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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Letters 125 - 150.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Valmont force Madame de Tourvel's maid to help with his plans?
(a) He bribes her with 400 francs.
(b) He rapes her.
(c) He threatens to blackmail her.
(d) He humiliates her by forcing her to be naked.

2. How does Merteuil increase sympathy for herself?
(a) She keeps quiet and the mystery deepens.
(b) She pretends to be ill.
(c) She asserts that Prévan robbed her.
(d) She claims to have been raped.

3. What opinion about love does Merteuil voice to Valmont?
(a) Marriage is the highest form of love.
(b) Love is the lowest human feeling.
(c) Pleasure is followed by aversion.
(d) Sex is based only on physical need.

4. How do today's readers of Laclos interpret his novel?
(a) They cannot agree on the ambiguous meanings and motivations of the characters.
(b) They neglect several characters and only focus on one or two.
(c) They always apply Laclos' personal history to the meaning of the novel.
(d) They find that each character has definite motivations.

5. What has Merteuil tricked Cécile into doing?
(a) Meeting with Danceny alone.
(b) Telling Madame de Volanges about her love for Danceny.
(c) Refusing to marry the Comte de Gercourt.
(d) Sleeping with Valmont.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whom does Merteuil target for her next seduction?

2. What happens to Cécile when Valmont's door opens while they are together?

3. In his other writings, what view did Laclos take of women?

4. How does Valmont's tale of seduction end?

5. In letter 15, what does Valmont call Merteuil about her attentions to her current lover?

(see the answer key)

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