Seeing Past the Cynicism in "Candide" Analytical Essay by Nicky
An analysis of the cynicism, satire and message in Voltaire's "Candide".
# 146022
| 859 words
| 1 source
| MLA
| 2010
| 
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Description:
The paper looks at how Voltaire's "Candide" provides a heavy satire of contemporary philosophies, religious beliefs, governments and officials. The paper points out that Voltaire is only ridiculing human establishments and not the individual spirit, and provides two examples that show how men are not stupid individually, but become foolish only upon associating with others. The paper clearly shows how Voltaire warns against many of the insidious evils that accompany human society, and points us in the direction of increased happiness through individualism.
From the Paper:
"Voltaire has been considered a controversial and cunning master of cynicism since he first began to publish late in his life, and this reputation has continued ever since. His views on the various whims and beliefs of man are unequivocally dismissive; he regards much if not most of the philosophical and religious thought of his time to be nothing more than man's willingness and even desire to fool himself. He also reflected heavily on the cruelties that men were capable of committing to each other, out of greed or perhaps even worse out of misplaced "noble" intentions like nationalism and, again, religion."Sample of Sources Used:
- Voltaire. Candide. New York: Dover, 1991.
Cite this Analytical Essay:
APA Format
Seeing Past the Cynicism in "Candide" (2010, December 14)
Retrieved October 03, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/seeing-past-the-cynicism-in-candide-146022/
MLA Format
"Seeing Past the Cynicism in "Candide"" 14 December 2010.
Web. 03 October. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/seeing-past-the-cynicism-in-candide-146022/>