Optimism In Candide
Candide
Written by Voltaire, Candide, is a story heavy with political satire. Meant to critique the philosopher Leibniz, Candide, explores optimism through humor, caricature, and satire. Candide is the story of a man (Candide) who is exiled from the Baron’s castle for having an affair with Cunegonde. The story follows Candide as he journeys through vastly different geographies interacting with a series of supporting characters. The book ends with the main cast of characters having survived a series of trials and pain settling down on a farm. The interactions between the characters expose Voltaire's philosophy regarding optimism. Through the conversations and experiences of the characters in Candide, a critique of optimism and philosophizing is presented and then exposed and explored.
One of the central quotations contained within, Candide, is the statement that “All is for the best…in the best of all possible worlds” this statement is meant to lay the foundation for the rest of the text and overall criticism of optimism. The main proponent of optimism within the text is, Dr. Pangloss. Dr. Pangloss maintains his worldview …show more content…
In the final scenes of Candide, the readers are left with Candide rejecting philosophical thinking and speculation in favor of work. Voltaire writes, “Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need" (148). Further, Voltaire writes, "Let us work without theorizing,' said Martin; ''tis the only way to make life endurable” (149). The second central quotation ends the philosophizing of optimism. With the focus not on philosophy or optimism, it is stated within the text, “We must cultivate our gardens” (149). Taking into context with the end of the book and the general return to work and shunning of optimism this quotation can be taken both literally and figuratively. Through tending the gardens on is kept busy with work and away from the pursuits of optimism and
Written by Voltaire, Candide, is a story heavy with political satire. Meant to critique the philosopher Leibniz, Candide, explores optimism through humor, caricature, and satire. Candide is the story of a man (Candide) who is exiled from the Baron’s castle for having an affair with Cunegonde. The story follows Candide as he journeys through vastly different geographies interacting with a series of supporting characters. The book ends with the main cast of characters having survived a series of trials and pain settling down on a farm. The interactions between the characters expose Voltaire's philosophy regarding optimism. Through the conversations and experiences of the characters in Candide, a critique of optimism and philosophizing is presented and then exposed and explored.
One of the central quotations contained within, Candide, is the statement that “All is for the best…in the best of all possible worlds” this statement is meant to lay the foundation for the rest of the text and overall criticism of optimism. The main proponent of optimism within the text is, Dr. Pangloss. Dr. Pangloss maintains his worldview …show more content…
In the final scenes of Candide, the readers are left with Candide rejecting philosophical thinking and speculation in favor of work. Voltaire writes, “Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need" (148). Further, Voltaire writes, "Let us work without theorizing,' said Martin; ''tis the only way to make life endurable” (149). The second central quotation ends the philosophizing of optimism. With the focus not on philosophy or optimism, it is stated within the text, “We must cultivate our gardens” (149). Taking into context with the end of the book and the general return to work and shunning of optimism this quotation can be taken both literally and figuratively. Through tending the gardens on is kept busy with work and away from the pursuits of optimism and