Candide Reading Guide

Candide Reading Guide Chapter 1 1. The French word "candide" implies innocence, naivete, and purity. What do you find that is characteristic in people of this kind? 2. How is the humor achieved in the description of the characters? How do they get their names? 3. What is philosophical optimism? 4. Comment on Pangloss' logic of cause and effect. Provide specific examples. 5. Make a list of things that are being satirized in this chapter. 6. As you read Candide, try to keep in mind the contrast between the philosophical ideals of what the characters say and the reality of what they do, or what is happening around them. This contrast is one of the sources of humor in Candide. Chapter 2 1. How is this chapter a satire of military recruiting and training tactics? 2. How do the two men "recruit" Candide? What similar tactics might militaries use now to recruit young men? 3. Besides the army, what philosophical question is satirized in this chapter as well? 4. What does it mean to have free will? Can one be in the military and still have a free will? Chapter 3 1. What is unusual in the description of the battle in the first paragraph? 2. Describe the ironic mood in the description of the battle scenes and the celebrations afterwards. Who are the "good" guys and who are the "bad" guys in the war between the Bulgars and the Abares? 3. What is the difference between heroism and butchery in time of war? What effect does the term "heroic butchery" have in the description of the battle? 4. What are some of the outcomes of the "heroism" of the Bulgars and the Abares? 5. Describe what Candide sees in the Abare village. Is this heroism or butchery? Why? 6. Comment on the religious hypocrisy of the orator. 7. If Voltaire believes war is evil, why does he not just say that? Chapter 4 1. Comment on the concept of "satisfaction of revenge" as a military tactic. Is this something that is practiced by militaries today? 2. Contrast Pangloss's philosophical optimism and the reality of what happens to him and Cunegonde. 3. Comment on the "cause and effect" in relation to love as it applies to Candide and Pangloss. 4. What do you think is the point in tracing the origin of Pangloss's disease? What conclusion do you reach looking at the sequence of individuals who pass the disease from one to another? 5. What do you think of Pangloss's logic in how he justifies the disease? Chapter 5 1. What are the justifications for natural disasters? Divine retribution? 2. How does Pangloss justify the earthquake? 3. What happens when the very ill Candide begs Pangloss for oil and water? What is Voltaire’s point? 4. What is the encounter between the officer of the Inquisition and Pangloss all about? What is their debate about? 5. What happens to James in this chapter, and what is the sad irony in his fate? Chapter 6 1. How do the learned men of Lisbon react to the earthquake? 2. Who are the heretics and what are their crimes? 3. What does it mean to be a heretic? What might a heretic’s beneficial role in society be? 4. What does Candide find wrong with optimist philosophy? 5. What is Voltaire's quarrel with religion in this chapter? 6. How was the Inquisition a result of intolerance? Can you provide any examples of religious intolerance among any contemporary religious communities? Chapter 7 1. What religious belief is being satirized in the second paragraph of this chapter? 2. How is this chapter a parody of the romantic adventure story? Chapter 8 1. What is Voltaire’s definition of love from his Philosophical Dictionary (Hint: Look it up!)? How does it apply to Cunegonde’s experiences? 2. What is unusual in Cunegonde's description of the auto-da-fe? 3. List the references that are made to Pangloss. How does the reality of the situation compare to Pangloss's philosophy? 4. How different do you think Candide and Cunegonde are in perceiving the reality of the world? Provide some examples. Chapter 9 1. What is the source of the humor in this chapter? Provide several examples. 2. Cunegonde is surprised that Candide can kill two people so easily. What's Candide's reply? What does it mean? Chapter 10 1. Who were/are the Franciscans, Benedictines, and the Jesuits? What aspect of the church is Voltarie attacking in this chapter? 2. What is the source of humor in this chapter? 3. How does Candide's attitude toward philosophical optimism begin to change? Chapter 11 1. List some examples of satire of religious authorities. 2. This chapter focuses on the idea that cruelty by toward women is universal and not unusual. List some examples of how Voltaire represents this cruelty in a satirical way. 3. Religious satire is expanded to include Islam. Can religion restrain man's wickedness? 4. What makes the last sentence in this chapter so absurd? Chapter 12 1. Comment on the element of sexuality in the old woman's story. Is there place for love and romance in that world, or is there nothing beyond self-gratification? 2. What do you think is the point of the story of the eunuch? 