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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Madame de Rosemonde warn Madame de Tourvel about in letter 126?

2. Why is Madame de Tourvel suddenly convinced that Valmont no longer loves her?

3. What is Madame de Tourvel's mindset in letter 161?

4. How did Merteuil approach sex on her wedding night?

5. What does Danceny complain to Merteuil about in letter 118?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Madame de Tourvel changes after being abandoned by Valmont.

2. Summarize Merteuil's tale of her ruination of Prévan's.

3. How does Merteuil respond to Cécile's news about Valmont's actions?

4. Summarize the problem Madame de Tourvel sees preventing her and Valmont from having a relationship, and how Valmont circumvents her hesitation.

5. Describe Merteuil's warning to Valmont about his reputation in Paris.

6. What is the general content of the letter Azolan, Valmont's valet, writes to Valmont?

7. Describe Valmont's response to Merteuil's affair with Danceny.

8. What news of Valmont does Madame de Rosemonde give Madame de Tourvel, and how does Madame de Tourvel react?

9. What happens between Valmont and Madame de Tourvel that shocks and angers Valmont, and why does he react so strongly?

10. Describe Madame de Tourvel's dictated, unaddressed letter which Madame de Volanges sends to Madame de Rosemonde.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are Merteuil and Valmont's "ethics" of seduction? How do they plan their seductions? What motivates them to seduce and ruin others? What rules of letter writing, evidence gathering, and record-keeping do they have for themselves and for others? Do you see any ironic or hypocritical behavior in Valmont or Merteuil? Why do they constantly write to each other of their own plans, offer their criticisms or praises of each others plans, tell stories of seductions past, and warn each other of potential dangers?

Essay Topic 2

Does Merteuil and Valmont's relationship through letter writing become a stand-in for having a real sexual relationship, or even being in love? What is the significance of them never meeting face-to-face within the confines of the book? Does Merteuil subtly seduce Valmont through the entire novel? What does she lead him to believe? What promise or contract between them does Valmont continually remind her of? How does their sexual tension contribute to the breaking of their relationship late in the novel? How does their relationship change throughout the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the theme of male solidarity in the novel. Consider the following situations: the three men involved with Prévan's legendary seduction bond together to ruin all three women who are also Prévan's targets; Valmont convinces Madame de Tourvel's confessor, Father Anselme, to allow Valmont access to Madame de Tourvel; Valmont and Danceny, after dueling, bond together to ruin Merteuil. Are there similar instances of female solidarity in the novel? How does this influence your interpretation of gender roles in the novel? How are "communities," or even friendships, gendered in the text?

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