It is safe to say the Voltaire’s Candide has it’s own fair share of misfortune and pessimism. This famous critique of Enlightenment philosophy has very few happy moments, and every ounce of optimism is tainted in one way or another by mishaps on the road to more unhappiness. Optimism was the prevailing feeling of the time however, and Enlightenment thought was very prevalent. If Voltaire would have subscribed to these feelings then Candide would have been a much different story. Perhaps Candide would have been welcomed into Cunégonde’s family when their love was discovered. Candide quite possibly could have remained rich after his encounter with the people of El Dorado. Nothing better reflects anti-Enlightenment than Candide and Pangloss’ trip to Lisbon. With a twist of hopeful feeling, Candide’s adventures could have been much different, or they may not have been at all.
Candide’s voyage to Lisbon could not have gone much worse. “Half the passengers on b
Throughout the ordeal of the impending shipwreck the characteristics of human beings are revealed. Voltaire wrote, “The Anabaptist was helping out…Furious a sailor cam up, gave him a good clout, and laid him out on the boards.” showing the wretchedness of man even in time of despair (12). Subsequently the sailor is thrown over board but then rescued by Jacques, Candide and Pangloss’ travel-mate. He further solidifies his evil by then leaving Jacques to drown himself. Through Enlightenment much would change. The Anabaptist would have been embraced by the crew for his efforts to help right the ship. An optimistic author would have seen the sailor return the heroic gesture of Jacques by making every attempt to save his life. In Voltaire’s eyes the ship was lost and all perished except for Pangloss, Candide, and the evil sailor. Much to the contrary, an enlightened author would have salvaged the ship, and the entirety of the crew and passengers would have made it to
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