Candide - Philosophy of Voltaire-
What is the ideal situation in life? The question often arises, for what purpose was man placed upon the earth? It seems, in this satirical work, that Voltaire is focusing mainly on remodeling the mental limitations of man's outlook on life. It quickly becomes evident that the target of his satire, as the title suggests, is the concept of philosophical optimism. His exaggerated tales of the horrors which his characters endure, attack the idea that "everything always happens for the best." These attacks on the pleasantness of life are accompanied by the absolute extremes of existence and We are first introduced to Voltaire's idea of absurdity as Candide listened with care as "the greatest philosopher of the whole province, and consequently of the whole world,"(p.332) laid out the concept of cause and effect, and preached of the greatness of all that was about them. His unwavering optimism soon becomes questionable to the young Candide, as he is kicked from his sweet haven, after his seemingly innocent incident with the beautiful daughter of the Baron. Soon after, he is rescued by soldiers in the tavern of a nearby town,
This concept sharply contrasts the true nature of man, which is to his religious indifference is found when the Anabaptist saves when we learn that the capable Cacambo had been a choirperson and a greeted by Pangloss' confirmation "You are in the right, for when man example is that of the six foreigners he met in Venice, who turned out not superior to the next, each enjoyed the benefits that all others adventurers find themselves in Eldorado. This particular setting is devoted religious people. In contrast, Voltaire's earlier reference to If one were a Jesuit in the country, then it might well seem a utopia Voltaire seems to stress his main point that understanding one's perfect achievement which no government has yet or will be able to excel, to rise above one's neighbors, and to conquer all that can be. parallel with the idea a modern man might conceive of a perfect as he would have tyrannical control. However, the idea of this perfect characters may now be happy to "cultivate their garden." Rather than
Some common words found in the essay are:
Voltaire Candide, Friar Giroflee, Philosophy Voltaire-, Paraguay Cacambo, Dr Pangloss', Master Pangloss, Garden Eden, Jesuit Baron's, Baron Soon, Dr Pangloss, philosophical optimism, voltaire's depiction, social pride, attack idea, candide meets, throughout story,
Approximate Word count = 1330
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|