Voltaire's "Candide"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the central theme of Voltaire's "Candide" is that those who live real lives must forgo philosophy for pragmatism. The author points out that another thesis is that which does not kill us only makes us stronger, and all's well that ends well. The paper argues that, in keeping with the alternative title for "Candide", which was "Optimism", throughout the narrative, Candide always looks ahead to the future.

From the Paper:

"The beginning of the narrative finds Candide living at the pleasure of one of the most powerful noblemen of Bavaria. He falls in love with the baron's daughter Cungonde. The baron espies them kissing and casts Candide out of the castle. Thus, begin his travails. The conclusion of the narrative shows that Pangloss, Martin (another philosopher-character) and Candide cannot get away from philosophical discussion about the meaning of life and the origins of good and evil. But in the scheme of things, these discussions merely serve as idle distractions which have no bearing on any of their lives. Indeed, the last line of the literal (English) translation sums this up well. "'That's well said,'replied Candide, but we must cultivate our garden.""

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• Analytical Essay # 63275 : "Satire in Moliere, Swift and Voltaire"
• Book Review # 73744 : "Voltaire's "Candide"

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