At the beginning of his novel, “Candide,” Voltaire introduces the character Pangloss and his greatest philosophical and spiritual ideas he passes to Candide and Cunégonde:
“Pangloss gave instruction in metaphysico-theologico-cosmoloonigology. He proved admirably that there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds the Baron’s castle was the best of all castles and his wife the best of all possible Baronesses.
It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end. Observe: noses were made to support spectacle, hence we have spectacles. Legs, as anyone can plainly see, were made to be breeched, …show more content…
The first is that it serves to introduce Pangloss to the story. He remains a vital character throughout the novel. He is the philosopher who educates both Candide and Cunégonde in the Utopian Society, Westphalia. Pangloss passes on his wisdom regarding the meaning of life and inspires the spiritual beliefs of two of the main …show more content…
This is neither the first nor the last instance that Voltaire uses satire in “Candide.” It is first noticed in this passage during the long-winded title of Pangloss’s education, “metaphysico-theologico-cosmoloonigology,” (256). Here Voltaire is saying that Pangloss believes himself to be proficient in everything, combining metaphysics, theology, and cosmology, covering the basics of science and philosophy. It is once again displayed in the objects used to clarify Pangloss’s belief that all things serve a purpose, and all things happen for the best. Voltaire uses satire to express his lack of respect for the religions that believe all things, even the catastrophic, happen for a reason that is ultimately good. He does this by exaggerating Panglss’s belief in everything is for the best. As Professor Bonner put it, as the reader, you can nearly imagine Candide writing these notes, taking in everything Pangloss says and believing them as if they are the truest words he’s ever heard. You can hear him thinking “of course noses are for glasses and legs are for pants.” Without question Candide accepts that all things happen and exist for the best reason even the tragic events have a good purpose. This ridicules the millions of individual’s in Voltaire’s lifetime who blindly accepted faith without
“Pangloss gave instruction in metaphysico-theologico-cosmoloonigology. He proved admirably that there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds the Baron’s castle was the best of all castles and his wife the best of all possible Baronesses.
It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end. Observe: noses were made to support spectacle, hence we have spectacles. Legs, as anyone can plainly see, were made to be breeched, …show more content…
The first is that it serves to introduce Pangloss to the story. He remains a vital character throughout the novel. He is the philosopher who educates both Candide and Cunégonde in the Utopian Society, Westphalia. Pangloss passes on his wisdom regarding the meaning of life and inspires the spiritual beliefs of two of the main …show more content…
This is neither the first nor the last instance that Voltaire uses satire in “Candide.” It is first noticed in this passage during the long-winded title of Pangloss’s education, “metaphysico-theologico-cosmoloonigology,” (256). Here Voltaire is saying that Pangloss believes himself to be proficient in everything, combining metaphysics, theology, and cosmology, covering the basics of science and philosophy. It is once again displayed in the objects used to clarify Pangloss’s belief that all things serve a purpose, and all things happen for the best. Voltaire uses satire to express his lack of respect for the religions that believe all things, even the catastrophic, happen for a reason that is ultimately good. He does this by exaggerating Panglss’s belief in everything is for the best. As Professor Bonner put it, as the reader, you can nearly imagine Candide writing these notes, taking in everything Pangloss says and believing them as if they are the truest words he’s ever heard. You can hear him thinking “of course noses are for glasses and legs are for pants.” Without question Candide accepts that all things happen and exist for the best reason even the tragic events have a good purpose. This ridicules the millions of individual’s in Voltaire’s lifetime who blindly accepted faith without