Maugham's "The Veil" explores imperial colonial activities and cross-cultural relationships by depicting the experiences of British bacteriologist Walter and his wife Katie in epidemic prevention and control in Meitan Prefecture, China. The novel not only focuses on the growth of women, but also deeply reveals the connection between health and politics, quarantine and empire, reflecting the truth of the decline of the British Empire.

1、 Humble British Bacteriology

Colonial medicine is a special variation of Western medicine during the colonial period, aimed at protecting the health of colonizers, prolonging the lives of local people, demonstrating the kindness of colonizers, and resolving the contradiction between capitalist economic development and labor shortage. Tropical medicine is a branch of colonial medicine that specializes in studying tropical diseases to meet the exploration needs of colonizers. At the beginning of the 20th century, tropical medicine created a virtual "environmental Orientalism", which believed that the unfavorable climate environment caused a negative image of Easterners. Cholera was introduced to China from Myanmar and Thailand in the 19th century, causing a large number of deaths. In the colonial context, the responsibility of doctors was to treat and save people, prevent diseases, and eradicate their causes, and their value and significance far exceeded that of the military. Southeast Asia was originally within the sphere of British influence, with British missionaries dominating the region. In the 1920s, due to historical, geographical, and other reasons, Britain and France had constant conflicts, but faced with the military threat from Germany, they had to establish a cooperative relationship. The rampant cholera in South Asia has set up a global stage for political and economic competition among European countries. 20. In the 1930s, the government and society did not attach importance to the achievements of scientific research, and research had already declined. In the novel, Walter, a government bacteriologist, is an insignificant figure who is despised by Charles Thomson and Katie, who believe that people who study science do not exist in society.

2、 External and Internal Boundaries

The imperial hygiene of the 19th century was a practical means of imperialism and racism, achieving colonialism through hygiene cleanliness laws. Boundary delineation was a key management technique, distinguishing between cleanliness and dirtiness, and concretizing national boundaries into internal and external spaces. External borders rely on national quarantine and immigration laws, while internal borders are secured through other measures. International biopolitics involves the political management of life and population, and health borders are also boundaries of colonial rule in a colonial context.

3、 Eugenics and Racial Politics

In depth exploration of eugenics and racial politics in Maugham's' The Veil '. Eugenics focuses on the health of future populations, believing that genetic qualities affect social and moral character, and that infectious diseases and bad behavior can be inherited. The British behavior has become a threat in the eyes of the French, and eugenics controls the category. Waddington's personal habits were seen as a disease, and his relationship with the Manchu princess was seen by the nuns as a eugenics problem of racial degeneration. In the novel, interracial sexual behavior and cultural hybridization are considered to undermine white purity, and Katie's infidelity with Thompson and Waddington's cohabitation reflect the sexual morality issues of British colonizers. The nuns' rejection of Katie and the monastery's segregation policy reflect the maintenance of racial purity. The rigidity of French colonial policy contrasts with Britain's gradual retreat, and the novel showcases the centralization of French colonial guiding ideology through the actions of nuns.

4、 Imperial Charity Hygiene

French colonizers promoted assimilationism in their colonies, using Western medicine as a tool to promote the legitimacy of colonial rule. In the 19th century, the government began to take on more charitable and parish affairs, and medical evangelism became part of public health institutions. Missionaries use medical preaching to appease local residents and spread imperialist ideology. In the novel 'The Veil', British missionary doctors and French nuns carry out medical and charitable activities in the colonies, reflecting the historical background at that time. French charity hygiene distinguishes people of color through racial pathology and implements racial segregation. The novel depicts Katie's disgust towards people of color and reflects British racial beliefs. In the 19th century, French female missionaries established orphanages in colonies, taught Christian doctrine, and took on the role of surrogate mothers. As a church medical institution, the monastery gathers single white female missionaries to provide medical, educational, and religious services. The missionary charity in the colonies flourished, and the nuns were committed to improving the quality and living conditions of the local people. Imperial hygiene is solidified through clean regulations rather than military means.

5、 Conclusion

In 'The Veil', Maugham reveals the duality of colonialism, namely superiority and fragility, through character portrayal and plot development. The failures and personal tragedies of British colonizers such as Walter in their colonies reflect the decline of British colonial power. The novel foreshadows the future of British and French colonial activities by comparing the self sacrifice of British missionaries with the self realization of French nuns. Meanwhile, Maugham showed a sense of disappointment towards the decline of British colonial activities, reflecting his concerns about the future of the empire.