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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. Where was Eugenie before she became acquainted with Madame de Saint-Ange?

2. In the Fourth Dialogue, what combination of sexual acts does Madame de Saint-Ange advocate?

3. In the Third Dialogue, what topic does Eugenie broach that makes Dolmance scoff and chastise her?

4. In this section of the Third Dialogue, what does Eugenie forswear?

5. According to Dolmance, Christianity is just a newer form of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Eugenie respond to finding Dolamnce in the boudoir in the Third Dialogue?

2. Why is sodomy, according to Dolmance, the height of libertine pleasure?

3. What is the value of blasphemy to the libertine?

4. How does Chevalier frame Dolamnce's entrance in the First Dialogue?

5. How does Madame de Saint-Ange recommend a married woman carry out her infidelity?

6. What methods does Madame recommend for avoiding pregnancy?

7. Describe Dolmance's attitudes toward the poor.

8. What arrangement does Dolmance create with Chevalier in the Fourth Dialogue?

9. Describe Madame de Saint-Ange's husband.

10. What odd and incorrect theories of conception are discussed in the Third Dialogue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dolmance is the dedicated libertine and sodomite who heads up the education of Eugenie. Write a three-part essay about Dolmance's philosophy of life. What arguments does he make regarding each topic? What does this say about the Marquis de Sade's views regarding France? What connects his philosophical views to his sexual proclivities?

Part 1) Charity.

Part 2) Parental relationships.

Part 3) Marriage

Essay Topic 2

In The Bedroom Philosophers, the abstract idea of nature is used as a central justification for libertine philosophy. Write an essay about the use of nature as a guiding principle in the novel. What elements of nature are inspiring to the libertines? Does nature follow a set of moral guidelines? What connection does nature have to the human race? What does the human impulse to hurt and conquer have in common with nature?

Essay Topic 3

Sodomy plays an incredible role in the libertine philosophy of Dolmance. He expounds upon its pure, unadorned pleasure. Write a three-part essay about the libertine ideal as expressed through the act of sodomy:

Part 1) What reasons does Dolmance explain through the book that society has for frowning upon anal intercourse? Why is it considered unnatural and dirty? To what extend is the substance of semen made sacred through these arguments?

Part 2) Discuss the various ways in which Dolmance rebuke the arguments against sodomy. How does he connect the notion of nature to justify the value of sodomy? Aesthetically, why does Dolmance think that the anus is more perfect than the vagina?

Part 3) Discuss how Dolmance applies his beliefs about sodomy in his everyday life. What does he abstain from? What does he lecture and practice on a regular basis?

(see the answer keys)

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