Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (Book Analysis) E-Book

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• Herausgeber: BrightSummaries.com
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Serie: BrightSummaries.com
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 19

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

Unlock the more straightforward side of Dangerous Liaisons with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!

This engaging summary presents an analysis of Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, the renowned story of two libertines who decide to corrupt an innocent young girl and a devout wife. The novel was truly scandalous at the time of its publication, and was even censored for many years due to its risqué nature; however, it has since been celebrated for its exploration of important themes such as seduction, revenge and human malice. Laclos’s work has inspired many critical and analytical commentaries as well as various adaptations, making him one of the most significant novelists of the 18th century. 

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This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection

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Leseprobe

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

French soldier and writer

Born in Amiens in 1741Died in Taranto in 1803His work: Dangerous Liaisons (1782), epistolary novel

Pierre Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos was born in 1741 and died in 1803, and came to fame relatively late as one of the leading writers of the 18th century. Around the age of 40, and stuck in an unsatisfying military career, he dedicated himself to writing. A true literary ambition gradually emerged in his mind: he resolved to write a novel that would cause a stir for a long time. During a six-month leave, he completed Dangerous Liaisons (1782), his one and only masterpiece. While the novel brought him censure from some and admiration from others, it affected people beyond the author’s expectations. A cold and rational man, loyal husband and attentive father, Laclos led a simple life, far from the perverted behaviour of his characters.

Dangerous Liaisons

The romantic intrigues of two unscrupulous libertines

Genre: epistolary novel Reference edition: De Laclos, C. (2007) Dangerous Liaisons. Trans. Constantine, H. London: Penguin Books.First edition: 1782Themes: vice, virtue, libertinism, seduction, manipulation, letter

Now considered one of the greatest masterpieces of French literature, Dangerous Liaisons (1782) was, for a long time, read in secret. Revealing a collection of letters to the reader that are presented as authentic by the author, the novel presents the perspectives of different narrators who talk about the story of their romantic intrigues in their correspondence. More specifically, the adventures of two libertines and their more or less consenting victims are recounted. Filled with irony and cynicism, the work has provoked, since its publication, a scandal which caused it to be censored until the 19th century.

Summary

Part I (Letters 1-50)