Candide: Candide and Possible Worlds Essay

Submitted By whitesoxfan12389
Words: 1064
Pages: 5
Open Document
Take Off Your Rose-Colored Glasses
The movie theater: a common setting around the world where people of all ages go to relax and enjoy a movie of their choosing. One of the most popular types of movies that people tend to see is a comedy. A good comedy allows people to unwind while enjoying a good laugh. The library served this function during the 18th century, when writers satirized ideas through books and plays. Voltaire was one of these writers, and found it enjoyable to poke fun through the use of literature. Throughout his novel, Candide, Voltaire satirizes the optimism and order of 18th century society, forcing the reader to laugh at and realize just how absurd all of his/her ideals are, and, therefore, question his/her beliefs. Voltaire challenges the positive attitude of philosophy at the time in order to point out to society just how flawed their beliefs are. By constantly detailing horrific events within his writing, he defies the thought that this truly is the best of all possible worlds. Throughout the play, the character Pangloss, who represents the philosophy at the time, constantly states, “This is the best of all possible worlds” (Voltaire 13). By juxtaposing the constant appalling happenings of the play with that line, Voltaire brings to question the validity of that philosophy, and causes every reader to consider and adjust their opinion on whether it truly is ‘the best world’ while laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Attacking the widespread optimism of the time was a goal of Voltaire’s. He felt that people were being too encouraging, and needed to realize that the world isn’t always cheery. At one point in the play Pangloss describes the origins of a disease he has, “This present Paquette received of a learned Grey Friar, who had traced it to its source… who when a novice had it in a direct line from one of the companions of Christopher Columbus… if Columbus had not in an island of America caught this disease… we should have neither chocolate nor cochineal” (8). Pangloss consistently states this is ‘the best of all possible worlds’ after such horrid events are detailed. This is ironic as it disproves the thought that this is a great world, and suggests that society leans toward immediate gratification rather than a full and prosperous life. Chocolate trumps death. By including this passage Voltaire displays our short-sightedness, and suggests the reader take off his rose colored glasses. Voltaire continues to criticize the optimism by including El Dorado, the city of gold, is his book. One house within the city is described, “They entered a very plain house, for the door was only silver, and the ceilings were only of gold” (43). By describing this mythical place but also making it almost unreachable in his novel, Voltaire suggests that we cannot obtain such a paradise. Therefore, we do not know what ‘the best world’ genuinely is. The character Candide mentions that Pangloss would have altered his opinion had he seen El Dorado, and that it is much better than that to which Pangloss had referred to as ‘the best world.’ By writing it in this manner, the reader can clearly see that our world will suffer by comparison to such an impossible utopia. Consequently, he/she is left wondering why he/she is so optimistic about his/her own mediocre situation. Voltaire continues to satirize optimism and government through the garden in which Candide, Pangloss, and Martin visit. Voltaire attacks the structure and order of 18th century government and its unbending nature. Candide’s affection towards a simple farm hints that the unfettered life of farming in a small community would be superior and provide more joy than living in a world controlled by such a large, chaotic government. Towards the end of the novel Candide comes upon a farmer who states, “I am entirely ignorant of the event of the event you mention; I presume in general that they who meddle with the administration of public affairs die
Show More

Related Documents: Candide: Candide and Possible Worlds Essay

What Does Pangloss Prove In Candide

that take place in Voltaire’s Candide prove Pangloss’s theory to be untrue “Consequently, those who say everything is well are uttering mere stupidities; they should say everything is for the best” (2). This quote from chapter 1 introduces Pangloss’s optimistic philosophy. Pangloss and his student, Candide, live their lives believing humans live in the ideal world. They use this notion to explain away any troubles that transpire in their lives. While Pangloss and Candide so desperately believe this…

Words 1006 - Pages 5

Cultivating Our Garden By Voltaire's Candide: Optimism

happiness. The infamous satire Candide by Voltaire dispute Philosophical Optimism’s theory "Everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” Voltaire uses satire as a way to express his opinions about European society in the eighteenth century. A novella of young man named Candide as he goes through adventure and witness evil and cruelty. The main character Candide, is innocent by living in a world full of illusion. Candide used to lived in a world…

