Significance Of Candide
Characters
Name: Candide
Role in the story: Protagonist, disciple of Pangloss, lover of Cunegonde, and illegitimate nephew of the Baron
Significance to the story: Candide represents the naïve, sheltered life of the aristocracy as he has no knowledge of the world outside of the baron castle so it easy to assume that it is indeed the best of all possible worlds. Slowly through his adventures we see a change in Candide as he matures gaining a worldly view and begins to question Pangloss’ philosophy in wake of the tragedy around him. It is through this journey that Voltaire parody’s the classic romantic adventure novel by presenting the grim reality of war, nobility, wealth, and nature. Candide also represents the fickle nature of humans as his optimism is constantly tested causing his character to fluctuate with the good and bad luck he receives. At the end of his …show more content…
He too is placed through trial as he contracts syphilis, get ship wreaked, enslaved and even hanged for his ideas. All of which contradict that this world is “the best of all possible worlds” but unlike Candide he remains faithful to his belief that everything happens for a reason.
Adjectives: Optimistic, Educated, Faithful, Promiscuous
Name: James the Anabaptist
Role in the story: Dutch Anabaptist who takes in Candide and Pangloss
Significance to the story: James represents the good side of religion as a man who upholds his duty to care for his neighbors as seen by him taking in Candide as an apprentice and later Pangloss as an accountant. He made a humble but happy living as a rugmaker removing him from the three evils. However, James is not exempt from tragedy as he drowns in the Bay of Lisbon while trying to save the life of an ungrateful sailor.
Adjectives: Kind, Charitable, Fatherly
Name: Cacambo
Role in the story: Candide’s
Name: Candide
Role in the story: Protagonist, disciple of Pangloss, lover of Cunegonde, and illegitimate nephew of the Baron
Significance to the story: Candide represents the naïve, sheltered life of the aristocracy as he has no knowledge of the world outside of the baron castle so it easy to assume that it is indeed the best of all possible worlds. Slowly through his adventures we see a change in Candide as he matures gaining a worldly view and begins to question Pangloss’ philosophy in wake of the tragedy around him. It is through this journey that Voltaire parody’s the classic romantic adventure novel by presenting the grim reality of war, nobility, wealth, and nature. Candide also represents the fickle nature of humans as his optimism is constantly tested causing his character to fluctuate with the good and bad luck he receives. At the end of his …show more content…
He too is placed through trial as he contracts syphilis, get ship wreaked, enslaved and even hanged for his ideas. All of which contradict that this world is “the best of all possible worlds” but unlike Candide he remains faithful to his belief that everything happens for a reason.
Adjectives: Optimistic, Educated, Faithful, Promiscuous
Name: James the Anabaptist
Role in the story: Dutch Anabaptist who takes in Candide and Pangloss
Significance to the story: James represents the good side of religion as a man who upholds his duty to care for his neighbors as seen by him taking in Candide as an apprentice and later Pangloss as an accountant. He made a humble but happy living as a rugmaker removing him from the three evils. However, James is not exempt from tragedy as he drowns in the Bay of Lisbon while trying to save the life of an ungrateful sailor.
Adjectives: Kind, Charitable, Fatherly
Name: Cacambo
Role in the story: Candide’s