Perry Voltaire goes throughout the story in a

Perry Reyes Candide 1/5/18            Mr.Boni One of the most important philosophers of the enlightenment named Voltaire, published an extremely important book “Candide”.  The book is about a man named “Candide”, the story is told in a fictional context and the purpose of reading this book was to benefit my understanding of the current chapter in World History, due to the new historical perspectives which you can see in the book.  This book was chosen due to the historical importance and the significance of the book during this time period.  Voltaire had to publish this book secretly due to the views on religion.  Candide was also banned in many places and even before it was published Voltaire knew the reactions in which his book would receive.The book Candide was written so Voltaire could then express his thoughts on the enlightenment and religion.  Voltaire goes throughout the story in a sarcastic tone entertaining his audience by criticizing religion in a fictional based context.  He was also able to talk about real events and managed to lay out his opinion on the ideas of of the Enlightenment in his book, the example i found most obvious was of Pangloss’ idea in which “This world is the best of all possible worlds.” an idea presented by the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, a pier of Voltaire and another key figure of the enlightenment.Pangloss and Candide appear to be the major theme and concept of this story along with a few other minor people the aim is to get exactly what they believe in or in other terms getting justice for their beliefs.  It’s quite apparent that Voltaire does not have or relate to any of the other characters beliefs based on what these characters experience.  The beliefs and teachings of Pangloss can be explained as “Pangloss was professor of metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology. He proved admirably that there is no effect without a cause, and that, in this best of all possible worlds, the Baron’s castle was the most magnificent of castles, and his lady the best of all possible Baronesses.” Pangloss’ struggles fully show the way that Voltaire thought about certain philosophers. The belief that “This world is the best of all possible worlds”, which both Pangloss and Candide believe in constantly struggle throughout the book and face much adversity and challenges. The way Voltaire impercentiates all these characters you can clearly tell or realize his major disagreement and strong misbeliefs especially that “this world is the best of all possible worlds and that everything happens for a reason.” Throughout the book, Pangloss contracts Syphilis, loses an eye and ear, survives a shipwreck only to experience an earthquake, is hanged for his beliefs, but miraculously survives only to be convicted by a priest for looking at a woman’s breast.  It is clear that Voltaire has a specific disliking for his beliefs because of the way he treats the character, which means he probably disliked other figures of the enlightenment such as Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Candid is often hurt and constantly fighting for his survival and well being. After joining the Bulgarian army, is he forced to run the gauntlet. “He was forced to make a choice; he determined, in virtue of that gift of God called liberty, to run the gauntlet six-and-thirty times. He bore this twice. The regiment was composed of two thousand men; that composed for him four thousand strokes, which laid bare all his muscles and nerves, from the nape of his neck quite down to his rump. As they were going to proceed to a third whipping, Candide, able to bear no more, begged as a favour that they would be so good as to shoot him.” This is just one of many times Candie is subject to physical pain throughout the book. He was publicly beaten after experiencing an earthquake and a shipwreck; and is later subject to emotional distress after struggling to find Cunegonde. If Voltaire had nothing but high thoughts and praise for the set of beliefs Pangloss had, the story would have been completely different due to the disbelief that everything happens for a reason. Throughout the book Voltaire is ripping and punishing each character because of their beliefs, he also shows how foolish and wrong that their theories can be. Pangloss and Candide previously stated theory that there is no effect without a cause, pretty much saying that everything happens for a reason. However, some examples of this are very extreme and quite illogical. Pangloss tells Candide “…for if Columbus had not in an island of America caught this disease, which contaminates the source of life, frequently even hinders generation, and which is evidently opposed to the great end of nature, we should have neither chocolate nor cochineal.” This is an extremely foolish and crazy idea, which shows that to some extent, Voltaire thought that the core belief of “there is no effect without cause” was a poor idea. The most important part of the book is when Voltaire is able to incorporate some of his economical thoughts as well, and he does so through the land of Eldorado. It is obvious to tell that Voltaire was trying to get this message through: More money does not mean more happiness.While Candide has become rich, he becomes unhappy. Eventually, he is robbed, and he has lost his fortune and his belief in Pangloss’s teachings. ” ‘Oh, Pangloss!’ cried Candide, ‘thou hadst not guessed at this abomination; it is the end. I must at last renounce thy optimism.”What is this optimism?’ said Cacambo.’Alas!’ said Candide, ‘it is the madness of maintaining that everything is right when it is wrong.'” The dialogue is extremely important it shows the evolution of Candide and how he gave up on Pangloss’ theory, it is also showing what having a fortune did to Candide and his optimism. The unhappiness in which Candide was suppressed in due to the wealth and having to maintain did a number to Candide and his optimism. While reading this book it put me through many changes of emotions it parts it was extremely funny and somewhat enjoyable.  But throughout the book I also felt sympathy and pity to the characters that faced much struggle and hardship.  . However, there was some difficulty in the reading, particularly because of how long ago this book was written and the different speech patterns used centuries ago. The text and language that Voltaire wrote with is much different than the language we speak and use now so at times i did get lost in reading the story.  Voltaire’s points did come across clear in stating that money doesn’t buy happiness. This book provided me with a great understanding of the time period, and helped me grasp more deeply on the theories and opinions of the philosophers, and what they thought.The amount of real world events that were put in this book was fascinating just alone because it was fiction, such events as the earthquake in Lisbon and what i assume to be the seven years war.  Reading this book certainly enhances ones views on the Enlightenment and some of the theories brought forth in the enlightenment. For example, the belief that “there is no effect without cause” seems very wise, until hearing Pangloss’s explanation for syphilis. However, the most important part of the book is at the end, when the characters realize they must “cultivate their garden.” They are finally able to forget about political ideas or theories, and focus on working hard


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