Voltaire’s Philosophy

Candide so far has had a strong philosophical background, what could we expect it’s Voltaire. Starting off the main character is a young philosopher eager to learn. Our beloved Candide is constantly asking mind-bending questions on whether everything is for the best. Although his tutor, Dr. Pangloss died a long time ago, the questions and curiosity continue. The deep questions and dialogue have however increased in the boat ride to Europe.

“…if our friend Pangloss had seen Eldorado, he would not have kept on saying that Castle Thunder-ten-tronckh was the loveliest house on earth; shows people ought to travel.’”

Since his tutor’s death, Candide has begun questioning his philosophy. How is it that everything is for the best if horrible things keep happening? Having seen all the horrible things outside of Thunder-ten-tronckh, the young philosopher has realized that he and his neighbors lived in a bubble. The real world was not a peaceful place. In the quote above we can see him realizing that his wise master was indeed ignorant. This wasn’t his fault, having only lived in one place, one might begin to imagine the world is perfect. Yet the discovery of Eldorado sort of restores faith into Candide, proving that there are utopias.

“‘You observe,’ said Candide to Martin, ‘that crime is sometimes punished. That rogue of Dutch captain has had the fate he deserved.’”

Having been robbed of his wealth, you can feel how Candide savors the justice paid by the Dutch pirate. Note that he accepts that injustice is fairly common “sometimes punished”. It feels like Candide has faith restored with moments like this. The same when the old lay rescues him. Justice in a rather unjust life should feel great. Being born a good person and having done only positive deeds it’s unfair.

The highlight of my reading however was the end. “…why should I suppose that men have changed theirs?’ ‘Oh, but there’s a great difference,’ said Candide; for Free Will…’” This was awesome ending is the end of conversation of human instincts between Martin and Candide. Our main character seams to believe that human instinct has changed yet Voltaire doesn’t. So the author cuts the dialogue short and emphasizes on free will, in capital letters, marvelous. 

A Turn for the Worst

Candide has gotten weaker and weaker throughout these chapters. The well-developed plot, the unique style, and the satire have all left the novel. It has become just a simple European tale of the new world. I am quite disappointed with Voltaire. As a novel, Candide continues to stand out from the crows but compared to what it was, it’s nothing.

The plot in the new world bores me. The lack of interest might be because of the excess of poems, epics, and biographies I’ve read. Voltaire maintains me interested with his satire, which appears to have become almost invisible. Only by reading closely will you find Voltaire’s opinion. “They are partly human, just as I am partly Spanish.’” The satire behind the quote bashes the ideal of having Spanish blood. The quote is referring to half monkey half humans, which appears to be equal to being a half-blood. Seams absurd that people would think not being Spanish was like being a monkey.

“‘Do you mean to say you have no monks teaching people and disputing, governing and intriguing, and having people burned if they don’t subscribe to their opinions?’

‘We should be stupid if we had’”

As shown in the quote, the author uses the utopia of Eldorado to critique society and demonstrate what it should be. Demonstrated by the quote above, and other satire in previous chapters, Voltaire sees religion as unnecessary and mad. Although in previous chapters, the critique was less obvious, he takes no expense and openly bashes religion. They other remark made is for money and greed. I agree with the point our author makes, it causes many problems. “ ‘ I don’t understand you European taste for our yellow mud,’ he said; ‘but take all you want and much good may it do to you.’” As you may know Eldorado was a city pursued by Spaniards for centuries, Voltaire twists it around to show how the lack of greed creates harmony: outstanding.

I was most surprised with the rhetoric used by Cacambo with the Indians. The casual satire amuses me but the way he spoke to the Oreillons. The way he used pathos, ethos, and logos was amazing. “But, gentlemen, you would not wish to eat your friends. You think you are going to skewer a Jesuit; but it’s your defender…” The natives end up freeing them. With tints of related topics and a change of plot this book should return to its stature. 

Not medium rare, just crude.

Candide is by far the crudest novel I have ever read. Although the beginning of the book has just some cruel and shocking descriptions, the book has become as graphic as 90’s horror film. The descriptions and the lack of importance of strong scenes characterize this part of the novel.

“I am the daughter of Pope Urban X and the Princess of Palestrina” (pg. 49)

The importance of this quote is immense yet it’s not given much significance by the book and the story just continues as if nothing had happened. Take this quote part by part and you realize what it is. First of all there is a footnote of it, first time in the book. The note tells us the cleverness the author had in the writing of it, the footnote is written by him however and idolizes himself. The author also notes that “Pope Urban X” has never existed yet the critique to the church is felt.  The fact that the pope had an illegitimate son with a member of the royal family is extremely controversial yet the book continues seamlessly.

