Raamin Mostaghimi
December 5, 2006
Occ Civ Section 8
December 5, 2006
Occ Civ Section 8
Voltaire's Candide
In Candide, Voltaire takes an extremely satirical look at the 'high society' of his time. Through the extremely innocent character of Candide himself and his many misadventures, he paints an extremely negative picture of the upper class of society. He sees them as liars, cheaters, only concerned about their own well-being and fortunes, and generally all-around bad people. This is understandable, considering Voltaire's experiences in life. Voltaire himself was mistreated by high society- even thrown in jail for his previous satire. Through Candide, Voltaire is able to put a mirror up to society, and by provoking laughter, he intends to make you question exactly what it is that you find so ridiculous that you laugh.
Candide's two philosopher buddies were actually very interesting to me. Pangloss and Martin are so diametrically opposed that their juxtaposition is just comical. While Pangloss is a firm optimist (even after getting some horrible flesh-eating STD and being hanged), there is absolutely nothing that can be done to shake Martin from his overwhelming negativity. Happily, it's Pangloss who affects Candide more, because that leads itself to a much more innocent and wondrous story, rather than the cynical version we'd get if Martin were his main influence.
Candide's travels are so fantastic as to be comical, and yet they provide an interesting view that touches on most of the elements of contemporary society. Voltaire finds time to lambaste slavery, expose greed, make the clergy look like fools, and even make light of the idea of love. For all that, Candide is a hilarious book, with enormous reading potential
Questions:
Why was Pangloss Candide's original tutor, and not Martin?
Why did Voltaire turn Cunegonde into a disgusting old hag at the end?
Candide's two philosopher buddies were actually very interesting to me. Pangloss and Martin are so diametrically opposed that their juxtaposition is just comical. While Pangloss is a firm optimist (even after getting some horrible flesh-eating STD and being hanged), there is absolutely nothing that can be done to shake Martin from his overwhelming negativity. Happily, it's Pangloss who affects Candide more, because that leads itself to a much more innocent and wondrous story, rather than the cynical version we'd get if Martin were his main influence.
Candide's travels are so fantastic as to be comical, and yet they provide an interesting view that touches on most of the elements of contemporary society. Voltaire finds time to lambaste slavery, expose greed, make the clergy look like fools, and even make light of the idea of love. For all that, Candide is a hilarious book, with enormous reading potential
Questions:
Why was Pangloss Candide's original tutor, and not Martin?
Why did Voltaire turn Cunegonde into a disgusting old hag at the end?
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