Candide(Or Optimism)

ByVoltaire

Published: 1758French novella (short

novel)

“I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to

continue to write.”-Voltaire

Philosophical novella

Age of Enlightenment (1650-1800)

Cultural movement that wanted to use reason and logic in order to reform society and advance knowledge.

Fought against intolerance and abuse in church and government.Leading philosophers were Voltaire, Rousseau, Newton, Locke, and Franklin

Questioned the “sacred circle”

Bible--------------Church leaders---------aristocracy

Focuses on freedom, democracy, capitalism, scientific method, religious tolerance.

Voltaire’s religious beliefDeism:

-use reason and observation of the world -no need for organized religion (corrupt) -God doesn’t intervene in human affairs -God designed the world, but stepped back and let people find their way.

Satire:An art form that mocks to the point of shaming society into improvement…social criticism.

Candide attacks:

-Divine providence (God’s intervening with humans)-Optimism (Everything and everyone in this world essentially good)-Fatalism (pre-destination…Your life has been mapped --Institutions (Government, church, family, teachers)

Characters:

Candide: -illegitimate son of sister of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh -A firm believer in optimism

Lady Cunegonde: -Beautiful daughter of the baron -Naïve; Candide’s love

Pangloss: -Teacher of unquestioning optimism -Denies the existence of evil-Sees the good in all horrible situations

Martin: -Candide’s friend; -pessimist: believes that good is an illusion -Mankind is too corrupt; God doesn’t even like us anymore