The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings Chapter Summary & Analysis - The 120 Days of Sodom: Introduction Summary

The 120 Days of Sodom: Introduction Summary

It is the reign of Louis XIV, and while much of France has been impoverished through war, a few "bloodsuckers" have managed to take advantage of the situation to grow even richer. Among these are the four main characters of the novel, who are introduced at the beginning of the book. They are the Duc de Blangis, his brother the Bishop of X, Durcet, and the President de Curval. The King has made moves to begin prosecuting swindlers such as these men, and they make a plan to hide temporarily in a mountain castle where they will engage in a multitude of debauched activities.

These four men have made an arrangement by which they have all married one another's daughters, whom they share with one another as well as sleeping with their own daughters. These four friends all contribute to a common fund which is used to throw enormous and...
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