A Dynamic Social Network of Characters Appeared in the French Novel, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"

Social networks for fictional characters offer valuable insights for quantitatively examining narrative elements. These networks highlight the importance, roles, and groupings of characters. This dataset showcases a social network of characters from the epistolary French novel, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," penned by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos in 1782. The relationships between characters are gauged by the frequency of letter exchanges, resulting in an asymmetric, directed graph representation. While static social networks provide significant insights into literature, monitoring the dynamic shifts in character relationships can elucidate plot developments, such as rising tensions or emerging conflicts. Consequently, we've mapped the dynamic social network of these characters across four intervals corresponding to the novel's four chapters. Each interval captures interaction rates from the novel's outset to the conclusion of that specific chapter. Comparing these four intervals reveals the evolving dynamics of character relationships throughout the narrative.