The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings Topics for Discussion

Discuss de Beauvoir's and Klossowski's different views on Sade's atheism.

How does Sade portray religion in his writings. Is he an atheist?

Discuss the theme of vice winning over virtue. Why does Sade claim to show this in his writings? Is his reasoning sincere?

Does Sade follow his own advice given in "Reflections on the Novel"?

Discuss Sade's extreme attention to detail in "120 Days of Sodom." What purpose does it serve? What effect does it have on the reader?

What would a perfect world according to Sade be like? Would it work?

Compare the play "Oxtiern" with the story on which it is based, "Ernestine." Why did Sade change the ending? Is one version better than the other? Why?

Is Sade a sincere writer, as Simone de Beauvoir suggests?

What is Sade's view of Nature as an entity?