LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE
Do you take
delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For
English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful
sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and
still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons
while you’re at it.
#64. The
Painted Veil (film, 2006)
This film is based on William Somerset Maugham’s novel that
follows Kitty Fane, a young woman who marries for security instead of love.
After her husband Walter Fane – who is a bacteriologist - discovers her affair,
he takes her with him to a remote part of China during a cholera outbreak. Far
from the comforts of her old life, Kitty begins to change. Through helping at a
convent and seeing her husband’s compassion and sacrifice, the two slowly
reconnect and see each other differently. After her husband’s tragic death due
to cholera, Kitty returns to England to raise their unborn child, carrying with
her a new sense of humility, independence, and understanding of love.
(Husband
Walter said to his wife Kitty): “Most people, as far as I can see, when they're
in love with someone and the love isn't returned feel that they have a
grievance. They grow angry and bitter. I wasn't like that. I never expected you
to love me, I didn't see any reason that you should. I never thought myself
very lovable. I was thankful to be allowed to love you and I was enraptured
when now and then I thought you were pleased with me or when I noticed in your
eyes a gleam of good-humored affection. I tried not to bore you with my love; I
knew I couldn't afford to do that and I was always on the lookout for the first
sign that you were impatient with my affection. What most husbands expect as a
right I was prepared to receive as a favor.”
ð Walter
says these words to his wife, Kitty, after discovering her affair with another
man. The passage reveals the depth of Walter’s unrequited love and his profound
lack of self-worth. Walter acknowledges that he loved Kitty while fully aware
that she did not love him in return. Unlike "most husbands" of the
era who viewed their wives' affection as a legal or social right, Walter viewed
any small sign of kindness from Kitty as a "favor" or a gift. He was
so grateful for her presence that he was willing to accept a one-sided
relationship just to be near her. This speech is particularly powerful because
it highlights the tragedy of his current state. While he claims he wasn't
"angry and bitter" before, the discovery of his wife’s betrayal has
finally broken that humble patience, leading him to take her into a dangerous
cholera epidemic as a form of silent, punishing revenge.
(Kitty’s secret love Charlie Townsend said): “One can be very much in
love with a woman without wishing to spend the rest of one's life with her.”
ð
Charlie
is portrayed as a charming yet selfish and cowardly British diplomat who
carries on a secret affair with Kitty Fane while she is stuck in an unhappy
marriage. The quote reveals the difference between temporary passion and
genuine commitment. Although Charlie is strongly attracted to Kitty and enjoys
being with her, he is unwilling to sacrifice his career, reputation, or
comfortable life to truly be with her. In the end, he shows the shallow and
self-serving nature of his love. It contrasts intense attraction with the
deeper kind of love that requires loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.
(Husband Walter said): “Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance
between two people.”
ð
Walter
reflects the emotional transformation between his wife and himself. Although
they travel from London to rural China during a cholera epidemic, their real
journey is learning to understand, forgive, and reconnect with each other. At
first, they are emotionally distant and trapped by bitter feelings of resentment
and betrayal. But through hardship and shared suffering, they begin to see each
other differently. In other words, the initial purpose of taking his wife to
the disease infested area turned into a whole different point in their lives
where the two finally realize true love for each other.
** Jean’s Small Thoughts:
Some
people believe love changes over time and takes on a different shape from the
passion felt in the beginning. That may be true. But change does not always
mean love has ended. Sometimes, love simply grows into something
deeper—something that accepts flaws, mistakes, and the realities of being
together.
This
film beautifully shows that the hardest journey is often not a physical one,
but the emotional growth, vulnerability, and understanding needed to truly
bridge the distance between two people. Without respect or responsibility
toward the other person, can we truly call it love? It becomes nothing more
than a self-serving way to seek comfort or just a moment of unimpeded joy
(which they’d often viewed as ‘unalloyed joy’) while pretending to care deeply for someone. All
at once, one or both people in the relationship get startled by their own
self-stringent standard of morals and avoid difficult truths, hiding or
disappearing out of fear instead of facing the relationship honestly. In the
end, unveiling the painted veil and seeing reality for what it truly is becomes
impossible for them.
If
you have ever been in love, you are blessed, no matter how long or brief it may
have been. What truly matters is the sincerity you bring to that gift of life,
whether it belongs to the past or to this very moment that you long to tarry in.
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