Dr. Pangloss In Voltaire's Candide

In Candide, Voltaire created an intelligent, satirical, and in-depth argument against many popular philosophies of the day. He used his own personal correspondence with friends as a basis for many of his character, including using the Duchess of Saxe-Gotha as a basic outline for the character of Dr. Pangloss. In contrast with some scholar’s arguments, the character of Pangloss is not intended to be an irredeemable, maleficent, or essentially stupid character. He is a complex man who echoes a popular philosophy of his day. He clings fervently to it as he accompanies Candide through their adventure, but eventually the flawed philosophy falls apart and Pangloss follows Candide’s lead in tending to a garden. This total failure of philosophical optimism is necessary for Voltaire’s message to be completely effective.
This total repudiation of the idea is final and unquestionable, which was the goal of Voltaire. Not only does Pangloss give up this idea, he accepts the new way of living in a group. Instead of blindly clinging to the failed philosophy, he embraces the humble idea espoused by the old turk and Candide. This movement from an individualistic and selfish system is the final triumph of Voltaire. All of his cast reject the still-popular idea of happiness as relating to material wealth and power and embrace the idea of a cooperative society where each man exerts effort into the work of his own hands. In the end we still see Pangloss attempting to make occasional talk to Candide, making some effort to justify his former teaching. In this, we see Candide no longer blinding accepting his former tutor’s idea, but instead instructing him. “ ‘All that is very well,’ answered Candide, ‘but let us cultivate our gardens.’