The Journey of a Nave Young Man.
Candide, written by Voltaire and published in 1759, is the story of a young man that has to leave his castle in Westphalia, and travels through South America and Europe. Though out the story Voltaire uses many events that happen, to satirize institutions, and beliefs of the eighteenth century. This book is quite humorous and entertaining, but at the same time it is depressing because nothing good happeneds to most of the characters.
Toward the beginning of the book Voltaire makes light of the European aristocratic beliefs of that time. He views the belief of natural superiority belief to be absurd and constantly points this out to the reader. Candide's mother "would never agree to marry, because he could only claim seventy-one quarterings,"" (19) while she could claim seventy-two. Showing how ridiculous all of this is. Voltaire also shows this in the novel when Candide is twice denied his request to marry Cunegonde. The first time Candide asks permission Cunegone's brother replies, "You have the impudence to think of marrying my sister, who has seventy-two quarterings in her coat of arms, and you dare to talk to me of such a hot-headed notion? Have you no sense of shame?- (67) The second time Candide asks to marry Cunegonde it is after he saved both Cunegonde and her brother, but the answer was still no.
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Voltaire uses the character Pangloss in his parody of all passive philosophers of the eighteenth century, who ponder issues that have no big effect on the world. .
Pangloss teaches "metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigology- (20). Making fun of the way he throws his words together. This suggests that Voltaire thinks nothing special of philosophers of that time he sees their ideas as absurd and not.
Throughout the novel Voltaire pokes fun at religion and the Hypocrisy of the religious leaders of that are thought to be celibate.
