Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition (Initial Situation)
His Middle Name is Trouble
Little Rousseau has an awesome time growing up in Geneva, Switzerland, even though he has a knack for getting in trouble. The kiddo's dad also has a knack for getting in trouble, apparently: Rousseau's pop has to flee Geneva after getting on the wrong side of the law. So Rousseau's off to Bossey with his cousin to study Latin and build illegal aqueducts. Really, it's not such a bad childhood.
Conflict
Not Cut Out for "The Apprentice"
Rousseau tries his hand at a few professions as an apprentice, but he's just not a fan of the working life. A mysterious lady named Mme de Warens offers to help Rousseau find his path in life (and give him some moolah to boot), but the offer comes with a few moral dilemmas. Rousseau has to convert to Catholicism, for one. And when Mme de Warens offers to engage in a no-strings-attached love affair, Rousseau suspects that there will be plenty of strings attached.
Complication
Problems with the Ladies
It seems like Rousseau is finally figuring it out. He marries a nice lady named Therese and starts publishing like crazy. But Rousseau makes all his friends mad when he gets together with an attached lady, Mme d'Houdetot. His friend and longtime patron, Mme d'Epinay, is more than a little jealous.
Climax (Crisis, Turning Point)
Sayonara, Sir Rousseau
Mme d'Epinay and Rousseau get in a huge fight over the Mme d'Houdetot affair. Mme d'Epinay ends up kicking Rousseau out of her home, where he's been living. Even worse, Rousseau's reputation is seemingly tarnished. Even his loyal pal Diderot seems to have turned against him.
Falling Action
Rousseau Rallies
After leaving the Hermitage, Rousseau's on a roll. He publishes Julie and a defense of his actions with Mme d'Houdetot. His greatest literary efforts are met with accusations of blasphemy, though, requiring him to literally run for his life to Switzerland. Switzerland doesn't want him, either. He dashes from refuge to refuge, hoping to steer clear of jail time or murderous readers.
Resolution (Denoument)
Three Cheers for Jolly Old England
Rousseau doesn't have many options. Somehow, he lands in England, reading his completed Confessions to a couple of new pals. He finishes reading and looks up to see what kind of reaction he'll get. It's not much, but at least he's being honest.