CKQ+Christine

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.

The use of satire in __Candide__ is clearly visible to readers, judging from Voltaire refers to a corrupt and uncivilized world as "the best of both worlds." The term, "the best of both worlds" would signify that the world is a utopia where nothing goes wrong and everyone is content with their lives. However, the world shown in __Candide__ is far from this.

Although Pangloss had taught Candide that everything occurs for a reason and therefore their world is "the best of both worlds," they are both gravely mistaken in believing so. A world where segregation, murder, and cannibalism exists is not a utopia. First, in chapter 14, when Candide wishes to speak to Father Provinicial, he is forced to wait for three hours. However, when Cacambo informs the sergeant that Candide is German, he is immediately led to the Father. "If he is German I can speak to him; have him brought to my arbour" (page 34). Here, readers can clearly see the segregation between Spaniards and Germans in Candide's world, and a world with segregation where people are not equal cannot be termed as "the best of both worlds."

When Candide tells the Baron about his intentions to marry Cunegonde, the Baron is suddenly infuriated. He responds to Candide's words by drawing out his sword. Trying to protect himself, Candide does the same and ends up murdering the Baron, his former master. Now is a world where people murder others much more their former master a "best" world? No, in the "best of both worlds," everyone should have their full rights to happiness and life, and getting murdered doesn't seem like any of those two. Even Candide himself, realizes the immorality of his actions shortly after, "I have killed my former master, my friend, my future brother-in-law; I am the mildest man alive, yet I have now killed three men, two of them are priests!" (page 38)

In Chapter 16, Candide is almost eaten by the Biglugs, who have mistaken him for a Jesuit. Although they eventually did not eat Candide because Cacambo told them that Candide was actually on his way from murdering a Jesuit, the Biglugs' intention for eating Candide is evident. "It's a Jesuit! It's a Jesuit! We will be avenged! And we'll eat our fill! Let's eat Jesuit! Let's eat Jesuit!" Would anyone actually consider their world the "best" if they were soon to be eaten by a bunch of Natives? Definitely not, at least not me. Here, readers can recognize the inhumane treatment of Candide, who was almost eaten up just because he may be a Jesuit. Moreover, because a world where such inhumane treatment and vile activities are practiced is not a place where anyone would be happy and content with, the world shown in __Candide__ is far from the "best."

Although numerous inhumane events occur in __Candide__, readers will find that the book is not entirely a novel about failure, sorrow, and a dystopian world. Clearly, there are some "rays of hope." First, Candide seems to be a very lucky young man. He can jump on a boat, leave his faith to it, and can end up in a pleasant place. "Let us put our trust in Providence" (page 43). Judging from the luck Candide often tends to have, we can see some hope for Candide. Second, in Chapter 17 and 18, Candide and his servant actually does end up at a place that adequately adheres to term "the best of all possible worlds." There, avarice, murder, inequality, and immoral actives do not exist. "These royal children must be well brought up indeed, since they are taught to despise gold and gems" (page 44). Although Candide's world cannot be termed as the "best" because the ideal place for humans does exist in the book, readers and Candide can "hope" that Candide's world will turn out the same.