Dangerous Liaisons

Analyze the theme of manipulation and power in Dangerous Liaisons. What forms of power exist in the novel? How do the characters use different forms of power to manipulate others to achieve their own desires?

Discuss the role of gender and societal expectations in the novel. How does a character’s sex impact their behavior and choices, and how does society judge them for it?

Examine the character of the Marquise de Merteuil. What motivates her actions, and how does she embody the theme of moral corruption? In what ways is she similar to Valmont, and in what ways does she differ?