravagant grief she demonstrated?

Comment on Kittybs new understanding of her fatherbs married life. Retell
a funny episode with a pipe.

What was athe bitter irony of fateb the writer mentioned?

Comment on Kittybs decision to accompany her father to the Bahamas. Why
didnbt she want to make claims on her fatherbs parental duty?

What was Kittybs idea of bringing up her unborn daughter? Do you approve of it?
Can you discern a note of feminism by any chance?

Present the Russian version of the last passage of the novel and comment on it.
Relate it to the title and epigraph.

VOCABULARY WORK

Translate the following into English and/or find in the text:
39


(:"3"%,&>.37 %. )%+)@&,+3"67%&)37
$?37 &$:"-"%"%%?-

> )3")%"%%&- -.3":+.67%&- (&6&N"%++
N+3"\)=+" ,"6.
)61!.\%?\ N")3
%" = -")31
< %" )3.%1 &$1B&\
(&6%&)374 (&:>.37 ) (:&06?-

CHALLENGING VOCABULARY

to let on something - to tell a secret
to make up for something - to repay or compensate


DISCUSSION

Choose any of the main characters to speak about.

What is the message of the novel?

Apart from W.S. Maughambs being a king of adjectives, what other peculiarities
of his artistic manner are worth mentioning?

Think of these Maugham's sayings:

Man, with so little time between the cradle and the grave, spends his life in
such foolishness.

Man's passions and instincts are stronger than his reason.

Love is not something beautiful and refined, but is often coarse and brutal,
bringing pain and unhappiness to those who fall a victim to it.








40


Unit 17 SUMMARIZING TASKS

WRITING: SUMMARY

Run through the following short summary of "The Painted Veil". There are only three
sentences but what a comprehensive and complete this resume is! Prepare a short
summary according to the example (it should be no longer than five to eight lines)

A woman married to a scientist in Hong Kong falls in love with an attractive
philanderer. When her husband discovers the affair he insists on her accompanying
him upon a dangerous mission to an area of the colony infested by cholera, and on
that harsh pilgrimage of retribution she learns the difference between illusion and
reality. In this powerful novel Somerset Maugham depicts once more the dilemmas
and predicaments of men and women who confuse love with passion.

DISCUSSION TOPIC 1: MORAL PHILOSOPHY (literary and personal)

1. Every writer has his own Social, Moral and Religious Questions and W. Somerset
Maugham is no exception. His moral philosophy is not notably original, though it by
no means confirms to the Christian dogma. He believed that:

1. The basis of life is purely material and mechanistic.
2. The intellectual man's reason often conflicts with his emotions and instincts, and
the latter are usually stronger.
3. Every man is utterly alone in life.
4. The nature of reality is illusion (i. e., we have no means of perception except
through our senses, which are different with every individual).
5. The social order is stupid and tyrannical in the restrictions which it imposes upon
the individual.
6. No established form of government is just.
7. War is senseless and cruel.
8. There is a kindred element in all forms of life.
9. Life is meaningless and death results in complete annihilation (destruction).
10. "God is an illusion arising out of men's innate ignorance and consequent
tendency to superstition."

2. Which of these points we may recognize and find in the novel? Think of a situation
that can illustrate your example.

3. Pick out any points in the list, which seem appropriate to you. Do you have any
points to add or to extract? Explain your choice.

41
DISCUSSION TOPIC 2: LITERARY TRANSLATION

The title of the novel "The Painted Veil" has been differently translated into Russian
language; there are at least two well known translations of it - "!"$&'( )"+$",-
((":">&, Z. X&:+") and ".0!$24",0&&'( !0&0,64- (+B,->& "Z"%",N":"). Which
of them is the most accurate? What translation seems to be more literal to you? Give
your own option (try not to lose any cultural peculiarities).

SCREEN ADAPTION

Preparation:
1. Run through a selected passage from the novel - chapter LXXX, the last dialogue
between Kitty and her father (beginning with - "Oh, my Kitty, my little Kitty'', he
murmured; ending with - "The past was finished".). Do you think it would be suitable
for screening? Why?

2.Think over how you would adapt it for the screen. In particular, you should mark
any parts of the text which you think would be difficult to convey in a film, such as
the following examples from the sample text:

- He must be a wizard at interrogation!
- ... it added to the sense I had of the coldness of the occasion.
- You know how people talk about faces 'closing up'? I think 'close down' is nearer to
it. . . What actually happens is that the face remains exactly the same but all the
lights go out.

Class discussion:

1. Call out any parts of the text which you think would be difficult or even impossible
to screen. Divide the dialogue into some parts.

2. Form groups of three. Give each group a number: 1, 2, or 3 (there may be several
groups with each number). The numbers correspond to the sections into which the
text is divided. They work like this: group(s) 1 on section 1, group(s) 2 on section 2,
and so on.

3. Study the following outline for a camera script:
Camera script
a. What the text says:
He was often pretty lonely. He knew he hadn't much to offer.
b. What the camera shows:
The camera is behind Merrick's back, looking over his shoulder. It shows Daphne's
face as she listens to him.
c. What words are spoken:

42
'I feel pretty lonely at times. I know I haven't much to offer.'


4. Each group should draw up a camera script for their sequence. They have to
describe the sequence in not more than three different shots. Each shot should be
described in the same way:
What the text says;
What the camera shows;
What words are spoken.

5. Together go on to discuss your camera scripts with those who have worked on
different sequences.

6. Present your screen adaptation of any parts of The Painted Veil".




Dear student, you have reached and finished the last lesson, but not the end!
You can congratulate yourself because the bulk of the work has been completed. Now
you know more about British literature, especially about British novel, which is very
specific.
Do not stop: you may continue working on your own by reading and analyzing
other novels, newspapers and even poems.
We hope you have enjoyed using this HOMEREADING GUIDE, and that you
will enjoy reading English literature with interest and without "dread" or "pain"!


















43


!#$%') $%#'*+,'-.00'1 *$235.2759

1. Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture - Longman, 1998;

2. P.67(":+% ^.G., Z",%+=&>. g.Z. i&67_&\ .%R6&-:1))=+\ )6&>.:7 - Z.:
"G1))=+\ <B?=", 1987;

3. MacIver Claud Searcy W.S.Maugham A Study of Technique and Literary
Sourses. Philisophy/ A dissertation in English for degree of doctor of philisophy. -
Philadelphia, 1936, p.102.

4. The New Encyclopedia Britannica in 32 volumes, - 1997, - Encyclopedia
Britannica Inc., Volume 7, p.1044;

5. Barnes Ronald. E. Cynic and reporter: contradictions of theory and practice//The
dramatic study of W.S.Maugham - Mouton, the Haque, Paris. - 1968, p. 190.

6. Henry Shukman Homage to Maupassant /Shukman Henry // Guardian Unlimited
Books/- (http://books. Guardian.co.uk/ review / story /0,12084,1226353,00.html);

7. ^&%+=) P.g. V:",+)6&>+"/ P.g.^&%+=)// .T.Z&c- V&,>&,< +3&R+. - Z., 1991.
- C?)0. 0=. - 8.1. - 557 ).

8. Duff, Alan Maley, Alan Literature: resource books for teachers / Alan Duff, Alan
Maley. - Oxford University Press, 2003. - p.93-94.

















44














T&)3.>+3"6+: V.67!+=&>. 8.37<%. P"%%.,7">%.
V+>&>.:&>. K6"%. X"&%+,&>%.

G",.=3&:?: =.O.%. Y+0=+%. I.Z.
=.O.%. X1=+%. T.X.