Candide

A detailed Summary of Candide


Optimists choose to value a glass that is half filled with water. Pessimists acknowledge the missing water, and complain as they tell the waitress to fill up the glass. Optimism is a trait that certain people exhibit, displaying a distinctive outlook on life. It is a tactic that involves focusing on the positive sides of an issue while struggling through terrible circumstances. Throughout the novel Candide, the author Voltaire uses the base principle expressed by the optimistic philosophy to convey one mans quest for personal happiness. While Candide, the main character, is forced to strive through a repetition of hopeless events, he is reminded to live by the philosophy "All is for the best".

Candide grows up in the Castle of Westfalia under the influence of Dr. Pangloss. Dr. Pangloss firmly believes that "Things can not be otherwise; for since everything was made for a purpose, everything is necessarily for the best purpose" (Voltaire 18). Shortly after hearing the powerful conclu


When Candide's quest for Lady Cunegonde draws to a conclusion, Candide begins to value a new attitude towards life. Over time Candide learns that labor eliminates the three curses of mankind: want, boredom, and vice. Candide decides that true happiness can only be found when he "cultivates his garden". Using the knowledge gained from an old, poor Turkish farmer, Candide displays a lesson that states, "Working without theorizing, is the only way to make life bearable" (Voltaire 120). Candide believes that being productive in his garden will allow him to obtain everything he needs to survive. The "want" aspect is cured by growing only what he requires, "boredom" is eased through the amount of work put into his land, and "vice" is unobtainable because there isn't any time for evil. Candide has derived his own philosophy and way of life that allows him to come to terms with the world and settle down happily.

Another character that challenged the philosophy of Dr. Pangloss was Lady Cunegonde. Aft

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Approximate Word count = 674
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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