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The Indiscreet Jewels · Chapter

XVII: The Two Devouts explained

Two devout women, Zelida and Sophia, fear exposure of their secret affairs as the Sultan's ring causes Toys to speak.

What happens

Two devout women, Zelida and Sophia, fear exposure of their secret affairs as the Sultan's ring causes Toys to speak. They discuss the impending loss of their reputations and consider using a muzzle invented by Frenicol to silence their Toys.

Themes in this chapter

  • Satire of Court and Society

    The chapter satirizes religious hypocrisy and the social obsession with reputation among the devout in Banza.

  • Truth vs. Appearance

    The devout women's public virtue contrasts with their private intrigues, and they seek to silence the truth-telling Toys.

Characters to notice

  • Zelida

    A devout woman terrified of losing her reputation due to her Toy's potential indiscretion.

  • Sophia

    A devout woman who pragmatically accepts the risk of dishonor and suggests using a muzzle.

  • Frenicol

    The Toyman summoned by Zelida and Sophia to provide muzzles for their Toys.

Key passages

  • “The principal maxim of both was, that scandal is the greatest of all sins.”

    Both women believed that causing scandal was the worst possible sin.

    Highlights their prioritization of reputation over morality.

  • “I have tried all shifts to reconcile reputation with pleasures: but since it is decreed that we must renounce reputation, let us at least preserve pleasures.”

    Sophia has exhausted efforts to keep both reputation and pleasure, so she chooses to keep pleasure.

    Shows Sophia's pragmatic and cynical acceptance of the situation.

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The Indiscreet Jewels — XVII: The Two Devouts Explained