Veiled Women · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Barakah grapples with her identity and status as a convert and mother in Cairo, feeling jealousy toward European women and disillusionment with Western culture.
What happens
Barakah grapples with her identity and status as a convert and mother in Cairo, feeling jealousy toward European women and disillusionment with Western culture. Her son Muhammad defends her honor against accusations of conversion, while Umm ed-Dahak spins fantasies of future grandeur and revenge. The chapter also depicts the fall of a Khedive's favorite, prompting superstitious revisions to their visions.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Identity
Barakah's jealousy of Englishwomen, her disdain for European opera, and Muhammad's conflict over his mother's conversion highlight the tension between Egyptian and European cultures.
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's relationship with Muhammad, his defense of her honor, and Umm ed-Dahak's prophecies about his future throne underscore themes of maternal legacy and ambition.
Superstition and Tradition
Servants claim demonic possession, Umm ed-Dahak revises prophecies after the favorite's death, and Fitnah recommends marriage as a cure for devils, reflecting superstitious beliefs.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Feels jealousy toward Englishwomen, attends opera, overhears servants' demon talk, and confesses her conversion to Muhammad.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Indulges in romantic fictions about Barakah's future, adjusts prophecies after the favorite's downfall, and encourages Barakah's delusions.
- Muhammad Pasha Sâlih
Barakah's young son who defends her honor at school, insists she is a born Muslim, and shows a protective, lover-like demeanor.
- Yûsuf Bey
Sends Barakah and his sisters to the opera to amuse her.
- Fitnah Khânum
Advises marriage as a cure for demonic possession in unmarried girls, and later pities Barakah as 'possessed'.
- Murjânah Khânum
Agrees with Fitnah that Barakah is possessed by a jinn.
- Bedr-ul-Budûr
Mentioned as an example of a rare beauty who has become a fat old woman.
- Tâhir
Mentioned as having a voice Barakah admired, in contrast to the opera.
Key passages
“There was one Englishwoman in particular who often passed her, driving a light dogcart with a Nubian groom behind—straight as a lance and trim of waist, with rosy cheeks and bright eyes under grizzled hair. A creature of free air and open sunlight, the shuttered, perfumed shade could not produce her like.”
Barakah envies a vigorous Englishwoman she sees driving, feeling that the confined harem life cannot create such vitality.
Highlights Barakah's jealousy and sense of inferiority compared to European women.
“The principal spoke truth. I am a convert,” murmured Barakah, hanging her head through fear of her son’s shame.”
Barakah admits to Muhammad that she is a convert, ashamed of how he might react.
Reveals Barakah's internal conflict and fear of her son's judgment.
“I know one cure for devils as for every other illness of unmarried girls, and that is matrimony,” was the answer. “Among us here it is a sovereign remedy; among the Franks it seems less efficacious.””
Fitnah Khânum says marriage cures demon possession in unmarried women, but jokes that it doesn't work for Europeans.
Illustrates traditional beliefs about marriage and possession, and cultural differences.
