# XXXIX explained — Veiled Women

> Chapter companion for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Barakah, posing as an Englishwoman named Mary Smith, seeks a private interview with an English official to ask for help escaping the harem and returning to Christianity. The official dismisses her, citing non-interference in local customs. Humiliated, Barakah realizes she is neither fully English nor fully Eastern, and resigns herself to harem life, finding peace in self-annihilation and Islam.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Clash and Identity

Barakah's failed attempt to reclaim her English identity reveals her profound dislocation: she is rejected by the English and feels alienated from both cultures.

### Religion and Conversion

Barakah's struggle between Christianity and Islam culminates in her acceptance of Islam, finding peace in self-annihilation and the teachings of the Prophet.

## Character check-ins

### Barakah

Disguises herself as Mary Smith to seek help from the English official, but is humiliated and realizes her identity is neither fully English nor fully Eastern.

### Umm ed-Dahak

Accompanies Barakah to the interview, believing she is aiding a criminal intrigue, and later comforts her when she sees Barakah's distress.

## Key lines

> I am an English lady. My name is Mary Smith. I did a very wicked thing. I turned Muhammadan, and married a Turkish gentleman, a Pasha, here in Cairo. I want to leave him and return to Christianity.

Barakah, using the alias Mary Smith, confesses to the English official that she converted to Islam and married a Pasha, and now seeks help to escape and revert to Christianity.

_This plea highlights her desperation and the cultural and religious conflict she faces._

> Well, I don’t quite see what I can do for you... We could hardly, therefore, interfere in a case such as yours—a harem quarrel.

The English official refuses to intervene, citing policy of non-interference in local customs and harem disputes.

_The official's response underscores the colonial administration's hands-off approach to personal and religious matters._

> With English people, she would always long for Orientals; with Orientals, feel a yearning for the life of Europe. And in religion, likewise, she was nothing.

Barakah realizes she is permanently caught between two worlds, belonging fully to neither, and feels spiritually adrift.

_This moment of clarity marks her acceptance of her hybrid identity and resignation to harem life._

## Links

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