Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Name: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Author: Jules Lemaître

By Jules Lemaître

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Biographies French Literature Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A sequence of ten lectures offers a moral biography that interweaves the author's reading of the subject's life with close analysis of his major writings, especially the Confessions, the Discourses, La Nouvelle Héloïse, Émile, and the Contrat social. The commentator traces how temperament, recollection, and personal suffering shaped attitudes and arguments, weighing sympathy with critical scrutiny, and explores recurring themes such as education, the arts and sciences, inequality, religion, and solitude. The tone aims for clarity and conversational intimacy while assessing coherence across works and the author's evolving sensibility.

About the Author

Jules Lemaître

Jules Lemaître was a French author and literary critic known for his insightful studies of prominent literary figures. His works often explore the lives and contributions of writers such as Chateaubriand, Racine, and Rousseau, reflecting his deep engagement with French literature. Lemaître's notable publications include "Les Contemporains," a series of literary portraits that examine the works and influences of his contemporaries. He also authored "ABC: Petits Contes," showcasing his storytelling ability. Through his critical essays and literary analyses, Lemaître contributed significantly to the understanding of 19th-century French literature.