Veiled Women · Chapter
XXXVII explained
Barakah returns to the harem after her flight, grieving the loss of her son and struggling with her faith and identity.
What happens
Barakah returns to the harem after her flight, grieving the loss of her son and struggling with her faith and identity. She is comforted by the women, particularly Murjânah, who urges her to surrender her will to God. Barakah contemplates seeking help from the English to return to Christianity and suggests Yûsuf take another wife.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Conversion
Barakah secretly dreads Islam and longs to return to Christianity, contemplating seeking an audience with English rulers to announce her conversion.
Motherhood and Legacy
Barakah's identity and sense of value are shattered by the death of her son; she feels her life is senseless without him.
Female Friendship and Solidarity
The harem women, including Murjânah, Fitnah, Leylah, and Umm ed-Dahak, rally to comfort Barakah despite her attempted flight.
Characters to notice
- Barakah
Grieves her son, feels trapped in harem life, longs for Christianity, and suggests Yûsuf marry another wife.
- Yûsuf Bey
Shows kindness to Barakah, considers taking office under the English, and is relieved by her suggestion of another wife.
- Murjânah Khânum
Comforts Barakah, advises resignation to God's will, and hosts her in her rooms.
- Ghandûr
Escorts Barakah back, recounts the family's anxiety during her flight, and offers religious consolation.
- Fitnah Khânum
Doses Barakah with medicine as part of her care.
- Umm ed-Dahak
Crouches by Barakah's bed and croons to her like an infant.
Key passages
“I am feeble and afraid.”
Barakah admits her weakness and fear to Murjânah.
Barakah confesses her emotional state after losing her son.
“Give up thy will. That is to islam truly. May Allah grant thee resignation, which is strength.”
Murjânah advises Barakah to surrender her will to God, equating true Islam with resignation.
Murjânah's final advice encapsulates the theme of submission.
“I have quite outgrown my foolish prejudice. I beg thee now to wed another wife.”
Barakah tells Yûsuf she no longer objects to polygamy and encourages him to marry again.
Barakah's suggestion reflects her despair and desire to secure Yûsuf's happiness.