Letter to M. d'Alembert on Spectacles
[2] The Letter is considered to be highly personally relevant to Rousseau, whose patriotism and affinity for Geneva shows through as he writes to defend his country from moral decay.
He sought to distance himself philosophically from the views that the universal use of reason, science, uninhibited freedom of thought, and an increasing appreciation for the fine arts would make society a better place.
However, after the death of Louis XIV, new philosophical ideas began to emerge about embracing earthly pleasure, and the theatre found more and more supporters.
[3] D'Alembert's article in support of the theatre was influenced by Voltaire, who not only was against censorship, but frequently put on theatrical performances at his home outside of Geneva.
He also responds to some comments D'Alembert makes praising the tolerance of the Geneva clergy while criticizing the intolerance of French Roman Catholicism.
[4] Rousseau continues to say that though Greek and Roman society functioned well with tragic and violent content in theatres because it was part of the traditions specific to the time and place, putting these plays in a French context would be far more dangerous.
[4] He extensively discusses playwright Molière's work, and uses the play Le Misanthrope to exemplify a comedy in which the audience derives immoral pleasure.
In the play, the main character, Alceste, is good and honest in his relationships with men and made to look ridiculous, whereas Philinte, a deceiver and manipulator, is shown as superior.
Moreover, theatre is incompatible with the rural mindset, where people work hard, and as a result should find simple relaxation pleasurable, rather than the extravagant, over-stimulating entertainment which retards the imagination.
[4] Rousseau portrays Geneva in a very romantic and positive light, where people are productive, happy and hard at work, but he also recognizes the extreme wealth and poverty in the city.
He argues that the presence and authority of women in public spaces corrupts the male youth, turning them effeminate and void of patriotic passion.
Even though there are other forms of entertainment in Geneva that exemplify bad manners, Rousseau claims that none of these areas are more destructive to the people's good taste than the theatre.
[4] The Letter starts off with a grim and urgent tone, then shifts at the end to a brighter and optimistic one when it discusses the community-oriented solution to the problem of the theatre.
One of Rousseau's pivotal points in the Letter is that customs, opinions and priorities which are common and well-accepted among all citizens should be those that make accepting laws in favour of respect, equality and harmony a pleasurable and natural experience.
He considered women, by virtue of their nature, to be the primary agents of moral reform, and that the success of the state depends on the harmony within private, domestic life.
[1] Rousseau believed that public morals could be created not by laws or punishment, but simply by women, who have access to their senses and largely control the way men think.
[6] Rousseau's views on the theatre are also thought to echo current concerns with global entertainment, television, and the Internet replacing local customs and culture.
