Marquis de Sade was a depraved individual who wrote the 120 Days of Sodom (I will shorten it to 120 days) exactly where he was supposed to be: in prison. There is no understating how horrible and unredeemable this scroll is. It should never have seen the honor of being bound or translated into any language. The political themes and historical relevance, what little there is in this scroll, can be more easily found in other literature written around the time. I believe the presence of these scholarly aspects in the 120 Days was a product of unknowing osmosis from Sade’s life, and not intentionally included. He wrote the scroll out of some sick desire to preserve what was the combination of writing ability and depraved tastes that made up the mind of the author.
I do not doubt that there were men of similar depravity in France besides de Sade, the term Libertine was coined after all. However, the combination of Sade’s education and lack of inhibitions makes his writings the best account of such a person. While others confined their desires to brothels and sex workers, out of the fear of consequences, Sade did not. And proceeded to write it down. Which decades upon decades later has now blighted my eyes. Perhaps he was aware of the growing tensions in France, and where that would inevitably lead to. He did serve as a judge for enemies of the revolution. Perhaps he also knew of the social impact and legacy that works such as this would leave. He did write other literature later in his life.
The impassioned post I write filled with utter disgust, repulsed by the mere existence of this scroll, is proof that de Sade won. He knew this would make people feel this way, and he wanted them to do so. He wanted to be remembered for who he was, not for the light of noble actions to draw away from the shadows of his desires. And in that endeavor, he has most certainly succeeded. The word sadism is his deepest legacy. I, however, am not content with this state of affairs. A dead man is victorious over the wrathful living, the desired outcome. So, I implore you to follow my actions as I forget this text and the hand that wrote it. The mind shall be taken over by other works, written by different hands. Eventually, the book shall fade from common memory, only enjoyed by men who would be labeled as Libertines. Because that is what de Sade does not want.