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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. How does Coward recommend the novel should be criticized?

2. What does Merteuil do to get herself in the mood for sex with her lover?

3. Who notified Madame de Volanges of Cécile and Danceny's romance?

4. What was Laclos' relationship with his own wife and children?

5. How does Cécile initially feel about Danceny?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the general response to _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_ in the 20th century?

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

3. Describe Cécile de Volanges.

4. What were Laclos' general views on politics and gender relations?

5. What does the Editor state in the Editor's Preface?

6. What does the author of the Introduction say is particularly engaging about Laclos' use of the epistolary form?

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

8. How does Cécile describe Danceny to her friend Sophie?

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

10. What concession does Madame de Tourvel give Valmont, and what are the results?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Merteuil's relationship with Cécile. What does the older woman do to influence the younger woman? How does Merteuil define Cécile? What are Merteuil's motivations in making Cécile her "protégé?" How does Merteuil manipulate and control Cécile's life and her personal character in ways both visible and invisible to Cécile, to her mother, and to Danceny? Use evidence from Cécile's letters to and about Merteuil, and Merteuil's letters to and about Cécile, to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the Publisher's Note and Editor's Preface. What is their significance to the work? What messages are they each trying to get across? What is the tone of each? How do they try to influence the readers of the novel? In which ways do they define the work? Why does Laclos include them both? After reading the novel, do you read them or understand them in a different way? How do they compare to typical prefatory material in other works? Is the Publisher's Note after the last letter related in any way to Laclos' introductions?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of innocence in the novel. How does the author describe "innocence" or "ignorance" and what connotations are attached to these words or ideas? In the novel, is innocence automatically ignorance? Who is impressionable in the novel?How do other characters take advantage of this? Which characters act innocent or ignorant in the novel? Are Madame de Volanges, Madame de Tourvel, and/or Madame de Rosemonde "innocents," in any way? What becomes of Cécile and Danceny's innocence? How are innocence and experience opposed in the novel?

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