Discuss Voltaire's obvious opinion of one of the following subjects: religion, philosophy, work ethic, wealth, government, or gender roles. Be sure and include one example or more from the work.
Your first comment should be 100 words. The second should be 50 words and in response to a classmate's post. Both are due by Thursday @ 11:59 P.M.
Voltaire has an obvious opinion about philosophy by mocking it. Voltaire uses Pangloss and Candide's optimism to mock earlier philosophers. Pangloss and Candide keep stating that "everything is for the best in this best of possible worlds.". The characters have witness a variety of horrors through the story- rape, disease, robberies, and executions. Pangloss says that the horrible things that are happening are from the fall of humanity. He tries to argue and still say that everything is for the best and he stays optimistic. Voltaire makes the two characters go through a change at the end of the story. Candide and Pangloss the biggest optimist start to doubt their philosophies.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire has an anti religion opinion. Throughout the whole novel he is mocking the idea of a church and having organized religion. How everyone is resurrected defeats the belief that only the perfect god is resurrected. When the monk (who is supposed to have the vow of abstinence) pays for Paquettes services it reveals a corruptness in the church. Candide and Pangloss believe that god doesn't do the world any evil. While Voltaire mocks that idea by putting them through many horror tragedies and they still come out of it positive and oblivious that god can do bad things to the world.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough Voltaire does mock Candide and Pangloss for their philosophy, I think that he mocks Martin for his pessimistic view on how everything in the world is horrible and nothing works out in the good of man. Also I feel that Voltaire mocks organized religion by use of the horny monk and the prostitute Paquette, but not religion itself. He reveals the hypocrisy of the "church officials", but doesn't openly mock having a religion himself. Voltaire subtly hinted that a philosophy based off of reason was best. And that to endorse a certain religion, one needed to follow it's doctrine and not desecrate it.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire is somewhat derisive of organized religion, but seems to believe that each man should be left to his own opinions. For example, the big display was made of the "auto-da-fe" to prevent further earthquakes, but even that ceremony was not done properly as Pangloss was hanged instead of burned (allowing for his survival). Cunegonde is then found to belong to both the Grand Inquisitor and a Jew, both showing a corrupt part of their religions. There is also the Friar, who is completely disenchanted with and oppressed by his faith and has broken his vows of celibacy with the prostitute Paquette. The only true freedom seen in the story is in El Dorado. The king symbolizes Jesus and welcomes the strangers lovingly and personally. This is when the characters have the least problems. When Candide and Cacambo decide to leave, it is their choice-they are not forced in any direction, only advised that it is a difficult journey. They are still helped as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Candide Voltaire uses religion as a major part of this satire. Mainly he uses things like the preacher has kids, while many people know that a catholic priest is suppose to be abstain from intament relationships. Also he uses the quote,” it’s for the best”, he uses this when the Anabaptist is drowning and right before he dies, Pangloss stops Candide from saving him by saying it’s for the best even though the Anabaptist is the only one in the whole story that is seemingly not corrupt, overly optimistic, or just downright pessimistic. The Anabaptist is the only one who is not trying to force his religion upon others. While at the time Voltaire lived in religious conflict that had torn the countries of Europe apart. This is Voltaire's way of poking fun at the idea of optimism held by several enlightenment writers.
ReplyDeleteIn Voltairs Candide he mocks the double standard in which women were held to in the 17th and 18th centuries. At this time women had relatively no rights and were educated to be subordinate to their husbands who had complete control over them, this may seem as an oppressive measure, but it also was used as a precautionary action, because a single women in this time was highly vulnerable. The men of this time viewed female chastity as a highly prioritized trait, yet they were the ones who were constantly impeding a women’s virtue; Such as in the case of the three main female characters Cunegonde, Paquette, and the old woman. After Cunegonde is raped and found by Candide she tells him about a scar on her thigh in which he replies "I would like to see that sometime" shows that although he values chastity for her, he does not necessarily want her to practice it when it come to his wants. This is no doubt the view of most men at this time. In the case of Paquette she is forced into prostitution in order to support herself and is taken out by a priest who is the same one preaching the values of chastity for women. The old women in the story who is the daughter of the pope shows an example that no matter how prominent or prosperous a woman is this itself does not protect her from the wants of men who try and take advantage of her. This proves that mans idea of what women should be, and the reality of the situations they put them are in direct contrast.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Asa’s statement that “The Anabaptist is the only one who is not trying to force his religion upon others.” I think Voltaire was trying to make a point that any religious or philosophical extremism would lead to ruin. During this time that Voltaire lived in Catholic extremist, and Protestant extremist had torn countries apart during the 30 years war which happened not long before Voltaire. He shows that extremist can be so blinded by their own doctrinal ideas that they don’t see the truth such as in the auto-da-fe when Pangloss is persecuted in order to prevent further earthquakes. It proves that extremism take away rational thought which is what many of the philosophs of the Enlightenment were trying to incorporate into society.
