View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to Madame de Tourvel in letter 9?
(a) Valmont is trustworthy and honest.
(b) Valmont has an excellent reputation around town.
(c) Valmont has an addiction to gambling.
(d) Valmont is dangerous and deceitful.

2. Against whom does Valmont warn Merteuil in letter 70?
(a) Danceny.
(b) Azolan.
(c) Prévan.
(d) Bertram.

3. What does Laclos favor over the well-trained mind?
(a) A sense of humor.
(b) A feeling heart.
(c) A high social station.
(d) A stout constitution.

4. What does Danceny's letter 28 accuse Cécile of?
(a) Being rude and condescending in her letters.
(b) Being heartless and pitiless toward him.
(c) Being ignorant about his feelings.
(d) Being flirtatious with other men.

5. What does Cécile think are pretty much the same thing?
(a) Sex and love.
(b) Friendship and marriage.
(c) Innocence and ignorance.
(d) Friendship and love.

Short Answer Questions

1. What else does David Coward, author of the Introduction, insist is a factor in libertine novels?

2. What common subjects of social satire is the novel clearly lacking, according to Coward?

3. What does Madame de Tourvel offer Valmont?

4. What literary tradition does Coward see as applicable?

5. Who or what does Coward see as at fault for the events of the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What subterfuge does Valmont use to come into possession of Madame de Tourvel's letters?

2. What does the author of the Introduction say is particularly engaging about Laclos' use of the epistolary form?

3. What was Choderlos de Laclos' position in society? Describe his family life.

4. How does the Publisher's Foreword introduce the novel?

5. How does Cécile describe her feelings about Danceny to Sophie in letter 55?

6. What causes Cécile to become worried and sad about her upcoming marriage?

7. What does Merteuil assert is the reason women become "victims" of seduction?

8. How does Madame de Tourvel respond to Valmont's first love letter?

9. What concession does Madame de Tourvel give Valmont, and what are the results?

10. How does Merteuil respond to Valmont's warning?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample