ENGL 2210 World Literature II

Rousseau: Confessions - Study Guide

    Book I
  1. How does the narrator see himself as being unique?
  2. Notice how he describes the courtship between his mother and his father. Their marriage was inevitable. Why?
  3. When his father tells him "let's talk of your mother," how does the narrator reply? What does that say about the romantic character?
  4. The narrator says that he ha a sensitive heart, and considers it to be the "source of all the misfortunes" of his life. Explain what a "sensitive heart" means for the romantic, and how it could be a misfortune to have one.
  5. Feeling vs thinking. When the narrator says "I felt before I thought: this is the common lot of men." it is also true for the romantic persona. How does this compare to the persona of the Enlightenment? Does feeling or thinking lead to knowledge?
  6. Comment on this quote: "I had no idea of things in themselves, although all the feelings of actual life were already known to me. I had conceived nothing, but felt everything."
  7. Describe, providing specific examples, how he is treated by the people around him. What is his upbringing like? The implication is that this is how children ought to be brought up. What's your opinion on this?
  8. How was the narrator influenced by his aunt? Provide specific examples. What are some of her unique qualities?
  9. Describe the narrator's education. The narrator's uncle sends him to get some education, which, in addition to Latin, includes "all the sorry trash which is included under the name of education." You probably feel the same way about your education. But, what do you think might the romantic find wrong with an educations system?
  10. The bottom paragraph on page 668 describes the narrator's ideal romantic lover. Describe some of these characteristics. Do you think there is any truth to this?
  11. What does he mean when he says "I am a man of very strong
    12. passions"? Find a good definition of "passion". In what ways is he passionate? Provide specific examples.
  12. Read the first long paragraph on page 669 carefully. Does this describe someone with a sick personality?
  13. What, specifically, is his attitude toward money?
  14. Regarding sex, the narrator says "If my heated blood longs for women, my excited heart longs still more for affection." Next he explains why he can't have sex with prostitutes. Explain why.
  15. Explain this statement: "I only love those enjoyments which belong to no one but the first man who knows how to enjoy them."

    16. Book II
  16. In the last paragraph of Book II the narrator explains why he has not been successful with women. What are some of the reasons? How did he loved them? What were some of his concerns regarding the women he loved?

    17. Book III
  17. At the beginning of this book the narrator describes a a walk that he takes outside of town, out in nature. What are some of the things that he notices (first 8 lines at the top of page 671), and what are some of the impressions that they produce on him?
  18. What distinction does he make between his heart and his mind?
  19. Explain this statement: "I feel everything and I see nothing."

    20. Book IV
  20. In the last paragraph on page 673, "Why is it that,..." the narrator bemoans the fact that he has a hard time meeting good people. What is the reason? What does he think of the people he meets?
  21. In the paragraph that starts with "During this journey.." on page 674, the narrator describes a melancholy moment. What is his attitude towards such melancholy moments. This is a typical romantic view of melancholy.
  22. What is the narrator's opinion of Paris. Provide specific examples.
  23. What kind of scenery and activities set the narrator's soul free? (read paragraph at bottom of page 674 and top of 675).
  24. Read the paragraph on page 675 where he describes sleeping outside. What are some of the things that he enjoys? What is the romantic attitude toward nature?
  25. What kind of country does he like?

    26. Book V
  26. In this book the narrator returns to the subject of love and passion. Describe how he experience both of these with women.
  27. Explain what he means by this statement: "If I had ever, a single time in my life, tasted all the delights of love in their fullness, I do not believe that my frail existence could have endured it; I should have died on the spot."

    28. Book VI
  28. This book deals with the question of whether the narrator lead a good life. He also finds it difficult to describe what he has experienced: "but how is it possible to describe what was nether said nor done, nor even thought, but enjoyed and felt, without being able to assign any other reason for my happiness than this simple feeling." This point to the problem that the romantic encounters when trying to describe emotion using language.
  29. How does he try to figure out if when he dies he is going to be saved or damned? Do you think the answer is important to him?