# XXVIII explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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