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A friend gifted the book to me earlier this week because it’s one of his favorites. This was such a wild ride: it’s written so well hence the story moves very rapidly which enables Voltaire to tell such a complex journey in just over 100 pages. Pamela Bedore references Candide as a major text in the history of Utopia/Dystopian literature, and I can see why: what starts off as a satire of determinist optimism becomes an investigation of the dark side of Voltaire’s civilization at the time.
It was a lot better than I remember it being in high school, and very good for what it is. It probably wasn't a good time politically for me to read it, since it's a huge downer, but I'm sure cynics the world over will love being proven right as they devour this book.
OK, wow, that was amazing. The year it was written scared me off at first (1759!) but his voice rings as true now as it did then. Short and sweet but somehow packed with backstory, wickedly funny, I just wish it was longer! This is an all-timer for a reason.
At its core, "Candide" is about the nature of humanity, from tribalism to the root of evil to the belief and function of a higher power. "Candide" is also a road trip story akin to "The Odyssey," "Canterbury Tales," and "Gulliver's Travels."
Voltaire's use of irony and parody are extremely effective; seemingly endless cycles of violence and brutality lead to short-term wins for the victors and rough treatment for the losers. Yet, Candide is able to realize that he should he should focus on "cultivating his garden," or focusing on what he does have, which is sort of a "no place like home" epiphany.
Discussion Questions from my Great Books meeting 07/27/19:
1. How does Voltaire satirize the philosophy of optimism (popularized by Alexander Pope), in which “all is for the best” in the first chapter?
2. In Chapter II, Candide is forcibly conscripted into the Bulgarian army and participates in the Seven Years War. Later, in Chapters XI through XII, we learn the story of Cunegonde’s servant, the old woman. What is Voltaire’s view of war?
3. The philosophy that mankind has both reason and free will is also lampooned in “Candide.” Can you think of examples in which the author targets free will and supports that the opposite is the way of the world?
4. Throughout Chapters IV through VI, Candide experiences one disaster after another from shipwreck to earthquake to religious persecution, but is elated at being reunited with his teacher, Pangloss. How does Candide view the Catholic Church and the practices like auto-da-fe? Does the author support the theory of Divine Providence, in which a loving and caring God watches over humanity?
5. In Chapters VII through X, Candide is reunited with his first love, Cunegonde. He learns that she was not fatally disemboweled and how she came to be the chattel of both a Grand Inquisitor and a wealthy Jewish banker. At this point, do both Candide and Cunegonde still subscribe to the optimistic philosophy Pangloss taught them?
6. What is the significance of the three men that Candide, an essentially happy-go-lucky and gentle person, kills?
7. There are several utopias depicted in “Candide.” Is Candide satisfied with the various utopias at the beginning in Westphalia and later in Eldorado? Which utopia do you think is the author’s true idea of paradise? Where do we find the most “civilized” people in Candide’s travels?
8. Throughout the story, amazing coincidences occur; those thought to be dead are alive – those thought never to be seen again appear halfway around the world. What is the purpose of these coincidences?
9. What does Candide mean by the decision to cultivate his garden?
Voltaire's use of irony and parody are extremely effective; seemingly endless cycles of violence and brutality lead to short-term wins for the victors and rough treatment for the losers. Yet, Candide is able to realize that he should he should focus on "cultivating his garden," or focusing on what he does have, which is sort of a "no place like home" epiphany.
Discussion Questions from my Great Books meeting 07/27/19:
1. How does Voltaire satirize the philosophy of optimism (popularized by Alexander Pope), in which “all is for the best” in the first chapter?
2. In Chapter II, Candide is forcibly conscripted into the Bulgarian army and participates in the Seven Years War. Later, in Chapters XI through XII, we learn the story of Cunegonde’s servant, the old woman. What is Voltaire’s view of war?
3. The philosophy that mankind has both reason and free will is also lampooned in “Candide.” Can you think of examples in which the author targets free will and supports that the opposite is the way of the world?
4. Throughout Chapters IV through VI, Candide experiences one disaster after another from shipwreck to earthquake to religious persecution, but is elated at being reunited with his teacher, Pangloss. How does Candide view the Catholic Church and the practices like auto-da-fe? Does the author support the theory of Divine Providence, in which a loving and caring God watches over humanity?
5. In Chapters VII through X, Candide is reunited with his first love, Cunegonde. He learns that she was not fatally disemboweled and how she came to be the chattel of both a Grand Inquisitor and a wealthy Jewish banker. At this point, do both Candide and Cunegonde still subscribe to the optimistic philosophy Pangloss taught them?
6. What is the significance of the three men that Candide, an essentially happy-go-lucky and gentle person, kills?
7. There are several utopias depicted in “Candide.” Is Candide satisfied with the various utopias at the beginning in Westphalia and later in Eldorado? Which utopia do you think is the author’s true idea of paradise? Where do we find the most “civilized” people in Candide’s travels?
8. Throughout the story, amazing coincidences occur; those thought to be dead are alive – those thought never to be seen again appear halfway around the world. What is the purpose of these coincidences?
9. What does Candide mean by the decision to cultivate his garden?
College? Maybe high school? Regardless: I seem to recall having swished this one around with me for a bit. I don't recall (however) whether or not I finished reading it. Let's assume I did.
I apparently lack the enzyme to adequately digest any text from the "Classics" section of any library or bookstore. There is a logical part of me that knows why these get assigned and then there's the part that can't pay attention because it...
I apparently lack the enzyme to adequately digest any text from the "Classics" section of any library or bookstore. There is a logical part of me that knows why these get assigned and then there's the part that can't pay attention because it...
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
More interesting for its philosophical themes than its story.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Avenue Q - It sucks to be me
Eğlenceli bir mizah ve hiciv. Harika bir seslendirme.
Eğlenceli bir mizah ve hiciv. Harika bir seslendirme.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced