Candide
by Voltaire
Table of Contents
Chapters 1-5
Chapter 1 Summary
Candide is a handsome, innocent, and trusting young man who lives in a country
called Westphalia. He resides in the castle of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh. The
Baron’s servants believe that Candide is the illegitimate son of the Baron’s sister, and
that Candide’s mother refused to marry his father because his ancestry was not noble
enough. Candide lives peacefully with the Baron’s family and receives lessons from the
family tutor, Pangloss, who espouses an optimistic philosophy of life based on the belief
that “things cannot be otherwise than as they are” and, therefore, “they must necessarily
be for the best.” Candide unquestioningly accepts the teachings of Pangloss, whom he
considers very wise. Accordingly, Candide believes that the Baron’s castle is the best
castle in the best of all possible worlds, and that he is very fortunate to live there.
One day, the Baron’s pretty daughter, Miss Cunegonde, sees Doctor Pangloss in
the woods with her mother’s chambermaid, Paquette. Cunegonde is fascinated by the
“lesson in experimental philosophy” and filled with the desire to practice what she has
learned. That evening, she flirtatiously drops her handkerchief in front of Candide. One
thing leads naturally to another, and the two young people embrace behind a screen.
When the Baron catches them, he throws Candide violently out of the castle.
Chapter 2 Summary
Weeping and confused, Candide wanders aimlessly from the castle and sleeps
in the snow. The next day, he makes his way to a neighboring village and...
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