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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 class of animal will not copulate unless he thinks he is alone?

2. According to Dolmance in this section, why are all kings tyrants?

3. According to Dolmance in this section, laws are written for whom?

4. What does Dolmance do to Madame de Mistival as he lectures her in the Final Dialogue?

5. Why did Eugenie's father send her to the libertines?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprising statement does Chevalier make at the beginning of this section?

2. According to the author of the pamphlet, what is the value of suicide?

3. What proclamation regarding crime does Dolmance make at the beginning of this section?

4. How is Chevalier's argument in this section atypical of the rest of the text?

5. According to Dolmance in this section, how does nature disprove the existence of vice?

6. How does Dolmance conclude his argument with Chevalier in this section?

7. What argument does Dolmance regarding the human heart in the beginning of this section?

8. How does Eugenie's reaction to her mother in the beginning of the Final Dialogue reflect a change in her character?

9. What arrives for the libertines in the Sixth Dialogue?

10. In the Fifth Dialogue, what does Dolmance explain about the law to Eugenie?

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

There are many characters - both present and referenced - that could be construed as surrogates for the author in The Bedroom Philosophers. Write an essay about three of them: Dolmance, Madame de Saint-Ange and the unnamed author of the pamphlet. What component of Sade's worldview does each represent, and how is this viewpoint presented? Is it enacted in the action or simply discussed at length?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the introduction of the book. What reasons does Sade offer for writing The Bedroom Philosophers? What does he hope his readers will take away from it? Does this introduction seem earnest or like a throwaway joke? Is The Bedroom Philosophers intended to be an instruction manual for those that are tired of social constrictions?

(see the answer keys)

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