Candide

Did Voltaire need to be so absurd in his plot to exaggerate the optimism in Candide? Or did he go just a bit overboard?

"Candide" is a satire, and satirical writers often use exaggeration to prove their point. Voltaire was, in fact, arguing the opposite of what Pangloss repeatedly states: we do NOT live in the "best of all possible worlds." Voltaire's extreme plot twists and ridiculous situations give a stark but comical contrast to Pangloss's overly optimistic world view.