Voltaire's Use of Satire to Compare Europe and El Dorado
The late seventeenth century was a time of change, a time of ushering out the old and bringing in the new. This was a period of exploring logic and understanding instead of religion to answer one's questions. Otherwise known as the Age of Enlightenment, society was out to seek reason rather than to find all of their answers from the Catholic Church or other faiths. Voltaire's story Candide displays his thoughts on the Enlightenment by mocking the monarch and currency system of a small village. By using satirical language and a taunting tone of voice while speaking of the king's kindness and the villagers' abundance of wealth, Candide demonstrates how new interpretations on nature can be brought about while poking fun at the effects of these changes.
At the beginning of the 17th chapter of Candide, we come to find that Candide and Cacambo are stranded after their horses die and they run out of supplies. They eventually come to the bank of a river where they find and take a canoe down the river searching for civilization. They end up on the shores of a village that is surrounded by unclimbable mountains. This village is known as El Dorado and it is unique for this time for multiple reasons. Since it is surrounded by these mountains, no outsiders can really enter or leave. This has made El Dorado into a utopian village. This means that everything is perfect in society and that there is hardly any controversy. This is shown when Candide and Cacambo speak with the old man and also when they speak to the king of El Dorado. When Candide and Cocambo speak with the old man, that is when they learn what El Dorado is truly like. They are fascinated over the fact that everyone concurs...
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...he Age of Enlightenment in his writing. He is initially trying to show that El Dorado is a successful village where the philosophy behind scientific breakthroughs from the scientific revolution were applied to politics and religion. Which means that science, religion, and philosophy coexist in the nation of El Dorado. This was something that most of Europe was trying to do at the time, yet many people fell to the Catholic Church and their rulers to persecution over their practices. Voltaire had witnessed these things in France and is what really drove him to begin writing about the journey made by Candide to find Miss Cunégonde. Through his writing, he is able to express his philosophy and beliefs of how he believed Europe should truly be.
Works Cited
Voltaire, and David Wootton. "Candide." Candide and Related Texts. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub., 2000. 35-42. Print
Frautschi, R.L. Barron's Simplified Approach to Voltaire: Candide. New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1968.
In Voltaire’s Candide, we are taken by the hand through an adventure which spanned two continents, several countries, and to a multitude of adverse characters. The protagonist, Candide, became the recipient of the horrors which would be faced by any person in the 18th century. But Candide was always accompanied with fellows sufferers, two of which our focus will lay, Pangloss and Martin. In equal respects, both are embodiments of different philosophies of the time: Pangloss the proponent of Optimism and Martin the proponent of Pessimism. Each of the two travelers is never together with Candide, until the end, but both entice him to picture the world in one of their two philosophies. Throughout the story there is an apparent ebb and flow from Candide on how to think of the world. By the end of his journey, Candide will be presented with evidence to lead to his agreement of either Optimism or Pessimism. But I submit, Candide does not become a firm believer in either philosophies but rather retains a philosophy in between Optimism and Pessimism, somewhat of a stoic mentality. Thus Voltaire’s opinion on philosophy will be predicated upon his character, Candide.
Of course, because it is a satire, Candide continues to have a badly founded and overly optimistic view on the world, even though there are piles of evidence that would point to the contrary. Candide’s complete inability to form his own philosophies and views without adopting others’ is an element of the text because again, it is a satire, but also to highlight the absurdity of thinking that everything happens in order to maintain balance and keep things for the best. Candide’s naivety and almost painfully deliberate simplemindedness is used to represent mankind. At the time this was written, many people displayed similar much less exaggerated traits. By highlighting the complete absurdity of this way of thinking through Candide’s childlike repetition of other characters’ values and ideas, Voltaire illustrated that everything is not for the best in this not best of all possible worlds. He stated that one cannot simply float through life expecting good things to happen to him, not making any decisions for himself and relying on others for his ideas. It is crucial that we work for our happiness in life, that we cultivate our
"All is for the best...in the best of all possible worlds." To picture greatness, perfection and brilliance all intertwined into one splendid world -- a utopia, infers visualizing absolute beauty, harmony, and a universal tolerance amongst mankind. Would not such "perfection" designate the "best of all possible worlds?" How could we possibly conceive the sinister world portrayed in Candide to be conveyed as "utopia?" Since the best of all possible worlds indicates that "all is for the best" is it not safe to derive at the conclusion that since our world is clearly not "perfect" it is therefore implied that "all" is not for the best? Who determines the "right" from the "wrong," the "beautiful" from the "hideous," the "strong" from the weak?" How does one know if they are right? How does one ever know if they chose "correctly?" How does one allow themself to be infatuated with an idea as to blindly (correctly or incorrectly) follow it and believe? When do you question yourself? Doubt and "double-guess" yourself? Such correlating topics of an ambiguous solution are sought to be explained in Candide.
