# III explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Muhammad Pasha returns home and faces Fitnah's furious opposition to Barakah's marriage to Yûsuf. He seeks counsel from his first wife, Murjânah Khânum, who advises him to beat Fitnah. He follows her advice, then prepares Barakah for the Consul's arguments.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Patriarchy

Murjânah advises the Pasha to beat Fitnah, citing Quranic authority, reinforcing patriarchal control over women.

### Polygamy and Marriage

Conflict between co-wives Fitnah and Murjânah over the Pasha's decisions regarding Barakah's marriage.

### Colonialism and Imperial Power

The English Consul's influence over the Pasha's household decisions, including Barakah's marriage to Yûsuf.

## Character check-ins

### Muhammad Pasha Sâlih

Returns home, confronts Fitnah, seeks counsel from Murjânah, and orders Fitnah's beating.

### Fitnah Khânum

Furious about Barakah's marriage; is bound, gagged, and beaten on the Pasha's orders.

### Murjânah Khânum

The Pasha's first wife; advises him to beat Fitnah, citing Islamic scripture.

### Barakah

The English lady being prepared for marriage to Yûsuf; the Pasha speaks with her after the beating.

### Sawwâb

Eunuch called to assist in beating Fitnah; trembles at the order.

## Key lines

> Curse thy father! ‘She will see the Consul,’ sayest thou? The Consul! May the Consul and his whole race rot with agony!

Fitnah curses the Pasha and the Consul, accusing the Pasha of using the Consul as an excuse to avoid his duty.

_Fitnah's outburst reveals her intense jealousy and resentment of the Consul's interference._

> Beat her! It is thy sacred duty. No, no, she will not cry against thee to the Qadi. She will hide her fault.

Murjânah advises the Pasha to beat Fitnah, assuring him she will not report him to the judge.

_Murjânah uses religious justification to endorse domestic violence as a means of control._

> Half an hour later, Muhammad Pasha Sâlih sat conversing with the English lady, preparing her intelligence to meet the Consul’s arguments.

After the beating, the Pasha speaks with Barakah, coaching her to counter the Consul's objections to the marriage.

_The Pasha shifts from domestic violence to diplomatic preparation, showing his dual roles as patriarch and politician._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters