"Dangerous Liaisons"

Paper Summary:

Discusses Choderlos de Laclos' novel of 1782. Its form as an epistolary novel. Main theme of corruption of innonence and virtue, and the power of evil. Elegance of the book's language and finely structured plot. Character of Valmont; his personality traits; his parasitical relationships. His inability to form meaningful relationships.

From the Paper:

"Choderlos de Laclos s Les liaisons dangereuses translated sometimes as Dangerous Acquaintances but more accurately titled in English with the cognate Dangerous Liaisons is an epistolary novel (published in 1782) that takes as its main theme the corruption of innocence and virtue by the libertine Valmont and his mistress, the vicious and immoral Madame de Mertueil simply for their own amusement. The book s great virtues are the elegance of its language and its finely structured plot along with Laclos s ability to examine in such an unflinching way the fascination and power of evil. The battle of the sexes which is also at the center of the book is portrayed with deadly seriousness (the only real lack in the book is perhaps a touch of irony and humor). All frivolity and sentimentality have been banished from this book, which depicts a world that is deeply ..."

More papers on "Dangerous Liaisons":

• Comparison Essay # 24007 : "Dangerous Liaisons"
• Book Review # 74483 : "'Les Liaisons Dangereuses'"
• Comparison Essay # 11062 : "'Dangerous Liasons'"

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