An Analysis of Candide Story by Voltaire

Voltaire “Candide or Optimism” was written in the enlightenment era. Voltaire story is published in The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Voltaire’s character, Pangolss, is a philosopher who teaches about God morals. Pangolss is also a mentor to Candide, who is the main character of the novel. Candide has a good heart but is also feel s very hopeless in life. Pangloss takes Candide under his wing and teaches him that “best of all possible worlds.” The enlightenment movement is seen closely in Voltaire writing style on page 378. Pangolss had an optimistic viewpoint and belief that the world was good, and that a powerful God had created the world. Pangloss also believed that if people believed something was evil or wrong, it is mainly because they did not have a close relationship with God. Although, it reflects the Enlightenment era it closely can be viewed to be translate from Romanticism style of writing.

On page 378, line 5-7 states, “Pangloss gave instruction in mataphysico-theolgico-comoloonigology. He proved admirably that there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause and that this best of all possible worlds”. The main points of Pangloss ‘s philosophy indicated that God was the benefactor and the creator of the world. The creator made the best possible world for people to live in. Pangloss’s philosophy did not argue that the world was perfect or that evil was non- existent. Pangloss wanted to bring realization to god; as being the creator of the world, and that thanks should be rendered to him through glorification for his goodness. Pangloss also believe that constant concern should be allocated to his creation. The world would emerge eventually to be moral and righteous; for...

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... universe could clearly not be explained by humankind’s intellect, and science. Romantics felt that a scientific worldview was absolutely cold and sterile. The Romanticism felt that science and human law would rob people of their humanity. Both of these movements shatter the establishment norms and authority. Both of these movements encouraged society to take a different perspective. An example is in Candide’s lust and idealistic crush, and Voltaire repeatedly refers Cunegonde as the very lovely Cunégonde. Cunegonde is the daughter of a wealthy German. She is described as very beautiful” (Voltaire. 5) Voltaire throws a undercuts at Candide’s romantic ideals by having him continue to worship Cunégonde even after she faithlessly marries her husband. Voltaire shows in this passage that Romantics shows emotions and intuition are important sources of society.