In Confessions, Rousseau’s development of masochistic sexual urges as a result of the guilt he feels over causing his mother’s death is apparent. Rousseau conveys to the reader that because his mother died while giving birth to him, he is directly responsible for her death. As a result of this blame he takes upon himself, Rousseau develops a deep hatred of himself. He believes that every punishment he receives is well earned, and …showed first 75 words of 641 total…

…showed last 75 words of 641 total…the thrashings were at the hand of a male. Rousseau harbors an intense self-loathing, blaming himself for the death of such a perfect woman as his mother. The animosity he feels towards himself paves the way to a life of masochism. Rousseau believes that he deserves to be eternally punished for his mother’s death, and on this course that he discovers that thrashings at the hand of a woman is his ultimate sexual high.