Voltaire's "Candide"

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the book "Candide" by Voltaire. Specifically it discusses Candide's movement from a state of innocence to one of experience, and what Candide gains and loses through these experiences.

From the Paper:

"Of course, Pangloss, who continually shows up throughout the novel, is responsible for Candide's attitude. He has taught the boy to be optimistic in the face of everything, and practices it himself. After the earthquake he says, "'For,' said he, 'all that is is for the best. If there is a volcano at Lisbon it cannot be elsewhere. It is impossible that things should be other than they are; for everything is right'" (Voltaire 21). Candide seems incapable of coming up with many ideas on his own, but he is quite good a parroting the ideas of others, and Pangloss is his mentor and idol, so he follows his thoughts blindly, never questioning them or developing true reasoning and deduction skills throughout his adventures."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Voltaire. Candide. New York: Modern Library, 1918.

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• Book Review # 73744 : "Voltaire's "Candide"

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