Candide by Voltaire Essay example - 1218 Words

Voltaire was the author of the novella Candide, also known as Optimism. The the novella, Voltaire portrays the idea of Optimism as being illogical and absurd. In Candide, Voltaire satirizes the doctrine of Optimism, an idea that was greatly used during the Enlightenment time period by philosophers. In this narrative, Candide is a young man who goes through a series of undertakings and ventures around the the globe where he experiences evil and adversity. Throughout his journeys, Candide maintained the ideas of the teachings of his tutor, Pangloss. Candide and Pangloss believed in the idea that â€Å"All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds...† (Voltaire 4). This belief is what Voltaire pointed out to be an irrational way of†¦show more content†¦To Voltaire, this type of optimism was foolish. Even though many people practiced this doctrine Voltaire did not aside with it instead, he implanted doubts on the chances of achieving true happiness and real conformism. Voltaire’s opinion was that one could not achieve true happiness in the real world but only experience it in an utopia. With the many hardships that Candide goes through ultimately leads him to abandon his attitude of optimism. Candide’s misfortunes and adversities often contrasted with his optimistic view on life. Noticeably, Voltaire uses this satirical piece as a way to criticize this exaggerated optimism. This tale as stated by William Bottiglia, â€Å" Has had a great effect on modern writers who confront mankind’s inhumanity to fellow human beings by presenting the human condition absurdly, ironically, and humorously...† (Bottiglia 112). The theme of criticism â€Å"the best of all possible worlds† is present through the whole story. Throughout the novel, Voltaire uses optimism satire to contrast with the catastrophes and human affliction in the story. When Candide finds a moribund and sick Pangloss, Candide asks who is at fault for his tragedy and Pangloss replies that â€Å" The disease was a necessity in this ‘the best of all possible worlds’, for it was brought to Europe by Columbus’ men, who also brought chocolate and cochineal, two greater goods that well offset any negative effects of the disease,† (Voltaire 17). With all theShow MoreRelatedVoltaire Candide1311 Words   |  6 PagesMarie Arouet de Voltaire was the French author of the novella Candide, also known as Optimism(Durant and Durant 724). Voltaires Candide is a philosophical tale of one mans search for true happiness and his ultimate acceptance of lifes disappointments. Candide grows up in the castle of his uncle, a German baron, along with his optimistic scholar, Pangloss, and his young, beautiful cousin, Cunà ©gonde. When Candide falls in love with Cunà ©gonde and his uncle sees them kissing, Candide is thrown outRead MoreCandide by Voltaire948 Words   |  4 PagesVoltaire’s novel, Candide, encompasses a lot of things. This includes mockery of the beliefs of an opposing philosopher of the Enlightenment period . But perhaps the most powerful of his satires in his novel is on religion. Voltaire believes in God, but rather a forceful disapproval of religion. He believes that all people should serve God in their own way instead of being told how to believe God through religious officials. The first example of Voltaire mocking religion is after Candide leaves the castleRead MoreVoltaire And His Candide - Voltaire s Candide1211 Words   |  5 PagesVoltaire and his Candide Introduction Voltaire is the leader of the French Enlightenment, he enjoyed high prestige in the enlightenment movement. His life was spent in against the feudal regime system and the reactionary forces of the church (Gorbatov, 2006). Voltaire was knowledgeable, he had many works (including philosophy, history, literature, science, etc., throughout his literary creation, the most valuable was his philosophical novels (Sutcliffe, 2000). These novels maintained the vitalityRead MoreVoltaire s Candide By Voltaire2264 Words   |  10 Pages Candide by Voltaire Book Critique Emma Joy Mr. Boni World History 2- Period 2 12/19/14 I. Voltaire. Candide. New York: Bantam Books, 1959. Candide by Voltaire is a very educational and informative piece. It was chosen to be read so the students could gain a better understanding of some of the written pieces in the Enlightenment. Voltaire also makes many references as to what life was like in the 18th century. Voltaire not only describes the scenery but he gives a description ofRead MoreCandide by Voltaire847 Words   |  3 PagesCandide Paper Many critics argue that Candide is not an enlightened work, but Voltaire’s satire thoroughly reflects on the philosophical morals and lessons of the Enlightenment. Voltaire’s satire comments on the political, social, and religious views of the time, emphasizing the beliefs of a majority of enlightenment thinkers and philosophers. Voltaire demonstrates three different enlightenment thoughts or views in his work: anti-feudalism, optimism, and the hypocrisy of the Christian church.Read MoreVoltaire s Candide : Candide1766 Words   |  8 PagesVoltaire: Candide In Voltaire’s satirical novella Candide, he analyzes and criticizes the absolutist perspectives that were common of his era. By constructing his characters to each represent a different absolutist faith, he uses comedy to exaggerate and emphasize the faults in each perspective, ultimately describing the world through a cynical lens. As an influential writer of the Enlightenment period, Voltaire’s dispute of faith aligns with the enlightened goals of separating the individual fromRead MoreVoltaire s Candide And `` Candide ``936 Words   |  4 PagesEven though, the broadway play complements Voltaire’s novel, Candide, there are noticeable changes made. These changes are made in order to captivate the audience. Considering the change in time period when Voltaire originally wrote Candide, the changes needed to be made in order to contain more modern aspects that the audience would be drawn to. These changes will be discussed throughout the deliberation of the play , but the most important noticed change would be the doubling of the narrator toRead MoreCandide by Voltaire Essay1734 Words   |  7 PagesCandide Voltaire’s most classic work, Candide, is a satiric assault on most everything that was prevalent in society during the author’s lifetime. The entire novel can be regarded as a bleak story where every character compares life stories to see whose life is worse. Just when the novel cannot get anymore morbid or depressing, it does, to a much greater degree. While Candide is generally considered a universal denunciation, it is optimism that Voltaire is attacking to the greatestRead MoreCandide, a Novel by Voltaire760 Words   |  3 PagesCandide Essay Voltaire was a philosopher that many people would not forget. Candide lives in the castle of Baron Thunderten Tronckh in Westphalia. The circumstances that Candide was born was that he combined a true judgement with simplicity of spirit. Voltaire satirizes the optimism espoused by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. This was a story of a young man’s adventure throughout the world and had seen many evil and disasters. Throughout his journey, he sticks to the teachings thatRead MoreA Summary On Voltaire s Candide 1496 Words   |  6 PagesJason Ross 2/15/16 David Morroe History 185 C02195103 Pre-draft Candide Voltaire known as French Enlightenmen, author, historian and a theorist. Franà §ois-Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1694. He was so weak when being born and not expected to live Marguerite Daumard and Francois Arouet were his parents. As a student, he was an inspiration young man. He was close with his mother, and sister. Voltaire had an uneasy relationship with his father, who depressed his literature desire and tried