In the following excerpt, Langbaum assesses the theme of the human condition as found in Dinesen's "The Ring," particularly as it relates to the character of Lovisa. He also studies the sexual symbolism of the story.

The few brief notes sounded in "The Ring" make an interesting epilogue to the volume [Anecdotes of Destiny ].... epilogue reminds us of the contrary theme that has been dealt with for the most part negatively in Anecdotes—the theme of the richly ambiguous human way. Like Eve when she meets Satan, the newly married, inhumanly innocent wife encounters a young thief and murderer. To buy him off, she offers him her wedding ring, which he spurns so that it falls to the ground and he kicks it away. He picks up, instead, the handkerchief she has also let fall, wraps it around the blade of his knife and puts the...