Veiled Women · Chapter
XIX explained
Barakah recovers from childbirth while her son is subjected to traditional protective rituals.
What happens
Barakah recovers from childbirth while her son is subjected to traditional protective rituals. She invites Mrs. Cameron to visit, but the encounter leaves Barakah humiliated and angry, believing Mrs. Cameron scorned her baby for not being white enough. Fitnah Khânum, convinced Barakah is afflicted by an evil spirit, secretly performs a terrifying zâr exorcism ceremony involving animal sacrifice, which traumatizes Barakah and leaves her ill for weeks.
Themes in this chapter
Superstition and Tradition
The chapter details numerous superstitious practices: protective ceremonies for the infant, the belief in El Carînah, and the zâr exorcism performed by Fitnah Khânum.
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah struggles to reconcile her English upbringing with Eastern customs, and her humiliation when Mrs. Cameron reacts negatively to her son highlights racial and cultural tensions.
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's feelings of jealousy, pride, and protectiveness toward her son, and her sadness that no blood relatives share in her joy, underscore the theme of motherhood.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Recovering from childbirth, jealous of the wet-nurse, humiliated by Mrs. Cameron's reaction to her son, traumatized by the zâr ceremony.
- Fitnah Khânum
Arranges the wet-nurse, enforces traditional customs, and secretly orchestrates the zâr exorcism out of love for Barakah.
- Ghandûr
His wife is chosen as wet-nurse; he sings a thanksgiving chant and is subsequently appointed to a minor government post.
- Yûsuf Bey
Writes a note to Mrs. Cameron at Barakah's request inviting her to see the baby.
- Mrs. Cameron
Visits Barakah and the baby; her reaction of disfavor and pity deeply wounds Barakah.
Key passages
“The wet-nurse thus became a near relation of the family, and all her race had claims upon its bounty.”
The wet-nurse was considered a close relative of the family, and her entire lineage could expect support from them.
Explains the social significance of milk-kinship in Muslim society.
“Conviction that the portion of the human race from which she sprang beheld her son as little better than a monkey, tortured Barakah.”
Barakah was tormented by the belief that her own English people saw her son as barely more than a monkey.
Reveals Barakah's deep sense of racial humiliation and internal conflict.
“The dear one must be healed at any price.”
Fitnah was determined to cure Barakah no matter what it cost.
Shows Fitnah's devotion and willingness to risk the Pasha's anger.