# Endnotes explained — Dangerous Liaisons

> Chapter companion for Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

## What happens

The endnotes provide editorial commentary, clarifications, and references to suppressed or missing letters, offering insight into the structure and omissions of the published correspondence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Epistolary Form and Unreliable Truth

The endnotes explicitly discuss the suppression of letters and editorial choices, highlighting the constructed and selective nature of the epistolary narrative.

## Character check-ins

### Viscount de Valmont

Referenced in notes regarding his past with Merteuil and Gercourt, and his profligate nature.

### Marchioness de Merteuil

Mentioned in relation to her past with Gercourt and Valmont, and her disregard for religion.

### Cecilia Volanges

Noted for changing her confidant and for letters that are suppressed.

### Chevalier Danceny

His letters are suppressed as uninteresting; he repeats Valmont's expression.

### Madame de Tourvel

Mentioned in relation to a letter not found and her possible reading of Rousseau.

## Key lines

> Not to tire the reader’s patience, we suppress many of the letters of this daily correspondence, and give only them we think necessary for unfolding the events of this society.

To avoid boring the reader, many letters are omitted, leaving only those essential to understanding the story.

_Editorial justification for selective inclusion of letters._

> Madame de Volanges’ error informs us, that Valmont, like most profligate wretches, did not impeach his accomplices.

Madame de Volanges' mistake shows that Valmont, like most immoral men, did not betray his partners in crime.

_Commentary on Valmont's character and loyalty to accomplices._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters