Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques

What it is

This manuscript page is from Rousseau juge de Jean-Jacques (Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques), written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau between 1772 and 1776. The work takes the form of three dialogues between a character called "the Frenchman" and a character called "Rousseau," who together discuss and judge a third character, an author named "Jean-Jacques."

Why it matters

Rousseau wrote this book to defend his reputation from what he called slanderous attacks, while he was still alive to respond. It has been described as his most unreadable work, and Rousseau himself admitted it might be repetitious and disorderly. The book reveals his growing conviction, late in life, that he was the target of a widespread plot by his enemies, showing the depth of his anxiety and sense of persecution.

Look closer

• Why might Rousseau have chosen to write about himself using three separate characters instead of speaking directly?
• What does his own admission that the book is "repetitious and disorderly" suggest about his state of mind while writing it?
• How does defending yourself through invented dialogue differ from a straightforward autobiography?