In Voltaire’s Candide, or Optimism, we embark on a rollicking rollercoaster of misfortunes that would make even Murphy of Murphy’s Law feel optimistic. It’s a satirical romp through a world so fraught with disasters that even Job from the Bible would be inclined to offer a sympathetic shrug.
Voltaire takes us through the whimsical and often absurd life of Candide, a young man whose naivety is only outmatched by his mentor Pangloss’ unfounded optimism. Imagine if Pollyanna and Forrest Gump had a child raised on The Secret – Candide is that child. He’s a living testament to blind optimism, proving that if you smile wide enough, even the worst of humanity will at least be entertained.
Our hapless hero, Candide, possesses relentless optimism in the face of a never-ending series of unfortunate events, making you question whether he’s incredibly brave or just painfully slow on the uptake. It’s like watching someone continue to touch a hot oven while exclaiming, “This time, it won’t burn!”
His mentor, Pangloss, is a philosopher who insists that we live in “the best of all possible worlds” while enduring plagues, enslavement, and multiple near-death experiences. Pangloss would probably look at a burning house and say, “Well, at least it’s a great source of warmth.” Then there’s Cunégonde, Candide’s love interest, who undergoes enough transformations to rival Madonna’s career. From a beautiful baron’s daughter to a haggard servant, Cunégonde’s journey is a stark reminder that beauty is fleeting, especially when you’re kidnapped, enslaved, and ravaged by life’s cruel hand.
Martin, the cynical foil to Pangloss, is the Eeyore of the group. If Candide is the overly eager puppy, Martin is the world-weary old dog who has seen too much and expects the worst. Their debates on optimism and pessimism are like watching a see-saw in action – except one side is always stuck on the ground.
Voltaire uses Candide, or Optimism to mock the philosophy of Leibnizian optimism – the belief that our world is the best possible version because it exists under the rule of a benevolent deity. Voltaire systematically dismantles this idea by subjecting his characters to a relentless parade of calamities. It’s as if he’s saying, “If this is the best possible world, I’d hate to see the worst.”
Voltaire’s humour is sharp and biting, like a lemon with a razor blade inside. His satire spares no one – philosophers, nobles, clergy, and the common folk alike. The absurdity of the situations provides a dark humour that makes you laugh and wince simultaneously. For example, the recurring beatings that Candide endures are presented with a nonchalance that makes the violence almost cartoonish, like Wile E. Coyote perpetually failing to catch the Road Runner, only with more existential despair.
In the end, Candide’s conclusion to “cultivate our garden” suggests a pragmatic approach to life – focus on tangible actions and self-improvement rather than lofty philosophical debates. It’s a resolution that feels oddly comforting after 171 pages of philosophical battering. Voltaire seems to suggest that while the world may be a chaotic mess, we can still find purpose in the small, manageable plots of our lives.
So, if you’re in the mood for a book that combines relentless optimism with relentless suffering, Candide, or Optimism is your ticket to the best worst holiday you’ll ever have. Just don’t forget to pack your sense of humour and a sturdy pair of rose-colored glasses.
This critique, much like Candide’s adventures, aims to entertain and provoke thought, reminding us that sometimes, the best way to deal with life’s absurdities is to laugh at them.
Wording 