The self in the Confessions
Follow how the Confessions turn a life story into an inquiry into desire, memory and time.
An original introduction. This guide accompanies the work; it is neither the complete text nor a translation.
Situating the text
Written around 397–401, early in his time as bishop, the work presents conversion as a slow and unfinished process rather than a single moment. It is a retrospective literary reconstruction, not a diary, and its last three books are scriptural commentary rather than autobiography. In thirteen books addressed to God, Augustine recounts his life from infancy to the death of his mother Monica, then turns to memory, time and the opening of Genesis. Confession means both admitting faults and praising God, so the narrative is also an inquiry into what a human self is.
Following the arguments
Restless heart : The opening prayer presents human desire as a search that finds rest only in God, which gives the whole book its movement of seeking. Memory : Book 10 describes memory as a vast inner space holding images, skills, emotions, forgotten things and even the desire for happiness. Time : Book 11 argues that past and future exist in the mind as memory and expectation, so that time becomes a stretching of the soul.
Continuing the reading
Read Books 1, 2 and 8 for the narrative, then Books 10 and 11 for the philosophy; notice where story gives way to prayer and argument, and use an edition numbered by book and chapter. Written around 397–401, early in his time as bishop, the work presents conversion as a slow and unfinished process rather than a single moment. It is a retrospective literary reconstruction, not a diary, and its last three books are scriptural commentary rather than autobiography.
The Confessions use memory and prayer to show a self that is never fully transparent to itself.
Your turn to think.
- Why does Augustine address his story to God rather than to his readers?
- How can we measure time if the past no longer exists and the future does not yet exist?
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