|
|
In Candide, Voltaire uses satire to reject the theory of optimism. Although optimism is the main target of Voltaire’s criticisms, he also takes aim at religion, war and violence, and aristocratic pride. Candide is filled with a great deal of criticism for much of Voltaire's contemporary society. Voltaire's experiences led him to dismiss the idea that this is the best of all possible worlds. Examining the death and destruction, both man-made and natural (including the Lisbon earthquake) Voltaire concluded that everything was not for the best. Candide, the illegitimate son of a Baron's sister, was sent to live with the Baron at his beautiful castle in Westphalia There, Pangloss, "the greatest philosopher of the province and therefore of the whole world," taught Candide that he lived in "the best of all possible worlds." His theory was that "since everything is made for an end, everything is necessarily for the best end." Pangloss taught that noses were made to wear spectacles; and so we have spectacles. Legs were visibly instituted to be breeched, and we have breeches ... Voltaire is clearly using satire to portray the absurdity of Pangloss’s teachings. A reasonable person would say that spectacles were made to wear on noses instead of the other way around. However, despite the irrationality of these teachings, Candide, as well as the other occupants of the castle, adopt Pangloss's optimism. The attack on the claim that this is "the best of all possible worlds" permeates the entire novel. When Candide is reunited with the diseased and dying Pangloss who has contracted Syphilis, Candide asks if the Devil is at fault. Pangloss simply responds that the disease was a necessity in this best of all possible worlds, for it was brought to Europe by Columbus's men, who also brought chocolate and cochineal, two greater goods that well offset any negative effects of the disease. Once again, Voltaire is revealing the ridiculous nature of Pangloss’s beliefs. Only after countless misfortunes and encounters with thieves, hypocrites, and liars, Candide finally begins to recognize the futility in his beloved Pangloss's philosophy. Voltaire concludes Candide by having Candide discover the content of a Turk farmer who claims that simple work keeps him from the three greatest evils: "boredom, vice, and poverty" (74).
|
