Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 89: The Viscount de Valmont to the Chevalier Danceny explained
Valmont writes to Danceny, claiming he is trying to help him with his affair with Cecilia but blaming her timidity and her mother's vigilance for the lack of progress.
What happens
Valmont writes to Danceny, claiming he is trying to help him with his affair with Cecilia but blaming her timidity and her mother's vigilance for the lack of progress. He suggests Danceny write to Cecilia to encourage her cooperation, while subtly undermining her loyalty. Valmont also mentions his own romantic pursuits, framing his efforts as selfless friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont manipulates Danceny by feigning friendship and concern, while subtly undermining Cecilia's trustworthiness and advancing his own agenda.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a helpful friend, but his true motives are self-serving, revealing the gap between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Danceny, feigning concern and offering advice while manipulating the situation to his own advantage.
- Chevalier Danceny
The recipient of Valmont's letter, portrayed as a friend whose romantic progress Valmont claims to be facilitating.
- Cecilia Volanges
Described by Valmont as timid and uncooperative, blamed for the slow progress of her affair with Danceny.
- Madame de Volanges
Mentioned as a vigilant and severe obstacle to Danceny's correspondence with Cecilia.
Key passages
“I had proposed an easy, commodious, and safe way of delivering your letters to her, and even to smooth the way of the interviews you wish for so much; but I have not been able to determine her to make use of it.”
Valmont claims he suggested a convenient and secure method for Danceny to exchange letters and meet Cecilia, but she refused to follow his advice.
Valmont blames Cecilia for the lack of progress, positioning himself as a helpful intermediary.
“for the woman who retains a will of her own, does not love to that degree she ought.”
Valmont implies that a woman who insists on her own judgment does not love as deeply as she should.
This reflects Valmont's manipulative view of love as submission, used to pressure Danceny into controlling Cecilia.