better social structure. Voltaire, like many other Enlightenment intellectuals, believed that society.

             could and should be changed for the better. He felt that absurd prejudice and hatred should be.

             eliminated. However, Voltaire did not anguish from a naive optimism regarding human nature.

             Instead, he observed his fellow beings with deep pessimism. The villains in Candide certainly .

             showed this pessimism. This book was also heavily distinguished with the primary concerns of .

             the Enlightenment, however, it also criticized many aspects of the movement. Voltaire did not .

             believe in the power of reason to overcome contemporary social conditions. .

             The supporters of the Enlightenment called for rebellion against superstition, fear, and .

             prejudice. However, the Enlightenment did not bring a halt to the ravages of fear and.

             superstition. This fact was illustrated in Candide when the figure of the Grand Inquisitor ordered .

             an auto-da-fe to ward off an earthquake. .

             Even though most of the philosophes who participated in the Enlightenment were men, there.

             were some women who also participated. Mary Wollstonecraft of England was an early spokes-.

             person for women's rights. She believed that the Enlightenment ideals should be offered to .

             women as well as men. Wollstonecraft knew, after educating herself, that women needed more.

             education to make them more serious, charitable, and moral. .

             France was the first to believe that women were really gaining power and influence. However,.

             many thinkers still believed that the role of a woman was to be a wife and mother and many.

             refused to believe that men and women were equals. .

             The story of Candide begins in the castle of the powerful Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, .

             located in Westphalia. There Candide lives with the Baron and his family and Dr. Pangloss, who.

             is tutor to Candide and the Baron's daughter and son. One day Lady Cunegonde was walking .

             through the castle gardens and sees Dr.