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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 Ernestine tell Herman to do on the night of Madame Scholtz's ball?

2. In Part Two, on what evening is Duc flogged while copulating with Zelmire's maid?

3. Who offers himself/herself up to the Bishop, given that another has not satisfied him?

4. According to Champville, on the 16th of December, with whom is Duc always pictured?

5. In Tale 7, How old is the maid that lost her virginity to "his" valet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Duclos' story get interrupted on the First Day?

2. What are the stage directions for Act Three?

3. What main concerns does Fabrice have regarding Oxtiern's relationship with Ernestine?

4. What is special about the Friday parties?

5. Who assumes the task of the storytelling in December?

6. What does the Duc require of Curval if he is to allow Curval to marry his daughter Julie?

7. What are the facts regarding the 150 Murderous Passions?

8. What are the facts regarding the 150 Complex Passions?

9. What does the First Day entail?

10. When "the story opens," what are the circumstances surrounding Saunders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you believe that the "Passions" moved from "complex" to "criminal" to "murderous"? What was the progression? What changed as the "Passions" progressed? Why do you believe the "Passions" changed?

Essay Topic 2

Based upon the historical acceptance of sexual deviancy, do you believe that the actions of the men in "120 Days of Sodom" were criminal? Why/Why not? (Note: Research the historical acceptance of the sexual actions described in the text before you begin your essay.) When were specific acts considered criminal? Which actions were always considered criminal? Which actions were allowed in certain times in history? Were some actions not necessarily allowed, but looked upon as acceptable as long as no one knew of them?

Essay Topic 3

Women have fought over Sade's writing. Angela Carter ("The Sadeian Woman: And the Ideology of Pornography" (1979)) believed Sade to be a "moral pornographer." Andrea Dworkin ("Pornography: Men Possessing Women" (1979)) saw Sade as the model of the "woman-hating pornographer." With whom do you agree? Did Sade hate women, or did he create a "special place" for women in the lives of men?

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