Rousseau's Perfectionism
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's perception of himself was presented in the Confessions. This autobiography presents a revolutionary new way to view one's self and his relationship with the rest of the world. Rousseau describes himself as having different emotions and personality traits at different parts of his life. He appears to be extremely fickle, but is essentially hiding one of his most self-destructive personality traits, perfectionism. This can be seen through his relationship with the world, women, and himself. Before going to Paris, Rousseau had many beautiful and wonderful ideas of what the city would be like. He imagined Paris as having "nothing ... to be seen but splendid streets and palaces of gold and marble." No city, however rich and fabulous, looks like this. It sounds like a picture out of a fairy tale. Any reasonable person has to learn to accept the good along with the bad. Rousseau entered Paris in a dirty, ugly, poor part of town. Any great city will always have its slummier areas. He could not forget these initial impressions of the city, and Rousseau spent the rest of his stay trying to leave Paris. A city of that magnitude must contain much beauty, art, and culture. Rousseau could not accept anyth
1) Mack, Maynard, et al, ed. The Norton Anthology of World ing less than the perfect, fairy tale image he initially had, and his view of all cities became permanently convoluted. Rousseau obviously loved the countryside. This is where he was able to find true happiness in Book VI, but from where did this happiness really come. He says "but how is it possible to describe" this experience. Rousseau is not able to attribute this state of bliss to the scenery, but is convinced it is the reason. Rousseau admits to even being very picky about the type of countryside, saying that it cannot be flat. He must have "mountain torrents, rocks, firs, dark forests, mountains, steep roads to climb or descend, precipices at my side to frighten me." This also appears to be an ideal picture. Even the people in the country are not acceptable inhabitants. No one is good enough for his ideal world. He does not accept much variety even in a more pleasing environment. Rousseau says that around women his "senses were calm; my heart, never." His fickleness is obvious, but the reason is not. His "need for love devoured" him "in the midst of enjoyment." Even at the greatest moment of love, Rousseau had not found true happiness. Something was missing. He says his ideal love was his m
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Approximate Word count = 867
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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