Veiled Women · Chapter
XL explained
Barakah has fully embraced harem life with resignation, taking up the old Muslim standpoint and denouncing European fallacies.
What happens
Barakah has fully embraced harem life with resignation, taking up the old Muslim standpoint and denouncing European fallacies. She lives in the old Pasha's palace, accepts Yûsuf's other wives, and remains aloof yet benignant. She criticizes young women who adopt Frankish fashions and monogamic ideals without understanding them. The chapter ends with a scene on the roof where Barakah, Gulbeyzah, Na'imah, and Yûsuf's sisters discuss the changelessness of harem life and the crow ritual.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah denounces European fallacies and criticizes young women who adopt Frankish fashions without understanding them, while the harem remains changeless despite English presence.
Female Friendship and Solidarity
Barakah sits on the roof with Gulbeyzah, Na'imah, and Yûsuf's sisters, sharing memories and conversation.
Superstition and Tradition
The slave-girl performs the crow ritual, and the ladies discuss the legend of the crow from the days of Noah. Superstition flourishes despite Frankish influences.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Has fully embraced harem life with resignation, denounces European fallacies, lives in the old Pasha's palace, and accepts Yûsuf's other wives.
- Gulbeyzah
Sits on the roof with Barakah, reminisces about her youth and criticizes modern girls who read French books.
- Na’imah
Sits on the roof with Barakah, agrees with Gulbeyzah about the lack of resources in modern girls, and reacts to the slave-girl's crow ritual.
- Yûsuf Bey
Confesses to keeping three other women; Barakah has them brought to the old Pasha's palace.
- Murjânah Khânum
Barakah stands beside her deathbed and endures the death-room orgies.
- Afîfah
Barakah's daughter, who wants a monogamic marriage and is scolded by Barakah for her Frankish ideas; later marries a high official.
Key passages
“The best of life is thinking with hands idle”
The finest part of life is reflecting while keeping your hands still.
Na'imah expresses that idle contemplation is the best way to form one's mind.
“If good the news, O bird, alight and welcome; If bad, draw up thy claws and hie away!”
If you bring good news, land and be welcome; if bad news, retract your claws and fly away.
The slave-girl chants the traditional formula to the crow.
“Endeavour to retain him by thy charms”
Try to keep him with your attractiveness.
Barakah scolds her daughter Afîfah for making her husband promise monogamy, advising her to use her charms instead.