The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau, Volume

Name: The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau, Volume XII
Author: Jean Jacques Rousseau

This work is a philosophical autobiography that explores the author's life and experiences from childhood to adulthood. It is divided into twelve books, each of which examines a different period in his life. Book XII focuses on the author's later years, during which he reflects on his past actions and decisions. He grapples with the consequences of his own egoism and the impact it has had on those around him. The book also explores the author's relationships with others, including his friends and acquaintances. Throughout the work, the author engages in a critical examination of his own life and experiences, using them as a lens through which to explore broader philosophical themes. He examines the nature of human existence, morality, and the role of society in shaping individual behavior. The Confessions is a deeply personal and introspective work that offers insights into the author's thoughts on politics, philosophy, and human nature. It is considered one of the most important works of 18th-century literature and continues to be widely read and studied today.

By Jean Jacques Rousseau · First published 1782 · Genre: Autobiography, Philosophy, Literary Non-fiction · 33,564 words

First lines

With this book begins the work of darkness, in which I have for the last eight years been enveloped, though it has not by any means been possible for me to penetrate the dreadful obscurity. In the abyss of evil into which I am plunged, I feel the blows reach me, without perceiving the hand by which they are directed or the means it employs. Shame and misfortune seem of themselves to fall upon me. When in the affliction of my heart I suffer a groan to escape me, I have the appearance of a man who complains without reason, and the authors of my ruin have the inconceivable art of rendering the public unknown to itself, or without its perceiving the effects of it, accomplice in their conspiracy. Therefore, in my narrative of circumstances relative to myself, of the treatment I have received, and all that has happened to me, I shall not be able to indicate the hand by which the whole has been directed, nor assign the causes, while I state the effect. The primitive causes are all given in the preceding books; and everything in which I am interested, and all the secret motives pointed out. But it is impossible for me to explain, even by conjecture, that in which the different causes are combined to operate the strange events of my life. If amongst my readers one even of them should be generous enough to wish to examine the mystery to the bottom, and discover the truth, let him carefully read over a second time the three preceding books, afterwards at each fact he shall find stated in the books which follow, let him gain such information as is within his reach, and go back from intrigue to intrigue, and from agent to agent, until he comes to the first mover of all. I know where his researches will terminate; but in the meantime I lose myself in the crooked and obscure subterraneous path through which his steps must be directed.

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The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau, Volume XII is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jean Jacques Rousseau, dated 1782 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Jean Jacques Rousseau
Date: 1782 CE
Language: English
Genres: Autobiography, Philosophy, Literary Non-fiction, Memoir, Psychological
Length: 33,564 words
Structure: 1 section, 159 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Autobiography — The work is a personal account of the author's life experiences and reflections.
Philosophy — It explores deep philosophical themes regarding human nature, society, and morality.
Literary Non-fiction — The narrative combines factual recounting with literary style, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Memoir — It provides a detailed recollection of specific periods and events in the author's life.