As the student of Dr. Pangloss, Candide is inclined to take his philosophical optimism and adopt it as his own. This proves to be of consequence later on, as Candide is publicly beaten for his approval of Dr. Pangloss’ philosophy. Voltaire intends to pass along a critical viewpoint on a movement with great stride during the 1700’s, the Age of Enlightenment. During this time, more emphasis was placed on discovery through reason and the pursuit of knowledge. Candide’s character did not question Pangloss’ philosophy on optimism whatsoever, a trait uniform to many commoners during this century. Due to the lack of information readily available to commoners, they were more likely to agree and refrain from inquiry on established principles and theories.
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Pangloss. Regardless of all of the evident evil in the world, Pangloss maintains his stance on living in the “best of all worlds.” The story of Candide, however, shows the progression from being wholly dependent on the teachings of his tutor to a man with his own autonomy to view things as they are, a less optimistic approach. Voltaire’s use of ironic satire emphasizes that the preconceived notion of an optimistic ideal is actually unrealistic and essentially faulty in nature. Voltaire’s combat against optimism is discernable when Candide renounces his optimistic approach by defining optimism as “the madness of maintaining that everything is right when it is wrong” (Voltaire, 49). This viewpoint of Candide is confirmed at the end of his trek. A happy life was the optimistic end goal, however Candide is faced with the miseries of an ugly wife, small farm, imposition by the Jews, and lack of positive attitudes from the individuals that surround him. Voltaire’s use of satire in this novel allows for a funny yet critical approach towards the view that everything is as it should be and the bad in the world is actually there for the greater good- the typical optimist approach. Voltaire challenges this view during the Age of Reason so that people can see that unfortunate events occur and leave benefit to nobody. It is absurd to think this world works in the favor of mankind. One can struggle triumphantly, but a happy life is never promised no matter how optimistic and God-praising one
Pangloss. Regardless of all of the evident evil in the world, Pangloss maintains his stance on living in the “best of all worlds.” The story of Candide, however, shows the progression from being wholly dependent on the teachings of his tutor to a man with his own autonomy to view things as they are, a less optimistic approach. Voltaire’s use of ironic satire emphasizes that the preconceived notion of an optimistic ideal is actually unrealistic and essentially faulty in nature. Voltaire’s combat against optimism is discernable when Candide renounces his optimistic approach by defining optimism as “the madness of maintaining that everything is right when it is wrong” (Voltaire, 49). This viewpoint of Candide is confirmed at the end of his trek. A happy life was the optimistic end goal, however Candide is faced with the miseries of an ugly wife, small farm, imposition by the Jews, and lack of positive attitudes from the individuals that surround him. Voltaire’s use of satire in this novel allows for a funny yet critical approach towards the view that everything is as it should be and the bad in the world is actually there for the greater good- the typical optimist approach. Voltaire challenges this view during the Age of Reason so that people can see that unfortunate events occur and leave benefit to nobody. It is absurd to think this world works in the favor of mankind. One can struggle triumphantly, but a happy life is never promised no matter how optimistic and God-praising one