Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 106: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont explained
Merteuil writes to Valmont, mocking his failed seduction of Madame de Tourvel and criticizing his lack of inventiveness.
What happens
Merteuil writes to Valmont, mocking his failed seduction of Madame de Tourvel and criticizing his lack of inventiveness. She outlines a plan to use Cecilia Volanges as a tool for revenge against Gercourt and Madame de Volanges, suggesting they manipulate her and eventually discard her. Merteuil also mentions she has advised Madame de Volanges against allowing Cecilia to marry Danceny, reinforcing her own moral facade.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Merteuil critiques Valmont's failed seduction and outlines a calculated plan to manipulate Cecilia for revenge.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Merteuil boasts of her 'austerity of morals' while plotting to destroy others, highlighting the gap between public virtue and private vice.
Gender and Power Dynamics
Merteuil exerts power through manipulation, treating Cecilia as a passive tool and critiquing Valmont's masculine incompetence.
Characters to notice
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Writes to Valmont, mocking his failure and outlining a manipulative plan for Cecilia.
- Viscount de Valmont
Criticized for his lack of skill in seduction; tasked with executing Merteuil's plan for Cecilia.
- Cecilia Volanges
Described as a 'mere machine' to be used and discarded in Merteuil's scheme against Gercourt and her mother.
- Madame de Volanges
Merteuil manipulates her into opposing Cecilia's marriage to Danceny, playing on her past indiscretions.
- Count Gercourt
Target of revenge; Merteuil plans to make him a cuckold and ensure his public humiliation.
- Chevalier Danceny
Mentioned as a potential match for Cecilia, which Merteuil works to prevent.
Key passages
“Admirable, my dear Viscount! now I love you to distraction; after the first of your two letters, I might well expect the second, which did not much surprise me; although you were so proud of your future success as to solicit the reward, and ask me if I was ready, I foresaw there was no necessity for all that expedition.”
Merteuil sarcastically praises Valmont, saying she expected his failure and that his premature confidence was unwarranted.
Merteuil mocks Valmont's overconfidence and failed seduction of Tourvel.
“I don’t know anything so insipid, as that stupid facility, that makes a woman compliant without knowing why or wherefore; only because she is attacked, and knows not how to resist; those sort of women are absolutely mere machines.”
Merteuil dismisses Cecilia as a mindless, compliant woman who lacks the intelligence for real intrigue.
Merteuil dehumanizes Cecilia, viewing her as a tool to be used and discarded.
“Nothing so commodious, as to be a rigourist in convention; it only hurts others, and gives us no uneasiness.”
Merteuil notes that appearing morally strict is convenient because it harms others while causing no trouble for oneself.
Merteuil reveals her hypocrisy, using a virtuous facade to manipulate others.