The Battle Against Naiveté The classic French novel “Candide” has been read all around the world in countless languages for its dramatic stand against the caste system and the corruption of the church. The main character of the novel, a young boy named Candide, faces trials and tribulations throughout the entire novel, stumbling throughout the world in pursuit of his true love and of the perfect paradise. The source of Candide’s enduring suffering is his lack of independence, blind faith in others and the cruel society in which he lives. The concepts of how the 17th century society takes advantage of the young hero for its own gain and Candide’s blind faith will be explored to explain his suffering.
It is well known that this novel is Voltaire’s …show more content…
For him to abandon this philosophy would force Candide come up with his own ideals and merits; his own philosophy, to be independent. Sadly, it is very hard to force a child to just grow up. We only see this maturity and independency at the end of the novel, after the world has beaten him down to the point that he is barely hanging on to his dream. His very will to survive is dependent on the wellbeing of his love interest, Cunegonde. Without her, he has no will power or reason to keep living. He can find no fulfillment in himself or what he might want to do. With no guide or romantic interest, Candide is empty and better off dead. Desperately clinging to any individual with a shred of confidence, Candide will run with any idea presented to him that makes any sense. Candide is a lost little boy, too scared to think for himself and take action for himself. Perhaps the main reason for Candide’s suffering truly lies in what Voltaire had intended for the character to represent; the victimized and innocent citizens of the class of wishful
It is well known that this novel is Voltaire’s …show more content…
For him to abandon this philosophy would force Candide come up with his own ideals and merits; his own philosophy, to be independent. Sadly, it is very hard to force a child to just grow up. We only see this maturity and independency at the end of the novel, after the world has beaten him down to the point that he is barely hanging on to his dream. His very will to survive is dependent on the wellbeing of his love interest, Cunegonde. Without her, he has no will power or reason to keep living. He can find no fulfillment in himself or what he might want to do. With no guide or romantic interest, Candide is empty and better off dead. Desperately clinging to any individual with a shred of confidence, Candide will run with any idea presented to him that makes any sense. Candide is a lost little boy, too scared to think for himself and take action for himself. Perhaps the main reason for Candide’s suffering truly lies in what Voltaire had intended for the character to represent; the victimized and innocent citizens of the class of wishful