Rousseau is the kind of guy who's totally willing to own up to his most embarrassing moments. His #nofilter hashtag would have more to do with his inability to keep his mouth shut, rather than a beautiful setting. It's all part of his signature style, though.
Rousseau is clear from the beginning of The Confessions that he intends to trot out every foolish moment for his reader's perusal. Even when the foolishness gets a little cringeworthy, Rousseau persists in his mission. After all, he's modeling himself after a great man who did the exact same thing: St. Augustine.
Questions About Foolishness and Folly
- What types of incidents does Rousseau characterize as foolish?
- Is Rousseau foolish for falling in love with Mama? Why or why not?
- Does Rousseau think mistakes are productive, or is he just confessing everything to get it off his chest?
Chew on This
Rousseau is most nostalgic for the foolish moments of his childhood.
Rousseau's mistakes are at the core of The Confessions, since they provide the most material for him to write about.