Letter 149: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love, Virtue, and Corruption

  Tourvel's virtue and religious faith are overwhelmed by the corrupting influence of Valmont's letter, leading to her physical and mental collapse.

• Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

  The calm appearance of Tourvel's lucid moments contrasts with the inner turmoil and eventual violent frenzy caused by Valmont's correspondence.

Characters to notice

• Madame de Volanges

  Narrates the letter, describes Tourvel's condition and her own emotional response.

• Madame de Tourvel

  The patient, briefly lucid then relapses into frenzy after receiving a letter from Valmont.

• Madame de Rosemonde

  Recipient of the letter, already aware of Tourvel's misfortunes.

• Father Anselmus

  Called to provide religious counsel; recommends postponing sacraments.

• Viscount de Valmont

  Implied as the sender of the letter that triggers Tourvel's relapse.

Key passages

• “I was in hopes almost all day yesterday, to have been able to give you, my worthy friend, this morning, a more favourable account of our dear patient; but since last night, that hope is utterly destroyed.”

  Madame de Volanges had hoped to report improvement but now confirms Tourvel's condition has worsened.

  Opening lines set the tone of despair and urgency.

• “She questioned me very minutely on everything that happened to her since she came to the convent, which she did not remember.”

  Tourvel, in a moment of lucidity, had no memory of her time at the convent and asked for details.

  Highlights Tourvel's temporary return to reason and her amnesia.

• “The moment she cast her eyes on it, she exclaimed, 'Good God! from him!' and then in a strong and oppressed tone of voice, 'Take it, take it.'”

  Upon seeing the letter, Tourvel recognized it was from Valmont and immediately rejected it in distress.

  Key moment showing the traumatic impact of Valmont's communication.