Language Analysis of "The Canonization" by John Donne

Voltaire's Candide captures the extremes of human suffering, providing a disparaging account of what many of us would deem an unbearable cross to carry. While the author's message was not to glorify his characters for their resilience, the reader will clearly feel humbled after learning of the intense suffering that Candide and friends endure. In particular, it is the story of the old woman, who perhaps best explains the spirit of the characters, when she says 'A hundred times I wanted to kill myself, but I always loved life more.' Considering that she has been raped repeatedly and essentially gone from riches to rags, her passion for life should remain unquestioned. Candide also displays this sense of hope in light of his many hardships. He honors his commitment to marry Cunegonde at the end of the story despite the physical abnormalities that have plagued her. Cunegonde, as you may remember, was also raped and taken as a sex slave. In addition, she was a victim of cannibalism and her face has clearly made a turn for the worse. Essentially, her once beautiful physique has undergone a complete transformation.

Putting aside the political undertones of the novel, I can draw a dangerous parallel between Candide's society and our world today. In Candide's world, men behaved as complete barbarians, constantly raping women, and often without any legal or moral consequence. In contrast, rape is today regarded as a serious offense against humanity and offenders are usually subject to harsh reprimand. However, aside from the physical act of rape, much of our male population still exhibits the same type of barbaric behavior. We make condescending remarks about women and treat them as objects of our lust. To satisfy these needs, we often resort to the plethora of materials which our readily at our disposal.