Dolmance

Dolmance is the renowned libertine and sodomite who serves as a surrogate for the Marquis de Sade. He has the longest passages of philosophical expostulation throughout the book. Moreover, he is the ringmaster of the sexual acrobatics that comprise the action of The Bedroom Philosopher.

The Chevalier de Mirvel describes Dolmance as a brilliant, attractive, effeminate man. Dolmance rarely has sex with women and never has vaginal intercourse, but makes an exception in the case of Madame de Saint-Ange and Eugenie. Over the course of their adventures in the boudoir, Dolmance holds forth on a variety of subjects connected with libertinage. On the subject of sex, he contends that reception of anal intercourse is the best sexual experience a human can enjoy.

Philosophically, Dolmance detests religion and lionizes nature, which he contends requires equal parts creation and destruction. As such, he tells Eugenie that she is under no...