# XXVII explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters