PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Letter to M. D'Alembert on Spectacles (French: Lettre an M. d'Alembert sur les spectacles) is a 1758 essay written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in response to Jean d'Alembert's article in the Encyclopédie proposing the creation of a theatre in Geneva. More broadly, it is a critical examination of the influence of culture on morals that sheds light on the connections between politics and social life. Rousseau connects the question of a theatre in Geneva to a greater social context, warning of the theatre's ability to corrupt society's morality. The Letter is thought to be extremely personal to Rousseau, whose patriotism and love of Geneva shine through as he seeks to preserve his nation against moral deterioration. Rousseau attempts to convince D'Alembert and the Geneva public that a theatre is a threat to an ideal, natural way of life by emphasizing his belief in the natural order and harmony of conventional sex roles and community. Rousseau was largely opposed to the Enlightenment movement that was taking place during his lifetime. He attempted to philosophically disassociate himself from the belief that universal use of reason, science, unrestricted freedom of opinion, and a rising love for the beautiful arts would make society a better place.
