Published in 1759 by Enlightenment pioneer, Voltaire, the satirical novella Candide, gives its readers an insight to the different philosophical ideas that sculpted this intelligent era. The novel opens following the protagonist, Candide, a light hearted, sheltered young man who resides at the Thunder-ten-tronckh castle with his affluent family in Westphalia. It is in the first chapter of the novel that we are introduced to the castle’s oracle, Professor Pangloss. Pangloss serves as not only a companion, but a role model to the impressionable Candide.
Detailed further the chapter, “Master Pangloss taught the metaphysico–theologo–cosmolonigology. He could prove to admiration 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 all castles, and My Lady the best of all possible baronesses. “It is demonstrable,” said he, “that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for as all things have been created for some end, they must necessarily be created for the best end. Observe, for instance, the nose is formed for spectacles, therefore we wear spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings; accordingly, we wear stockings. Stones were made to be hewn and to construct castles, therefore My Lord has a magnificent castle; for the greatest baron in the province ought to be the best lodged. Swine were intended to be eaten, therefore we eat pork all the year round: and they, who assert that everything is right, do not express themselves correctly; they should say that everything is best.” (Voltaire 1-2) In this quotation, Candide appears to have great admiration for his professor and values Pangloss’ perspectives on the world. However, Voltaire uses this as an opportunity to ridicule philosophical optimism and foreshadow the misfortunes Candide will witness along his quest.
Exiled from the estate after displaying his affection for the baron’s daughter, Miss Cunégonde, the half-dead Candide begins his quest. Along his journey Candide suffers abuse and trauma from being forced into the military, he still appears to rely on the teachings of Pangloss when making decisions as he states that “human will is free” (Voltaire 4) Finally gaining stability, Candide seeks refuge in Holland where he discovers his old teacher plauged with syphilis. It is at this point in time where Candide first challenges Pangloss’ teachings as he cries “O sage Pangloss,” …“what a strange genealogy is this! Is not the devil the root of it?” (Voltaire 9) in response to hearing the tragedies that occurred at the estate shortly after he was exiled.
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Following Voltaire’s satirical format, Pangloss replies “Not at all,” … “it was a thing unavoidable, a necessary ingredient in the best of worlds; for if Columbus had not caught in an island in America this disease, which contaminates the source of generation, and frequently impedes propagation itself, and is evidently opposed to the great end of nature, we should have had neither chocolate nor cochineal. It is also to be observed, that, even to the present time, in this continent of ours, this malady, like our religious controversies, is peculiar to ourselves.
The Turks, the Indians, the Persians, the Chinese, the Siamese, and the Japanese are entirely unacquainted with it; but there is a sufficing reason for them to know it in a few centuries. In the meantime, it is making prodigious havoc among us, especially in those armies composed of well disciplined hirelings, who determine the fate of nations; for we may safely affirm, that, when an army of thirty thousand men engages another equal in size, there are about twenty thousand infected with syphilis on each side.” (Voltaire 9-10) Essentially defending the acts of violence committed against him, Pangloss remains a firm advocate for optimism.
As Candide progresses through the novella, he encounters a plethora of characters that are very different from those he lived with at the castle, a prevalent one being the old woman who rescues him and brings him to Cunégonde. While everyone in the novel endures suffering, the old woman undeniably encounters the most. Due to his sheltered and priviliged upbringing, Candide approaches a variety of obstacles when processing the suffering he had endured as well as the different perspectives that challenge his beliefs. When the old woman shares her story, Candide is moved by her resilience. The old woman explains, ‘A hundred times I have wanted to kill myself, but I was still in love with life’ (Voltaire 31) the reader sees a major development in Candide’s character as hearing her experiences influence him to ponder human nature.
Completely contrasting his previous teachings of Pangloss, Candide meets Martin, a pessimistic scholar. Martin serves as foil to Pangloss’ views of Leibnizian optimism. Martin serves as a very dynamic character Candide encounters on his quest as he embodies Manichean beliefs and debates philosophy with many of the characters. As Candide becomes more acquainted with Martin his faith in optimism begins to erode “I am more of a Manichaean now than ever,” said Martin. “But pray, good sir, where are you going to carry us?” said Candide.
“To a dungeon, my dear sir,” replied the officer. When Martin had a little recovered himself, so as to form a cool judgment of what had passed, he plainly perceived that the person who had acted the part of Miss Cunégonde was a cheat; that the abbe of Périgord was a sharper who had imposed upon the honest simplicity of Candide, and that the officer was a knave, whom they might easily get rid of. Candide following the advice of his friend Martin and burning with impatience to see the real Miss Cunégonde, rather than be obliged to appear at a court of justice, proposed to the officer to make him a present of three small diamonds, each of them worth three thousand pistoles” (Voltaire 23).
As the novel ends, the impressionable Candide has matured, and his comrades are in a comfortable place after an abundance of suffering. As they are farming, Pangloss continues to defend their suffering through Leibnizian optimism “Pangloss used now and then to say to Candide: “There is a concatenation of all events in the best of possible worlds; for, in short, had you not been kicked out of a fine castle for the love of Miss Cunégonde; had you not been put into the Inquisition; had you not traveled over America on foot; had you not run the Baron through the body; and had you not lost all your sheep, which you brought from the good country of El Dorado, you would not have been here to eat preserved citrons and pistachio nuts.”(Voltaire 30). At this point Candide and Martin come to a consensus to stop philosophizing and focus on their work.
In conclusion, Voltaire’s clever use of the quest format allows the reader to see Candide develop in a more detailed sense. Candide initially starts his quest as a naïve individually almost blindly following the teachings of Professor Pangloss. However, as Candide travels and meets the other characters, he begins to absorb other philosophical ideas outside of Leibnizian optimism, such as Manicheism, and Rousseausim. Progressing through the novel Candide utilizes the philosophies gathered from his friends and flourishes as an individual.
