CKQMichelle


 * In** // **Candide** // **, Voltaire is satirizing the idea that this is 'the best of all possible worlds." Therefore, Voltaire wants to you answer the following question:

1. Why is this not the best of all possible worlds? But, at the same time,** // **Candide** // **is not an entirely hopeless novel. What 'rays of hope' do you see? As you post your responses to the key question also mention 'rays of hope' that you see in the novel.**

Here are some specific categories to look for:
> > >
 * **religion**
 * **kings**
 * **governments**
 * **war**
 * **avarice (greed)**
 * **social pride**
 * **dishonesty**
 * **slavery**
 * **inhuman treatment of others**
 * **disease**
 * **cataclysms**

**Requirements:**

**-3-5 examples**

**-your examples should include evidence that demonstrates why this is not the best of all possible worlds or who should be responsible for revolution**

**-remember to look for 'rays of hope' or 'stability'**

**-as in the example above, quote your evidence and explain how it answers the key question**

Key Question - My Answer

The environment portrayed in //Candide// is definitely not the "best of all possible worlds." How can a world, full of unfair and unjust actions, be considered the "ultimate" world? If people like Pangloss exist in today's world, the definition of "best" most definitely needs revising.

First of all, my definition of the "best of all possible worlds" is basically utopia. Wouldn't the "best world" have peace, fairness, and no problems? Wouldn't everybody live in happiness? Candide is definitely not in an utopian society. There is war going on and Candide is suddenly made a "slave" to the army. 'They immediately clap irons on his feet and march him off to the regiment." (Page 6) Here, there is the category of war and slavery. How can a utopian world have war and slavery? War and slavery are the number one things that lead to a person's misery. A utopian environment should not have people living in misery. Because Candide is so miserable, he even tries to run away, but gets caught and dragged back to the regiment. "He had not covered two leagues when he was caught up by four other heroes, each over six foot tall, who tied him up and marched him off to the cells." (Page 6) People are also treated cruelly, which blatantly contradicts the idea of the "best of all possible worlds."

When Candide approaches an orator for food, he is asked about his view on the Pope's religion. Candide didn't know much, but he just waved it off, thinking it wasn't an important issue. However, the orator became mad and he rejected Candide's plea for food. "You don't deserve to eat! Be off, you wretch! Out of my sight, you miserable creature! And don't ever approach my person again." (Page 9) No matter how much two people's ideas don't match, everyone has the right to eat. However, the orator here is practically denying Candide's right to eat! Would anyone call this the "best of all possible worlds?"

"On the main deck the Anabaptist was lending a hand with the rigging, when a crazed sailor struck him with a furious blow and laid him out flat on deck." (Page 13) When someone is giving a hand with something, it is natural to be grateful about it. However, it seems as though in this "best world," people don't really know their manners. "The good Jacques runs to his assistance, hauls him back on board, and in doing so is himself pitched into the sea in full view of the sailor, who leaves him to drown without even a backward glance." (Page 13) How can the sailor just ignore the Anabaptist (who so kindly went to his rescue) as he drowned in the sea? It just doesn't make sense and totally contradicts the idea of "best world." This shows inhuman treatment of others and also avarice, in the sense that the sailor doesn't want to risk his own life for someone else. He is greedy for his own life.

Having boats suddenly sink and having everyone perish is definitely not a perfect world. "...the vessel split and everyone perished, with the exception of Pangloss, Candide, and the same brute of a sailor who had drowned their virtuous Anabaptist..." (Page 13)

Being flogged and hanged for what you believe is also an example of a "SO NOT" perfect world. This is showing religion and also inhuman treatment of others because Pangloss was hanged for what he said to the Agent of Inquisition and some other people were flogged because they "listened with an air of approval." (Page 16) This is not a good example of a "perfect world" and shows something just about the opposite of a "perfect world."

However, I see "rays of hope" in //Candide//. No matter how corrupt and mean the people around Candide are, there are also lots of nice people. There was the good Ana-baptist called Jacques, who helps out Candide and treats his wounds. This is hope; a person who is capable of changing the world and making the world into potentially the "best of all possible worlds." "...so he took him back to his house, cleaned him up, gave him some bread and beer, presented him with two florins, and would even have apprenticed him to work in his Persian fabrics workshops..." (Page 9) Wouldn't this be a little bit of hope to such a mean and unfair society? Also, there was the old woman who took care of Cunegonde and nursed her back to health. She brought Candide to her house and let him meet Cunegonde. She gave him ointments and food. "She gave him a jar of ointment to rub on himself, and set out food and drink for him; then she showed him a small, fairly clean bed.." (page 17) I think the old woman is also a very clear example of hope.

The "rays of hope" that will continue to appear in the book, (at least, i think they will continue to appear in the book) will symbolize the world becoming more fair, equal, peaceful, etc. These rays of hope will undoubtedly one day, make the supposedly "best of all possible worlds."