It is the belief of Candide and his teacher, Pangloss, that “everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” This is a very simple philosophy of excessive optimism that has influenced many philosophers in the past. It is thought that anything that happens, whether appearing to be good or bad, happens for the best no matter what the case. Pangloss and his student Candide feel that they live in a perfect world with no evils present. The two men also believe that their world is run by a perfect God, and anyone who thinks differently simply does not understand God’s reasoning and planning. This aspect of Voltaire’s Candide is satirical because he feels that there cannot be a perfect God or a perfect world. Therefore, he decides to mock the idea of everything being perfect in his book because the thought of it s

more stupid than choosing to carry a burden that really one wants to cast on the ground? To hold existence in horror, and yet to cling to it? To fondle the serpent which devours us till it has eaten out our heart?”

more. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts; is anything

The above quote is one of the main quotes by which Candide lived, and it clearly shows the portrayal of the nature of man through Voltaire’s eyes. Despite all of the hardships and setbacks that Candide and Pangloss encountered, optimism kept their spirits high and kept the men motivated to keep striving for their goal. The nature of these men was a depiction, though made in a satirical manner, of how many people thought about life. Their thoughts and feelings of optimism became too extreme and were unbalanced to the point that it only led them to negativity and pessimism. Voltaire enjoyed mocking the ways of a “perfect world” and a “perfect man,” and that is why his story of Candide was such a success.

Voltaire continues to utilize different themes throughout Candide, and another one is the hypocrisy of religion. He portrays this idea by satirizing organized religious ways. One way in doing so is by having religious leaders carry out

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