# XL explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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