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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did French society view Laclos after the publication of _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_?
(a) As a "genius."
(b) As a "saint."
(c) As a "mystery."
(d) As a "monster."

2. How does Valmont force Madame de Tourvel's maid to help with his plans?
(a) He rapes her.
(b) He bribes her with 400 francs.
(c) He threatens to blackmail her.
(d) He humiliates her by forcing her to be naked.

3. Who notified Madame de Volanges of Cécile and Danceny's romance?
(a) Merteuil.
(b) Madame de Tourvel.
(c) Cécile, accidentally.
(d) Valmont.

4. What is an "epistolary novel?"
(a) A novel told from the perspective of a single character.
(b) A novel told through letters.
(c) A novel centering around a mythical being.
(d) A novel set in Medieval times.

5. How does Valmont trick Madame de Volanges into receiving his second letter?
(a) He glues it inside her favorite book.
(b) He slips it under her door at night.
(c) He throws it on her lap while company visits, forcing her to grab it and hide it.
(d) He hides it in one of her letters, which she has asked him to return.

Short Answer Questions

1. With whom does Valmont conspire to trick and humiliate a new acquaintance?

2. Where does Cécile live before coming home to Paris?

3. What advice does Cécile's friend offer regarding Danceny's letter?

4. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to Madame de Tourvel in letter 9?

5. What does Cécile tell Danceny in letter 49?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author of the Introduction say about potential political messages of social commentary in Laclos' novel?

2. How does the Publisher's Foreword introduce the novel?

3. What are Merteuil and Valmont's plans for Danceny and Cécile at the beginning of Part II?

4. What event causes Cécile and Danceny to despair? What are the immediate results?

5. What serious warning does Valmont give Merteuil?

6. How does Valmont describe Madame de Tourvel?

7. What defines or designates the "libertine" literary tradition?

8. How does Merteuil respond to Valmont's warning?

9. How does Madame de Tourvel respond to Madame de Volanges' warning about Valmont?

10. What was Choderlos de Laclos' position in society? Describe his family life.

(see the answer keys)

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