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The Indiscreet Jewels · Chapter

Twenty-Third Trial of the Ring explained

Mangogul visits Fannia to test his ring.

What happens

Mangogul visits Fannia to test his ring. He finds her in bed with Alonzo and turns the ring on her 'Toy,' which speaks, revealing Fannia's past affair with Amisadar. The Toy recounts their seduction and a subsequent conversation about love and inconstancy, all while Alonzo listens.

Themes in this chapter

  • Satire of Court and Society

    The chapter satirizes courtly love and the superficiality of aristocratic relationships, as seen in Fannia's many adventures and the casual infidelity.

  • Gender and Sexual Politics

    Explores the dynamics of power and desire between men and women, highlighting Fannia's agency and Amisadar's idealized versus practical views on love.

  • Truth vs. Appearance

    The ring forces Fannia's Toy to reveal hidden truths about her past, contrasting her public persona with private actions.

Characters to notice

  • Mangogul

    Sultan who conducts the trial on Fannia's Toy.

  • Fannia

    The subject of the trial; her Toy speaks of her adventures.

  • Alonzo

    Fannia's current lover, present in bed during the trial.

  • Amisadar

    Fannia's former lover, whose seduction is recounted by the Toy.

Key passages

  • “Fannia is fair even to insipidity, tall, ungainly, with an indecent gait, no features, few Agrémens, and an air of intrepidity, intolerable anywhere but at court.”

    Fannia is blandly pretty, tall and awkward, with a crude walk, plain features, little charm, and a boldness that is only acceptable at court.

    Describes Fannia's appearance and demeanor.

  • “Inconstancy affords a variety of pleasures unknown to you languishing folks.”

    Being fickle offers many pleasures that you devoted types never experience.

    Fannia argues for the benefits of inconstancy in love.

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