Candide

Candide by Voltaire

Which do you prefer: Pangloss's optimism or Martin's pessimism? Why?

Thesis: Throughout the novel, there was the constant optimism by Pangloss that everything that happens is the best that could possibly happen. Pangloss was a German philosopher who in his own right was correct in his theory of optimism because the order of events lead from one thing to another and without each and every event, Candide would not be happy at the end of the book.

I. Pangloss was the teacher of Candide and imparted on him the knowledge and wisdom that whatever happens is the best possible course of action.

a. Candide continued to be optimistic and shared his views with everyone while trying to get back to his love, Cunegonde.

b. Throughout the novel the order of events eventually lead Candide around the world searching for Cunegonde and making new friends, eventually going from Germany to many areas of the world such as Eldorado, Buenos Ares and Italy.

II. Candide has only one goal in mind.

a. Throughout the entire novel Candide has one goal which is to find Cunegonde and be rich with her.

b. When he finds out that she is alive, he is filled with joy that they are now together, however, his adventures take them apart.

c. After she is married to the governor of Buenos Ares, Candide’s only goal is to get rich and to get her back.

III. Candide has many discussions about God and if everything happens if it is for the best.

a. Candide was always faithful in the belief of his mentor Pangloss and that of everything happens for the best, and from this he continues to stay strong and believe.

b. Even when he kills people, he is tortured, and long way from Cunegonde, Candide believes it is the best possible solution.

c. At the end of the book, he realizes that he is happy, and if it was not for all the bad and the good events in his life, he would not be happy at the end of the novel.

IV. Pangloss has the right idea that optimism is the course of action to take because God makes everything happen the way it does because it is the best possible outcome.

a. Pangloss follows the belief of Leibnitz and that God knows all and makes everything happen the way it does because it is the best possible outcome.

b. Without Candide believing in this, he may have given up, and he may not have lived happily ever after with the women he had loved for so long even though she is ugly.