1. Candide
(Or Optimism)
By
Voltaire
Published: 1758
French novella (short novel)
“I detest what you write, but I
would give my life to make it
possible for you to continue to
write.”
-Voltaire

2. Philosophical novella
Age of Enlightenment (1650-1800)
Cultural movement that wanted to use reason and logic
in order to reform society and advance knowledge.
Fought against intolerance and abuse in church and
government.
Leading philosophers were Voltaire, Rousseau, Newton,
Locke, and Franklin

3. Questioned the “sacred circle”
Bible --------------Church leaders---------aristocracy
Focuses on freedom, democracy, capitalism, scientific
method, religious tolerance.
Voltaire’s religious belief
Deism:
-use reason and observation of the world
-no need for organized religion (corrupt)
-God doesn’t intervene in human affairs
-God designed the world, but stepped back
and let people find their way.

4. Satire:
An art form that mocks to the
point of shaming society into
improvement…social criticism.
Candide attacks:
-Divine providence (God’s
intervening with humans)
-Optimism (Everything and
everyone in this world
essentially good)
-Fatalism (pre-
destination…Your life has been
mapped
--Institutions (Government,
church, family, teachers)

5. Characters:
Candide:
-illegitimate son of sister of
the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh
-A firm believer in optimism
Lady Cunegonde:
-Beautiful daughter of the baron
-Naïve; Candide’s love
Pangloss:
-Teacher of unquestioning optimism
-Denies the existence of evil
-Sees the good in all horrible situations
Martin:
-Candide’s friend;
-pessimist: believes that good is an illusion
-Mankind is too corrupt; God doesn’t even like
us anymore