She claims to be enthralled by Usbek’s beauty, although in fairness she was never allowed to look at any other men prior to being married to him. Letter 7: Fatmé (the Seraglio at Ispahan) to Usbek (Erzeroum)Ī third wife of Usbek’s is writing to him. The reader should now understand that there is more behind Usbek’s departure than the desire to study abroad. Clearly something is amiss: Usbek claimed in his first letter to Rustan that he and Rica left in search of knowledge, and the excuse should probably be circulating, but something has occurred that makes the excuse implausible. He is also sad because his friends aren’t allowed to ask any questions about his departure. Although he claims to have “forestalled” love for them, he is still extremely jealous of them. Erzeroum is part of the “Osmanli” or Ottoman Empire, and is outside Persian territory and in Turkey. Here, Usbek and Rica stopped and stayed three or four months. Usbek describes his travel from Erivan, during which time he reached Erzeroum. Letter 6: Usbek (in Erzeroum) to his friend Nessir (Ispahan)
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Rica’s mother is very upset at her son’s absence, and Rustan doesn’t know how to explain it to anyone. This suggests that Usbek did not tell anyone of the reason behind his departure, and that it was abrupt and unexpected. Rustan is replying to Usbek’s first letter, saying that nobody knows why Usbek left, forsaking his wives, relations, and friends. Letter 5: Rustan (in Ispahan) to Usbek (Erzeroum) She is upset because the Chief Black Eunuch has accused her of inappropriate conduct with a female slave Zelida. This letter was written after the first two, and the fact it is addressed to Usbek at Erzeroum suggests that at least one and possibly both of the first two letters have been received. Letter 4: from Zéphis (Seraglio at Ispahan) to Usbek (Erzeroum) But those good days are in the past: she now asserts that Usbek has abandoned them. She recalls an erotic scene in which she and Usbek’s other wives, having asserted their superiority in beauty, challenged him to pick the most beautiful. Zachi recalls her past happiness with Usbek and is pining after him. She describes a trip to the country with the chief of the Eunuchs (incidentally, this would have occurred prior to Usbek having given permission for this to occur). It is written by Zachi, one of Usbek’s wives. This letter was written about a month before the two that precede it.
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Letter 3: from Zachi (Seraglio at Ispahan) to Usbek (Tauris) Usbek reminds the addressee that he has raised him from the lowest ranks to the position of Usbek’s greatest trust, and explains that he is giving his permission for the women may be taken into the country, but tells the Eunuch to constantly remind the women of how powerless they are. Ironically, the addressee is himself a slave and must submit to the lawful commands of the women he governs.
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Usbek explains that it is the addressee’s duty to watch over Usbek’s women, enforcing their dutiful and virtuous behavior and punishing them on his behalf should their modesty lapse. This letter is dated three days after the previous one. Letter 2: from Usbek (Tauris) to his chief black Eunuch (the Seraglio in Ispahan) He claims to be traveling in search of knowledge, but asks what is being said about his departure. Usbek explains that he and Rica stayed only one day at Koum, continuing to Tauris immediately, and will be continuing to Erzeroum to stay there for some time. Letter 1: from Usbek (Tauris) to his friend Rustan (Ispahan) The translation is in the public domain and is available at This summary is based on the John Davidson translation, published in 1899 by Gibbings & Co., London. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.