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Different Perspectives involve in Candide’s Journey
Melody Chen
Mr. de Groof
Grade 12 English Literature
1/11/16
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In the novel Candide, Voltaire uses different types of characters to carry out
philosophical themes, and directly makes Candide experience Voltaire’s life story to
against optimism. Candide had gradually abandoned best possible world philosophy
during his journey, and each characters met to fulfill his fate. From Seven Years’ War
to Thirty Years’ War, from 1755 Lisbon earthquake to fires of All Saints’ Day, Voltaire
sarcastically emphasizes on religions and wars, which are the most corrupt and
violence-ridden institutions. (Ch.3 and Ch.6) Beyond the main characters in the book,
the supporting roles play major parts to bring out story’s importance. Therefore, I
chose Cacambo and Martin to support my ideas. Cacambo, a mixed-race native of the
Americas, is Candide’s valet when traveling in South America. His honesty overflows
the whole plot. Martin, a cynical scholar whom Candide befriends as a travel
companion. His ideas oppose to Pangloss’s philosophy. This two characters involve in
a contrast relation; Cacambo is optimistic but Martin is pessimistic. They illustrate
their functions by showing Candide that people have different perspectives; however,
people are same when they do for themselves in order to get rid off the struggles and
gain opportunities.
Action speaks louder than words reflects human’s lethargy and coward, which
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restrict his or her behaviors. From Cacambo’s courage and ability, he inspires
maintaining great confidence is important. Cacambo accompanies Candide from
Buenos Aires to the Jesuit camp. With aplomb, optimistic, and upright attitude,
different form Candide, Cacambo has think about the resolutions to every problem,
which they had faced. “If a man doesn’t get what he wants in one world, he can find it
in another. It’s always a great pleasure to see and do new things. (Ch.14, p.49)” This
is what Cacambo’s interpretation after Candide feel disappointed that losing
Cunegonde. As we see, Cacambo’s positive attitude allows story keep going because
he knows how to make Candide believe that he still has opportunity to get together
with his love. In addition, when Candide accidently kills the young Baron, he is
frightened, and acts like Pangloss, who believes everything happens was right.
(Ch.15) Guilty overflowing through this situation; however, Cacambo determines to
leave rather than doing nothing. He takes baron’s Jesuit robe, runs away, and shouts in
Spanish, hence we can consequently understand he is clever and alert. Cacambo is
also similar to the Old Woman. Providing practical solutions, embodying confidence,
and willing to help others, Cacambo advises his master, when he encounters risks.
This action shows he is a courageous person that agility and intelligence allow
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Cacambo save the day. On the other hand, when they are captured by the Oreillons,
who misunderstand them and are going to kill them, Cacambo quickly helps them
handle the adversity. He said “Don’t give up hope! (Ch.16, p.56)” Because he
understands a little of Oreillons’ jargon, then he goes to negotiate and calms down
their temper. After the negotiation, Candide not only lack of appreciation to Cacambo,
but also abuse to Oreilons’ disrespect on Jesuits. This circumstance reveals human
nature, a discrepancy between grumble person and moral uprightness of a person.
Cacambo’s confidence brings victory in every hazards, and grants audiences to look
at the bright side whenever they receive down turns.
Traveling through many countries, Cacambo, Candide, and later Martin
experience different matters, and suffer hardships. We can know Cacambo and
Martin’s functions are allowing Candide to learn some lessons. First, Cacambo and
Candide realize how the world works while they are entangling but are enjoying in El
Dorado: God is the watch planner and looker. (Ch.17) The old man tells them that
people in their country have abundant gold and precious stones, agree to each other,
won’t rebel the government, and inquire no gods. (Ch.18) Therefore, Cacambo and
Candide once believe El Dorado is verifying Pangloss’s best of all possible world,
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nonetheless, we learn about Cacambo by his behaviors and thinking, which alter
Candide’s opinion. In general, Candide might indulge in this dream land, and loses his
mind. But later, Candide and Cacambo choose to leave this Utopia, Cacambo requests
the king to give them amount of sheep and gold because he discerns the importance of
money they need. They figure out human do not pray for miracle because human
should seek fame and fortune, and achieve life goals for themselves. In observing the
evolution between Cacambo and Martin, the story goes in another atmosphere. Martin
experienced misfortune as well as Candide; therefore, Candide chose this philosopher
to stay with him, while Cacambo is carrying on his responsibility to find Cunegonde.
(Ch.19) Martin’s pessimism slowly influenced Candide; Martin’s perspectives make
Candide think about another point of view. For example, In Mademoiselle Clairon’s
house, Candide and Martin participate in playing pokers and talking with the
aristocrats and the scholar. (Ch.22) While playing the cards, Candide gradually loses
his diamonds and property. Yet, Martin doesn’t interfere Candide, because he wants to
let Candide learn about the dark side of the society. Furthermore, when they approach
France, Martin expresses “There are some where half the population is mad, others
where the people are too crafty, other where they’re generally rather gentle and rather
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stupid, others where they pride themselves on their wit; and in every province the
chief occupations, in order of importance, are love-making, malicious gossip and
taking nonsense. (Ch.21,74)” Martin shares his pessimistic view with Candide. How
malicious and obscene the French are. Although Candide doesn’t interest about
France, he started to think free will and evil. “That men have always massacred each
other, as they do today? Have they always been liars, cheats, traitors, brigands, weak,
flighty, cowardly, envious, gluttonous, drunken, grasping, and vicious, bloody,
backbiting, debauched, fanatical, hypocritical, and silly? (Ch.21, p.76)" Candide
believe free will may change human’s evil if they willing to try; Martin believe
human won’t change. In their conversation, we can clearly see that Candide is naïve
but he already impacted by Martin’s explanation when they see French madness and
England moroseness. Correspondingly, these two characters provide broader
optimistic and pessimistic views for readers reassess Voltaire’s satire on historical
background, which match with the plot. We get both Cacambo and Martin using their
perspectives to let Candide reconsider his positions and aspects.
According to Candide’s journey, readers lastly will understand that human needs
to do for themselves rather than waiting for thing happens, because Cacambo and
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Martin provide their opinions and take actions when every time Candide needs help.
For instance, Cacambo willing to find Cunegonde alone, even though the woman is
not his lover, and he can take five or six million in his pocket. His loyalty and
conscientiousness impressed readers’ acknowledgment toward goodness. Cacambo
handles each matters through trying hard to practice. Besides, When Martin and
Candide receive a letter that Cunégonde is ill in Paris and they go to her hotel. Martin
quickly realizes that they’re being tricked and advises Candide to bribe the police
officer. (Ch.22) By discovering the difference between Cacambo and Martin, we
know that Martin strikes the crisis by hieratical ways, but he still gives Candide a
hand in need. No matter how difficult the obstacle is, people can overcome it because
they force their determinations to gain chances in life. That’s what Cacambo and
Martin lead for Candide.
Experiencing varied adventures, abhorrence, and rejoice, Candide, Cacambo, and
Martin finally get together on a simple farm land. Voltaire purposely satirizes on this
allusion, which means Candide and his partners went through many religious,
cultural, and luxurious explorations, yet they feel keeping their feet on the ground and
working for themselves are the best. Therefore, Cacambo and Martin represent that
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life is a journey; it is your choice to do what you want and what you need.
Uprightness attitude and pessimistic thinking are totally opposite but Cacambo and
Martin successfully evoke their similarities, which impact Candide in his life.
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Citations:
Voltaire. Candide. Trans. Lowell Bair. New York: Bantam Classic reissue, September
2003. Print