“In the end I saw my mother and all our Italian ladies torn limb from limb, slashed, and massacred by the monsters that fought for them.” (Pg. 52)

Descriptions like these are abundant throughout the chapter and they are the first ones that are indeed candid. How is it that such a thing could happen to a beautiful group of woman? Many woman have been killed, raped, and tortured this might be showing us how many woman stood in the sixteenth century, weak and at the mercy of men. The titles of the chapters even show the statue of woman, “The old woman’s misfortune continued” I wonder whether Voltaire is just showing the poor statue lady’s had back then or critiquing it.

““Cut just one buttock off each of these ladies…and that will provide you with a delicious meal…”” (Pg. 56)

What I thought would become a love story has become crude and gory. This is great: love stories lack the truth that crude ones might contain. Instead of having an extremely fictional tale of two people we have now realistic fiction in the sixteenth century. I couldn’t have dreamed of such a great transformation.

Targeting Religion

The purpose of satire as we learned in class is to critique society. Satire uses absurdity, hyperboles, and irony to expose and ridicule its target. In Candide, Voltaire critiques many parts of society but he most often exposes religion. The author is incredible at incorporating his strong opinion in what has become a love story between Candide and Lady Cunégonde. In recent chapters, we had been told that Bulgars had killed our main character’s true love. Now, a few chapters later we’ve learned that she is very much alive and in love with Candide. So, our story has evolved into the truly magical and great thing that is a love story.

“The University of Coimbra had pronounced that the sight of a few people ceremoniously burned alive before a slow fire was an infallible prescription for preventing earthquakes” (Pg. 36)

The author develops the satire so well that he makes it seam as if no absurdity is present. As a statement alone it seams absurd that a group of academics could think sacrifice would make the difference, nevertheless we know religion had a big influence in those times. The words used are of great importance because they increase the absurdity. Words like “infallible” and “ceremoniously” really make the difference. Infallible shows the stubborn and dumb way of thinking that such an act would be the only way because they said so. Ceremoniously exposes the cruel and morbid scene that must be a person dying at the stake.

“The Cardinal was buried in a beautiful church, and Issachar was thrown on the dunghill.” (Pg. 46)

Through lady Cunégonde’s story there is a heavy symbolism between the Cardinal and the Jewish fellow. The Cardinal being an important figure in the Inquisition had threatened Issachar if he did not give him the lady. The two fellows ended up sharing Cunégonde: the irony is obvious, for it is strange that two opposites share the same prize. In the quote however there is a symbolism with some irony. The Cardinal being a man of the inquisition and having tried to make love with Candide’s love should be punished. The irony is that he isn’t punished and is rewarded by being buried in a church or what symbolizes heaven. Don Issachar being an honest man is thrown out, without burial because he was a Jewish man. Heaven is only for Catholic believers.

The story has turned into the fleeing of Candide, his love, and her maid from the police. I don’t know what to expect down the road, just hope it isn’t a love story.

A Journey Into Satire

Having only read the beginning, Candide seams to be a masterpiece. The heavy use of satire, puns, and philosophy makes this a quite different one. Even though the strength of Voltaire is writing, his ability to create a great story is constantly undermined.

“He lay down for the night in the furrow of a ploughed field with snow falling in thick flakes…” (Pg, 22)

The idea of a young philosopher and his adventures shows the great knowledge Voltaire holds. Candide’s banishing, his desertion of the Bulgars, and his adventures in the city are all parts of typical story. The author uses this stereotype story and molds it into a masterpiece by introducing satire and philosophy that categorizes his style. The abuses of double meanings make the story at the will of reader. Depending on the level of understanding by the reader, the story can be quite different. We can see how a naïve audience might find themselves confused when the author uses the many meanings of both phrases and words. “…when she saw Dr. Pangloss behind some bushes giving a lesson on experimental physics to her mother’s waiting woman,” (pg. 21)

The author’s style stands out when he combines the plot with philosophical ideals, which enrich the novel. The way the author is able to combine these huge ideals into the plot is brilliant. “’ Free Will is consistent with Absolute necessity, for it was ordained that we should be free…’” The fusion of a concept like liberty in simple “chit chat” between characters creates an insight to a complex plot to come.

Voltaire is a great into hiding his opinion in the plot. Although no text can be completely unbiased, the French philosopher makes it seam like so. “She was infected, and now perhaps she is dead. Paquette was given this present by a learned Franciscan, who had traced it back to its source.” The description Pangloss is giving hides Voltaire’s controversial opinion. It is very clear that Candide’s teacher has come kind of STD that had been passed down by people in high office and religious figures. “...and he had received it from a Jesuit…”. This extremely controversial story appears like your average novel of a young man and his adventures. With a great story just beginning, I look forward to gaining the true meaning of this satirical masterpiece.