Cacambo And Candide: Led To The House Of Wise Old Men

Chapter 18:
Cacambo and Candide are now led to the house of the wise old men. The old men received them on a sofa with drinks and continue to answer the questions the two travelers had about the place. The old wise man states that he is a hundred and seventy-two years of age and that El Dorado was the native land of the Incas who one day left to build another empire but this was destroyed by the Spaniards. He says that the inhabitation is what preserved their happiness and innocence, stating that he is glad to have his village continue being hidden because of the rage the Europeans have for their stones and how they would murder every single habitant to get all of them. Then Candide tells Cacambo to ask what the religion is, and the old man

The different types of people were crazy, stupid, or sly. Martin recounts all the bad things he went through before leaving France. Candide tells him that he does not want to be in France after spending a month in El Dorado but he still hangs on to the hope of reuniting with Cunégonde. Candide furthers the conversation and asks Martin about his beliefs about the Earth’s origin and that men have been evil since their very first existence. Martin asks, “hawks have always eaten pigeons and that why does he suppose men would change.” Candide tells him there’s a big difference, men have free will. The argument in this chapter is for another character to talk to Candide and tell him how messed up the world is, Candide still wants things to be like Pangloss always told him but the world is showing him differently. The author presents this by Martins philosophy view and the example of the hawk. I really like how Voltaire keeps his philosophy through all the chapters and his examples from the

When they arrived at a hotel Candide was ill from exhaustion, people at the hotel noticed his wealth, two doctors came before him whom he did not call, several friends who never left his side, and two women who cooked for him. His condition became serious and the people tried to take advantage of him using tricks. Candide and Martin meet Abbé from Perigord, who takes them to a theatre to watch a tragedy. The tragedy moved Candide and teared through scenes, a commentator seated beside him said that the actress was very bad, the actor much worse and the play in all a disaster. Candide tells Martin that the actress carries a resemblance to Cunégonde and that he would like to meet her. Then Candide asks Abbé who was the person who criticized the whole play, Abbé answers he was a business man who earns money by slandering plays. The three then head to the house of Marquise of Parolignac, were twelve men were gambling. No one greeted them as they enter and Candide says that the Baroness of Thunder-Ten-Tronckh was polite. Candide spoke to a wise man at the house, they talk about philosophy and art and Candide states that he is just another Pangloss. The Marchioness dismisses his compliments and tell Candide that the man is nobody who never succeeded and that the only tragedy that left his office was dedicated for her. She then goes to seduce Candide and steals two diamonds in the end.