Examples Of Optimism In Candide
Candide, Or Optimism: Voltaire
A rosy outlook on life was the theme of Voltaire’s satire, Candide, Or Optimism. Rather than embracing a truly pessimistic approach to the world, Voltaire seems to argue a realistic and reasonable approach to life. The humorous look at optimism and pessimism, as well as politics, religion, war, chivalric but hopeless romance, and more, provides fuel for his fire. However, there was one character that stood out from all the humor and seemingly never-ending optimism. Candide was tutored by the optimistic philosophical Professor Pangloss, a ridiculously optimistic character who finds everything, even those things that are awful, to be the will of God. He surely believes that God has created the best of all possible worlds. Even after a friend drowns, and after he is hung, dissected, and beaten, he still responds with unfailing optimism to the world. Needless to say, although Pangloss was annoying to me from start to finish, he never ceased to make me laugh. …show more content…
Pangloss gave instruction in “metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology.” He taught the innocent Candide that every decision he makes has a cause an effect.
However, the next part of his philosophy simply states that “everything is for the best.” Lastly, Candide is taught that the Baron’s castle was the “finest of all castles” and the Baroness was “the best of all possible Baronesses” (Chap. 1, pg. 302). His philosophy is both the most important point for debate among the novel’s characters and one of the main targets of Voltaire’s satirical jabs. Under such a system, humans perceive evil only because they do not understand the force governing the world and thus do not know that every ill exists only for a greater
good.
Pangloss makes reference to his religious beliefs in his teachings as well. “Observe: noses were made to support spectacles, hence we have spectacles” (Chap. 1, pg. 303.) Pangloss’s argument about spectacles demonstrates a ridiculous inability to properly distinguish between cause and effect. He’s basically pointing out that spectacles fit noses not because God created noses to fit spectacles, but the other way around. The obviousness of this point is meant to echo the obviousness of the flaws Voltaire observes in the Enlightenment era.
Doctor Pangloss demonstrates his satirical thinking once again in the middle of a raging storm as he and Candide are stranded on a dying ship. As the wind and the waves tear away at their only means of transportation, Pangloss watches everyone scramble about and he theorizes, “What can be the sufficient reason for this phenomenon?” Even as Candide lies under a pile of wreckage, we find Pangloss discussing how the earthquakes in Lisbon are similar to those in South America. “I maintain that the thing is a logical necessity” (Chap. 5, pg. 310), Pangloss states to Candide obviously restating to the dying Candide about their obvious similarities. I find it humorous how one can stand there and think while their friend is being crushed under piles of rubble.
Pangloss desires consistency in his thinking, an aspiration that seems rational. However, Pangloss’s version of consistency involves his refusal to denounce his optimistic philosophy despite the terrible situations he has encountered. In the finale, Candide asks his mentor, “…now that you have been hanged, dissected, beaten to a pulp, and sentenced to the galleys, do you still think everything is for the best in this world?” Pangloss answers, “I am still of my first opinion…for after all I am a philosopher, and it would not be right for me to recant since Leibniz could not possibly be wrong, and besides pre-established harmony is the finest notion in the world” (Chap. 28, pg. 362) In the end, Pangloss still believes his own words, but he refuses to incorporate his new knowledge into his philosophy. For him, the idea of a perfect world is more important and attractive than reality. As a reader, I was pleased to finally escape the extreme realities of life as experienced by the characters.
A rosy outlook on life was the theme of Voltaire’s satire, Candide, Or Optimism. Rather than embracing a truly pessimistic approach to the world, Voltaire seems to argue a realistic and reasonable approach to life. The humorous look at optimism and pessimism, as well as politics, religion, war, chivalric but hopeless romance, and more, provides fuel for his fire. However, there was one character that stood out from all the humor and seemingly never-ending optimism. Candide was tutored by the optimistic philosophical Professor Pangloss, a ridiculously optimistic character who finds everything, even those things that are awful, to be the will of God. He surely believes that God has created the best of all possible worlds. Even after a friend drowns, and after he is hung, dissected, and beaten, he still responds with unfailing optimism to the world. Needless to say, although Pangloss was annoying to me from start to finish, he never ceased to make me laugh. …show more content…
Pangloss gave instruction in “metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology.” He taught the innocent Candide that every decision he makes has a cause an effect.
However, the next part of his philosophy simply states that “everything is for the best.” Lastly, Candide is taught that the Baron’s castle was the “finest of all castles” and the Baroness was “the best of all possible Baronesses” (Chap. 1, pg. 302). His philosophy is both the most important point for debate among the novel’s characters and one of the main targets of Voltaire’s satirical jabs. Under such a system, humans perceive evil only because they do not understand the force governing the world and thus do not know that every ill exists only for a greater
good.
Pangloss makes reference to his religious beliefs in his teachings as well. “Observe: noses were made to support spectacles, hence we have spectacles” (Chap. 1, pg. 303.) Pangloss’s argument about spectacles demonstrates a ridiculous inability to properly distinguish between cause and effect. He’s basically pointing out that spectacles fit noses not because God created noses to fit spectacles, but the other way around. The obviousness of this point is meant to echo the obviousness of the flaws Voltaire observes in the Enlightenment era.
Doctor Pangloss demonstrates his satirical thinking once again in the middle of a raging storm as he and Candide are stranded on a dying ship. As the wind and the waves tear away at their only means of transportation, Pangloss watches everyone scramble about and he theorizes, “What can be the sufficient reason for this phenomenon?” Even as Candide lies under a pile of wreckage, we find Pangloss discussing how the earthquakes in Lisbon are similar to those in South America. “I maintain that the thing is a logical necessity” (Chap. 5, pg. 310), Pangloss states to Candide obviously restating to the dying Candide about their obvious similarities. I find it humorous how one can stand there and think while their friend is being crushed under piles of rubble.
Pangloss desires consistency in his thinking, an aspiration that seems rational. However, Pangloss’s version of consistency involves his refusal to denounce his optimistic philosophy despite the terrible situations he has encountered. In the finale, Candide asks his mentor, “…now that you have been hanged, dissected, beaten to a pulp, and sentenced to the galleys, do you still think everything is for the best in this world?” Pangloss answers, “I am still of my first opinion…for after all I am a philosopher, and it would not be right for me to recant since Leibniz could not possibly be wrong, and besides pre-established harmony is the finest notion in the world” (Chap. 28, pg. 362) In the end, Pangloss still believes his own words, but he refuses to incorporate his new knowledge into his philosophy. For him, the idea of a perfect world is more important and attractive than reality. As a reader, I was pleased to finally escape the extreme realities of life as experienced by the characters.