Confessions

How do Rousseau’s life experiences and inner conflicts illustrate at least three dominant value of his period?

In Enlightenment and Romanticism literature the themes of new and old, individualism, and nature were stressed throughout many of the works. These themes were also exemplified throughout the Confessions. In the Confessions the theme of new and old is quite evident throughout the text. This piece of literature was Rousseau reflecting on his past, his memorable stories, lessons, and the people he encountered. In Book IV on page 673, Rousseau asks, “Why is it that, having found so many good people in my youth, I find so few in my later years?” He also later says, “…. the class in which I am obliged to look for them now, is no longer the same as that in which I found them” (673). This is an example of Rousseau comparing his new aged self, and quest to find genuine, honest people to his past.  Much like others in the Enlightenment, Rousseau also put much importance into that of the individual. He thought highly of himself and that of his intellect. He explains in the first two paragraphs of Book I that, "I am not made like any of those I have seen; I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence. If I am not better, at least I am different" (664). In this quote and in these two paragraphs he wants to emphasize that he is his own person and different from everyone. Also, writing an autobiography, telling readers his story, memories, faults, and unique qualities shows that he stressed himself as an individual and to not conform. Finally, Jean-Jacques Rousseau expresses an importance on nature throughout Confessions. He consistently and constantly mentioned his travels to parks, lakes, the countryside, Paris, and other places. Nature seems more to Rousseau than something to look at it; it seems to be an inspiration. On page 672, he says, "I wanted to sate myself with the sight of this beautiful lake, which is there seen in its greatest extent." He goes on to say that seeing things from afar didn't make him want to act on things. Also in Book III he says, "I have never been able to produce anything, pen in hand...it is during my walk, in the midst of rocks and forests, at night in my bed" (671). This shows that he doesn't get his inspiration form his intellect alone, nature truly gets his mind going and lets his ideas flow. In the Confessions, much like others of the Enlightenment Age, Rousseau was able to use the themes of new and old, individualism, and nature in his literary work.

What were the benefits of writing Confessions for Rousseau?

In Confessions, Jean-Jeaques Rousseau's autobiography, he reflected on his past and the person he was, and his present life and the person who is has became. Through this he was able to elaborate his memories from his childhood and the feelings he connected with him. Although he admitted his faults, he described himself as a someone who was unlike anyone else and beloved by many. I believe Rousseau's reaped many benefits from writing his autobiography. He was able to fully reflect and delve into his life as a whole. Since he had to have the inspiration to write, as seen when he said that he produced most of his writing by walking in nature versus in front of a desk, Rousseau was able to think critically about much of his life and the meaning behind each of his actions in depth and how they have shaped him into the current man that was writing. Rousseau was able to be at peace with his decisions and show how his actions and qualities made him unlike the rest of the people of his time, and describe the person he was by his childhood, and adult life. By writing Confessions, Rousseau was able to evaluate his life, and show the world how he was a unique, honest individual.