CKQ+Yunji

Question: As a nod to some work you have done in history. . . What is revolution and who has the responsibility to change the world? This question is not just about random need for change and pessimism. What places of needed stability do you see? As you post your responses to the key question also mention 'stability' and 'rays of hope' that you see in the novel.

The definition of revolution is simply “reform or change the world better than before.” If something bad happens in the world, people want to change that and make it into something good, and that is called revolution. Also I recognized most of the revolution occurred with violence. That is because people fight for themselves and try to protect others, and that can lead them to war.

From chapter 6, Lisbon was destroyed from the earthquake. During that time I guess religious people believed the earthquake was happening from Evil or something that relates with religion. And they thought burning people over a slow fire can prevent the earth from quaking. But actually, it is not true. On page 16, Candide said, “If this is the best of all possible worlds, what must the others be like?” Voltaire is satirizing the idea that this is “the best of all possible worlds.” He wonders, if this violent world is best of all possible worlds, then what is bad? Although it says that Candide is living in "the best of all possible worlds", Candide actually believes that he is living the worst world of all the best worlds. Finally he realized this world must change, so it leads to revolution.

On page 24, Cunegonde said, "but my mind is still reeling from what I have seen, from what I have suffered." "All will be well," Candide replied. "The sea of this new world is already superior to our European seas; it is calmer, its trade winds more constant..." "You two do nothing but complain," said the old woman. I think this three characters' conversations were showing 'rays of hope'. They are trying to comfort each other and help. If one person says their life is difficult and lose hope, then others should trying to help them. Sometimes people can't pass through tough times without the help of others. The citizens have the responsibility to change the world. They can't have ever been alone, since the revolution had happened with lots of people. In conclusion, getting together with more people is an example 'rays of hope' and is a possible way to change the world.

