Meaning: Walter Pater's quote, "One of the most beautiful passages of Rousseau is that in the sixth book of Confessions, where he describes the awakening in him of the literary sense. Of such wisdom, the poetic passion, the desire of beauty, the love of art for its own sake, has most," is a reflection on the profound impact of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's writing in his Confessions. Pater, a prominent English essayist, literary and art critic of the 19th century, is known for his influential writings on aesthetics and the appreciation of art for its intrinsic value. In this quote, he speaks to the transformative power of literature and the arts, particularly as experienced through Rousseau's personal account of his literary awakening.

In his essay "The Renaissance," Pater emphasizes the importance of experiencing life through the lens of art, and it is within this context that his quote about Rousseau's Confessions can be understood. Pater's admiration for Rousseau's portrayal of the awakening of the literary sense suggests a deep appreciation for the introspective and transformative nature of literature and art. Rousseau's sixth book of Confessions is a deeply personal and introspective work in which he examines his own experiences and emotions, and Pater's recognition of its beauty and significance speaks to the universal appeal of such introspective literary works.

Rousseau's Confessions is renowned for its candid and emotionally charged narrative, and the sixth book in particular is considered a pivotal moment in the text. In this section, Rousseau reflects on the profound impact that literature and the arts had on his life, detailing the awakening of his literary sense and the subsequent development of a deep appreciation for the poetic passion, the desire for beauty, and the love of art for its own sake. Rousseau's exploration of these themes resonates with Pater's own beliefs about the transformative power of art and the importance of experiencing life through the lens of artistic expression.

Pater's reference to "the poetic passion, the desire of beauty, the love of art for its own sake" reflects his own aesthetic philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of experiencing and appreciating art for its intrinsic value. Pater was a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement, which sought to elevate the pursuit of beauty and the sensory experience of art above all else. In this context, his admiration for Rousseau's depiction of the awakening of the literary sense can be seen as a celebration of the profound impact that art and literature can have on an individual's understanding of the world and themselves.

Overall, Pater's quote highlights the enduring significance of Rousseau's Confessions and the universal appeal of its themes. It speaks to the transformative power of literature and the arts, as well as the deeply personal and introspective nature of works that explore the awakening of artistic sensibilities. Through his praise of Rousseau's portrayal of the literary sense, Pater underscores the importance of experiencing life through the lens of art and the enduring impact that such experiences can have on an individual's understanding of beauty, passion, and the pursuit of artistic expression.

In conclusion, Walter Pater's quote about Rousseau's Confessions reflects his admiration for the transformative power of literature and the arts, as well as his belief in the intrinsic value of artistic expression. It speaks to the enduring significance of Rousseau's exploration of the awakening of the literary sense and the universal appeal of its themes, emphasizing the profound impact that art and literature can have on an individual's understanding of beauty, passion, and the pursuit of art for its own sake. Pater's quote serves as a testament to the lasting influence of Rousseau's introspective and emotionally charged narrative, and it resonates with his own aesthetic philosophy, which celebrates the transformative and deeply personal nature of artistic experiences.