# XXXI explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

As Muhammad Pasha Sâlih lies dying, Barakah is summoned to his bedside where he expresses regret over the war with the English and fears for Egypt's future. After his death, Barakah's son Muhammad returns briefly from the army, and she struggles with anxiety over his safety amid the war. The chapter also explores Barakah's growing isolation and Yûsuf's distance, as well as the political tensions surrounding the Arabi revolt.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonialism and Imperial Power

The dying Pasha laments the English war and fears for Egypt's sovereignty, while Muhammad expresses nationalist fervor against the infidels.

### Polygamy and Marriage

Umm ed-Dahak defends polygamy as natural and religiously sanctioned, while Barakah feels neglected by Yûsuf's absence.

### Motherhood and Legacy

Barakah's anxiety for her son Muhammad's safety and her joy at his return highlight her maternal devotion and concern for his future.

## Character check-ins

### Barakah

Visits the dying Pasha, comforts Murjânah, reunites with her son Muhammad, and endures the funeral and wartime anxiety.

### Muhammad Pasha Sâlih

Dies after speaking with Barakah about his regrets and fears of English takeover.

### Yûsuf Bey

Is irritable and distant during the war, rarely visiting Barakah, and mourns his father.

### Murjânah Khânum

Sits with the dying Pasha and later comforts Barakah, expressing weariness with traditional death customs.

### Fitnah Khânum

Greets Barakah at the old palace and informs her of the Pasha's condition.

### Umm ed-Dahak

Brings news of the victory at Kafr ed-Dowâr and discusses polygamy with Barakah.

## Key lines

> wasting in vanity the precious hours we might have spent with him⁠—as if we thought that he would live forever. Now the end draws near, we can but beat our breasts and curse our folly.

We foolishly squandered the time we could have had with him, as if we believed he would never die. Now that death is close, we can only mourn and regret our stupidity.

_Yûsuf expresses remorse for not cherishing his father while he was alive._

> The Christians always sought a war with El Islam. We kept a calm face under insults, even made concessions, as one gives a rabid dog a stick to worry.

The Christians have always wanted war with Islam. We remained calm despite their insults and even made concessions, like tossing a stick to a mad dog to keep it occupied.

_The dying Pasha reflects on the long-standing conflict with Christian powers._

> It is the nature of a man to have more wives than one, and a woman should no more resent his doing so⁠—always provided he does not defraud her⁠—than blame a cat for having several kittens at a birth.

It's natural for a man to have multiple wives, and a woman should no more resent it than she would blame a cat for having a litter of kittens, as long as he treats her fairly.

_Umm ed-Dahak defends polygamy to Barakah._

## Links

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