Veiled Women · Chapter
XXIV explained
Barakah gives birth to a daughter, disappointing the household, and later loses the child to typhoid fever.
What happens
Barakah gives birth to a daughter, disappointing the household, and later loses the child to typhoid fever. Umm ed-Dahak tries to accustom Barakah to local customs, including blood sacrifices and the presence of the diseased, but Barakah remains repulsed. Amînah Khânum attempts to integrate Barakah with other European women married to Muslims, but Barakah rejects them out of English pride. Barakah also struggles with fears of ophthalmia and plague for her son Muhammad, and takes preventive measures.
Themes in this chapter
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's experiences with childbirth, child loss, and her fears for her children's health highlight the theme of motherhood and the legacy of offspring.
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah's English pride and repulsion toward local customs (blood sacrifice, acceptance of disease, other European wives) underscore her cultural clash and identity struggle.
Superstition and Tradition
Umm ed-Dahak's explanations about blood sacrifices and the fatalistic acceptance of child mortality reflect superstition and tradition in the harem.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Gives birth to a daughter, loses her to typhoid, struggles with local customs and fears for her son's health.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Attempts to instruct Barakah in harem customs, including blood sacrifice and accepting illness; consoles Barakah after the birth of a girl.
- Yûsuf Bey
Barakah's husband; mentioned as the one whose house and name are central to the events.
- Muhammad Pasha Sâlih
Barakah's father; mentioned in Umm ed-Dahak's tally of children born in his palace.
- Murjânah Khânum
Mentioned as having borne many children to the Pasha; Umm ed-Dahak reports to her about Barakah.
- Fitnah Khânum
Mentioned in Umm ed-Dahak's list of women who bore many children to the Pasha.
- Amînah Khânum
Scolds Barakah for scorning other European women married to Muslims; tries to integrate Barakah.
- Ghandûr
Made steward of the house; his wife attends on Muhammad; Barakah is glad to hear his voice.
Key passages
“A girl comes not amiss; she has her uses. Since some are bound to die in early childhood, it is as well in every family to have a few who can be spared.”
Umm ed-Dahak consoles Barakah by saying a daughter is useful, and since some children will die young, it's good to have some that are less important.
Umm ed-Dahak's pragmatic and fatalistic view on infant mortality.
“Blood is the life of creatures, and a precious offering; and our traditions say that it is wise to shed it upon great occasions.”
Umm ed-Dahak explains that blood sacrifice is a traditional and valuable offering for important events.
Umm ed-Dahak tries to normalize blood sacrifice for Barakah.
“Thy boast is simply thou wast better guarded. Praise God for that, but do not scorn those others!”
Amînah Khânum rebukes Barakah for looking down on other European women, reminding her that her virtue was due to better protection, not inherent superiority.
Amînah Khânum scolds Barakah for her class and ethnic pride.
