Jean Jacques Rousseau (Volume 1); A New Criticism

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX NOTE A INTERPRETATIONS OF ROUSSEAU'S BOOKS AND INFLUENCES These interpretations of Rousseau's books leave his teachings in a 'cloud of black' incomprehensibleness, ' see p. 4. Thus, let us take the interpretation of the Contrat Social delivered to English readers in the criticism of that work by Mr. John Morley: --Readers of this criticism are told that the author of the Social Contract involuntarily, and unconsciously, helped the growth of progressive ideas, in which he had no faith (vol. ii. p. 195). They are told that the Social Contract was the match which kindled revolutionary fire in generous breasts throughout Europe (ii. pp. 192, 193); that it evoked virile and patriotic energy, that its phrases became the language of all who aspired after freedom (ii. p. 192); that it produced an enthusiastic faith in the renovation of society. But they are also told of the same book (ii. p. 120) that it represented the formal denial of the possibility of overcoming the difficulties in the way of reforming society --that, for the author, the dream of human perfectibility was a sour and fantastic mockery; (ii. p. 119)--that his depressing faith was that the golden era has passed away from our globe (ii. p. 119); that the utmost men could do was to turn their eyes to the past, and to try to walk for a space in the track of the ancient societies: they would hardly succeed; but endeavour might at least do something to stay the plague of universal degeneracy. About the Nouvelle Helolse, readers of Mr. Morley's psychological criticism are told: --that the effect of this extraordinary popular novel was to fascinate the Eublie with the charm of a serene, well-ordered, cheerful oiue (ii. p. 47); to restore marriage to a rank amongst high and...