Literature Companion: Dangerous Liaisons

By History World

“Dangerous Liaisons” is titled “Les Liaisons dangereuses” in French. This French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos was highly acclaimed when it was first published in 1782. The novel was first published in four volumes.

The story revolves around two rivals and ex-lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. Both of them often try to humiliate and degrade others and to achieve this end they use seduction as a weapon.

They enjoy their cruel games and often boast about their manipulation of others. Through this novel, the author has tried to show the decadence of the French aristocracy shortly before the French Revolution. The narrative exposes the so-called Ancient Regime by presenting it as pervert.

Literature Companion: Dangerous Liaisons
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Literary Significance of the Book
Chapter Four: Characters
Chapter Five: Complete Summary
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Chapter Six: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Apr 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310690198

Book preview

Literature Companion: Dangerous Liaisons

Copyright

Literature Companion: Dangerous Liaisons

History World

Copyright@2015 History World

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Chapter One: Introduction

Dangerous Liaisons is titled Les Liaisons dangereuses in French. This French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos was highly acclaimed when it was first published in 1782. The novel was first published in four volumes.

The story revolves around two rivals and ex-lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. Both of them often try to humiliate and degrade others and to achieve this end they use seduction as a weapon.

They enjoy their cruel games and often boast about their manipulation of others. Through this novel, the author has tried to show the decadence of the French aristocracy shortly before the French Revolution. The narrative exposes the so-called Ancient Regime by presenting it as pervert.

Dangerous Liaisons is sometimes also described as an amoral story.

Since it is an epistolary novel, the entire book is composed of letters which are written by several characters to each other. The most significant are the letters exchanged between Valmont and the Marquise. Through their letters the plot gets momentum.

A scandal appeared right after the publication of the novel. Since the novel presents two depraved individuals who lacked any trace of morals it was also seen as a roman a clef. Some of the descriptions in the novel could be linked to the actual individuals in society. On these grounds, there was a scandal.

In the preface, it is described how the letters were taken from an actual correspondence. The author did not attempt to dispel this belief. Several questions were raised about the authenticity of the novel.

Having gone through the novel, it can be concluded that the author has written a novel to amuse, titillate, and amuse. It is a classic piece of literature.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

The opening of the novel takes place at two different settings: two sumptuous drawing-rooms. One of them is in a Parisian mansion and the other is in a chateau on a luxurious estate in the countryside near Paris.

The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont are two bard aristocrats. They are former lovers and now rivals. The Marquise de Merteuil decides to do something to amuse herself and her former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont.

The Marquise has learned that a young girl named Cecile Volanges form a good family has just come out of convent and her mother wants her to marry the Comte de Gercourt.

The Marquise wants to take revenge on this Comte. She suggests to the Vicomte to seduce and debauch Cecile to create a scandal. The Marquise wants to humiliate Gercourt.

At first Valmont does not agree, but after some thought he agrees to seduce Cecile. He actually has his eyes on another prey, Presidente de Tourvel, who happens to be the religious and chase wife of a member of Parliament.

Valmont is ready to accept the challenge. He has a bet with the Marquise that if he is able to get a written proof that he has actually slept with Tourvel; the Marquise must yield herself to him.

On appropriate time, Cecile is presented to society. During her first formal social appearance, she meets Chevalier Danceny. He is a charming and young gentleman. He becomes Cecile’s music teacher.

The Marquise begins to help the teacher and Cecile and after some time the young people fall in love. During all this time, Valmont happens to be out in the country on his aunt’s estate.