Letter to d'Alembert on the Theatre

Interesting Facts

• The book is a response by Jean-Jacques Rousseau to d'Alembert's article in the «Encyclopedia», where he proposed opening a theater in Geneva.
• Rousseau opposes theater, claiming it corrupts morals and destroys social foundations.
• The author emphasizes that theater fosters hypocrisy and deceit, as actors are forced to portray emotions they do not truly feel.
• Rousseau believes theater distracts people from more important social and family duties.
• In the book, Rousseau also criticizes French society and its fascination with spectacles, seeing it as a sign of moral decline.
• Rousseau suggests developing other forms of public entertainment instead of theater, which would strengthen moral values and social bonds.