Examples Of Satire In Candide

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Throughout Candide, Voltaire uses satire to critique optimism, a popular philosophy of Leibniz who emphasizes the ultimate goal of reaching the greater good. However, there are many misconceptions of what the greater good actually is. In the 18th chapter of Candide, Candide and Cacambo encounter the land of Eldorado, a land abounding with gold, rubies, emeralds, and the finest of all riches. Voltaire describes the land as an enchanting country which some see as the greater good amongst chaos and catastrophe within the text. Within one month, Candide makes the decision to leave Eldorado and notifies the King. Readers may overlook specific details in the King’s response that Voltaire uses to attack optimism, the greater good, and its ultimate …show more content…
The King tries to persuade Candide to stay by noting that “all men [of Eldorado] are free” (Voltaire 49). However, none of the citizens ever leave. In fact, the King states that the “subjects have made a vow never to go beyond the mountain walls” (Voltaire 49). This is contradicting. If the citizens of Eldorado are truly free, they would not be obligated to vow to confinement. Here, Voltaire is able to attack the manipulating ways of governments, including the government of a seemingly perfect land. Not only does the King’s hypocrisy degrade the almost-utopia, it characterizes all governments of the Enlightenment period and governments today. As many would assume, Candide desires to leave Eldorado in search of Cunegonde. However, Voltaire conveys a message that Candide leaves out of dissatisfaction in this almost-perfect land. The customs and “vow(s)” of the land, the rules of the government, and the invaluableness of the riches displayed by the King drive Candide away in search of something greater (Voltaire 49). In this case, living in the richest land of all comes with governmental restraints. Voltaire does not believe that reaching a greater good will exist in this life without certain
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