What is the source of Rosseau's happiness and is it linked to contemplation and writing? Happiness is a subjective term. It has no formal measurement and differs between people and cultures. It is also multidimensional in the sense that it encompasses the senses and depends on a series of internal and external factors such as mood, perception of experiences and the weather. It seems to me that it is not possible to attribute Rosseau's happiness solely to writing, contemplation or daydreams. Furthermore, the absence of expectations and the escape from reality can affect one's notion of the concept. Rosseau states that his happiness could be found in pastimes and not in their mere telling. “So what was this happiness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay It would remain a mystery if I described to them the life I led there, everything I did during my stay, there was in fact nothing more than the delightful pastime and necessary for a man dedicated to idleness. » () He describes some hobbies like eating with friends, rowing on the lake and talking about nature. » “The author was genuinely engaged in these hobbies. It describes in great detail writing a book about plants and flowers (Flora petrinsularis), picking fruit, rowing and walking in nature. “Nothing could be more extraordinary than the great joy and ecstasy that I felt every time I observed something about the structure and organization of plants. » Value is demonstrated through the use of emotive language “great joy and ecstasy” and vivid imagery. The author seems relaxed, amazed, without delay, participating in undemanding activities that allow for creative and serene thoughts. This could be compared to a person participating in leisure activities while on vacation. It was joyous when he temporarily retired from work, but writing about that experience was also meaningful 12 years later. The office represents this burden of professional writing and its absence makes him happy. “One of my greatest pleasures was above all leaving my books in boxes and not having an office. “An example in modern times would be a professional who does not need tools or stationery and has enough time to think and dream. Temporarily leaving the professional sphere is a reason for joy because it reduces stress and leaves more time for hobbies. Daydreams were a source of joy during and after the holidays. “I liked to go and sit by the lake, in a secluded place on the pebbles. . . ridding my soul of all other agitation, plunged it into a delicious reverie. » Rosseau directly states in the aforementioned quote that he loves daydreams and also calls them delightful. “The objects of these images often escaped my senses in my ecstasies, and now, the deeper my reverie is, the more vividly it presents them to me. I am often more among them and with more pleasure than when I was actually there. » The use of emotive words and the use of superlatives “more among them, more pleasantly, more vividly” convey his great joy in remembering and writing about the time spent in Bern. Additionally, new lifestyles, fewer responsibilities, a different environment resulted in a relatively different environment that could have increased Rosseau's well-being. He replaced what he calls “sad” books with plants. “Instead of these sad papers and piles of old books, I filled my room with flowers and herbs. which would quickly become a passion”.