Voltaire’s Views of Religion and State Expressed In Candide

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Voltaire’s Views of Religion and State Expressed In Candide

Throughout Candide, Voltaire uses satire as a tool to reveal his controversial views regarding religion and State. He reveals the corruption, hypocrisy and immorality present in the way in which government and religion operated during his lifetime. Most particularly, he criticizes violent government behaviour (ie; war) and the behaviour of members of the aristocracy, who constituted the bulk of high ranking government and religious leaders.

Through satirical comments made in Candide, Voltaire exposes the corruption and greed rife in the government. He also reveals his displeasure with the manner in which the parliamentary system operated, expressing the ineffectiveness and ineptness of power hungry politicians who refused to agree or compromise.

“Let us work without arguing, that is the only way to make life endurable.” (Voltaire: 1947).

Voltaire also makes a poi...

... middle of paper ...

...ugh powerful, intelligent use of satire, Voltaire makes his personal views clear and encourages the reader to challenge the way in which religion and the State operate.

Bibliography

Andrews, Wayne. Voltaire. New York: New Directions Pub. 1981

Gay, Peter. Voltaire's Politics. New York: Random House,1965

Weitz, Morris. Philosophy in literature. Detroit: Wayne State Univ. Press.1963

Volatire, Francois-Marie, Candide, Penguin Publishers, New York, 1947.

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