Candide as an Unfortunate Victim - Essay Example

The love between individuals of unequal status mostly leads to problems. Since Ages, this issue has resulted in serious consequences. Candide is an unfortunate victim who had to counter such a challenge. Destiny plays its part and Cunegonde and the Candide fall in love, much to the annoyance of the Baron. Many unfortunate developments take place; Cunegonde is abducted by a sergeant in the invading Bulgarian army but their love remains intact. They draw great strength and inspiration from Dr. Pangloss’s philosophy and stand the test of the rigors of their lives. Voltaire writes, “The tutor Pangloss was the oracle of the household, and young Candide listened to his teachings with all the good faith of his age and character.”(15)

True love has only the beginning but no end; it undergoes severe tests, transcends all barriers, and whether fructifies or not, it lives eternally.
Though a minor character, Dr. Pangloss impacts the lives of a number of major characters in the story. Voltaire writes, “Optimist philosophy was personified in Pangloss.”(7) Voltaire did not love his Age. He dealt with it with his witty criticisms and irony. Philosophy was not a dry subject for him. He admired the strength of the human spirit to challenge destiny and withstand any type of assault on it. Even the worst things that happen in this world happen for good—that was the perspective of the intelligentsia, the religious leaders, kings, and statesmen. Voltaire in the book Candide, translated by Francois-Marie Arouet reveals the goings-on in his inner world through the character of Dr. Pangloss and he asserts, “….that of hearing Master Pangloss, the greatest philosopher of the whole province, and consequently of the whole world”(2) is a great experience.
Find self-justification for all the unfortunate events and calamities that befall humanity from time to time.

This is the optimistic philosophy taught by Dr. Pangloss who invariably preaches to Candide and the rest, that the glass is half full and not half empty. Candide almost throws himself at his feet and opines, “Dr. Pangloss was right when he told me that all is for the best in the world.”(22) The dynamism infused by Dr. Pangloss is the strongest protective shield for Candide and others who came into his contact.

Voltaire airs his philosophy and approach to philosophical truths of life, moral lessons, and ethical teachings through a preacher(character) of the caliber of Dr. Pangloss. His approach is quite scientific. Voltaire writes, “Master Pangloss taught the metaphysical-theology-cosmolonigology.” (15)He propounds the cause and effect theory to its perfection, though the manner in which he applies it to the Baron’s castle is sarcastic. Read More