... are several other humorously critical themes throughout this novel worth talking about. These themes of mockery include aristocratic snobbery, religious intolerance, militarism, and human nature. There is plausible reason to why Voltaire was so disgusted with optimism, or more particularly, Leibnizian optimism. During the years in ... which Candide was composed, this subject of what Voltaire considered ridiculous optimism was in full swing. This degree of optimism earns its name from Gottfried Leibniz, a rationale leader of the Voltaire's time, branching off of Descartes. Leibnizian opt...

• Word Count: 1624
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School