Candide summary
POT 3054 Research Paper
Voltaire’s Candide Voltaire begins the climactic, satirical journey of Candide by first stating where he originates, the castle of Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh (Voltaire 1). This absurd name can be seen as Voltaire taking aim at the ridiculous names of lords, dukes, etc. he has come across. Not only is it an unnecessarily long name, but a humorous one to pronounce. The Baron is also said to have established an unreasonable seventy-one heraldic quarterings due to his family tree having been destroyed by the ravages of time (Voltaire 1). Voltaire is once again making fun of the foolish things royalty takes pride in such as the markings on a shield. The Baroness is revealed as weighing a steep 350 pounds, resulting in her enjoying a large measure of public esteem (Voltaire 1). The satire is evident here with the large Baroness commanding a large amount of respect from the public. Weight was clearly an issue amongst royalty during Voltaire’s time as they were not afraid to divulge in an unhealthy lifestyle. The teachings of the castle’s philosopher Pangloss is defined as metaphysico-theologico-cosmo-codology (Voltaire 2). Just as with the name of the Baron, the abundance of titles and fields studied for philosophers is the center of Voltaire’s satire now. With this title, Pangloss encompasses all fields of study and is able to know the answer to any question asked of him. Voltaire paints Pangloss as a deductive thinker throughout the story which opposes Voltaire’s inductive way of thinking. As a result of Pangloss being seen as the greatest philosopher in the province, he is subsequently seen as the greatest in the world (Voltaire 2). Arrogance is confessed in this mindset of whatever is the best locally must be nothing short of being the best in the world. This mindset of local superiority can still be found today. Candide is soon chased from the Baron’s castle because of an act of adultery committed with his daughter
Voltaire’s Candide Voltaire begins the climactic, satirical journey of Candide by first stating where he originates, the castle of Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh (Voltaire 1). This absurd name can be seen as Voltaire taking aim at the ridiculous names of lords, dukes, etc. he has come across. Not only is it an unnecessarily long name, but a humorous one to pronounce. The Baron is also said to have established an unreasonable seventy-one heraldic quarterings due to his family tree having been destroyed by the ravages of time (Voltaire 1). Voltaire is once again making fun of the foolish things royalty takes pride in such as the markings on a shield. The Baroness is revealed as weighing a steep 350 pounds, resulting in her enjoying a large measure of public esteem (Voltaire 1). The satire is evident here with the large Baroness commanding a large amount of respect from the public. Weight was clearly an issue amongst royalty during Voltaire’s time as they were not afraid to divulge in an unhealthy lifestyle. The teachings of the castle’s philosopher Pangloss is defined as metaphysico-theologico-cosmo-codology (Voltaire 2). Just as with the name of the Baron, the abundance of titles and fields studied for philosophers is the center of Voltaire’s satire now. With this title, Pangloss encompasses all fields of study and is able to know the answer to any question asked of him. Voltaire paints Pangloss as a deductive thinker throughout the story which opposes Voltaire’s inductive way of thinking. As a result of Pangloss being seen as the greatest philosopher in the province, he is subsequently seen as the greatest in the world (Voltaire 2). Arrogance is confessed in this mindset of whatever is the best locally must be nothing short of being the best in the world. This mindset of local superiority can still be found today. Candide is soon chased from the Baron’s castle because of an act of adultery committed with his daughter