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ENG: An Introduction to Literature

Mcui

06/20/2010

向梦华

Book Review of CONFESSIONS

Introduction of the author: The CONFESSIONS (collection of English-Chinese Edition) Rousseau Shaanxi People's publishing House (2005-05 published). Jean-Jacques Rousseau（1712.6.28——1778.7.2）is the famous French enlightenment thinker, philosopher, educator, writer, as well as idea pioneer of the French Revolution in 18th century , also one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment . He is one of the authors of "encyclopedia" , his major works are "On the Origin and Basis of Human Inequality", "Social Contract", "Love Mi Child" and "New Héloise," "Confessions "and so on.

He believes that all rights belong to the people, the Government and officials are appointed by the people, who have rights to appoint or to replace them, until the eradication of rulers who enslave and oppress the people. This is the ideology of popular sovereignty. In philosophy, Rousseau thinks that idea is the sources of knowledge; adheres to the "Deism" Point of View; stresses people are basically good, and faith is higher than reason. In the view of society, Rousseau sticks to the “Social Contract", claiming establishment of the bourgeoisie “reason kingdom”; claims the freedom and equality, protesting the private ownership and oppression; puts forward the "the theory of natural rights," against the tyranny. In education, he advocates that the goal of education is cultivating a natural person; opposes the feudal education harm, neglect of children, requires to improve the status 1

of children in education; advocates reform of education content and methods, complying with the child's nature, so that their physical and mental develop freely, reflecting the requirements of bourgeoisie and the masses of working people liberated from the feudal autocracy. Rousseau's views on women's education arise out of his basic thought of "follow Nature", "attributable to natural". He says: “all the characteristics of all men and women should be respect for the natural arrangement”. Rousseau in the women's education issues tend to be conservative. Xiaojiabiyu, diligent wife and good mother are his education aims.

The son of a watchmaker, Rousseau, 13 years old began to feed himself. Rousseau worked as apprentices, servants, waiters, attendants, had ever to live in the place of refuge like beggars. Only after long and diligent self-study and personal struggle, did he become a music teacher, secretary, professional writer. He liked reading, reading at night was a compulsory thing before sleeping, often he read the whole night. When he was young he had read most of stored books of his family. Rousseau had a passion for nature, this kind of enthusiasm made him never get tired of writing nature, reflecting in his works. Nature permeates his whole life. He loved music, inspiration of music like Quan-Yong, who wrote a movie called "New World's discovery" of the opera, fully expressed his creative talent.

Writing Background: The "Confessions" is the product of Rousseau?s miserable old age, it is an autobiography written under the cruel persecution, an autobiography defended for his own existence in the situation of enemies on 2

four-sides. The official's decision and the Church?s condemn is grim enough, but a more heavy blow on him is the published pamphlet "the feelings of the citizens," by his friends, in which Rousseau's personal life and character was attacked heavily. Rousseau saw that he had been insulted so seriously, and had the danger of being a sinner, he urgently needed to defend himself, so in that year, when he was in exile in Motia time, he began to write his memoirs in grief feeling.

Writing tone and style: Rousseau wrote his autobiography with a candid style, he didn?t evade human nature of him, more fundamental reason lies in his ideology. Thus, in his "Confessions" he used calm tone to openly tell readers: "Even now, I sometimes steal a little small item that I love, complete disregard this principle of ?Do not steal? arising from private property has become a moral maxim”, which is a clue in his system of thought.

Rousseau is undoubtedly the major representative of personal liberation in eighteenth century, he advocates absolute individual freedom, opposes religious creeds and Feudal laws; he declares that the era of custom, propriety and Prejudice are not worth a curse. And portrays himself as a classic; advocates his personal center, the individual feelings, interests, will, as a starting point, which is a free attitude towards life.. These are core ideas of his "Confessions", which is sought to be loyal to his own autobiography- do not pretend, to disclose all things. And because all of these, his autobiography has become a most natural living manifesto of personal liberation

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Theme: "confession" is the result of intense conflict between a radical civilian thinker and reactionary rule. It is a work about a civilian intellectual，in the feudal autocratic oppression，defends his rights and honor not only as a person, more importantly, as a humble human; it is also a protection of persecution and slander of the ruling class. The most precious of which is it is filled with civilians? self-confidence, self-respect and pride, in short, a high spirit of civilians.

Content introduction: "Confessions" (394 ~ 400) is a repentance story written by prayer autobiographical style, of which described the early return of Augustine's inner struggle and changes in experience. This book is Rousseau's autobiographical novel in the old age. In the book, he described, with amazing honesty, frankness and deep introspection, his departure of the islands of St. Pierre's, from birth to in 1766 ,50 years of life experience, told about all his thoughts and feelings, analyzed his behaviors and inner world.

"Confessions" was originally called "Confessiones", it explained as "admitted guilt," by classical Latin text. This book altogether has 13 volumes, by the content word, may divide into two parts. Part 1 Volume one to volume nine, records the history from his birth to his 33 year-old ,the same year of his mother death. Part 2 volume ten to volume 13, namely writes the situation when author writings this book (as the circulation age of the book confession, in which records regarding researches according to scholar, should about 400 years, after Austria promoted bishop ,395 or 396 years, to 401 years). 4

Part I: Volume one, praising the God, prescribes the deeds from his birth to fifteen-year-old. Such as the Lord’s Wills Come from the Lord; Describing Childhood; Praising God; Praising the Only and Eternal of the God; Evil Exists in Childhood; Growth; Thanksgiving. Volume II, III, takes account of his youth and the school life at Carthage, such as Addicted to Lust; Summer Course; Partnership for the Music. Reading Cicero "He Erdeng Hughes," Enthusiastic in Philosophy, Simply Disappointed of the Bible. Volume IV, V, is account of his teaching career before going to Milan. Such as the Temptation to Stray into Others; Teaching Oratory, with his Mistress. Volume six, seven, is account of his process of thought change, fear of death and the trial did not disappear. Christ is the Only Way to Rescue. Volume eight takes account of the reason, process and result of his one thought struggle. Such as What Happened to Slow the Fight between Feeling of spiritual Repentance and a Desire? Complete Repentance to Hear the Sound. Book Nine states the deeds from he converted to Christianity to his mother's death and went to Milan baptized with Yalibisi, Yadeaoda Toth. Such as Mother's Death; Mourn the Death of the Mother; Mourn the Dead; Pray f or the Death of the Mother.

Part II: Volume 10 is a book of his thought situation when writing this book. Volume 10-13, the interpretation of "Genesis," the first chapter, visites the Creation of the works of God on the 6th day, the end of the book in praise of God.

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