# The Gathering Storm explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Yûsuf Pasha navigates the political turmoil of the 'Urâbî Revolt, meeting with other notables at his father's house to discuss the crisis. He learns he is marked as a suspected notable by the new Committee for Public Safety and plans to bribe a relative of Ghandûr. Meanwhile, he reluctantly agrees to let his son join the army, and Barakah reacts with distress to the prospect of English conquest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonialism and Imperial Power

The chapter explores the tension between Egyptian nationalists, the Khedive, and the looming threat of English intervention, as characters debate the lesser evil.

### Cultural Clash and Identity

Barakah, an Englishwoman married into an Egyptian household, is torn between her heritage and her new life, fearing the English conquest.

## Character check-ins

### Yûsuf Pasha

Anxious about the political situation, he meets with other notables and plans to bribe a committee member to save himself.

### Muhammad Pasha Sâlih

The old patriarch hosts the meeting of notables, expressing disdain for the upstarts and the English.

### Ghandûr

Yûsuf's loyal servant, who advises him to send his son to the army and offers to help with the bribe.

### Barakah

Distraught when Yûsuf grants her request for their son to join the army, and horrified at the prospect of English victory.

### Hamdi Bey

Mentioned as having joined the fellahin, causing his father Muhammad Pasha dismay.

## Key lines

> Better the English than this present anarchy

Some prefer English rule over the current chaos.

_A notable expresses the desperate choice between foreign domination and internal disorder._

> I would sooner die a thousand deaths than see them conquer.

Barakah would rather die than witness an English victory.

_Barakah's emotional reaction reveals her deep attachment to her adopted country._

## Links

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