This work is a memoir that explores the author's life from his childhood to adulthood. It begins with his idyllic childhood in Geneva and France, where he was raised by his mother after being abandoned by his father. The narrative then shifts to his time at an orphanage, where he experienced physical and emotional abuse. As Rousseau navigates adolescence, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the societal norms and expectations placed upon him. He begins to question the morality of the world around him and grapples with feelings of guilt and shame. The memoir takes a darker turn as Rousseau recounts his experiences in Paris, where he became embroiled in a scandalous affair with a woman named Madame de Warens. This relationship had significant consequences for Rousseau's personal life and led to a period of self-imposed exile. Throughout the work, Rousseau reflects on the nature of humanity and the role of society in shaping individual behavior. He argues that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by societal influences.
By Jean Jacques Rousseau · First published 1782 · Genre: Autobiography, Philosophy, Literary Non-fiction