Candide

1. Candide It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778) Voltaire

2. Author Background • Voltaire: pen name for François-Marie Arouet • Born into a middle class French family • November 21, 1694 • Father strict authoritarian—lawyer • Knew Cardinal Richelieu and Duke of Sully • At 10 sent to a Jesuit school to study law • Left school at 16-intent on spending his life as a writer • Spent time as a diplomat at The Hague • Wrote poetry, banished from Paris, imprisoned for a poem critical of Louis XV

3. His Writings • Wrote for over 60 years of time; filling over 70 large volumes • Defender of freedom • “I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” • Defended the rights of men to write and say what they wished • Was intolerant in his criticism of his enemies, however • Believed in rule by reason—not a democrat; wanted rule by an enlightened despot

4. Enlightened Despot • Allowed freedom of speech and other basic freedoms • Did what needed to be done • Popular with the masses • Frederick the Great of Prussia • Example of this type of ruler • Voltaire desired freedom for the enlightened, not for the rest of humanity • Had little interest in the common man

5. French Enlightenment • Voltaire major intellectual influence • Writing influenced an entire generation of French Revolutionaries • During later part of his life carried on a long correspondence with Rousseau • Differed on many points • His influence is seen in much of Rousseau’s work • Saw himself as a critic—many see him as more destructive than constructive • Saw rampant irrationality—called for specific reforms over grandiose schemes—more realistic

6. Ideals of the Philosophes • Voltaire sought religious freedom as well as other basic rights • Unlike Rousseau who wanted to end all religion; Voltaire realized that “common men” were not ready for such changes • Instead he called for freedom—but only for those who knew how to handle in—not for all • Believed in education; agreed with Locke’s idea of the tabula rasa • Faulty education was major problem • Better education would solve most of the difficulties facing us

7. Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Denis Diderot

8. Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz His philosophy of optimism serves as the inspiration for the novel. Also, Leibniz was a mathematician most known as the co-founder of calculus with Newton.

9. Voltaire’s criticism • Highly critical of Leibniz’s philosophy of optimism • Candide is full of political and philosophical satire of the many controversies during the 1750s • Readers will see the idea that we “live in the best of all possible worlds,” and apparent folly, misery and strife are actually harbingers of a greater good we cannot perceive, is hogwash. • Voltaire’s satire contrasts ironically tragedy and comedy by using actual events which occurred during this time period.

10. Alexander Pope • Voltaire’s criticism wasn’t directly aimed at Pope. • Pope also had an optimistic principle that “all is right.” • Leibniz’s states “this is the best of all possible worlds.” • Some critics feel Voltaire spared Pope out of respect. • A later work by Voltaire, Poème, could be a response to Pope’s work.

11. Other influences on novel • Voltaire was also commenting on cultural relativism • Michel de Montaigne’s On Cannibals • Essay that argued that European culture was no closer to God or morally “right” • Shakespeare also used this concept in his play The Tempest • Voltaire shows other cultures in comparison to European society as his main character Candide has a series of misadventures

12. Major themes of novel • Optimism • Human condition: what is the best way to approach life? • Candide is brought up on the philosophy of optimism • Will ultimately reject this at the end of novel • Free Will • Distinction between man and animals • Societies need to form around concept of working together for a common good • Evil • Is evil inherent to humans or a matter of perspective? • Debate between Candide the optimist and Martin the pessimist reflects this.

13. More themes • Political and Religious Oppression • Religious leaders who commit acts of immorality and depravity • Mistreatment of citizens, slaves, women by members of authority • Powerful institutions which only harm citizens instead of protecting them • Power of Lust • Exploitation of women and workers due to lust for money. • Acts of war and cruelty in the new world due to lust for money. • Lust for power and position in society lead characters to ignore common sense and basic kindness.

14. Candide and Pangloss • Candide • Name derived from the Latin word, candidus, means white • White symbolizes innocence • Also means candid—he looks at the world and tells us exactly what he sees • Pangloss • Absent throughout most of the book, but influence is seen through Candide. • Word comes from Greek pan and glossa means all languages—another way of saying “windbag” • Character modeled after Leibniz, Pope, and other optimistic thinkers of the period

15. Candide’s Companions • Martin • Candide’s companion through book • Opposite of Candide, thinks all is for the worst • In the end, Candide will reject both Pangloss & Martin • Cacambo • Candide’s guide in the new world • Name resembles cacao • Name implies a half-breed origin, he is a wily American half-breed • Foil for the Baron-perfect lineage, but morally impure • Cacambo’s character is pure

16. Cunègonde • Name chosen for sound and its meaning • Alliterative effect of Candide, Cunègonde, Cacambo • Name of many medieval queens • Represents chivalric love and hard-headed realism • Several views/perspectives of Cunègonde • Candide sees her as pure and virtuous • We see a beautiful, shrewd wench • At end she will be an ugly dishwasher for Prince of Transylvania—arms red and rough from hard work • One of the few dynamic characters • Innocent young girl in beginning • Wise woman of the world at end • At first she is coy with Candide, at end demands he marry her

17. Characters • Old Woman • Classic type in French lit • Serves 1st as Cunègonde maid; Cunègonde will become her double by end of book • Abigail serves this way for Cacambo • Voltaire uses her voice to add his reflections • Pacquette • Serving-girl turned prostitute • Name means “daisy” • Her misfortunes parallel her mistress Cunègonde

18. More • Pococurante • Name means “caring little” • Jaded man of the world which Candide would have become if he had no difficulties • Martin believes there is pleasure in not being pleased • Pococurante shows us that even the best is for the worst • Brother Giroflée • Name means “wallflower” • Symbolizes stupidity of primogeniture and the nature of vocations in the church

19. Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh • Name of Barony chosen for sound • Represents the pomposity and pettiness of small baronies in that part of Europe • Vain, blustering tyrant probably just like his father • Son is warrior-saint of the Jesuits • Kills with abandon, no vocation, enjoys life in Paraguay • Candide discovers him & pays for his freedom • Down on his luck, homosexual • Galley slave yet refuses to allow Candide to marry his sister, Cunègonde who is of noble birth • Represents the narrow-minded views of European nobility which will lead to destruction of the class

20. Symbols in novel • Written as an allegory of the human condition • Characters are not meant to be identified with but to stand for a particular ideal or characteristic • Each character acts as a symbol to further the satire • Pangloss symbolizes folly of blind optimism and excessive speculation. • Lisbon earthquake of 1755 represents devastating natural events for which no rational explanation can be found.

22. Gardens • An important symbol in novel • Eviction from the castle garden could be seen as eviction of man from Garden of Eden • El Dorado could represent a false Garden of Eden • At end of novel Candide and Cunègonde find pleasure in working their own land/garden. • Many critics see the garden however as Voltaire’s support for Diderot’s Encyclopedia • Could be considered a garden of knowledge

23. Voltaire’s chateau at Ferney

24. Download the text • http://librivox.org/candide-by-voltaire/ • http://www.paperstarter.com/candide.htm • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwMlWy