(B′) Two banquets on the two days of Purim (9:1–32) (A′) The greatness of Mordecai (10:1–3)1 This chiastic structure is built around a series of feasts located at significant junctures in the story. When Vashti refuses to parade herself during the book’s first two feasts, she loses her position as queen, allowing Esther to be crowned in her place, with another banquet (2:18). Haman is exposed during Esther’s second banquet, while Mordecai’s promotion is accompanied with feasting (8:17). Finally,