Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 39: Cecilia Volanges to Sophia Carnay explained
Cecilia writes to her friend Sophia about her anxiety regarding her impending marriage to Count de Gercourt, whom she finds old and unappealing.
What happens
Cecilia writes to her friend Sophia about her anxiety regarding her impending marriage to Count de Gercourt, whom she finds old and unappealing. She confides her love for Chevalier Danceny and her reliance on Madame de Merteuil's friendship and guidance, though she fears her happiness is temporary.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Merteuil subtly manipulates Cecilia by framing her marriage as inevitable and discouraging her love for Danceny, while presenting herself as a caring friend.
Innocence and Experience
Cecilia's naive trust in Merteuil contrasts with her growing awareness of the constraints of her arranged marriage, highlighting her transition from innocence to disillusionment.
Characters to notice
- Cecilia Volanges
Expresses melancholy and unease about her arranged marriage to Gercourt, reaffirms her love for Danceny, and relies on Merteuil's friendship.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Accompanies Cecilia to the opera, discusses the marriage, and subtly manipulates Cecilia by emphasizing wifely duties and discouraging her attachment to Danceny.
- Chevalier Danceny
Cecilia's beloved; she resolves to write to him of her love, despite the impending marriage.
- Count Gercourt
The intended husband, described as old (36), morose, and ill-tempered; currently in Corsica.
- Madame de Volanges
Cecilia's mother, who arranged the marriage; Cecilia fears being sent back to the convent if she objects.
Key passages
“I am very melancholy and uneasy. I have wept almost the whole night.”
Cecilia is deeply sad and anxious, having cried through the night.
Opens the letter with her emotional distress.
“She tells me I am to be married next October, to the Count de Gercourt: he is of a noble family, rich, and colonel of the regiment of ⸻; that is all very well. But, on the other hand, he is old—he is almost six and thirty.”
Merteuil informs Cecilia that she will marry Count de Gercourt in October; though he is noble and wealthy, she finds him too old at thirty-six.
Cecilia's conflicted feelings about her suitor's status versus his age.
“She has even told me that when I am married, I must not love Chevalier Danceny, as if that was in my power!”
Merteuil insists Cecilia must stop loving Danceny after marriage, which Cecilia finds impossible to obey.
Highlights Merteuil's manipulation and Cecilia's defiance.
“I have no consolation but in Madame de Merteuil’s friendship; she is so tender hearted, she unites with me in all my sorrows; and then she is so amiable, that when I am in her company, I think no more of them.”
Cecilia finds solace only in Merteuil's friendship, which distracts her from her troubles.
Cecilia's naive trust in Merteuil's false kindness.