Candide Group

Question:

heathercameron
heathercameron
Student
College - Junior

Why do you think that Candide only talk about Cunegonde's beauty throughout the story? Do you think he got what he deserved in the end?

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Posted by heathercameron on Monday March 31, 2008 at 6:40 AM and tagged with candide.

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  1. grlucas Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

    That's an interesting question, one that perhaps cannot really be answered. Candide's aspiration — let's face it: to possess Cunégonde physically — seem to be much more noble than others' pursuits in the story. A major part of Voltaire's critique in Candide seems to be leveled against the those who hurt others while chasing that aspect of life they think will provide answers or happiness for them, like the Grand Inqusitor's quest for devotion, Pangloss' quest to see all as right and proper, and Candide's quest for love.

    Indeed, we humans see the latter as a noble pursuit, but what happens when our desire to possess another has detrimental affects on that other, and ultimately does not let us see beyond the narrow scope of our obsession? In Candide's case, he is disappointed, and he must find meaning somewhere else.

    Fortunately, Candide's disappointment is not crippling, and it allows him to focus his energies into his community, rather than his own individual desires. Did he get what he deserved? Perhaps, but it's not all bad.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/candide

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    Posted by grlucas on Tuesday April 1, 2008 at 9:29 AM