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In Candide, Voltaire constantly depicts a strong contradiction between the optimistic views of Pangloss, Candide’s beloved mentor, and the series of unfortunate and often horrific events that plague Candide during his adventures. ... This blind optimism is often exaggerated by Voltaire, as is the contrasting pessimism displayed later by Martin, a cynical scholar who accompanies Candide on his travels. These continuous contradictions that are prevalent through Candide’s journey create an ironic representation of human behaviors and beliefs that, although sometimes exaggerated to add emphasis, are fundamentally prevalent in all societies and cultures.
At the outset of the novel, Candide is taught by Pangloss that this is the best of all possible worlds and that everything that happens is for the best. Candide faithfully listens to this philosophy, but once he is banished from his castle and experiences the outside world for the first time, he begins to witness many tragedies that would contradict such an optimistic notion. ... Candide later learns from a syphilis-stricken Pangloss that the Bulgars attacked his old castle. The baron, his wife, son, and daughter Cunegonde, with whom Candide is madly in love, were murdered. This tragic news causes Candide to question Pangloss’s teachings, but Pangloss affirms that all evil is rooted in a bigger scheme of good that humans cannot comprehend.
Approximate Word count = 977
Approximate Pages = 3.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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