A Critique Of The Novel Candide - 1238 Words

In the novel Candide, Voltaire uses irony, exaggeration, understatement, sarcasm and other literary devices in order satirize flaws in society. There are two different types of Satire, that of Horace, which mild and lighthearted, and that of Juvenal, called Juvenalian, which is scornful and scathing, very rarely intended to be funny, but rather make a critique of a societal problem, to call for change. Both types are found in Candide, both characterized in the novel by ironic criticism of weaknesses in society. Voltaire’s main target is Philosophical Optimism, but he also makes commentary on religion, slavery, and war. Candide is completely brainwashed by Pangloss before he is expelled from Westphalia. Pangloss represents the followers of†¦show more content†¦Pangloss is supposed to represent a typical optimist, making stupid assumptions about the world around him. Pangloss is applauded for his evaluation of cause and effect, concluding that â€Å"noses were made to support spectacles, hence we have spectacles. Legs, as anyone can plainly see, were made to be breeched, and so we have breeches.† Immediately, the reader sees that he is not making a groundbreaking discovery at all, establishing him as an incompetent character who should not be taken seriously. The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake killed around 20,000 people, yet Pangloss still tries to claim it is for the best, even attempting to console those who are suffering injuries right in front of him. All this is for the best, since if there is a volcano at Lisbon, it cannot be somewhere else, since it is unthinkable that things should not be where they are, since everything is well This does not bring solace to the suffering people of Lisbon, and is complete rubbish. Using this, Voltaire proves why Optimism is not a valid philosophy. A concept closely tied with Optimism in â€Å"Candide† is organized religion, a tool of power that Voltaire critiques, sparing neither Catholics nor Protestants. Other than inside of El Dorado, religion is depicted as corrupt and depraved. The old woman s story of her childhood of wealth from her father, Pope Urban X, shows the corruption of the Catholic church. One would think that such an importantShow MoreRelatedThe s Candide And The Old Woman Arrive Of Cadiz, And Of Their Embarkation1422 Words   |  6 PagesVoltaire’s Candide, or Optimism is widely regarded as a work of the enlightenment period and offers a satire on philosophy, religion and current events (of the time). This essay aims to provide an analysis of Chapter 10: In what distress Candide, Cunà ©gonde and the old woman arrive in Cadiz, and of their embarkation. Firstly considering terms of context this essay will look at the way knowledge of philosophy and attitudes towards women illuminate the readers understanding of the passage. SecondlyRead MoreEssay on Voltaires Candide988 Words   |  4 PagesVoltaires Candide Candide is a reflection of the philosophical values of the Enlightenment. Voltaire’s novel is a satire of the Old Regime ideologies in which he critiques the political, social, and religious ideals of his time. A common intellectual characteristic of the Enlightenment was anti-feudalism. Philosophers were against the separations in the Old Regime and pushed for equality among human beings. Voltaire parodies the pompousness of the nobility several times throughoutRead MoreVoltaire s Candide : A Critique Of Politics And Religion During The Age Of Enlightenment1500 Words   |  6 Pagespublished Candide, ou l Optimisme simultaneously in five European countries in January of 1759, it was met with widespread denouncement due to its controversial content and scandalous portrayal of politics and religion. Nevertheless, the bitingly satirical novel fervently spread throughout Europe and was translated into several more languages, selling tens of thousands of copies within its first year of publication (Barnes). Despite being first categorized as dangerous blasphemy, Candide is now regardedRead More`` Candide `` By John Locke1273 Words   |  6 Pageslater French philosopher Voltaire in his novel Candide, or Optimism expresses that property becomes for what people in a world where Candide lives keep fighting: land, gold, and even ownerships of women. Necessities and public goods becomes luxuries. Voltaire’s work shows this trend and it can explained by the worry about the risk of losing current living standard in the future when easily accessible things are no more available to everyone. In fact, Candide also reflects scarcity of property, a natureRead More`` Candide `` A Satire Of The Social, And The Scientific Revolution1608 Words   |  7 Pagesinto the Enlightenment. During his time Franà §ois-Marie Arouet (1694-1778), who wrote under the name Voltaire, was an Enlightenment thinker who helped invoke this change. One way he did this was through his novel Candide, a satire of the issues in society. Throughout this book, the character Candide experiences misfortunes and lucky breaks that change his view of the world. This change in view is what Voltaire thinks sho uld change in society. Specifically what he would like to see was that, â€Å"VoltaireRead MoreThe Use of Satire in Voltaire’s Candide by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz773 Words   |  4 Pages The Use of Satire in Voltaire’s Candide Satire. According to dictionary.com it is â€Å"the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues†. During a time when going against the common mindset, which at the time was philosophical optimism, was rare and often looked down upon, using satire in order to not only communicate one’s beliefs but also mock those who shared the mainstreamRead MoreVoltaire And His Candide - Voltaire s Candide1211 Words   |  5 PagesVoltaire and his Candide Introduction Voltaire is the leader of the French Enlightenment, he enjoyed high prestige in the enlightenment movement. His life was spent in against the feudal regime system and the reactionary forces of the church (Gorbatov, 2006). Voltaire was knowledgeable, he had many works (including philosophy, history, literature, science, etc., throughout his literary creation, the most valuable was his philosophical novels (Sutcliffe, 2000). These novels maintained the vitalityRead MoreVoltaire s Candide And Dante s Inferno1562 Words   |  7 PagesIn Voltaire’s Candide and Dante’s Inferno they offer two takes on their views of religion. In Voltaire’s Candide he satires religion and questions it because of how morally corrupt religious are and how wrong it is to persecute another person’s religion. In Dante’s Inferno he reflects and shows why his religious beliefs are the reasons why people are in hell as well as why his religion justifies certain people being in hel l. In Voltaire’s Candide religion is one of the main targets of what VoltaireRead MoreHypocrisy In Voltaires Candide1300 Words   |  6 Pages In terms of religion, Candide explores the hypocrisy that was rampant in the Church. Consider for example, the inhumanity of the clergy, most notably the Inquisitor, in hanging and executing his fellow citizens over philosophical differences. Moreover, he orders the flogging of Candide for merely, â€Å"listening with an air of approval thus proving himself somehow implicit in blasphemy. Church officials in Candide are depicted as being among the most sinful of all citizens; having mistresses, engagingRead MoreThe Candide By The French Enlightenment1377 Words   |  6 PagesIn the novel Candide by the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, Voltaire, the use of satire is highly prevalent. Voltaire took many of the follies and views he disagreed with during the Enlightenment and satirized them in this highly unrealistic and exaggerated novel. The events throughout the novel, even if they have some connections or roots in historical events, are seemingly preposterous and embelli shed because of Voltaire’s heavy use of satire. However, Voltaire merely uses these embellishments