"Candide"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses "Candide," written by Voltaire. The paper reflects on the satiric themes in the work. The paper focuses on the themes of nobility, the horrors and follies of war, and rationalism. Concrete examples for these themes are provided, and the paper also demonstrates how they were applied in "Candide".

From the Paper:

"Much of Voltaire's work sounds agnostic. He was known to study Greek and Latin classics and was well versed in the Bible. But, he rejected most Christian views and although he believed God created the world, he was sure that God did not care about man's everyday life. Voltaire supported the King of France but was accused of satirical writing against his son which landed him in Bastille. "Because of insults to the regent, Philippe II d'Orleans, wrongly ascribed to him, Voltaire was sent to the Bastille (1717) for 11 months." (Yahoo Education) While in jail he wrote Henriade and Candide which were both critical of the church. "In 1726 a young nobleman, the chevalier de Rohan, resenting a witticism made at his expense by Voltaire, had Voltaire beaten." (Yahoo Education) When Voltaire tried to fight back he was thrown in prison a second time. These events and his own minor station in life led him to become disgusted with the abuse of position so he left France for England upon his release from Bastille."

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• Book Review # 122845 : "Satire in "Candide"

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