Words 365 - Pages 2

Candide Exam 1 Essay

September 29, 2014 HIST 1020 Voltaire’s Candide Candide is introduced as a naive teenager in Voltaire’s novel. As a young man he is easily influenced by stronger characters such as his tutor, Pangloss. In the beginning of the book, Candide is very innocent and is easily influenced by Pangloss. Pangloss is stuck in his optimistic philosophy and “best of all possible worlds” idea. Pangloss’s philosophy mocks the ideas of some Enlightenment thinkers of a perfect world created by an all powerful god. Candide's…

Words 471 - Pages 2

Essay about Candide Review

Candide. By Voltaire. Translated from the German by John Butt. (New York: Penguin Books, 1947 edition. Pp. 144. Bibliography, index, introduction.) This novel, written in 1758, was centered on Voltaire’s unfortunate experiences with the shock of the earthquakes happening in Lima in 1746 and, 9 years later, in Libson. Both quakes wreaked harsh havoc, causing the death of over fifty thousand people and completely destroying each of the cities. Deeply offended by the ‘optimistic’ ideology the public…

Words 1158 - Pages 5

Candide essay

Voltaire’s Candide is a piece of genius satire that is relatable to nearly any era of the world, especially in today’s world. It is a great comment on the political and social state that our world seems to always be struggling with. While the characters of the story believe that this is the “best of all possible worlds, it is clear that Voltaire does not agree with that statement. He employs a clever use of satire to show just how disgusting the world truly is. Starting with…

Words 651 - Pages 3

Candide and Jk Essay

1. M,mjkj 2. Candide hires a companion, Martin, to accompany him on his journey. He hires Martin because he is the most amusing. He and Martin observe a battle between two ships and decide to detour to France. Pangloss’s philosophy is that all is for the best in this “best of all possible worlds.” Martin is more believable than the other major characters in the novel, not because he is more complex, but because he is more intelligent and more likely to draw conclusions with which we can identify…

Words 503 - Pages 3

Candide paper

the reader comfort in a perfectly happy ending, Volatire’s Candide alters the happily ever after that other characters might receive. With dark humor, the ending of Candide seems less than ideal, especially after the amount of suffering Candide the other characters endured. However, Candide survives his experience learned, and his ideals changed. The ending of Candide is fulfilling through Candide’s moral and spiritual development, as Candide alter his values and learns to move forward from his experiences…

Words 732 - Pages 3

Candide Character Analysis

his journey, Candide is able to comprehend the outside world and acknowledge that everything is not ‘the best of all possible worlds.’ While at Venice, Candide confess something that he never thought he would say, “how much better it would have been for me to have remained in the paradise of El Dorado than to come back to this cursed Europe! You are in the right, my dear Martin: all is misery and illusion” (page 126). As he goes through different places and experience new things, Candide starts to acknowledge…

Words 332 - Pages 2

Essay On Candide

Thomas 1 Dustin Thomas Professor Daniel Grantham World Lit II 16/3/2014 Less Optimistic Than Meets the Eye: Voltaire’s Sarcasm for Optimism Voltaire did an amazing job writing a novel that would have pleased a reader looking at it from any point of view. Have you ever been reading a novel and thought this is inspiring, before finally realizing that the writer is simply being sarcastic? This was the case for me when I read Voltaire’s Candide. The man seemed to almost make fun or attack the thought…

Words 1323 - Pages 6

Essay on The Role of the Individual in Candide

All around the world the roles of the individual and of society are completely abstract. As the world changes and develops, the roles of the individual and society change to meet the needs of the people. Voltaire's Candide which involves France during the Age of Enlightment & Marx & Engels' Communist Manifesto which involves Germany around 1848 both discuss the roles of the individual and of society in different ways. In both pieces of literature what is expected of the individuals and of society…

Words 1146 - Pages 5