Book 1, Book 1 : Chapter 1, Introductions and Nursing Summary and Analysis

This is a rather large literary work—the main body of text runs over 500 pages. In addition there are a some introductory materials. The entire work has been translated from the French language into English by Barbara Foxley.

There is a set of introductions. The scholar P.D. Jimack gives readers a summary of the entire text. He also provides an account of the author's life.

Rousseau was the son of a craftsman. His mother died as a direct consequence of giving birth. He was raised lovingly and rather gently. When he was old enough he became an apprentice to an engraver, whereas his father was a watch maker. However, the engraver was violent towards Rousseau to such an extent that the teenager ran away from his Master and thereby...