Zeeny Vakil Character Analysis in The Satanic Verses

Zeeny Vakil is a political writer and activist with whom Saladin carries out an affair when he returns to India to perform a play. Zeeny makes Saladin question his relationship to India and desire to be perceived as English. Although Saladin does not see her for a long time, the two rekindle their relationship when Saladin returns to India at the end of the novel.

Zeeny Vakil Quotes in The Satanic Verses

The The Satanic Verses quotes below are all either spoken by Zeeny Vakil or refer to Zeeny Vakil. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

He stood at the window of his childhood and looked out at the Arabian Sea. The moon was almost full; moonlight, stretching from the rocks of Scandal Point out to the far horizon, created the illusion of a silver pathway, like a parting in the water’s shining hair, like a road to miraculous lands. He shook his head; could no longer believe in fairy-tales. Childhood was over, and the view from this window was no more than an old and sentimental echo. To the devil with it! Let the bulldozers come. If the old refused to die, the new could not be born.

“Come along,” Zeenat Vakil’s voice said at his shoulder. It seemed that in spite of all his wrong-doing, weakness, guilt—in spite of his humanity—he was getting another chance. There was no accounting for one’s good fortune, that was plain. There it simply was, taking his elbow in its hand. “My place,” Zeeny offered. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“I’m coming,” he answered her, and turned away from the view.

Related Characters: Saladin Chamcha (speaker), Zeeny Vakil (speaker), Gibreel Farishta

Page Number and Citation: 561

Explanation and Analysis:

Zeeny Vakil Character Timeline in The Satanic Verses

The timeline below shows where the character Zeeny Vakil appears in The Satanic Verses. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

While in India for a role, Saladin starts an affair with Zeeny Vakil, a Marxist writer passionate about Indian culture and identity. Zeeny attempts to reconnect him... (full context)

Racial Prejudice and Xenophobia Theme Icon

Saladin and Zeeny have a conversation about Saladin’s work as an actor. The TV show Saladin is most... (full context)

During their conversation, Saladin mentions Changez. Zeeny recognizes the name because of Changez’s involvement in politics. When Saladin mentions that is thinking... (full context)

Changez comes to see Saladin and Zeeny, but it is not a happy reunion. Although Changez is still married to the other... (full context)

After the argument, Zeeny declares Changez the winner, which makes Saladin furious. Back at Saladin’s hotel, he and Zeeny... (full context)

Saladin’s sense of dread intensifies when he starts dreaming of two women: Mishal Sufyan and Zeeny Vakil. His dreams become a battleground where his past and present collide, and he struggles... (full context)

...which Changez left to him along with a substantial inheritance. As he examines the lamp, Zeeny arrives unexpectedly. She explains that she stayed away to try to hurt Saladin, but now... (full context)

...of quiet contemplation, Saladin decides he must leave his past behind once and far. Hearing Zeeny behind him, he turns and joins her. Together, they walk out of the room, leaving... (full context)