Laura Olivero

AHIS 131; TA Chris Daly

Candide; 09/20/2010

The Exploration of Candide in Relation to the

Enlightenment Era

Laura Olivero

09/20/2010

“Fogarty, European Civilization II, Fall 2010”

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Laura Olivero
AHIS 131; TA Chris Daly
Candide; 09/20/2010

Candide; Voltaire’s literary masterpiece also known as his magnum opus, revolves

around the literature concerning a young adult named Candide, who endures many life lessons,

consequences, and events, all in pertinence to morals and reasoning. It is these concepts that nix

within the theory of Enlightenment, along with the “Age of Enlightenment” in which

intellectualism, science and reasoning challenged many of the previous philosophical and even

religious establishments. Candide is highly regarded as an Enlightenment text, being that is core

foundation of its plot all revolve around Candide questioning the understanding of life. In

Voltaire’s novel, he expresses these core concepts of enlightened philosophies through the

introduction of Candide as a young adult taught by an elder named Pangloss.

Pangloss’s lessons and teachings all consist of his personalized theory stating, “This

[world is the best of the] best of all possible worlds” (Voltaire, pg. 2). This supposition would

ground a foundation to Voltaire’s illustration of how society viewed life pre-Enlightenment era

and after. Early in the novel, Candide is detailed as the son of a noble’s sister, living a royal

lifestyle in a castle, thus proving Pangloss’s theory “true”. However, furthermore in the novel,

we meet Cunegonde, whom decides to explore this theory along with Candide, resulting in their

passionate encounter and kiss. The baron would eventually find the two and abruptly dismiss

Candide from the castle. It is after this event that Candide learns a lesson. His experimentation of

Pangloss’s personal theory with Cunegonde proved to it to be incorrect. However that another of

Pangloss’s theories is true: “there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause” (Voltaire, pg. 1);

he would not have gotten kicked out of the palace if he had not kissed, and been caught in the

act, Cunegonde. In later events of the novel, Candide would still continue to use the wise words

of Pangloss as a guide onto making decisions; all resulting in consequences. Every time he

defends it, he pays a severe action.

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Laura Olivero
AHIS 131; TA Chris Daly
Candide; 09/20/2010

Rationalism and reasoning have historically and theoretically contradicted Eurocentrically

derived religions such as Christianity. To further enhance our understanding of how Voltaire’s

masterpiece does indeed contain Enlightment literature, further along the story, Candide enters a

war in which he would later decide that he is not fit for and serves no purpose; resulting in his

departure. Among his journey leaving, he sees many people dying and chaos occurring. He

concludes his departure arriving in a country named Holland where he meets an orator. Candide

explains to him all the chaos occurring. The orator in response asks him whether he believes

everything is for a good cause. Candide, stemming off of Pangloss’s teachings of “metaphysico-

theologico-cosmolonigology” admirably states, “there is no effect without cause” (Voltaire, 6).

The orator then asks whether Candide believes that the pope is anti-Christian to which Candide

response as followed: “I haven’t considered the matter” (Voltaire, 6). The orator, angered by his

response decides to punish him with humility and degradation. His reaction of auto-de fe (act of

faith) which is “a public ceremony or repentance and humiliation” (Voltaire, 11-12) on Candide

illustrates how enlightenment concepts such as reasoning and rationalism contradicts and

challenges pre-enlightenment era philosophies congruent to religion.

Voltaire is very reputable for his appraisal of enlightened ideas and thinking, however he

also uses Candide as a tool to challenge and illustrate history in the raw. Later in the novel,

Candide soon meets a homeless and deranged man. After carefully observing, he then notices

that it is his teacher Pangloss. Pangloss states the Bulgars (Slavic descendents who have settled

in Bulgaria) have taken over the castle killed the family, and Cunegonde. He continues his tragic

story, also explaining his status of carrying the infection known as Syphilis; which he acquired

from his wife. However, he applies his personal and reasonable theory by stating that, if it

weren’t for this disease, Europeans would’ve never succeeded in creating the New World

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Laura Olivero
AHIS 131; TA Chris Daly
Candide; 09/20/2010

(Voltaire, 8). Voltaire uses the previous paraphrase as an instrument to give insight onto some

historical context, thus “enlightening” readers.

Regardless of the character of a society, everyone individually fantasizes of a unique

Utopia. Voltaire introduces and intricately details the Utopia of Candide as El Dorado. Voltaire

describes this benevolent location as “perfect”, home to masses of wealth and money, so much

that people lower their concern about it. In El Dorado there are, “no monks to each, argue,

govern, intrigue and burn at the sake everyone who disagrees with them” (Voltaire, 37). El

Dorado originates of everyone’s dreams, providing opportunities and equality amongst all.

Religion does not exist because everyone is created equal. Everyone is blessed with every

possible opportunity, thanking god and being grateful for everything they have. Worth noting, is

that residents of El Dorado do not pray because everything they could ever need is already in

their possession and reach.

Candide finally understood and concluded that El Dorado was the place that his teacher

Pangloss was talking about. El Dorado was the “country where everything is for the best; for

there it’s absolutely necessary that such a country should exist somewhere” (Voltaire, 35).

Although Candide had finally reached a place of tranquility and understanding, he refused to

settle. Although he had finally finished his conquest, he didn’t stay because he wanted to go to

Argentina to reunite with Cunegonde. Initial reactions amongst readers may be that it was “silly”

or lacking common sense for his decision to unsettle in El Dorado, however one must examine

Candide in a different perspective. What may be considered a tragic flaw, Candide attributes all

the horrible acts of men, on account of freedom of will.

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Laura Olivero
AHIS 131; TA Chris Daly
Candide; 09/20/2010

Candide along with every other casting character exercised their freedom of will and

physical capabilities. Although every individuals actions respectfully may have resulted in dire

consequence or suffer, it were quintessential for success and something like El Dorado to arrive.

Pangloss states in the end that, “All events are linked together in the best of possible worlds; for,

after all, if you had not been driven from a fine castle by being kicked in the backside for love of

Miss Cunegonde, if you hadn’t been sent before the inquisition, if you hadn’t traveled across

America by foot…if you hadn’t lost all your sheep from the good land of El Dorado, you

wouldn’t be sitting here eating candied citron and pistachios” (Voltaire, 75). Pangloss attempts to

reason with destiny, claiming that everything that has happened and has yet to happen, occurs for

a reason. Candide, experienced from all the events, maturely and strong-mindedly responds to

his teacher stating, “That is very well put, but we must cultivate our garden” (Voltaire, 75). The

previous quote mentioned at the conclusion of the novel is illustrative of Candide’s ability to

reason, challenge, debate, and suggest other philosophical reasoning with his teacher. Candide in

essence has mastered Pangloss’s teachings; sufficient enough that he has developed his own

understanding of life and may preach about it.

Candide discusses the idea of freedom of will amongst the characters, however the

constant Theory of Enlightment, enshrined and subliminally preached through Pangloss’s

teachings suggest the idea that we are enslaved to our own destiny. The fact that we are unable to

control our fate and future represents an idea of enslavement. Although both concepts appear to

contradict one another, they co-existingly play a role unique to the novel and story. Voltaire’s

harmony of freedom and slavery implores readers to reason with life, philosophy, and the world.

It is through this path or radical thinking, that Voltaire’s Candide liberates our minds to reach an

ultimate enlightment.