The tutor at court, Pangloss, is a firm believer in the philosophy of metaphysico-theologico-cosmo-codology, and impressionable Candide soaks up Pangloss’s every word. The young, naive and honest Candide, the bastard son of Baron Thunder-ten- T ronckh’s sister, grows up in the baron’s castle in Westphalia. “If this is the best of all possible worlds, then what must the others be like?”.He was sentenced to prison twice and was exiled to England for several years. Voltaire became involved in Parisian high society, where his dark humor and knack for mocking authority eventually got him into trouble.Voltaire was born François-Marie Arouet.The characters talk about the vilest deeds and human sentiments, but they do so in naive and simple terms. The novel demonstrates a contrast between style and subject matter.Candide influenced the works of contemporary black humorists such as Joseph Heller, John Barth, Thomas Pynchon, Kurt Vonnegut and Terry Southern.Candide was originally censored for its offensive content, including religious blasphemy, political sedition and intellectual hostility.The former optimist became a cynical pessimist. The 1755 earthquake that destroyed Lisbon and the Seven Years’ War dramatically changed Voltaire’s outlook on life.Through Candide’s unquestioning trust in his optimistic tutor’s Pangloss’s lessons, Voltaire mocks “ivory tower” philosophers.On his journey, his belief that this world is “the best of all possible worlds” is severely tested. The young and naive Candide stumbles from one (mis)adventure to the next, including fighting in wars, being arrested, being nearly burned at the stake, finding El Dorado and leaving it.Candide, Voltaire’s best-known work, is an adventure story, a picaresque novel and a satire – all rolled into one.Candide’s relentless optimism in the face of the inhumanity of the human race, will leave you wondering whether to laugh or cry. With Candide, Voltaire created one of the darkest – albeit hilarious – satires of world literature. Voltaire’s novel questions and ridicules the philosophy of optimism by juxtaposing it with the cruel realities of life and showcasing the brutality and callousness of humanity.

In the end, even overly optimistic Candide has to admit defeat, giving up on all philosophical discourse and instead turning to a life of working the land. Candide is thrown out of his home, forced to join the army, almost burned at the stake, hunted, abused, tortured, beaten, almost killed during an earthquake and taken prisoner several times. Yet the concept is severely tested as the young (and naive) hero stumbles from one (mis)adventure to the next in a quest to win the hand of his beloved Cunégonde.

Humankind lives in “the best of all possible worlds.” This is the philosophy and firm belief of Pangloss, Candide’s tutor, which he passes on to his pupil.

Voltaire and candide