In Candide, Voltaire mocks the idea of wealth in multiple ways. In some ways he mocks the difficulty it is to gain money in the world, such as with the beggars. In other ways he mocks the actual worth of money, such as the disposability of it in El Dorado. At times Candide is begging for money in the streets, and then suddenly he is throwing it away easily and without any thought, only to end up poor again. Voltaire expresses his views of wealth, fleeting and rare, in a way that was most likely very uncommon at this time in Europe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kassidy’s post about Voltaire's view of religion when she says, “Voltaire mocks that idea by putting them through many horror tragedies and they still come out of it positive and oblivious that God can do bad things to the world.” They did indeed go through extreme tragedies, but their naivety made them continue to believe they lived in the best of possible worlds.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire uses wealth to mock the character of Pangloss and Candide's optimistic philosophy. When Candide aquired a great amount of wealth he believes that everything will be better. Although some of his problems are helped by having money it is only a temporary and will not make him happy. When he gives the monk and Paquette money is a prime example of this they go through the money fast and then came back for more. Also Voltaire shows us the corruption of money by the selling of the old women and Cunegonde as slaves. The greed of people lead them to not respect humans. This also mocks the philosophy of, Rousseau whom believed that people should repect humankind just because they are humans.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corey's post about the idea that Voltaire is mocking the idea of wealth. In the story he does have to beg for money and food. Voltaire mocks the idea of weath by using beggars and having Candide at one point in the story begging for money and food. At the same time when Candide has money he just throws it away, not thinking its a big deal. He is oblivious to how he had to beg before for money and he just throws it away as if it is an endless supply now that he has obtained it.
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ReplyDeleteVoltaire has an obvious opinion of religion. I think he's probably an atheist because throughout the novel he mocks Christians by Pangloss's philosophy of optimism. He makes Pangloss sound stupid for thinking everything happens for a reason and there's always good to come out of the bad if you just look for it. He then changes Candide's mind to Martin's philosophy of God does put bad stuff in your life and not everything has a silver lining. Terrible things happened to everyone in the story and they still kept a positive outlook. I think Pangloss symbolizes a Christian and Voltaire makes him look stupid.
ReplyDeleteI think that Voltaire is a sexist. All the women in "Candide" are either prositutes, looking for something in a bed, have nasty diesases (Paquette- Syphiliss). Cunegenode distracts Candide, all he thinks about is her and he loves her. But Cunegenode really only cares about herself and what can make her happy. She doesn't care about him and only wants to go with him when it would take her away from bad things. In the end Voltaire turns her ugly to go with her bad and nasty attitude. Pangloss is in love with Paquette, and she gives him syphiliss. Pangloss still loves her and cares about her. In "Candide" all the men are good noble men and don't get judged for their bad doings (like murdering multiple people).
ReplyDeleteI think that Voltaire's opionion of wealth is expressed through the Lord Rococurante, for he was VERY wealthy. With the beautiful palace like home, the staff, the original painting, the music playing in the home and even the expensive library stuffed with philosophys from the pasts, the Lord wasn't happy and he seemed to me that he wasn't satified with life even if he had all of that wealth. I feel that the lord will continue to be bored with everything because he will have everything. He can get something so easily, no adventure, no arguing, no nothing. Nothing is of value. That's what I think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Danielle's post about the double standard held for women in that time period. They were second class citizens that were ment to fade in the background when the men were speaking. I also agree that women who thought themselves so vulnerable were easily sold off into slavery and postitution. Where they were terorized and spread nasty diseases to others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous post that Voltaire does show women in a bad light. Although most of this time thought women were less than Voltaire goes further and makes them in a way the antagonist to the male characters. Paquette giving Pangloss syphilis and Candide having to marry and stay with Cunegunde even though she is now ugly. Voltaire makes it look like women are selfish and helpless.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire mocks the philosophy of Pangloss throughout the story by the series of tragic events that happen to all the characters. Pangloss says that "Everything is for the best." and that "They live in the best possible world." both philosophies are proved wrong in the story. When Candide finally finds his lover, she has grown very ugly and large. You see that Pangloss's philosophy has been mocked by Voltaire. Also, racism, slavery, plague, death, and rape are all tools used by Volaire intended for mockery. In fact the world we live in is not the best and I think Voltaire does an excellent job in showing this. I also believe that he does a superb job in portraying how everything is not for the best.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corey in the sense that, Voltaire mocks wealth by putting Candide on both sides of the economic classes. At one point he is practically begging for money and at another he is throwing money away like its going out of style. He shows that society at that time had people who were beggars and people who had more money then they knew what to do with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Danielle in that these times did seem to have double standards for a woman's virtue. However, since Voltaire's entire purpose is to mock several aspects of society in Candide, I think he meant for the story to awaken others to the hardship placed on women. I disagree that Voltaire was simply sexist, as Anonymous claims.
