La solitude comme moment de transformation chez Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Solitude as a Moment of Transformation in the Works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Summary/Abstract: Literary histories have always represented Rousseau alone, especially in the daydreams of the solitary walker. We even invented the expression “Rousseau’s solitude” to show this impetus of Rousseau’s to want to isolate himself, and to distance himself from men. But if we read the books of Rousseau, especially that of the reveries of the solitary walker, the way in which this author recounts his retirement authorizes us to ask, what is the fundamental nature of this solitude? If the author says that he finds the fullness of his being only in retirement, it is necessary to see if this retirement is not well intended. In this case it is far from isolation. What then pushes our author to isolate himself? The purpose of this article is to show that far from being a simple retreat from the crowd, Rousseau’s solitude is a solemn moment of lucidity that allows the author to proceed with the transformation of his person.

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