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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 does Danceny fear after reading Valmont's report?
2. How does Merteuil increase sympathy for herself?
3. What does Merteuil advise Valmont to tell Madame de Tourvel?
4. What does Madame de Rosemonde advise Madame de Volanges do about Cécile?
5. Whom does Valmont's valet count on to get him access to Madame de Tourvel?
Short Essay Questions
1. What event causes Madame de Tourvel to think Valmont does not love her? How does Valmont's respond?
2. Describe Madame de Tourvel's dictated, unaddressed letter which Madame de Volanges sends to Madame de Rosemonde.
3. Summarize Merteuil's tale of her ruination of Prévan's.
4. Summarize Bertrand's letters to Madame de Rosemonde.
5. Describe Valmont's response to Merteuil's affair with Danceny.
6. What is Merteuil's next plan for seduction? How does Valmont react?
7. Describe how Madame de Tourvel changes after being abandoned by Valmont.
8. What arguments does Valmont use to convince Madame de Tourvel to see him?
9. How does Merteuil respond to Cécile's news about Valmont's actions?
10. Describe Merteuil's end in the novel.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Examine the ending of the novel and the various fates assigned to each character. Does the ending and Madame de Volanges' final message fulfill the "requirements" of a moral novel? Could the endings of, arguably, the two most important characters (Valmont's death and Merteuil's disgrace) be considered "Deus ex machinas?" Why or why not? Do you find any symbolism in each character's fate? Where do ideas of morality and justice emerge from the ending of the novel? Does the ending resolve anything, leave any issues ambiguous, or become undercut by the vastness of the immorality in the novel?
Essay Topic 2
Examine the theme of male solidarity in the novel. Consider the following situations: the three men involved with Prévan's legendary seduction bond together to ruin all three women who are also Prévan's targets; Valmont convinces Madame de Tourvel's confessor, Father Anselme, to allow Valmont access to Madame de Tourvel; Valmont and Danceny, after dueling, bond together to ruin Merteuil. Are there similar instances of female solidarity in the novel? How does this influence your interpretation of gender roles in the novel? How are "communities," or even friendships, gendered in the text?
Essay Topic 3
What are Merteuil and Valmont's "ethics" of seduction? How do they plan their seductions? What motivates them to seduce and ruin others? What rules of letter writing, evidence gathering, and record-keeping do they have for themselves and for others? Do you see any ironic or hypocritical behavior in Valmont or Merteuil? Why do they constantly write to each other of their own plans, offer their criticisms or praises of each others plans, tell stories of seductions past, and warn each other of potential dangers?
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This section contains 1,289 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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