CKQ+Claire

//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. Revolution is a reform in which another group overthrows the existing one, and enforce one’s power over a population/territory. Many believe an incident to be a revolution when it brings drastic changes. Then if series of actions that meant to bring the ultimate reform failed to do so, would it be unworthy of the title, revolution? Can failure to achieve what one set out to do strip its title of revolution? Revolution doesn’t always need to bring the changes set in mind. In fact, the truth is not all revolution turn out to be successful in terms of its reforms. Series of actions that defy the orthodox belief is sufficient enough to be called revolution.

No one particular man or groups of men have the responsibility to change the world; everyone has the responsibility to change the world. People believe that those “naturally” with power like kings and nobles have the responsibility to change the world because they can enforce laws that can drastically change the society. Those who are able and competent are responsible for bring change in the world. But who said power was only for nobles and kings? Everyone has the chance to gain power, become able, and thus have the responsibility to change the world. // The theme of revolution is present throughout Candide, in factors such as religion, human nature, and government. In chapter 16, Cunegonde’s brother learning of Candide’s intention to marry Cunegonde break in an outburst: “ So you would have the effrontery to marry my sister, who has seventy-two quartering’s on her coat of arms! I consider it highly presumptuous of you to dare to speak to me or so rash an intention!” (p. 38) Social discrimination that Cunegonde’s brother displayed as a religious man portrayed clergies of the society to be corrupt, and ironic. Such insult toward the clergies of the society was a revolution.

Throughout chapter 16, Cacambo proves men to be evil in their nature saying, “natural law teaches us to kill our neighbor, which is how men behave the world over.” (p. 41) Optimism tells us that everything God created was good, including men. By saying that men were naturally evil, it was declaring men’s independence from the god’s influence and control. Such defiance of god’s intervention and control was an act of revolution.

In chapter 14, Cacambo marvels at the way the Paraguay governs itself; “Los padres own everything, and the people own the rest; it is a masterpiece of justice and reason.” (p. 34) What Voltaire said in this line was revolution itself: the authorities owned everything, and the people owned nothing, and Voltaire said such political system was a “masterpiece of justice and reason” with sarcasms.

The continuous brutality of men displayed in these chapters and Candide’s transformation into a cruel, murderous person show “hope” that Candide will abandon Pangloss’ belief in optimism, and through his transformation realize that god created men to be good, but it was the men who led themselves into evil; such realization will ultimately tell Candide that our lives are not in the hands of god, but ours.