"" (391) This paranoia may be the reason why, as his work progresses into Part 2, confessions turn into justifications.Towards the very end, his writing turns into almost accusations of the people who he thought were conspiring against him. Perhaps this format is also aimed at the reader who in Part 1 was believed to be more sympathetic, but now judging and critical. .
Rousseau's Confessions, are not, however, mere recitals of his sins and virtues " each experience is a contributing factor to "the man who is to be [him] self."" (5) He creates this self, by separating himself from other men, and from the world: "I am not made like any that I have seen; I venture to believe that I am not made by any that exist.""(5) Thus, he relates to the reader by recognizing that everyone and every individual's story is unique. Therefore, his "true self- is not grounded in his similarity with others, but in his "great sensibility."" (102) Nevertheless, Rousseau uses his Confessions as an example of what human nature is like, as he sets out to show "man in all truth of nature.""(5) Thus, he assumes a selfish position, posing himself as a model used to show "true- human nature, while simultaneously claiming uniqueness from other individuals. .
One of the claims that Rousseau makes to his uniqueness, which echoes his idea of closely primordial human attribute, is his remarkable sensitivity and ability to feel: "I had feelings before I had thoughts: that is the common lot of humanity. But I was more affected by it than others are."" (8) In a paragraph where he talks about his life as plagued by illness, he describes the personal importance of emotions:.
The sword wears out the sheath, or so they say. That is the story .
of my life. My passions have made me live, and my passions have.
killed me. Which passions? you will ask. Mere nothings is the .
answer, the most trivial, the most puerile in the world; but which .