Compare And Contrast Candide And Cross

Both Candide and Cross carried the love for a woman with them on their journeys. This love can be described as emotional baggage. Cross carried his love for Martha through tangible objects that Martha sent to him (letters, photos, and the pebble). While Candide had no physical reminder of his love for Cunegund, he held on to his memories of her and the hopes of having a long and happy future with her. Candide spent years in search of his love and endured many hardships such as, being beaten and tortured, having his possessions stolen from him, killing three men in his attempts to reach Cunegund, and losing and gaining many friends along the way. Cross spent each day fantasizing about Martha and hoping that when he returned home from war that
she would return his love.During both Candide and Cross’ journeys, we are shown how sometimes love can hinder someone's judgement.Candide and Cross allowed their love for Cunegund and Martha to alter their judgement and lead them into dangerous situations. Candide allowed his devotion to Cunegund and respect for Pangloss’ teachings to cloud his knowledge and judgement of just how harsh and unfair the world can be.Cross was forced to endure the harsh realities of life in the war, but he used his love for Martha to dull the reality of war, and dwelled in the fantasies he had of a life with Martha. Cross’ love for Martha cost Lavender his life. Cross realized that Martha wasn’t going to return his love, so he pulled himself together and became a proper leader for his soldiers.