Irrationality And Corruption In Voltaire's Candide

Voltaire invents each character in a way so that they each have their own purpose, representing the feudal system and its flaws. These characters are not historical figures, nor do they exist. They are purely functional; each serving a different function in the book to expose the irrationality of nature and corruption of those in power. Voltaire portrays Candide, the main character, as a naïve young man who embarks on a journey to maturity. Candide’s main role is to survive and do whatever it takes to do so. At the beginning of the book, Candide is a follower, but by the end of his route to maturity, he becomes a leader when he learns and understands his true potential, developing a new philosophy for life. He is faced with reality when he when sees that everything does not happen for for the best, like Pangloss told him. For example, while at sea, Candide sees a man in the waters and is ready to jump into the waters to help him. But is stopped by Pangloss who claims that the “Bay of Lisbon has been made [only] for the Anabaptist to be drowned” (Voltaire ###). He questions why, if this is the “best of all possible worlds”, a kind and generous man get thrown into the waters to his death (Voltaire 29). He learns that in order to attain a state of contentment, one must be part of society where there is collective effort and work. Candide spends a great deal of time traveling the world and learning of many different idealogies in "metaphysics." Finally, he decides to settle down and live by farming his own garden-this

Candide eventually learns the meaning of what it means to achieve happiness whilst on his journey. He realizes his identity is not shaped by the free will and thinking of others, but by his own personal values. Voltaire creates Candide to show naive happiness, but as a character who grows and learns what it means to be truly