Overall Voltaire is successful in promoting his ideas and beliefs. It is clear he wants to see a drastic change in religion, politics and morals in the pre-modern period. Throughout his novel Candide he is able to criticise society with a light hearted mockery but also with a seriousness using extreme examples to address his points and concerns. It is arguable that his ambitions were far too high at a time of hope and debate in the 18th century.
Candide is an outlandishly humorous, far-fetched tale by Voltaire satirizing the optimism espoused by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. It is the story of a young man’s adventures throughout the world, where he witnesses much evil and disaster. Throughout his travels, he adheres to the teachings of his tutor, Pangloss, believing that "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds." Candide is Voltaire’s answer to what he saw as an absurd belief proposed by the Optimists - an easy way to rationalize evil and suffering. Though he was by no means a pessimist, Voltaire refused to believe that what happens is always for the best.The Age of Enlightenment is a term applied to a wide variety of ideas and advances in the fields of philosophy, science, and medicine. The primary feature of Enlightenment philosophy is the belief that people can actively work to create a better world. A spirit of social reform characterized the political ideology of Enlightenment philosophers. While Voltaire’s Candide is heavily characterized by the primary concerns of the Enlightenment, it also criticizes certain aspects of the movement. It attacks the idea that optimism, which holds that rational thought can inhibit the evils perpetrated by human beings.
Candide, written by Voltaire and published in 1759, is based in the Age of the Enlightenment. Candide is a satiric tale of a virtuous man's search for the truest form of happiness and his ultimate acceptance of life's disappointments. The illegitimate son of the Baron's sister; Candide is raised in the Castle of Westphalia and taught by his friend and philosopher of metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigology, Dr.Pangloss. Candide is abruptly cast out from the castle when he and Lady Cunegonde are found indiscreetly kissing behind a screen. Broken hearted and emotionally lost by the separation from Lady Cunegonde, his true love; Candide wanders off. After being tricked into servitude with the Bulgar army, Candide discovers that his one and only love Lady Cunegonde is dead and his friend Dr. Pangloss is deathly sick; Candide then decides that all is not lost and that a cure must be found for Pangloss. Tragedy, adventure and a series of horrible events follow Candide as he is forced to overcome misfortune to find true happiness; in the end he determines that all is not well and that he must work in order to find even a small amount of pleasure in life.
