Dangerous Liaisons

Discuss the role of gender and societal expectations in the novel. How does a character’s sex impact their behavior and choices, and how does society judge them for it?

Examine the character of the Marquise de Merteuil. What motivates her actions, and how does she embody the theme of moral corruption? In what ways is she similar to Valmont, and in what ways does she differ?

Compare and contrast the characters of the Vicomte de Valmont and the Chevalier Danceny. How do their attitudes toward love, sex, and power differ, and what role do they play in advancing or illustrating the novel's themes?

Discuss the role of letters and communication in Dangerous Liaisons. What functions does letter-writing serve? How do different writers use the medium to their advantage or disadvantage? How does the art of letter-writing illustrate or relate to characterization, narrative drive, and/or themes in the novel?

Analyze the role of religion in the novel. How does religion impact the characters' decisions and behaviors, and what commentary does the novel make about religious morality?

How does the setting of pre-Revolutionary France impact the themes and events of Dangerous Liaisons? Does the novel function as a political critique of pre-Revolutionary France? Why or why not?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of using the epistolary form to tell the novel’s story? Would the novel have been more effective using an alternative narrative structure, or less effective?

Examine the role of class and social status in the novel. How does this impact the characters' behavior and interactions with one another?