1. Discuss the role of philosophical optimism in Candide. Show how Voltaire
contrasts harsh reality with the ideals of optimism to discredit optimism as a
viable philosophy of life.
2. Discuss Voltaire's portrait of religious figures in "Candide".
3. Describe some of the satirical techniques that Voltaire uses to satirize "important"
individuals, the military, and religious figures. How is the humor achieved in the
description of the characters?
4. Discuss the theme of religious hypocrisy and intolerance in Chapters 1-19.
5. Voltaire seems to indicate that there is really no distinction between civil
authority and religious authority, and between a soldier and a Christian. This begs
the question: Can a true Christian, especially one in authority, be a soldier,
according to Voltaire (NOT according to you)?
6. Eldorado represents an utopian state, and yet Candide and Cacambo decide to
leave. Do you think that utopias are desirable? Would you choose to live in a
place like Eldorado? Is there anything wrong with a place like Eldorado?
.
7. Discuss the female characters in Candide. Are they victims, or natural survivors?
Do they deserve more pity or admiration. Take one side only.
8. Show how Pangloss, Cacambo and Martin contribute to Candide's development.
9. Show how Voltaire illustrates that greed is one of the main causes of evil in the
world.
10. The last chapter intends to provide an answer to the eternal question: How should
one lead one's life. What conclusions do the characters come to regarding this? What
advice are they given by the dervish and by the old man, and do you think this is good
advice to at least render life bearable?
11. Discuss the differences between Pangloss’s way of viewing the world and the
Dervish’s. Make sure to thoroughly explain their philosophies and then explain which
one is a more valuable philosophy.
12. Discuss the ending of Candide and the philosophy that the main characters adopt:
“We must cultivate our garden.” Explain what this means and how it is an appropriate
end to the novel. Include how this message is applicable to us today.
13. What is the point of the section on Pococurante? What is Voltaire satirizing here,
and how does this relate to us in 2010?
14. How is the novel a satire on optimism? Make sure to discuss the faulty use of cause
and effect and choose at least two other things that Voltaire satirizes about optimism.
15. How is the novel a parody of adventure stories? Choose at least three aspects of the
novel that parody adventure stories and use details and examples from the novel to
illustrate your points.
16. How is the novel a satire on romantic love? Think about Candide and Cunegonde –
how their love begins and how it ends. Consider all the other characters, Paquette,
Pangloss, Martin, and the Old Woman. What do their characters tell us about the idea of
romantic love?
17. Martin claims that people “live either in convulsions of misery or in the lethargy of
boredom.” How do the events of the novel support that statement? Is one of the two
options worse than the other? If what Martin says is true, what does it imply about the
value of social change and political activism?