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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What physical condition makes it difficult for Madame de Rosemonde to write letters?

2. Why is Madame de Tourvel suddenly convinced that Valmont no longer loves her?

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

4. What action does Valmont propose to Cécile to facilitate their secret correspondence?

5. What does Madame de Tourvel regret in letter 124?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the content and tone of Danceny's letters to Merteuil?

2. Summarize the problem Madame de Tourvel sees preventing her and Valmont from having a relationship, and how Valmont circumvents her hesitation.

3. Summarize the content of the "letter" that Merteuil dictates to Valmont about his apparent love of Madame de Tourvel.

4. How did Merteuil develop into a master manipulator?

5. Describe Madame de Tourvel's dictated, unaddressed letter which Madame de Volanges sends to Madame de Rosemonde.

6. Describe what Valmont does when he gets the key to Cécile's room.

7. What happens between Valmont and Madame de Tourvel that shocks and angers Valmont, and why does he react so strongly?

8. How does Valmont thwart Merteuil with regards to Danceny?

9. How does Valmont manipulate Cécile and Danceny's relationship?

10. What subterfuge does Valmont suggest to Cécile in order to get Danceny's letters to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role that religion, church, and the clergy have in the novel. How does each character treat, refer to, or interact with religion, faith and morality? Explain the reasoning behind the following categorizations of the main characters, based upon the characters' views on, or influence from, religion: Merteuil and Valmont; Madames de Rosemonde, de Volanges, and de Tourvel; Cécile and Danceny.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the kinds of loss in the novel. Explain their significance to the plot, to the development of specific characters, to any theme development, and any symbolism in them. Some types of loss in the novel include: loss of love, trust, innocence, virginity, hope, virtue, friendship; loss of life (as in death or miscarriage); loss of future (marriages, happiness, success, livelihood); loss of self-identity and control over one's own life.

Essay Topic 3

Does Merteuil and Valmont's relationship through letter writing become a stand-in for having a real sexual relationship, or even being in love? What is the significance of them never meeting face-to-face within the confines of the book? Does Merteuil subtly seduce Valmont through the entire novel? What does she lead him to believe? What promise or contract between them does Valmont continually remind her of? How does their sexual tension contribute to the breaking of their relationship late in the novel? How does their relationship change throughout the course of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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