A Levinasian Study Of The Self-Growth Of Kitty In The Painted Veil

William Somerset Maugham(1874-1965),one of the most popular writers in the20th century,is adept at depicting human nature.Set in China,The Painted Veil(1925)tells about the moral maturity of the protagonist Kitty,an originally self-centered English woman.It should be noted that Kitty’s moral maturity is closely related to her relationship with other people.French philosopher Levinas has delved deep into interpersonal relationship.He believes that a moral person is the one who is responsible for himself,and more importantly for the Other.~1He gives great priority to the Other for whom“I”have unconditional,infinite responsibility.Based on Levinas’theory of ethics,this thesis analyzes the relationship between Kitty and the Other.It attempts to argue that the growth of Kitty,or her way to a meaningful life,accords with the core of Levinas’theory of ethics.That is,a meaningful life requires taking responsibility for the Other.In the beginning,Kitty is irresponsible for the Other so she messes up her relationship with her parents,her husband and her lover,and is thus alienated from all of them.The alienation from the Other plunges Kitty into a state of void.However,influenced by what she has experienced in China,she begins to realize the importance of the Other,reflects on her past behavior and makes great efforts to take responsibility for the Other.In this way,she finally finds peace and meaning in life.This thesis reveals that egocentrism and the ignorance of the Other’s“face”can cause relationship failure which has adverse effects on one’s life and development.To be an ethical person and to lead a meaningful life,one should recognize the absolute existence of the Other and take responsibility not only for oneself but also for the Other.Only when a harmonious relationship is established and inter-dependence becomes the internalized consciousness can the value of one’s self be truly realized.