“Candide”

1. “Candide” p. 662-666

2. “Candide” – 1-2 • 1.)“Thunder” in the baron’s name suggests a loud, unpleasant person. German name in style, so it satirizes the Voltaire’s dislike for Westphalia and Germany through the negative connotation of the name of the baron. • 2.Named Candide – for simple-mindedness and honesty. • 3.) Make fun of the idea that ancestry will make a good spouse. • 4.) The castle is not grand at all. It only has doors and windows. The Great Hall has one piece of tapestry (art). Irony – the baron is one of the most powerful lords in Westphalia. • 5) The shapes of noses and legs dictate the size of glasses and pants. (illogical)...You have stones, so castles can be built…If Pangloss is the greatest philosophers of Westphalia, then he is the greatest philosopher in the world. Ironic passage bc/ of the illogical messages.

3. 5 • 5) The shapes of noses and legs dictate the size of glasses and pants. (illogical)...You have stones, so castles can be built…If Pangloss is the greatest philosophers of Westphalia, then he is the greatest philosopher in the world. Ironic passage bc/ of the illogical messages.

4. 6-7 • 6.) Biblical allusion – Adam and Eve kicked out of Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit = Candide kicked out of the baron’s castle for kissing his daughter…. Candide’s offense is ridiculous when comparing to Adam and Eve. • 7.) Most people would not offer money and hospitality based on his height and physicality… Foreshadows the soldiers taking advantage of Candide. • 8. There’s no reason to put Candide in leg irons because he was not actually trying to go AWOL. • 9.) Made to choose between two evils. Exaggeration – running the gauntlet twice (which says he did this 36 times). He supposedly runs between 2,000 men which equates to 4,000 strokes. • 10.) Philosophers – Candide was supposedly ignorant in worldly matters. Irony – He was a metaphysician and they study reality.

5. Q/A – p. 667 • 1. The Baron catches Candide and his daughter kissing. • 2. Candide is captured by 2 army officers and forced to enlist • 3. Humor of language – extra-long words that mean nothing; Pangloss’s reasoning. • Humor of Character – The Baron doesn’t realize that ppl laugh at his stories only bc/ they have to and Pangloss’s logic as a philosopher – always optimistic. • Humor of Situation – Candide’s toast of the king which equate to him joining the Bulgarian Army. Choixe of running gauntlet or death at court-marshall • 4. “Everything is for the best” – The theory justifies his position. • 5. The Baron is protecting his daughter by throwing her out of the castle. He chooses to run the gauntlet rather than be shot. Shows negativity in life. • 6. Lines 48-51 – Candide would never expect to be kicked out of the castle for liking Cunegande…pokes fun at “everything is got the best” philosophy. • Lines – 90-92 – Voltaire satirizes the unfair recruiting tactics of the Army. • Lines – 112-114 – Situational Irony – We expect Candide to ask for mercy – He expects to be killed but is freed. Voltaire shows unpredictability of life.