Venus in Furs

Severin sleeps at the foot of Wanda’s bed. She says she has not slept with other men, and they talk for hours. Wanda tells Severin she loves him and asks if Severin is happy. He says he is, and Wanda laughs and kicks him.

Three women come in, tie Severin’s arms, lead him to the garden, and fix him to a plow, whipping him while Wanda watches. Wanda catches Severin staring at Haydee’s breasts, driving Wanda into a rage. Wanda throws Severin in the basement. Wanda comes to get him, telling him she loves him, and he panics when she takes out a dagger. Wanda laughs and unties him.

Severin reads Manon L’Escault to Wanda, a French novel about a man who fears his lover will leave him for another man. Wanda tells Severin they will play Manon L’Escault at the Cascine, saying she needs to tempt other men to keep Severin interested. Wanda meets a man, disappears behind a bush, and the two emerge an hour later, causing Severin pain. The man comes to Wanda’s home, introducing himself to Severin as a German painter. The painter visits again, and Severin asks Wanda if she loves the painter. Wanda says she does not love Severin or anyone, and Severin can leave whenever he wants.