Both Candide and Cacambo were amazed in the fascinating view of El Dorado and the culture of the country was never before seen in their lives. Once they entered the country of El Dorado, they witnessed children playing in quoits that left gold and precious stones on the ground carelessly. Both men walked in the eating house and the people by the door were speaking Peruvian language that Cacambo knew because he grew up speaking that language. The environment and culture of El Dorado was the complete opposite of what the environment and culture of France was like in the 17th century. The people were polite to the men and were giving them hospitality just because they were strangers in the region. Another indication in the chapter is, “"What sort of a country is this," said the one to the other, "that is unknown to all the world; and in which Nature has everywhere so different an appearance to what she has in ours? Possibly this is that part of the globe where everywhere is right” (Candide, chapter 17). Voltaire is sending a message to the people of France that he was mocking the civilization of France by making a complete opposite in the
Voltaire was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France. He was known for his banned beliefs on how society was back then. The book Candide was written by Voltaire. It was published in 1759 by Voltaire’s publisher, Cramer, in Geneva, Paris and Amsterdam. This book was chosen for the book critique because it fits the curriculum and its related to what we are currently learning about. This book is useful for my course of studies because it shows what type of things happened at the time of the enlightenment. Its also a point of view of someone during that time but Candide was a made up character. In actuality Voltaire wrote about what he thought during this period of time. This book gives more information on how Voltaire viewed others and specific
Voltaire, a French author and philosopher during the Enlightenment, published many works throughout his life. Candide, published in 1759, was one of his minor works at the time, yet is now widely known for its satirical perspective on eighteenth century life and philosophical merits. The work follows Candide, the French word for “innocent”, on a journey that is filled with one hyperbolic misfortune after another. Despite these misfortunes, Candide remains true to his name, which is directly contrasted to the character of Martin. During one encounter, Candide calls Martin a “bitter man,” to which Martin responds, “that’s because I have seen the world” (Voltaire 104). Voltaire uses the juxtaposition of Candide and Martin’s worldviews to satirize
Voltaire’s satire Candide, illustrates problems within feudal European society during the 18th century. Voltaire uses humor to portray the hypocrite’s of priesthood, the opulence of the aristocracy, and mocks the arrogance of literature and Philosophers. Through characters like Pangloss, a pitiful optimistic philosopher, Voltaire exaggerates the unrealistic teachings and beliefs of Enlightenment thinkers and exemplifies how impractical optimism endangers humanity.
Voltaire’s satire Candide, illustrates problems with feudal European society during the 18th century. Voltaire uses humor to portray the hypocrite’s of priesthood, the opulence of the aristocracy, and to mock the arrogance of literature. Philosophers in Candide have extreme and specific beliefs; these beliefs are often inappropriate in times of distress. Religion is assessed as an honest practice, Philosophers are seen as positive universal thinkers, and nobility is sought as structure and order for European society. However, Voltaire critiques religion, enlightenment thinking’s, and the class system throughout Candide.
The true meaning of “Eldorado” in Voltaire’s Candide has been debated for some time. The scene of Eldorado is the visual philosophy of Voltaire’s thoughts of what an ideal society would be. It is a land of richness and where there is a state of being equal in status, rights, belief, and opportunity; it is free of greed, claiming titles or importance, religious strife or contention, and there is no suffering (Mason 55). Eldorado also brings the reader’s attention in its scene to show the bad fortune of realities of cultures beyond its land. If this land is the ideal society one would wonder why did Candide and Cacambo who had traveled different countries and experience many test and trails would want to leave. Voltaire visual scene in Eldorado and the characters makes the readers think that being too optimistic can cause a misrepresentation of what reality really is. The method and visual thoughts of Voltaire’s have some authors and critics expressing their opinion on religion, science, governments, utopia, and wealth; that the land of Eldorado is one that is too good to be true, and come off as unreal. Eldorado is the vision of Voltaire’s utopia where the land is desirable amongst the inhabitants and consists of what the readers are to believe the perfect society. The land is clearly the best of the worlds that Candide traveled which is a reflection of Pangloss when he said, “in this the best of all possible worlds” (Voltaire’s 101).
Candide, Is a satirical novel written by french philosopher Voltaire. The book was published in the year 1759, in Geneva, France. In class we have been focusing greatly on the great minds and ideas, of the enlightenment. This was a time of question and modernization throughout europe that made our world/society what it currently is. We have analyzed documents and read pieces written by these scientists and philosophers but too read an entire book by one, puts perspective and clarification to the situation in europe at the time. Voltaire's Candide brought more light to the way things were prior to the enlightenment, and helped show just how it was changed.
The Enlightenment is the time of reasoning and questioning; one questionable topic is that of religion. During the time of Voltaire religion has a major role in life. Here in his novel, Candide, Voltaire illustrates clear criticism and satirization of religion through his use of religious figures that are corrupt as well as the corruption of church establishments.