Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 132: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde explained
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde, expressing gratitude for her kindness but confessing she cannot follow her advice because she is completely consumed by her love for Valmont.
What happens
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde, expressing gratitude for her kindness but confessing she cannot follow her advice because she is completely consumed by her love for Valmont. She defends Valmont's character, insists he is unlike other men, and declares her happiness so overwhelming that she cannot bear to doubt it.
Themes in this chapter
Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Tourvel's letter illustrates the conflict between virtuous self-restraint and the overwhelming power of love, as she rationalizes her passion for Valmont despite warnings.
Seduction and Manipulation
Tourvel's blindness to Valmont's manipulative nature is evident; she believes his tenderness is genuine, unaware of his calculated seduction.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Tourvel
Writes to Madame de Rosemonde, defending Valmont and expressing her blissful but deluded state of love.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Recipient of the letter; Tourvel acknowledges her goodness and advice but rejects it.
- Viscount de Valmont
Defended by Tourvel as a man of delicacy and genuine love, contrasting with the negative impressions others have given.
Key passages
“Why, convinced of its inestimable value, must I know myself no longer worthy of it?”
Tourvel feels unworthy of Madame de Rosemonde's kindness because she has succumbed to love.
Shows Tourvel's awareness of her moral fall but her inability to resist.
“If men are such as you describe them, they must be shunned, they are hateful: but where is the resemblance between Valmont and them?”
Tourvel rejects the general warning about men, insisting Valmont is exceptional.
Highlights her self-deception and idealization of Valmont.
“Ah! if it be an illusion, let me die before it ends.”
Tourvel would rather die than discover her happiness with Valmont is false.
Foreshadows the tragic outcome of her devotion.