Following the Bulgar attack on the Baron’s castle, the raping of Cunégonde “until she could be raped no more” and her later “disembowel[ment]” , the reader naturally assumes her death; it is therefore a great surprise when she reappears in the novel . Similarly, the Old Woman, “raped almost daily” and having “had the plague” nevertheless remains alive . Recurring in these amazing tales of survival is women’s sexual exploitation. At the same time, Voltaire illustrates Candide’s female characters as employing any means to survive the obstacles set before them by society . They use their sexuality as tool for survival . For instance , Cunégonde uses her sexual appeal as a means of obtaining wealth and security from powerful men at many stages in the story, seducing the Bulgar captain, Don Isaacar, the Grand Inquisitor and the Governor of Buenos Aires. The transition from sex as a pleasurable activity to a mere currency used for survival — in fact the only one available to women — reflects women’s inferior position in society. In addition , Voltaire emphasises their inability to control their life to portraying the measly role of women in society . He portrayed three different women from varying levels in the social hierarchy , found in similar situations : living in servitude and poverty, and subject to sexual exploitation. The subject of rape is a prevalent theme in Candide.The rape of women is viewed as “natural” and the rapists are “heroes” of the story. This perspective highlights how little power women possessed at that
Following the Bulgar attack on the Baron’s castle, the raping of Cunégonde “until she could be raped no more” and her later “disembowel[ment]” , the reader naturally assumes her death; it is therefore a great surprise when she reappears in the novel . Similarly, the Old Woman, “raped almost daily” and having “had the plague” nevertheless remains alive . Recurring in these amazing tales of survival is women’s sexual exploitation. At the same time, Voltaire illustrates Candide’s female characters as employing any means to survive the obstacles set before them by society . They use their sexuality as tool for survival . For instance , Cunégonde uses her sexual appeal as a means of obtaining wealth and security from powerful men at many stages in the story, seducing the Bulgar captain, Don Isaacar, the Grand Inquisitor and the Governor of Buenos Aires. The transition from sex as a pleasurable activity to a mere currency used for survival — in fact the only one available to women — reflects women’s inferior position in society. In addition , Voltaire emphasises their inability to control their life to portraying the measly role of women in society . He portrayed three different women from varying levels in the social hierarchy , found in similar situations : living in servitude and poverty, and subject to sexual exploitation. The subject of rape is a prevalent theme in Candide.The rape of women is viewed as “natural” and the rapists are “heroes” of the story. This perspective highlights how little power women possessed at that