The Confessions

How did Rousseau’s experiences contribute to his rejection of rationalism and his embrace of naturalism and romanticism?

What evidence suggests that Rousseau is an unreliable narrator? How do his deceptions and exaggerations interact with the text’s themes of truth and hypocrisy?

What causes Rousseau to view some women with contempt but others with reverence and awe? How does he perceive his role in his relationships with women?

Rousseau claims that he has no interest in money. What evidence suggests that this claim may be true or false? How does money, or a lack of money, impact the trajectory of his life?

How does Rousseau’s portrayal of the events of his own life reflect or undermine the ideas portrayed in his most famous work, The Social Contract?

Rousseau longs for a life in nature, away from the complications of society. Why does he continue to be pulled back into society? Why is he unable to maintain the life of which he dreams?

Rousseau makes several claims about his integrity, kindness, affability, and other virtuous personality traits. Develop an argument either supporting or refuting these claims, supported by evidence from the text.

How might generational trauma play a role in Rousseau’s life and actions? How does he perpetuate the transmission of this trauma?