ReplyDeleteIn Candide Voltaire mocks Christianity in many forms. To me the most obvious was the fact that the philosopher, Pangloss kept returning after many incidents where he probably would have died in all reality. Pangloss's philosophy of "everything happens for the best" is proven wrong several times in the story also. Candide and Pangloss continue to have an optimistic view on everything even after numerous horrific tragedies. He mocks religion in the fact sometimes everything doesn't happen for a reason and in some circumstances you have control over what happens; such as when Pangloss gets syphilis. He got the STD from a prostitute that he did not have to sleep with. The resurrections of everyone in the story is another form of mockery towards religion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Molly's post about the mockery of wealth. Having wealth can bring selfishness and greed out of anyone and like Molly said, "the greed of people led them to not respect humans" when people gain wealth in some case they lose respect of others and feel a source of unnecessary power. Just like in the story when he was giving away money like it was nothing.
ReplyDeleteCandide satirizes the ideology of philosophical optimism by using exaggeration, by making everything ridiculous and absurd. Pangloss and Candide go through terrible catastrophes in this book, such as a rape, disease, brutality, earthquake, etc. And, every time they look at these "scenarios" they think about it positively, and try to find a cause for such an effect. An example is when Pangloss gets syphilis, his body is destroyed and he losses an ear and nose, he says that such a disease is " An indispensable feature of the best of all possible worlds, a necessary ingredient: for if Columbus had not contracted this disease we would have neither chocolate nor cochineal.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Rachel: I agree that Voltaire mocks the philosophers. He puts them through many evil things and their optimistic views prevent them from making realistic assumptions of the world around them. In the end of the novel, Candide rejects the earlier philosophies against a hard work ethic. Candide finds the happiness he had been searching for throughout the novel. I believe Candide finds his happiness in a work ethic because it gives him an instant gratification. Unlike philosophy which is merely speculation with no answer or effect.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire not accepting that a perfect God or any God for that matter has to exist, he mocks the idea that the world must be completely good and God is perfect. Throughout Candide Voltaire satirizes religion. He uses hypocritical philosophers and innocent, naïve Candide to do so. Voltaire mocks religious followers by the saying said throughout the novel, “everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds”, which basically is once again mocking the faith of such religions by saying that religious followers are too naïve and need to open their eyes to the evil of the world. He also uses characters such as the Catholic Inquisitor who keeps a mistress, a friar who is a jewel thief, and Jesuit colonel with marked homosexual tendencies to mock church and highly upheld church officials.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel Candide, Voltaire shows his opinions of religion by mocking christianity and other religions in all sorts of ways. While Pangloss and Candide continue to state the positives in every situation saying that "Everything happens for the best," Voltaire has a more realistic outlook on all of the situations in the book. He is the character that mocks the fact that people still maintain the feeling of hope in world as terrible and war related as the one they live in. He believes that mankind will never change, which is why his concept of religion is very anti-christ.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corey in the fact that Voltaire has a very negative outlook on wealth and mocks its very existence. The fact that one city views gems and stones as the very structure of their way of living and then another city in the same era views it as dirt makes his views and ideas very easy to agree with. He believes wealth and good forutens are merely dreams people can never seem to make come true.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Conner Gilbert’s statement, “Also I feel that Voltaire mocks organized religion by use of the horny monk and the prostitute Paquette, but not religion itself. He reveals the hypocrisy of the "church officials", but doesn't openly mock having a religion himself.” I believe that Voltaire does mock religion itself. For he does not believe in any sort of God and repeatedly throughout the story mocks ANY form of religion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angela. That Voltaire doesn’t accept that there is a perfect God or any God for that matter has to exist, and that he mocks the idea that the world must be completely good and God is perfect. Voltaire shows this through sarcasm by putting Candide and Pangloss through many harsh trials and tribulations yet they stay "positive"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michelle about the parellel drawn between the King of El Dorado and Jesus. El Dorado seems like a safe haven for Candide and Cacambo, and that they left by their own accord when if they would have stayed, life could have been easy for them.
ReplyDeleteThis satire, written by Voltaire, circles around religion. Emphasizing the hypocrisy of Christians at that time, he shows religious characters to be immoral and participating in wrongful acts. Many examples of that are found throughout Candide, like when a monk pays for Paquette's "services" or when the Friar steals jewels from Candide. Also he mocks Christians in their positive outlook on life and thinking on how everything happens for a reason and it will all work out for the good by sending Candide and his companions through many trials and obstacles throughout the book but still giving them that positive attitude and Pangloss's thought about the world that it is "the best of all possible worlds."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jessie, the people who had wealth and fortune were unsatisfied. For example when Candide and Cacambo were in El Dorado they had everything they could ask for but wanted to go out into the world where they could be the richer men and have even more then what they already did. Also I agree that when you have everything you want just because you can buy it life becomes boring, there's no challenge and humans thrive for that and becoming "number one" in their society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with comment posted by anonymous about Voltaire being sexist. He either hates women or just thinks really low of them. They spread diseases and are treated the worst. The most terrifying, disturbing things happen to the women and it's really sad. Bad stuff happens to the men in the story too but I think Voltaire made the women go through the worst stuff. Definitely sexist!
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