Dangerous Liaisons

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1782

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Preface-Letter 20

Part 1, Letters 21-40

Part 1, Letters 41-50

Part 2, Letters 51-70

Part 2, Letters 71-87

Part 3, Letters 88-100

Part 3, Letters 101-124

Part 4, Letters 125-150

Part 4, Letters 151-175

Character Analysis

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Part 2, Letters 51-70Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2, Letter 51 Summary

02 September: Merteuil writes to Valmont. She tells Valmont about how Cécile went to confession, confessed everything about herself and Danceny, and now feels religious guilt and has broken with the chevalier. Danceny has tried to dissuade Cécile, to no avail. Valmont needs to work with him and make him more proactive and less hesitant. She will work on Cécile.

Part 2, Letter 52 Summary

03 September: Valmont writes to Tourvel. He asks her how she could possibly forbid him the one outlet his has for his love and desire for her. What she asks is not only unjust but also severe. He portrays himself as a victim of youth and naïveté to explain his past affairs, not one of whom he ever loved. Meeting her changed everything in him.

Part 2, Letter 53 Summary

03 September: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He has been with Danceny but could not convince him to divulge greater details about him and Cécile. They are going to Versailles the next day, and he will interrogate him more then.