Nothing shows a man’s true inclinations better than the character of those whom he loves.
This quote reflects Rousseau's Romantic ideas about the state of nature and the purity of character that is indicated by the relationships he develops free from the repression of society.
I worship freedom; I abhor restraint, trouble, dependence. As long as the money in my purse lasts, it assures my independence; it relieves me of the trouble of finding expedients to replenish it, a necessity which always inspired me with dread; but the fear of seeing it exhausted makes me hoard it carefully. The money which a man possesses is the instrument of freedom; that which we eagerly pursue is the instrument of slavery. Therefore I hold fast to that which I have, and desire nothing.
This quote addresses the Romantic value that Rousseau was best known for, the idea of the noble savage. Here, Rousseau is speaking about the fact that he is not corrupted or influenced by society as long as he can maintain financial freedom. Going out into the world to make an income would require conforming to society, something he describes as slavery. This is where the idea of being a noble savage comes from.
I had a tolerably large number of acquaintances, but only two chosen friends, Diderot and Grimm. Owing to the desire, which I always feel, to bring together all who are dear to me, I was so devoted a friend of both, that it was unavoidable that they should soon become equally devoted to each other.
This quotation describes the Romantic political value of a social contract in that by developing a relationship with one person, you form a contract with them, and therefore they create a contract with others who are already under contract.
If you need more assistance with your study of Rousseau's Confessions, you should check out the study guide linked below.
Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau can not only be regarded as one of the first major autobiographies in history, but one of the first that embodied many of the characteristics that Romantic literature is best known for.
Unlike his predecessors, whose writing primarily focused upon their religious experiences, Rousseau’s story provided a much more intimate portrait of his life. In addition to detailing significant life events, he shares his emotions and opinions.
One characteristic of Romantic literature is the presentation of strong feelings, senses or emotions.
“My passions, when roused, are intense, and, so long as I am activated by them, nothing equals my impetuosity. I no longer know moderation, respect, fear, propriety; I am cynical, brazen, violent, fearless; no sense of shame deters me, no danger alarms me. Except for the object of my passion, the whole world is as nothing to me; but this only lasts for a moment, and the next I am plunged into utter dejection.”
In this selection, Rousseau offers a critical, but honest evaluation of his innermost feelings. As he speaks of his passions, readers can get a clear sense of the sometimes reckless and powerful nature of his emotions. His word choice in this passage helps to illustrate the intensity of his passion.
Another major characteristic of Romantic literature includes the evidence of having strong reverence for nature and its lessons.
“I had brought from Paris the national prejudice against Italian music; but I had also received from nature that acute sensibility against which prejudices are powerless. I soon contracted the passion it inspires in all those born to understand it.”
This particular quote is an excellent example of Rousseau acknowledging nature as a valued teacher of life lessons. While he admits that he had adopted a disliking for Italian music while in Paris, he then explains how nature enabled him to be more receptive to it--thus rendering the city’s negative influence useless. He admits that nature provided him with a beneficial ability to appreciate something that not all people had the privilege of understanding.
So while Rousseau acknowledged that Paris had a potentially negative impact on him, he credited nature with providing something positive and exclusive.
A third characteristic of Romantic literature is a focus on spirituality or the supernatural.
“So finally we tumble into the abyss, we ask God why he has made us so feeble. But, in spite of ourselves, He replies through our consciences: 'I have made you too feeble to climb out of the pit, because i made you strong enough not to fall in.”
Here we can see that Rousseau believes God not only exists, but speaks to us about our emotional/mental strength as human beings.
And while this passage definitely illustrates the Romantic element of spirituality, it also touches upon the characteristic of the “examination of self”. It is to be assumed that Rousseau’s motive for addressing the fragile nature of man relates to his own tendency to feel lost or vulnerable, so this quote serves as a subtle reflection of his own feelings as well.
Helpful Video Lecture:
World Lit II Rousseau's Confessions
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