The Struggle for Tourvel’s Agency

Les liaisons dangereuses

This thread tracks the shrinking space in which Tourvel can choose, speak, refuse, and finally withdraw.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Unheeded Warning An Unheeded Warning from "Les liaisons dangereuses". Knowledge Without Protection Madame de Volanges’s Counsel Madame de Volanges warns Tourvel against Valmont and recommends leaving the estate.

An Unheeded Warning from "Les liaisons dangereuses". Knowledge Without Protection Madame de Volanges’s Counsel Madame de Volanges warns Tourvel against Valmont and recommends leaving the estate.

Knowledge Without Protection Madame de Volanges’s Counsel Madame de Volanges warns Tourvel against Valmont and recommends leaving the estate. Tourvel weighs the advice against her own observations of his apparently respectful conduct. A Risky Judgment Tourvel chooses to trust her experience over public reputation. Her choice is sincere but made with incomplete knowledge of Valmont’s intentions.

Refusal Is Recast Refusal Is Recast from "Les liaisons dangereuses". A Boundary Under Pressure Clear Rejection Tourvel tells Valmont that his declaration offends her and asks him to stop writing and speaking of love.

Refusal Is Recast from "Les liaisons dangereuses". A Boundary Under Pressure Clear Rejection Tourvel tells Valmont that his declaration offends her and asks him to stop writing and speaking of love.

A Boundary Under Pressure Clear Rejection Tourvel tells Valmont that his declaration offends her and asks him to stop writing and speaking of love. She offers no ambiguity about the conduct she expects. Valmont’s Interpretation He describes her refusal as a challenge and insists she secretly loves him. By rewriting her words, he reduces her ability to define the relationship herself.

An Attempt to End Contact An Attempt to End Contact from "Les liaisons dangereuses". The Request to Separate Tourvel’s Decision Tourvel asks Valmont to leave and urges an end to private meetings.

An Attempt to End Contact from "Les liaisons dangereuses". The Request to Separate Tourvel’s Decision Tourvel asks Valmont to leave and urges an end to private meetings.

The Request to Separate Tourvel’s Decision Tourvel asks Valmont to leave and urges an end to private meetings. She recognizes that her feelings have weakened her power to resist. A Promise Undermined Valmont responds with arguments and requests another interview. Her decision is repeatedly treated as an obstacle to be negotiated rather than a choice to be respected.

Withdrawal from the Estate Withdrawal from the Estate from "Les liaisons dangereuses". Distance as an Act of Agency Departure Tourvel leaves Madame de Rosemonde’s château while Valmont sleeps.

Withdrawal from the Estate from "Les liaisons dangereuses". Distance as an Act of Agency Departure Tourvel leaves Madame de Rosemonde’s château while Valmont sleeps.

Distance as an Act of Agency Departure Tourvel leaves Madame de Rosemonde’s château while Valmont sleeps. The action is abrupt because she expects that continued proximity will defeat her intentions. Limited Freedom The departure gives her physical distance but not emotional independence. She still longs for Valmont and remains vulnerable to letters and reports about him.

Retreat to the Convent Retreat to the Convent from "Les liaisons dangereuses". The Final Boundary Refusal of Contact After Valmont’s breakup letter, Tourvel retires to a convent and asks to be left alone.

Retreat to the Convent from "Les liaisons dangereuses". The Final Boundary Refusal of Contact After Valmont’s breakup letter, Tourvel retires to a convent and asks to be left alone.

The Final Boundary Refusal of Contact After Valmont’s breakup letter, Tourvel retires to a convent and asks to be left alone. Her withdrawal is an attempt to end the cycle of persuasion and injury. Agency Overwhelmed Illness and delirium soon consume her capacity to act. Her last lucid prayer forgives Valmont, but she dies before any renewed relationship can take shape.

Mid-August

Late August

Late September

October 3

Late November