Journal of Literary Writing and Evaluation
JLWE, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2026, pp.83-91.
Print ISSN: 3078-8129; Online ISSN: 3104-5073
Journal homepage: https://www.lwejournal.com
DOI: Https://doi.org/10.64058/jlwe260109sdkec
摘要：英国小说家毛姆在《面纱》中通过虚构白人殖民者凯蒂和瓦尔特的生存困境，表达对英国海外殖民统治发展的关注和隐忧。凯蒂在婚姻生活中遭遇的生存困境既是西方男性中心主义对女性的性别暴力的结果，也是西方殖民系统内权力结构作用的结果。瓦尔特的生存困境指向了西方殖民系统内由权力分配问题引起的伦理混乱现状。最终，凯蒂通过伦理选择重建自我主体性，在萌生自我意识和责任意识后，获得新生。
关键词:《面纱》；殖民；生存困境；伦理选择
作者介绍：王青璐，肇庆学院文学与传媒学院讲师，研究方向：当代小说研究。电邮：1229892149@qq.com。
Title: On the Survival Dilemma and Katie’s Ethical Choices in The Painted Veil
Abstract: British novelist Maugham expresses his concern for the development of British overseas colonial rule in The Painted Veil by fictionalizing the survival difficulties of white colonizers Katie and Walter. Katie's survival dilemma in her marital life is not only a result of Western male centered gender violence against women, but also a result of the power structure within the Western colonial system. Walter's survival dilemma points to the ethical chaos caused by power distribution issues within the Western colonial system. Ultimately, Katie reconstructs her self-subjectivity through ethical choices. Having awakened her sense of self and responsibility, she attains a new lease on life.
Keywords: The Painted Veil; Colonize; Survival Dilemma; Ethical Choice
Author Biography: Wang Qinglu, lecturer at the School of Literature and Journalism, ZhaoQing University, research focus: contemporary novel studies. Email: 1229892149@qq.com
Received: 07 Jan 2026 / Revised: 25 Apr 2026 / Accepted: 25 Apr 2026 / Published online: 30 Apr 2026 / Print published: 30 May 2026.
