Les liaisons dangereuses, volume 2 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of others

Key themes

Manipulation and Power

The central theme, explored through the intricate schemes of Merteuil and Valmont. The novel dissects the psychology of manipulation, showing how characters exert control over others through deception, psychological warfare, and the exploitation of weaknesses. Power is not just political or social, but personal, derived from the ability to control others' emotions and reputations.

Virtue and Corruption

The novel starkly contrasts genuine virtue with moral corruption. It examines how innocence (Tourvel, Cécile) is systematically targeted and destroyed by cynical libertines, raising questions about the fragility of morality in a decadent society. It also explores the internal corruption of the manipulators themselves, who become increasingly depraved through their actions.

Consequences and Justice

Volume 2 particularly emphasizes the theme of consequences. While the manipulators seem invincible for much of the story, their actions ultimately lead to their own destruction, as well as the ruin of their victims. The novel explores whether justice is served, and if so, what form it takes – divine, social, or self-inflicted.

Worth discussing

How does the epistolary format contribute to the novel's themes of deception and self-deception? What would be lost if it were told from a single perspective?