Candide Or Optimism Analysis

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In the “Candide or Optimist” by Francois-Marie Arouet De Voltaire people are not as they would seem and things are not as they seem to be. Sometimes people have to put up as a mask to hide their true reality. Sometimes we tend to fall for what is on the surface of the people in our lives. Just as Candide looks to Jacques, Paquette, and Cunégonde and they are not who he intended them to be. There is always something more than what it may seem. There is irony in the novel Candide because everything he once believed in was betraying him right in front of his eyes.
Voltaire’s novel, “Candide or Optimism” was about Candide trying to see the world through an optimistic lens. However, this was proven to him time and time again that bad things were …show more content…

She was known for being beautiful and innocent. Candide grew very fond of her. Cunégonde precipitated Candide’s feelings. Anytime they were around each other they would blush. They then exchange a kiss on stage behind a screen where her father happened to be. The baron witness this kiss and grew angry. He began to kick Candide as a punishment and removed him from the beloved castle. Cunégonde was punished as well by her mother, the baroness, with a slap to her face after she awoke from faint. They were separated not knowing when they were going to see each other ever again. The Old Lady, who fed and gave Candide a shelter, she was able to bring Cunégonde back to Candide’s presence. However Candide would have to be separated from Cunégonde once more after visiting the governor. This is when the governor confesses his love for Cunégonde and says he is going to marry her. Since they did not have much money the Old Lady suggested that she marry the governor to save money for when she meets Candide again. The old Lady assured her that she would be safe. After time had passed, Candide could not wait to see his Cunégonde. He was going to travel to Constantinople where she was. Candide’s friend Cacambo shared that Cunégonde had lost her beauty and that she had become ugly. He was finally able to rescue Cunégonde and the Old Lady. What Candide wanted most throughout his journey he no longer wanted. Which was to marry Cunégonde. But he felt as thought he should keep his world as Cunégonde reminded him of it. “Cunégonde did not know she was ugly, no one had told her; she reminded Candide of his promises in so firm a tone that the good Candide did not dare to refuse her” (Voltaire 577). Cunégonde shyness has seemed to disappear de to what she has been through. Scherr mentioned that Candide “seems comparatively shy and reserved” (“Voltaire’s Candide:

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