Satire In 'Candide' By Voltaire

Candide by Voltaire (1759) is a satirical narrative written in response to the Enlightenment philosophy. Specifically, the philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) who believed that since everything was created by God and “God is the most benevolent and capable mind imaginable, that the world must be the best imaginable” (SparkNotes Editors, 2002). In the story, Candide was taught by the philosopher, Preceptor Pangloss, who “was a professor of metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology” (pg. 9). Pangloss believed “that there is no effect without a cause, and that, in this best of all possible worlds” (pg. 9). However, throughout the story, Candide and others suffered greatly, from being imprisoned and flogged, to being in an earthquake, to being robbed but Candide still believed that everything happened for the good. The historical significance Voltaire was revealing was the blatant flaws in the Enlightenment philosophy and the wrongdoings of the Church. He was able to brilliantly point out these imperfections with sarcasm and irony. Pangloss believed that everything happened for the …show more content…
I was able to follow the story line, however, I believed Voltaire was trying to convey information that was not being outright said and I could not figure out what it was. After doing some research, I, then, understood some of the underlying messages being told in the story. I went back and reread different sections, which made more sense and found the humor in them. For instance, when Pangloss had syphilis. He got it from Paquette, who had got it from Grey Friar, a person of the church, who committed fornication which is against the teachings of God. After Pangloss explained the lineage of how the syphilis had been spread, Candide said, “Is not the devil the cause of it?” Pangloss replied, “Not at all, it is an unavoidable, a necessary ingredient in the best of worlds.” The reasoning is so misguided and unreasonable, it is