Sexual politics in Rousseau's Emile

Abstract

Rousseaua??s Emile is an amalgamation of a novel, political philosophy tract, and pedagogical treatise that considers sexual politics. Its sexual politics takes into account the implications and dynamics of male-female relations so as to understand how power relations between the sexes affect their roles in existing society. It is my contention that instead of merely reinforcing traditional gender differences, sexual politics in Emile seek to create of the ideal citizen and the ideal state. I believe sexual politics creates the ideal state (Sophie) by a??endowing her with the ability to see through others, discern what is in their hearts, and transform thema??. This, in turn, allows her to transform the delicately bred man into an ideal citizen (Emile). She does so by keeping him enthralled with the virtues she embodies. These virtues ensure that Emile is able to survive in existing civil society without being corrupted by it.