Veiled Women · Chapter
XXIX explained
The chapter depicts the political turmoil in Egypt as foreign powers, particularly the English and French, exert control.
What happens
The chapter depicts the political turmoil in Egypt as foreign powers, particularly the English and French, exert control. The harem women react with religious fervor and support for the rebel leader Arâbi, while Barakah's son Muhammad becomes increasingly involved in the nationalist fervor, ultimately seeking to join the army against the English.
Themes in this chapter
Colonialism and Imperial Power
The chapter highlights European interference in Egypt, with the English and French controlling finances and military actions, and the harem's resistance to foreign domination.
Religion and Conversion
The women frame political events in religious terms, viewing Arâbi as a defender of Islam and the English as infidels threatening Muslim rule.
Gender Roles and Patriarchy
The harem women are politically apathetic due to seclusion, yet they passionately debate and influence their children's views, while Barakah is confined to domestic life.
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's bond with Muhammad is central; she lives vicariously through his patriotic fervor, while neglecting her daughter, who is trained by Umm ed-Dahak in traditional roles.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Barakah is anxious about the English intrusion, confides in Muhammad, and delights in his patriotic accounts while neglecting her daughter.
- Yûsuf Bey
Yûsuf is made a Pasha due to his language skills, but he fears losing his position and acquiesces to his father's plans for Muhammad.
- Muhammad Pasha Sâlih
The old Pasha is calm amid the storm and delights in Muhammad's commanding spirit, seeing it as a sign of his Turkish race.
- Fitnah Khânum
Fitnah Khânum loudly laments the suppression of the slave trade, calling it impiety.
- Gulbeyzah
Gulbeyzah defends the slave trade as holy, arguing it brings converts to Islam.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Umm ed-Dahak feels too weak to talk in the heat but loves Barakah's daughter and teaches her about womanly duty.
- Arâbi
Arâbi is acclaimed by the harem as a champion against foreign interference and later becomes Dictator.
- Amînah Khânum
Amînah Khânum and Bedr-ul-Budûr take leave of Barakah to flee to Alexandria.
Key passages
“English, in collusion, gave command in Egypt; the monarch was a puppet in their hands.”
The English, working with the French, effectively ruled Egypt, making the Khedive a mere figurehead.
This reflects the women's perception of foreign control.
“The women felt that politics could not come near them; the government which ruled the men was none of theirs.”
The women believed that political affairs were irrelevant to their secluded lives.
Highlights the apathy born from centuries of seclusion.
“The trade in slaves is holy, bringing every year a thousand converts out of heathendom.”
Gulbeyzah argues that the slave trade is sacred because it converts pagans to Islam.
Shows the harem's defense of traditional practices against European abolition.
“I am a man full-grown, proficient in all exercises that belong to war. As young as I are going. Think, it is against the English, O my mother—thy vile enemies!”
Muhammad insists he is old enough to fight, especially against the English, whom his mother despises.
Muhammad's patriotic zeal and desire to join the army.
