Jean-Jacques Rousseau, writer
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
His novels included Julie, or the New Heloise and was a great contribution to the Romantic movement in literature.
Other great works by Rousseau included The Social Contract, Emile and the Confessions.
As a thinker and activist, Rousseau promoted human rights and freedom, including for the common man. His ideas were studied avidly by the leaders of the French Revolution.
Let the trumpet of the day of judgment sound
"Whenever the last trumpet shall sound, I will present myself before the sovereign judge with this book in my hand, and loudly proclaim, thus have I acted; these were my thoughts; such was I. With equal freedom and veracity have I related what was laudable or wicked, I have concealed no crimes, added no virtues..."
-- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Confessions (1770)
In the Laboratory (from The Confessions by Jean-Jean Rousseau)
The Confessions (by Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
Opening Paragraphs
I know my heart, and have studied mankind; I am not made like any one I have been acquainted with, perhaps like no one in existence; if not better, I at least claim originality, and whether Nature did wisely in breaking the mould with which she formed me, can only be determined after having read this work.
Whenever the last trumpet shall sound, I will present myself before the sovereign judge with this book in my hand, and loudly proclaim, thus have I acted; these were my thoughts; such was I. With equal freedom and veracity have I related what was laudable or wicked, I have concealed no crimes, added no virtues; and if I have sometimes introduced superfluous ornament, it was merely to occupy a void occasioned by defect of memory: I may have supposed that certain, which I only knew to be probable, but have never asserted as truth, a conscious falsehood. Such as I was, I have declared myself; sometimes vile and despicable, at others, virtuous, generous and sublime; even as thou hast read my inmost soul: Power eternal! assemble round thy throne an innumerable throng of my fellow-mortals, let them listen to my confessions, let them blush at my depravity, let them tremble at my sufferings; let each in his turn expose with equal sincerity the failings, the wanderings of his heart, and, if he dare, aver, I was better than that man.
Scene from Julie or La Nouvelle Heloise (The New Heloise) by Jean Jacques Rousseau
Julie, or the New Heloise
Julie, or the New Heloise: Letters of Two Lovers Who Live in a Small Town at the Foot of the Alps (Collected Writings of Rousseau)
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 06/01/2012)
It is a pity that Julie, or the New Heloise is neither better known nor more widely read. It is one of the great novels. Rousseau may be most famous as a philosopher and Julie includes many philosophical passages, discussing issues such as education, virtue and religion, but he shows in this novel that he was both a fine writer and an able storyteller. The ideas he puts into the mouths of his characters are interesting, the debates they engage in are continually fascinating, but it is the story he tells which is truly memorable for it is deeply moving.
The novel consists of a series of letters some quite short, some extending to many pages. The main characters are Julie d'Étange, a young Swiss girl of noble birth and her tutor who has the pseudonym St. Preux. They begin an affair and fall deeply in love. It is this initial relationship of pupil to teacher, developing into passion, which is supposed to remind the reader of the medieval lovers Abelard and Heloise. Moreover both pairs of lovers face difficulties and opposition from family. They experience the joys of love and suffer because of it. These parallels however, should not be overestimated, Rousseau is not retelling an old story and Julie's life is quite different from that of Heloise. The story has numerous twists and turns and many surprises along the way. Other characters interact with the young lovers write letters to them and to each other. Gradually over the course of a long novel one begins to care about these people. It is here that Rousseau's skill as a writer is most evident. I found myself emotionally involved in the story of Julie and St. Preux in a way which was quite unexpected. By the end I had felt much joy and not a little sorrow and had been touched by a novel that can bring forth tears.
Everything degenerates in the hands of man
"Everything is good as it leaves the hands of the author of things, everything degenerates in the hands of man."
-- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, or, On Education (1762)
Title Page of Rousseau's Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality among Humans
Man was born free...
"Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains."
-- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, Or Principles of Political Right (1762)
The Social Contact (by Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
The Social Contract
Amazon Price: $3.76 (as of 06/01/2012)
I first read the Social Contract back in college. Then, it was but one piece of philosophy/political writings out of many. I ran across the book again a few months ago and decided to give it a second reading. I was very happy that I did. In these uncertain times, the truth and role of government becomes cloudy. Rousseau's work helped to remind me that the government should serve the people and humanity in general. This is an idea that really seems to have been lost, especially under the Bush administration. Although I do not agree with everything Rousseau writes, I would recommend this work to anyone to read this and reflect on its modern context. "Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains."
Interesting Websites on Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Article on Rousseau from the 9th Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Rousseau meditating in the the park at La Rochecordon near Lyon
Latest News on Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Tomb of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the Pantheon, Paris, France
How about a thumbs up?
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Tolovaj
Jan 28, 2012 @ 10:59 am | delete
- Maybe you could add more of his biography. He lost his mother when he was very young and i think this determined him very much... Otherwise, great job, another thumbs up!
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BusyMOM
Dec 20, 2011 @ 9:16 pm | delete
- Thanks for a great lens on such an interesting author. Well done.
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