# XXI: Ninth Trial of the Ring explained — The Indiscreet Jewels

> Chapter companion for The Indiscreet Jewels by Denis Diderot.

## What happens

Mangogul uses the ring to interrogate the Toy of Thelis, wife of the Emir Sambuco. The Toy reveals a series of adulterous affairs and betrayals, including with Zermounzaid, military officers, and others, leading to the loss of honor, estates, and lives. Mangogul is horrified by the revelations and silences the Toy when it begins to speak of his father Erguebzed. He then recounts the trial to Mirzoza, who becomes disillusioned with her own sex.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Court and Society

The chapter exposes the moral decay of the court, where adultery, betrayal, and greed are hidden behind public honors and rewards.

### Gender and Sexual Politics

Thelis's Toy reveals how her sexuality is used to manipulate and ruin men, while her husband remains complicit or ignorant, highlighting power dynamics.

### Truth vs. Appearance

The ring forces Thelis's Toy to reveal the hidden truth behind her virtuous appearance, contrasting public reputation with private reality.

## Character check-ins

### Mangogul

Uses the ring on Thelis's Toy, learns of her extensive infidelities and betrayals, and silences the Toy when it mentions his father.

### Thelis

Wife of Sambuco, whose Toy reveals her numerous affairs and the ruin she caused.

### Sambuco

Thelis's husband, a hero and negotiator, who remains oblivious to her infidelities.

### Zermounzaid

A colonel under Sambuco, who had an affair with Thelis and was killed in battle due to his distraction.

### Mirzoza

The favorite, who becomes disgusted with women after hearing Mangogul's account of Thelis's Toy.

### Erguebzed

Mangogul's father, mentioned by Thelis's Toy as having made overtures; Mangogul silences the Toy out of respect.

## Key lines

> I remember it as perfectly as if it had been yesterday: nine proofs of love in four hours. Ah! what moments! Zermounzaid is a divine man! He is not the old frozen Sambuco.

The Toy recalls nine acts of love in four hours with Zermounzaid, praising him as far superior to her husband Sambuco.

_Reveals Thelis's passionate affair with Zermounzaid._

> Thus I began by swallowing up the honor and services of an officer, who from his valour and merit might have expected the highest military employments, if he had never known his general’s wife.

The Toy admits that its affair with Zermounzaid led to his death and the loss of his potential career.

_Highlights the destructive consequences of Thelis's actions._

> What horror! cried Mangogul, but softly. A husband dishonor'd, the state betray'd, subjects sacrificed, crimes not only concealed, but even rewarded as virtues: and all that for a Toy.

Mangogul is appalled that betrayal and murder are hidden and rewarded, all because of a woman's sexual desires.

_Mangogul's moral outrage at the hypocrisy revealed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/xxi-ninth-trial-of-the-ring
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters