Veiled Women · Chapter
XXVII explained
Barakah's son Muhammad stabs a little girl in a fit of revenge, leading Yûsuf Bey to take over his education.
What happens
Barakah's son Muhammad stabs a little girl in a fit of revenge, leading Yûsuf Bey to take over his education. After days of separation, Murjânah Khânum brings Muhammad back, reformed and respectful, and Barakah comes to accept the change.
Themes in this chapter
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's struggle with her son's discipline and her eventual acceptance of the harem's methods reflect the tension between maternal love and societal expectations of raising a proper heir.
Gender Roles and Patriarchy
Yûsuf Bey unilaterally decides to remove Muhammad from Barakah's care, asserting paternal authority over the child's upbringing.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Distraught over her son's behavior and his removal from her care; eventually reconciled to the new discipline.
- Yûsuf Bey
Examines Muhammad after the stabbing, punishes him, and decides to transfer his education to the Pasha's harem.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Comforts Barakah throughout the crisis and advises a change in parenting approach.
- Muhammad Pasha Sâlih
His harem carriage fetches Muhammad; his ladies (Murjânah and Fitnah) oversee the boy's reformation.
- Murjânah Khânum
Brings Muhammad back to Barakah after his reformation and explains the new educational approach.
- Fitnah Khânum
One of the Pasha's ladies who helps in Muhammad's upbringing; Barakah visits her house.
Key passages
“By Allah, it is all my fault, not thine... Tomorrow thou wilt beat thy son a little, and all the world will praise thy management.”
Umm ed-Dahak takes the blame and advises Barakah to discipline Muhammad more firmly to regain social approval.
Reflects the cultural expectation that mothers must control their children through physical punishment.
“By Allah, they are like the string and we the beads... If scattered, useless and soon lost. If strung together, a comely instrument of praise to God.”
Umm ed-Dahak uses a rosary metaphor to explain that individuals gain value and purpose through submission to a greater order.
Illustrates the theme of submission to authority and tradition.