Dystopia

Candide

 

Voltaire

Voltaire was born on November 21, 1694, and was considered one of France’s greatest Enlightenment versatile writers. He was also a philosopher famous for his wits, and his attacks on the Catholic church. Since Voltaire was a writer during the Age of Enlightenment, many insults toward the church made the novel become successful during his time. The character of Candide is characterised by its sarcastic tone, as well as by its erratic, fantastical and fast-moving plot. Since philosophers of Voltaire's day contended with the problem of evil, so did Candide but in a more directly humorous way. Voltaire is able to ridicule religion, theologians, governments, armies, philosophies, and philosophers using allegories through his work of art (Candide).

 

Plot Summary

Candide grows up at the Baron’s house and his tutor Dr.Pangloss teaches him that their world is the best of all possible worlds. He accepts his teachings, and one day Candide and the Baron’s daughter kiss which infuriates the Baron and he proceeds to banish her from his house. This incident sets off a chain reaction, and Candide is bombarded with a series of misfortunes where he was conscripted into the army, beaten, and meeting his tutor Pangloss who is now a beggar on the streets. Pangloss is executed for his heretical views and Candide is able to escape where he later reunites with Cunegonde. She had actually been a servant and a mistress to two men but Candide is able to kill them; however the governor of Argentina proposes to Cunegonde and she accepts. Candide is able to escape and ends up at the perfect society “El Dorado”. This place was a haven filled with gold and limitless food, but Candide chooses to leave his perfect society to pursue rescuing Cunegonde. Candide ends up in Turkey where he rescues Cunegonde and marries her, but at this point she had become unattractive. Regardless, he buys Pangloss’ and Cacambo’s freedom and they all live in a farm where they are relatively happy.

 

Elements

 

Optimism: Pangloss and Candide maintain the thought that “everything is for the best of all possible worlds.” This belief is the philosophy of Enlightenment thinkers. Voltaire doesn’t believe in a perfect God and mocks the idea that the world is good.

 

Love: Candide’s love for Cunegonde is the reason for his journey in the novel. He abandons the paradise of El Dorado, committing multiple murders, and barely avoids capture and execution. He then no longer becomes attracted to her. No real romantic love seems to exist in Candide.