Candide, ou l'Optimisme
• Written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the
Age of the Enlightenment
• Published in 1759 under a pseudonym
• Immediately banned because of the critical
views of religion and government
• Very popular and cause of scandal
• Adapted in a comical operetta by Leonard
Bernstein in 1956
• Candide is a humorous, adventurous, fast
paced philosophical tale that attacks
Liebniz’ optimism: “All is for the best in the
best of possible worlds.”
• It is a satire presented in a matter of fact
style.
• It narrates incredible adventures, on the
background of real historical events such
as the 7 Years War and the earthquake of
Lisbon of 1755.
• Satire - the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the
like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice,
folly, etc.
• Sarcasm - A form of wit that is marked by the
use of sarcastic language and is intended to
make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
• Irony - a technique of indicating, as through
character or plot development, an intention or
attitude opposite to that which is stated.
• Parody - a humorous or satirical imitation of a
serious piece of literature or writing
• Allegory - a representation of an abstract or
spiritual meaning through concrete or material
forms; figurative treatment of one subject under
the guise of another.
Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that
wounds: "a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic
and uninhibited polemics" (Burke Marshall).
Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an
intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: "a man of
eccentric charm, ironic humor, and—above all—profound
literary genius" (Jonathan Kirsch).
Caustic means corrosive and bitingly trenchant: "The
caustic jokes ... deal with such diverse matters as
political assassination, talk-show hosts, medical ethics"
(Frank Rich).
Satirical implies exposure, especially of vice or folly, to
ridicule: "on the surface a satirical look at commercial
radio, but also a study of the misuse of
telecommunications" (Richard Harrington).
Sardonic is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and
often cynicism: "He was proud, sardonic, harsh to
inferiority of every description" (Charlotte Brontë).
Characters
•
•
•
•
Candide, naïve,
Pangloss
Cunegonde
Old woman
Geographical settings
• Westphalia, Germany
Institutions attacked by Voltaire
• Chapters 1-10 in Europe: Germany,
Holland, Portugal
• Chapters 11-20 in the Americas:
• Chapters 21-30 in Europe and the
Ottoman Empire
Summary of Candide
• Chapter 1 - How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent
Castle and How He Was Driven Thence
• Chapter 2 - What Befell Candide among the Bulgarians
• Chapter 3 - How Candide Escaped from the Bulgarians and What
Befell Him Afterward
• Chapter 4 - How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss Again
and What Happened to Him
• Chapter 5 - A Tempest, a Shipwreck, an Earthquake, and What
Else Befell Dr. Pangloss, Candide, and James, the Anabaptist
• Chapter 6 - How the Portuguese Made a Superb Auto-De-Fe to
Prevent Any Future Earthquakes, and How Candide Underwent
Public Flagellation
• Chapter 7 - How the Old Woman Took Care Of Candide, and How
He Found the Object of His Love
• Chapter 8 - Cunegund's Story
• Chapter 9 - What Happened to Cunegund, Candide, the Grand
Inquisitor, and the Jew
• Chapter 10 - In What Distress Candide, Cunegund, and the Old
Woman Arrive at Cadiz, and Of Their Embarkation
• Chapter 11 - The History of the Old Woman
• Chapter 12 - The Adventures of the Old Woman
Continued
• Chapter 13 - How Candide Was Obliged to Leave the
Fair Cunegund and the Old Woman
• Chapter 14 - The Reception Candide and Cacambo Met
with among the Jesuits in Paraguay
• Chapter 15 - How Candide Killed the Brother of His Dear
Cunegund
• Chapter 16 - What Happened to Our Two Travelers with
Two Girls, Two Monkeys, and the Savages, Called
Oreillons
• Chapter 17 - Candide and His Valet Arrive in the Country
of El Dorado-What They Saw There
• Chapter 18 - What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado
• Chapter 19 - What Happened to Them at Surinam, and
How Candide Became Acquainted with Martin
• Chapter 20 - What Befell Candide and Martin on Their Passage
• Chapter 21 - Candide and Martin, While Thus Reasoning with Each
Other, Draw Near to the Coast of France
• Chapter 22 - What Happened to Candide and Martin in France
• Chapter 23 - Candide and Martin Touch upon the English Coast-What
They See There
• Chapter 24 - Of Pacquette and Friar Giroflee
• Chapter 25 - Candide and Martin Pay a Visit to Seignor Pococurante,
a Noble Venetian
• Chapter 26 - Candide and Martin Sup with Six Sharpers-Who They
Were
• Chapter 27 - Candide's Voyage to Constantinople
• Chapter 28 - What Befell Candide, Cunegund, Pangloss, Martin, etc.
• Chapter 29 - What Manner Candide Found Miss Cunegund and the
Old Woman Again
• Chapter 30 - Conclusion