The trope of the oppressed veiled woman : a colonial legacy

Abstract EN

This paper traces the representation of veiled women in selected Western travel writings of the mid-nineteenth century and modern feminist writings.

At the centre of these narratives is the image of a secluded (invisible), powerless, agentless and victimised Muslim woman.

The paper argues that the modern feminist take on the veil and veiling, which by and large echoes nineteenth century women travellers' position on the subject, is a colonial and Orientalist legacy.

This paper essentially focuses on the relationship between the veil and oppression.

It highlights the problematic of agency or lack thereof.

The oppressed, veiled and enslaved Muslim woman operates as a foil for the enlightened western woman and all what she has achieved.

But it should be highlighted that contrary to the Orientalist/feminist trope which posits that the veil rendered veiled women invisible and 'agentless', veiling places Muslim women at the very centre of scrutiny literally as well as figuratively.