The Fair Cunegonde Critical Analysis
Hardships deserve admiration and pity
In the satire novel, Candide, Voltaire discusses the exploitation of women in the 18th century. Cunegonde, Paquette and the old women suffer through many adversities such as rape and being physically and mentally abused. One could argue that these women should be pitied upon or admired, when in actuality, they should be both pitied and admired.
Cunegonde, who is often referred to as “ the fair Cunegonde” was constantly suffering every day but somehow found a way to keep holding on. Cunegonde's will to hold on and her determination are great characteristics of someone who should be admired. “His wife, becoming uglier every day, turned into an intolerable shrew” (30, pg 125). Cunegonde should be pitied …show more content…
The old woman suffers the most out of all the female characters in Candide. “With considerable difficulty… and hunger” (11, pg 34). Losing her family and fortune at a young age causes one to feel pity. However, the old women possess many admirable qualities such as resilience, wit and genuine hopefulness. The old woman accepts things that are bad and is still hopeful.
Finally, Paquette deserves the most amount of pity and the least amount of admiration. “ His wife was crazed with jealousy...I did not love” (24, pg 99). Paquette , who is never happy, chose to be a mistress which can make the reader to pity her rather than admire. Paquette’s character can be questioned or weather or not she should be admired based on her past decisions. However, she can be admired for getting through the daily beatings and continue life even though she is never happy.
Voltaire made these female characters to make it very aware of the exploitation of women. These women have gone through so many hardships in life and yet share one common characteristic. Cunegonde, the old woman and Paquette all had the will to live on even though they have been tortured there whole life. Even though some actions of these three women can be viewed negatively, they deserve both pity and
In the satire novel, Candide, Voltaire discusses the exploitation of women in the 18th century. Cunegonde, Paquette and the old women suffer through many adversities such as rape and being physically and mentally abused. One could argue that these women should be pitied upon or admired, when in actuality, they should be both pitied and admired.
Cunegonde, who is often referred to as “ the fair Cunegonde” was constantly suffering every day but somehow found a way to keep holding on. Cunegonde's will to hold on and her determination are great characteristics of someone who should be admired. “His wife, becoming uglier every day, turned into an intolerable shrew” (30, pg 125). Cunegonde should be pitied …show more content…
The old woman suffers the most out of all the female characters in Candide. “With considerable difficulty… and hunger” (11, pg 34). Losing her family and fortune at a young age causes one to feel pity. However, the old women possess many admirable qualities such as resilience, wit and genuine hopefulness. The old woman accepts things that are bad and is still hopeful.
Finally, Paquette deserves the most amount of pity and the least amount of admiration. “ His wife was crazed with jealousy...I did not love” (24, pg 99). Paquette , who is never happy, chose to be a mistress which can make the reader to pity her rather than admire. Paquette’s character can be questioned or weather or not she should be admired based on her past decisions. However, she can be admired for getting through the daily beatings and continue life even though she is never happy.
Voltaire made these female characters to make it very aware of the exploitation of women. These women have gone through so many hardships in life and yet share one common characteristic. Cunegonde, the old woman and Paquette all had the will to live on even though they have been tortured there whole life. Even though some actions of these three women can be viewed negatively, they deserve both pity and