# IX explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Barakah undergoes the wedding ceremony and is dressed as an Eastern bride. She endures the harem's scrutiny, music, and dance, then meets Yûsuf Bey who is horrified by her painted appearance. Later, she is poisoned by sherbet from Fitnah, but survives after pouring it on a jasmine plant, which dies.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Clash and Identity

Barakah, an Englishwoman, is forced into Eastern bridal attire and customs, highlighting her alienation and the clash between her identity and her new environment.

### Gender Roles and Patriarchy

The wedding ceremony objectifies Barakah as a passive bride, subject to the scrutiny and control of the harem and her husband.

### Polygamy and Marriage

The wedding is depicted as a ritual of endurance and display, with Barakah's role defined by her husband's expectations and the harem's politics.

## Character check-ins

### Barakah

The bride, dressed and painted as an Eastern woman, endures the wedding ceremony and later survives a poisoning attempt.

### Yûsuf Bey

The bridegroom, shocked by Barakah's painted appearance, later discovers the poisoned sherbet.

### Gulbeyzah

Shows Barakah her new rooms and acts as interpreter during the wedding.

### Murjânah Khânum

Kisses Barakah and offers a blessing for fruitfulness and patience.

### Fitnah Khânum

Prepares the poisoned sherbet for Barakah.

### Hamdi Bey

Yûsuf's little brother, brings sherbet instead of water when called.

### Tâhir

The great singer who performs for the women behind a screen.

## Key lines

> The Englishwoman had surrendered to the importunities of all the household, and submitted to be dressed entirely as an Eastern bride.

Barakah gave in to the household's demands and allowed herself to be dressed as an Eastern bride.

_Highlights her cultural surrender and the pressure to conform._

> She felt pilloried, derided, miserably alone, when lo! a small soft hand touched hers confidingly.

Barakah felt mocked and isolated until a child's hand touched hers.

_Shows her loneliness and the small comfort from the singer's children._

> The lady Fitnah had herself prepared it for the bride's delight.

Fitnah Khânum had made the sherbet herself for the bride.

_Foreshadows the poisoning plot._

> The plant was dead, a shrivelled, blackened object.

The jasmine plant was dead and blackened.

_Confirms the sherbet was poisoned._

## Links

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