Optimism

because of their generosity, Candide believes Pangloss’ theory that “all is for the best” (Voltaire 3). Although the soldiers’ kindness does show the benevolence of people, the notion that he is homeless and abandoned outweighs and counters his optimism. After wandering through war-torn villages, and running out of provisions, Candide believes that that in Holland “he should meet with the same treatment from [the Dutch] as he had met with in the Baron’s castle” (Voltaire 5). Candide has endured…

the world. For Pangloss and his philosophy, the world could only bring out good and everything eventually could be traced back to a good consequence. Candide was a great believer in this philosophy and always tried to be optimistic. This blind optimism, though, could not always hold up. When Candide is with Martin and sees the crippled slave, he just could not see how any good could come about because of his condition. This causes candide to reject his optimistic philosophy that his…

for his wittiness, his attacks on the Catholic Church, and his support of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. Voltaire is partially famous for his wit and he shows that very well in Candide. Voltaire hated optimism and in a very well manner produces a humorously exaggerated imitation of that through Pangloss, the philosophical optimist, and Candide, the student of Pangloss. Pangloss stated in the novel that their world is the “best of all possible…

Candide, Optimism and what Voltaire really meant François-Marie Arouet is one of literature’s greatest minds. Voltaire, his famous pen name was the personification of the Enlightenment. Voltaire was a writer too great to be intimidated by the powerful; he regularly went after the church, kings and even his contemporaries. Voltaire’s courageous attacks and sharp wit were never more on display than in his magnum opus, Candide or Optimism. Biting, intelligent and often time’s quite humorous…

Ray Bradbury, is pessimistic throughout the novel because the main character shows distress over people not having their own personalities, relying mainly on technology, and letting the government control everything. Even though, Bradbury shows optimism because he thought it could all change, by people standing up for what they believe in and willing to risk everything to create a better community. A common misunderstanding is that Montag is distressed about what the past has left him with, like…

the main character, Candide. Pangloss, Candide’s mentor and teacher while he lived with his uncle in Westphalia, is the source of the novel’s main idea of optimism. On the other hand, Martin, his traveling partner later in the novel, represents everything that Pangloss doesn’t, therefore creating a fascinating parallel of pessimism and optimism, dark and light. Candide is initially described as a “gentle manner[ed]” (1) boy, yet his hardships began at a young age when his uncle “chased Candide…

different for all, therefore scientists have determined it to be, in concept, a feeling of contentment. True happiness starts with an individual 's mindset. So how does negative thinking lead to unhappiness instead of joy in life? To be a happy thinker, optimism is needed. When keeping a negative mindset you will find that your life is more pessimistic than optimistic. This…

Satrapi, a young protagonist, Marji, sees the light and hope for her family and the Iranian people during the war. The people of Iran persist to overcome the war and fight for their country with the hope that they will succeed. Continuous effort and optimism help me succeed in my unpleasant situations. There have been times when I was lagging behind in a swim race, and my teammates, rival players, friends and even I, never thought that I would win. Using inner hope to put in the extra effort to…

let them tell you What you’ve always known It’s the North Star that’s the big one And it’s gonna lead you home” (Elton/Taupin). In the lyrics, the star is being used as a sign that can guide a person out of a dilemma. The North Star is a symbol of optimism and it represents something to help one get out of a point in their life that they don’t want to be in. Polaris, the North Star, is more accurate than any compass. The star is easy to distinguish because it shines brighter than any other star…

fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living….Can any one who has escaped such captivity, who has felt the thrill and glory of freedom, be a pessimist?” This is a quote by Helen Keller from her essay on optimism. Helen contracted an unknown illness at 19 months that robbed her of both hearing and sight. For years, she could only communicate through a few gestures; no one cared to try to teach or discipline her. Then a woman named Annie Sullivan…