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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What was Laclos' relationship with his own wife and children?
(a) He was harsh and abusive.
(b) He was cold and distant.
(c) He was warm and loving.
(d) He was timid and shy.

3. According to Merteuil in letter 10, which pretext do women use to submit to sexual pleasure with a man?
(a) Women allow themselves to be raped.
(b) Women initiate their own seductions.
(c) Women use the excuse of weak-mindedness.
(d) Women come to secret agreements with their lovers.

4. What does Valmont ask Madame de Tourvel to do in letter 35?
(a) Give him the names of those saying bad things about him.
(b) Commit to a sexual relationship with him.
(c) Divorce her husband, the judge.
(d) Move to Paris so they can be seen in society together.

5. What else does David Coward, author of the Introduction, insist is a factor in libertine novels?
(a) The questioning of humanity's purpose on earth.
(b) The reinforcement of ancient wisdom.
(c) The surrealist confusion of society.
(d) The provocation of social mores.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Valmont make sure that Madame de Tourvel will read his first letter?

2. What does Madame de Tourvel offer Valmont?

3. What does Madame de Volanges threaten to do to Danceny?

4. Whom does Danceny trust to help him continue his relationship with Cécile?

5. What does Merteuil call Danceny in letter 38?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Valmont essentially tell Merteuil about their relationship with each other in letter 15?

2. What are Merteuil and Valmont's plans for Danceny and Cécile at the beginning of Part II?

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

4. What is the content of Danceny's letters to Cécile?

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

6. How does Cécile describe Danceny to her friend Sophie?

7. What were Laclos' general views on politics and gender relations?

8. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to warn Madame de Tourvel against becoming too friendly with him?

9. What event causes Cécile and Danceny to despair? What are the immediate results?

10. What are the general contents of Valmont's love letters to Madame de Tourvel?

(see the answer keys)

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