Abby Brennan Philosophy 101 Spring 2014
Candide By: Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1964 and later one was known as the author we all know today Voltaire. He was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for is wit. Voltaire was a multitalented writer, publishing works in almost every literary type like plays, poems, novels, essays and historical and scientific works. One of Voltaire’s greatest and most popular pieces was Candide. It is filled with satire. In the book he satirizes against religion, politics and war. One of the main themes of book was Voltaire’s satire against religion. Voltaire uses satire against religious leaders in the novel who are believed to be corrupt and hypocritical. Voltaire uses the character Dr. Pangloss who is the focus of his satire. The character is Cadide’s tutor and mentor, who teach him that in best world everything happens for the best. Voltaire is using Pangloss to mock the beliefs of the philosopher Gottfried Leibinz. He was an Enlightenment think who believe that the world was perfect and evil lead to a greater good. Everything that goes wrong in Candid is to prove that Pangloss’s theory is silly and absurd. The name Pangloss means all tongue and the reason why Voltaire chose this name for the character because he thought that all philosophers did was talk and never did anything. Through the whole book Voltaire criticizes Pangloss’s optimism and Abby Brennan Philosophy 101 Spring 2014 his philosophy in general.
In Chapter 3, Candide finds satire in his conversation with a Protestant minister. Candide is very taken back by this conversation. "My friend," said the orator to him, do you believe ... the Pope to be Anti-Christ? I have not heard it," answered Candide; but whether he be, or whether he be not, I want bread. Thou dost not deserve to eat, said the other. Begone, rogue; begone, wretch; do not come near me again."1 Candide’s answer to the minister was not what he wanted to hear but it was the one Candide believed in and nothing could stop him from speaking his mind. Since the minister wasn’t happy with Candide, he refused to give him a meal. The satire of this quote is that just before the minister preached about charity and the importance of giving to others.
In Chapter 11, the old woman tells Candid and Cunegonde that she was the daughter of the Princess of Palestrina and Pope Urban X. This is an example of religious leaders breaking their own rules. The pope is the head of the church and has the most influence, he is not suppose to be married let alone be involved in sexual activity.
In Chapter 19, Candide and Cacambo were on a journey and came across a beat African American man with very little clothes on. They walk over to check if he is okay and find out that he is a servant to a religious man. The servant tells him that the religious man has beaten him and doesn’t understand why because Abby Brennan Philosophy 101 Spring 2014
That is not what he teaches in church. The servant says that he is told that we are all brothers and sisters of Adam and Eve. Of course Voltaire replies with satire “ I am no genealogist; but if these preachers are telling the truth, then we are all second cousins. In which case you must admit that no one could treat his relatives much more horribly than this.”2 Candide is saying
