Voltair Voltaire Shows The Folly Of Optimism In Candide

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In Candide, organized religion is used in order to show the folly of optimism. Throughout the text, the many religions that Candide encounters believe that God is benevolent and that events happen for a reason. However, Candide witnesses only the worst throughout his journey. It is religious persecution that leads Candide to his epiphany and questioning of the truth regarding Pangloss’s philosophy of optimism, “If this is the best of all possible worlds, what can the rest be like?” (37). He continues by recalling all the terrible misfortunes that have already occurred: such as him being flogged, his dear Pangloss being hanged, humorously described as “the greatest of philosopher”, the Anabaptist, “the best of men” being ironically drowned in sight of land and lastly Lady Cunegonde, “disemboweled” (37). …show more content…

Not only is Candide “flogged in time to the singing” and Pangloss hanged, but “the Biscayan and the two men who had refused to eat pork were burned” (37). Optimism can be seen satirized here because of the ridiculous reasons that the church has for burning the innocent men who refuse to eat pork, therefore refusing to follow their religion and belief. This shows the hypocrisy and absurdity of the Church because the religious leaders do not follow their belief as well and yet they punish the innocent. This is evident in the friar who steals, the Jew that buys Cunegonde and the monk who buys a prostitute. It satires optimism since people are killed for no good reason and disputes the idea of a kind and benevolent

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