# XV: The Women's Defence explained — The Slaves of the Padishah > Chapter companion for The Slaves of the Padishah by Mór Jókai. ## What happens The Transylvanian council convenes to decide the fate of Princess Ghyka, who has fled to them for protection after her husband's escape from the Turks. Michael Teleki argues that necessity compels them to hand her over to avoid the Sultan's wrath. The men are resigned to this shameful course until Anna Bornemissza, Dame Apafi, leads a delegation of women into the council chamber. She delivers a passionate plea, challenging the counsellors' honor and manhood, and demands they protect the innocent woman. Her speech deeply shakes the assembly, but ultimately the council decides to surrender Princess Ghyka. The men are left in despair, but their gloom is interrupted by the arrival of Yffim Beg, who demands tribute for Hassan Pasha. Teleki, however, boldly dictates a defiant letter of refusal, and Apafi orders the insolent Beg to be tied to a horse and driven from the town. ## Themes in this chapter ### Honor and Betrayal The central conflict of the chapter: the counsellors must choose between the shame of betraying an innocent woman and the potential destruction of their nation. Anna Bornemissza's speech directly challenges their honor. ### Gender and Agency The women of Transylvania, led by Anna Bornemissza, take political action by invading the council chamber and demanding a say in the fate of Princess Ghyka, challenging the men's exclusive authority. ### Power and Corruption The chapter depicts the corrupting influence of Ottoman power, as the Transylvanian leaders are forced to consider a dishonorable act to appease their overlords. Teleki's argument of 'necessity' highlights the moral compromises demanded by power. ## Character check-ins ### Michael Teleki Leads the council debate, arguing for the necessity of surrendering Princess Ghyka, but later dictates a defiant letter to Hassan Pasha. ### Michael Apafi The Prince of Transylvania, who reluctantly presides over the council and is visibly distressed by the decision to surrender the Princess. ### Anna Bornemissza Dame Apafi, who leads the women's delegation and delivers a powerful speech challenging the counsellors' honor. ### Mariska The Princess of Moldavia, whose fate is the subject of the council's debate; she is present and pleads for protection. ### Yffim Beg Hassan Pasha's envoy, who bursts into the council chamber to demand tribute and is met with defiance. ### Paul Béldi A counsellor present at the assembly who is moved by the women's plea. ### Stephen Nalaczi Accompanies the Prince and Teleki into the council chamber, greeting everyone with a courtly smile. ### Ladislaus Csaky A counsellor present at the assembly who is moved by the women's plea. ## Key lines > If we had to choose between shame and death, I should know what to say; but here our choice is only between two kinds of shame: either to hand over an innocent, tender woman, who has appealed to us for protection, or see... Teleki argues that while he would choose death over shame, the council is faced with a choice between two forms of shame: surrendering the Princess or facing the Sultan's wrath. _Teleki frames the dilemma as a choice between two evils, both involving dishonor._ > We are the victims of the times, madam; help us to conceal the blush of shame and share it with us. Teleki pleads with Dame Apafi to understand that they are forced by circumstance to act shamefully and asks for her sympathy and complicity in their dishonor. _Teleki appeals to the women to share the burden of the nation's shame._ > What! If a husband has offended, is his innocent wife, whose only fault is that she loves the fugitive, is she, I say, to suffer punishment in his stead? Where is the justice of that? Anna Bornemissza questions the justice of punishing Princess Ghyka for the crimes of her husband, arguing that her only fault is loyalty and love. _Anna challenges the logic of collective punishment and demands justice for the innocent._ > Justice is often another name for necessity. Teleki responds that in times of crisis, what is necessary for survival often overrides what is just. _Teleki justifies the council's decision by equating justice with political necessity._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters/xv-the-women-s-defence - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters