Veiled Women · Chapter
XXIII explained
Barakah settles into her new home with Yûsuf Bey, finding contentment in domestic life and her deepening friendship with Umm ed-Dahak, who becomes her confidante and entertainer.
What happens
Barakah settles into her new home with Yûsuf Bey, finding contentment in domestic life and her deepening friendship with Umm ed-Dahak, who becomes her confidante and entertainer. However, her happiness is shaken when Murjânah Khânum criticizes her for neglecting higher pursuits and associating with inferiors, prompting Barakah to reflect on her identity and choices.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah, an English convert to Islam, is criticized for adopting local peasant (fellâhah) ways, highlighting the tension between her Turkish and Egyptian identities.
Female Friendship and Solidarity
Barakah's bond with Umm ed-Dahak deepens as the old woman becomes her confidante, entertainer, and protector, despite her manipulative tactics.
Superstition and Tradition
Umm ed-Dahak's belief in witchcraft, amulets, and charms contrasts with her worldly wisdom, illustrating the persistence of superstition in daily life.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Barakah enjoys a comfortable life with Yûsuf Bey, dotes on her son Muhammad, and relies on Umm ed-Dahak for companionship, but is hurt by Murjânah Khânum's criticism of her behavior.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Umm ed-Dahak becomes Barakah's close advisor and entertainer, using her wit and storytelling to gain influence, while avoiding Yûsuf Bey and maintaining her superstitious beliefs.
- Yûsuf Bey
Yûsuf Bey is the only person Umm ed-Dahak fears; he obtains a government post, leading to the family's upcoming move to a proper house with a selamlik.
- Murjânah Khânum
Murjânah Khânum, as head of the harem, lectures Barakah on her conduct, urging her to embrace higher Islamic ideals and avoid becoming too common.
- Fitnah Khânum
Fitnah Khânum comments on Umm ed-Dahak's love of subtlety over comfort, and enjoys her company despite scolding her.
- Amînah Khânum
Amînah Khânum is mentioned as having complained that Barakah is becoming a fellâhah in speech and conduct.
Key passages
“Thou shunnest us for boon companions, persons of the country, who, however estimable, are inferior.”
You avoid us in favor of lowly local friends, no matter how worthy they may be.
Murjânah Khânum scolds Barakah for preferring Umm ed-Dahak's company over that of the Turkish ladies.
“She held, against the world's opinion, that Allah is indulgent to the faults of women and even has a secret fondness for them.”
She believed, contrary to common belief, that God is forgiving toward women's sins and secretly loves them.
Umm ed-Dahak's unconventional religious view is described.
“The soul of her philosophy was nonresistance; her morality held all means lawful to escape oppression.”
Her core belief was to avoid resistance, and she considered any method acceptable to avoid being oppressed.
Umm ed-Dahak's pragmatic and survivalist philosophy is summarized.