Veiled Women · Chapter
XV explained
Barakah observes Gulbeyzah's inspection by three Circassian women for a polygamous marriage, reflecting on the joy and acceptance of harem life.
What happens
Barakah observes Gulbeyzah's inspection by three Circassian women for a polygamous marriage, reflecting on the joy and acceptance of harem life. She writes a letter to her friend Julia Long extolling Islam and Egyptian customs, but receives a harsh rejection. Barakah's emotional turmoil deepens as she begins to question her own conversion and the loss of her former friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah's letter to Julia Long contrasts European and Egyptian views on religion, marriage, and women's happiness, revealing her internal conversion and the clash between her past and present.
Female Friendship and Solidarity
Gulbeyzah's desire for sisterly bonds with her co-wives and Barakah's friendship with her are contrasted with Julia Long's rejection, showing both the support and rupture in female relationships.
Polygamy and Marriage
The chapter centers on Gulbeyzah's arranged polygamous marriage, with negotiations, inspections, and the ideal of sisterly co-wives, while Barakah defends polygamy in her letter.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Observes Gulbeyzah's marriage inspection, writes to Julia Long praising Islam, and is devastated by Julia's rejection.
- Gulbeyzah
Acts demurely during inspection by three Circassian women, revealing her playful nature and desire for sisterly companionship in polygamy.
- Fitnah Khânum
Acts as intendant for Murjânah Khânum in arranging Gulbeyzah's marriage, showing shrewdness and delight in the process.
- Murjânah Khânum
Commissioned Fitnah to find a husband for Gulbeyzah, showing motherly care for her slave.
- Yûsuf Bey
Applauds Barakah's letter to Julia and suggests Julia could become Barakah's durrah, then comforts Barakah after Julia's rejection.
- Julia Long
Barakah's former friend in England who rejects Barakah's invitation and condemns her conversion and marriage.
Key passages
“Thou wilt choose and choose away till none are left.”
You will keep rejecting suitors until there are no more.
Barakah teases Gulbeyzah about her pickiness in choosing a husband.
“I am a young maid. Moreover, it is not the man I stickle for; it is society.”
I am young, and what matters to me is not the man but the social circle I will join.
Gulbeyzah explains that she prioritizes the companionship of co-wives over the husband.
“How can you write such wickedness? … I heard that you had married a Turk, but thought of course he was converted. … I do not envy you your riches nor your rank at such a price!”
Your letter is sinful; I assumed your husband had converted to Christianity. I would not trade my poverty for your wealth and rank obtained through this marriage.
Julia Long's harsh rejection of Barakah's letter, condemning her conversion and marriage.
“Then their women are fanatical like ours!”
So English women are just as intolerant as Muslim women.
Yûsuf Bey's reaction to Julia's rejection, equating religious fanaticism across cultures.