Self Analysis Of Rousseau's Confessions

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Rousseau’s Confessions are a recounting of past events in his life, and throughout, Rousseau attempts to resent his “unique” personality. In this attempt, he includes numerous descriptions of people and things that he has an affection for. It is through the vivid descriptions of his affections, Rousseau reveals his affections are the driving force in the creation of his identity. Discerning one’s loves as the driver of personality allows Rousseau to paint a clearer picture of his true self; as, this system based on affections allows him to replace vague concrete language and descriptors with actions of a person that readers are able to draw broader conclusions from. Various times in Rousseau’s Confessions we see the power of affections in determining one’s personality. We see the control affection has on Rousseau in his misconduct and thieving as a child. Rousseau says of himself, “My passions are extremely strong, and while I am under their sway nothing can equal my impetuosity.” (Pg. 44) This self-analysis shows the importance of passions in Rousseau’s life as a child. Through his slavery to passion Rousseau is “amenable to no restraint, respect fear, or decorum” he is “cynical, bold, violent, and daring” (Pg. 44).
This distinctness is derived from the uniqueness of loves on which Rousseau speaks: “ I have always said and felt that true joy defies description.”(Pg.330) Joy this feeling derived from things we love is as he as says indescribable. As a result, the joy we feel when we are affected by something that we later strive to be like is itself unique. As, each “delicious feeling sensation produced” from an event is unique to us, Rousseau’s personality is formed through his unique affections: affections like Marion whose exact description is unique to Rousseau’s mind and

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