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Major Works Review: Candide (in italics)

GENERAL

1. Title: Candide

2. Author: Voltaire

3. Date of Original Publication: 1759

4. Novel Type: Satire

STRUCTURE

1. Point of View: Third person

2. Relationship to meaning: Makes it easier for the reader to follow the events.

3. Plot Structure

a. Exposition: Introduction of the Baron and his family

b. Inciting Incident: Candide is expelled from his home for kissing Cungonde; he wanders the

world attempting to preserve his life and reunite with his belovedc. Events contributing to rising action: Candide and Panglosss optimistic world view is

challenged by numerous disasters; Candides love for Cungonde is repeatedly thwarted.

d. Climax (Crisis/turning point): Candide finds Cungonde enslaved in Turkey; the two

are married

e. Events contributing to falling action: Candide, Cungonde, Pangloss, and their friends struggle

with boredom; they find solace in

f. Resolution: Candide disconvers the meaning of life and settles peacefully with his friends and

lover.

g. Other Significant Structural Elements: Candide is a novella. It is shorter than a regular novel.

CHARACTERS

1. Protagonista. Name and significance: Candide; main character; book is about his adventures

b. Characteristics and thematic significance: very innocent.

c. Change or epiphany and thematic significance: He goes through many adventures and

gradually matures into an experienced and practical man.

2. Antagonist

a. Name and significance: Everyone else; the world

b. Characteristics and significance: Everyone is against him, but eventually teach him to be a wiser

person

3. Moral Center of work

a. Name: Pangloss

b. Characteristics: He is the teacher of Cungonde. He is considered very learned but his principles

are basically nonsensical.

c. Thematic purpose: His ideas revolve around Candides adventures

4. Other Significant Characters (list as many as needed)

CungondeShe is the beautiful young daughter of the Baron. She is in love with Candide and finally

marries him.

MartinA pessimist, and an exceptionally unhappy man.

SETTING

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1. Place and symbolic significance: Various locations in Europe and South America

2. Time period and contextual significance:1750s

3. Time span: a few months

CONFLICTS

1. Main conflict: Candide and Panglosss optimistic world view is challenged by numerous disasters;

Candides love for Cungonde is repeatedly thwarted

a. Type of conflict: Man vs. Societyb. Values embodied in conflict (expressed as oppositionsomething vs. something) Candide and

most of his colleagues realize at the end of the novel that life is neither all pleasant nor all badc. Thematic significance of conflict: pursuit of happiness. Candide is searching for what makes

people happy throughout the entire story, but nothing seems to be the answer.

2. Minor conflicts and thematic significance: Candide encounters many weird conflicts during his

journey like the earthquake, etc.

SYMBOLS ,MOTIFS, AND ALLUSIONS (3-5)

Literal Symbol Figurative Meaning Relationship to Theme

El Dorado

Voltaires ideal society Connects with Candides journey to find his

meaning for lifeGardens multiple times

in the novel

Parodies the Garden of Eden reflects a change of character and a new

start for Candide.

Religion

Satirizes life Voltaire implies that some religions if not all

are corrupted by society

Candide

Innocence Voltaire satirizes Candides innocence by

naming his main character innocent

Red Sheep

Odd one out; uniqueness symbol of uniqueness since all were

stolen but a few which remained in a

world of white sheep.The Baron Satirizes aristocracy Voltaires wish and hatred for aristocracy

since he and many other people suffered

at the hands of aristocrats.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TITLE

Candide literally means innocent. The main character, Candides innocence is satirized throughout the novel.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS (2-3)

1.Voltaire exposes the evils in his contemporary society in a satirical manner; wherever, Candide goes hefinds sin, selfishness and religious intolerance.

2. Although the novel Candide is a satire on the evils prevailing in society, goodness is not completely

ruled out by Voltaires portrayal of purity and innocence.

CONTEXT

1. Historical: Voltaire was an Enlightenment thinker, which is reflected in his concern with the power ofreason, rejection of the tyranny of church and state, and interest in equality among men

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2. Biographical: Candide is influenced by Voltaires views and his own experiences of life. He usessatire to criticize superstition, religion, aristocracy, and the church, which were highly controversial

during his time period.

3. Literary/Philosophical Time Period: Voltaire had read and admired the works of many great authorslike Swift, Pope, Gay, Shakespeare, Milton, and others. His writing in Candide is critical of Popes

view inEssay on Man when he (Pope) emphasizes that whatever is, is right.

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POSSIBLE APLIT PROMPTS