Essay Questions

This novel presents a satirical view of two world religions. Explain how authority figures in the Islamic and Christian world are presented in a critical way.

Montesquieu mocks hypocrisy by describing and magnifying it. Usbek, after noticing significant differences between Christian and Islamic customs, is unable to understand why the customs of Islam are the way they are. So he writes to Mollah Mehemet Ali, the guardian of the Three Tombs at Qom, who is a revered man of letters well regarded for his wisdom. Usbek knows him because he and Rica stayed with him as Qom for a day during their flight from Isfahan. In the letter, Usbek asks practical questions about why there is a bias against eating pork. The Mollah -- who is supposedly revered for his wisdom -- responds with a long, unscientific screed that is physically implausible, and suggests that Usbek just shut up and believe.

Montesquieu mocks what had become a contemporary Protestant and Catholic custom: debating different aspects of Christian theology. For a religion that supposedly prided itself on having found all the answers, it lacked a unified approach to anything.

Through the character Rica, Montesquieu presents the Pope as being a magician or conjurer of sorts who can make his followers believe anything, including some notions that seem implausible to non-Christians such as the concept of the Holy Trinity or three aspects of God in one form.

How does the story of the Troglodites parallel what Usbek is seeing on his travels?

The Troglodites had an anarchic society in which every man did what he wanted and advanced his own interests, submitting to no authority. They used their freedoms to prey upon each other to the point where their society was completely without trust: there was no justice, no social standards, and no educated people who were willing to practice medicine or work toward the common good. All the Troglodites perished except two families, who decided to cultivate virtue instead of vice. This new society was very successful and eventually elected the most virtuous man among them as a king.

In Paris, Usbek sees a society that is freer than what he has ever known. The women in particular are able to walk about and conduct business in a way that is impossible in Isfahan. Yet the French society also obeys the rule of law. Although Usbek at first fears that this relatively anarchic society is dangerous and unstable, he sees that there is in fact submission to authority particularly in the form of a just monarch. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire has become extremely weak due to its corruption and lack of strong, honest leadership.

Usbek and Rica notice significant differences between French and Persian women, however many of the differences he imagines come more from the women's circumstances than from any innate biological difference. What are these supposed differences, and how does Usbek's perception of Persian women differ from reality?

Usbek regards Persian women as being finer, more refined, and more delicate than the French women, although the French women are prettier since they take great pains with their appearance and dress in a way to attract male attention. This is chiefly due to the fact that French women go out in general society and interact with women besides the ones in their families (something Usbek believes coarsens them). Many of the French women are educated, intelligent, articulate, and skilled in both flirtation and other social skills.

Usbek's wives are Zachi (whom he berates for being caught alone with the Chief Eunuch), Zephis (who is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the slave woman Zelida), and Roxana. All the women are cloistered in the seraglio and forbidden all male contact, however Roxana (the only wife Usbek trusts) eventually finds a way to have an affair with a man. Yet despite Usbek's efforts and the constant work of the Eunuchs, all three of the women find a way to satisfy their sexual needs without involving their husband.

One of the biggest ironies of the book is the extent to which Usbek fails to understand his own wives. Although he imagines that his wives are faithful, happy, and satisfied while imprisoned in their seraglio, they are not. They are angry and frustrated. Roxana hates him bitterly, yet he misinterprets her hatred as modesty and trusts her, elevating her above his other wives in his regard.

Although religious and political commentary are key parts of The Persian Letters, there is also a great deal of social commentary. Show how Montesquieu pokes fun at aspects of Parisian society.

Montesquieu describes someone who claims to have discovered "the philosopher's stone", a mystical element that can turn lead into gold. Although many people believes in the Philosopher's Stone even well into the 19th century, the man who claims to have discovered it is clearly either completely self-deluded or a convincing charlatan.

The ladies' man, who in Usbek's opinion would be fit for nothing in Persia except as a eunuch seraglio guardian, is shown to be a mildly avaricious man whose material fortune comes solely from his skill as a seducer.

In his portrayal of the old soldier and the blind man, Montesquieu is actually showing sympathy for the disabled veterans, who are kept alive but excluded from society overall despite their sacrifice and service to the state.