The Creative Background of Confessions

Confessions were written from 1765 to 1770.

social context

French Revolution: At the end of 18, the French feudal system was extremely decadent. The contradiction between the first class (monks) and the second class (aristocrats) represented by King Louis XVI and the third class (bourgeoisie, urban civilians and peasants) is becoming increasingly acute, and mass movements are constantly rising.

Personal background

Rousseau successfully composed the opera The Country Diviner, which was later received by King Louis XV of France. Rousseau refused the king's reward. He believes that accepting a reward under the extremely decadent French feudal system belongs to accepting the slavery of the French state power. During this period, Rousseau created the educational novel Emile.

Rousseau's religious view expressed at the end of Emile: "Father Savoy" became the reason for persecution by the French authorities, which was an extremely heretical thought in the 65438+60' s, and Rousseau's book was condemned by the Archbishop of Paris. Emile was burned to death in the street and the authorities issued an arrest warrant for Rousseau.

1764, Rousseau lived in motier. 1765 was expelled from Mortiere, fled to Strasbourg, went to Paris, accepted the invitation of the British philosopher Hume and went to England. 1766, the first part of the advertisement is completed.

1782, four years after Rousseau's death, Confessions were published one after another, which achieved a "scandal-like" success.