3. Describe the sarcasm in the old woman's description of how she lost half her buttock. 4. Though all her misery, the old woman does not consider suicide as an option; she is not alone in her fate. Does this indicate that the lot of some folks is to live in misery their entire life? Does man have control of his destiny? Chapter 13 1. After hearing the passengers tell their stories, Candide begins to doubt Pangloss's optimism. Why? 2. This chapter takes the characters to the New World, which for many Europeans represented the possibility of the existence of a perfect society. Are things really that different there than in the Old World? 3. Describe the personality of the governor of Buenos Aires. Does he remind you of any other characters? How does his name indicate his importance? Can you think of example of how in contemporary society we form attitudes toward people based on their name? 4. What advice does the old woman give her? What does her advice indicate about her attitude toward marriage? Chapter 14 1. What is Cacambo's role? Compare him to Pangloss. 2. How are the Los Padres, Jesuits fathers, portrayed in this chapter? How is their role in the New World different from the Old World? 3. In this chapter Voltaire seems to indicate that there is really no distinction between civil authority and religious authority, and between a soldier and a Christian. This begs the question: Can a true Christian, especially one in authority, be a soldier? Chapter 15 1. What is the role of the Jesuits in Paraguay? 2. Note the contradictions between war and religion, priests and soldiers. Chapter 16 1. Primitive society had frequently been idealized by Europeans. It was purer, simpler, and free of the moral corruption and hypocrisy of the modern world. How is Voltaire's portrayal of the Biglugs? Are there any differences between primitive and modern societies? 2. What does Voltaire suggest about the Oreillons and their attitude? Chapter 17 1. Other than the gold and jewels, what other aspect of El Dorado (nature, people) do you find to be unique? 2. How are the people that Candide meets in El Dorado different from those in the rest of the world? 3. What do you know about the actual myth of El Dorado? What is it supposed to represent? For Voltaire, what is it set up as? Chapter 18 1. What can you say about the Incan religion? 2. What is their attitude toward prayer? Why do they not find it necessary? Why do you think contemporary religious find prayer necessary? 3. Why do they not have priests and religious orders? Why do you think contemporary religions find these necessary? 4. How is the society governed? What kind of legal system do they have? 5. Ideal society and religion is one which abandons all power. Why do you think the abandonment of power in religion is not possible in the real world? Or is it? 6. What is your idea of the ideal state? Would you choose to live in a place like El Dorado? Is there anything wrong with a place like El Dorado? 7. Is the desire to be better more natural to man then the desire to be equal, even if the equality exists in pleasant circumstances? Chapter 19 1. What is the relevance of the story of the slave? 2. Candide denounces optimism. What's his definition of optimism now? What is the cause of this change? 3. How does the legal system in Surinam work?

4. How does Candide go about selecting his new companion? What do you think of his conditions? Do you believe that miserable people make more interesting travel companions? Chapter 20 1. What are Martin's religious beliefs? How do they compare to the established religion of the time? 2. What is Manichaeism? 3. Martin believes that God has abandoned the world to some evil spirit. How does he come to this conclusion? Do you think he has a point? 4. How is Martin's philosophy different from Pangloss's? With whom do you think Voltaire would agree? Chapter 21 1. What does Martin think of the French? List some specific examples. 2. What does Martin think of Paris and Parisians? List some specific examples. 3. Candide asks Martin if he believes that men have always been liars, etc., that is, is this man's true nature. How does Martin reply? What is your opinion? 4. Candid suggests that perhaps man has free will and is capable of selecting his nature. What is your opinion regarding this? 5. What similarities can you find between Martin and Cacambo? What are their differences? Chapter 22 1. What is the characteristic of Parisian society? 2. What does Candide think of French doctors? 3. What does Candide think of the hospitality of Parisians? 4. How are Parisian salons, where literatures is discussed, satirized? 5. What is the point of the card game? Chapter 23 1. What are the French and English fighting over? 2. How is the theme of war developed in this chapter? Chapter 24 1. What is Voltaire saying about the position of women in this society? 2. Although, like the others, this monk is not a model of morality, Voltaire shows us another side of Friar Girofree. Why does Voltaire have pity for the Friar? Chapter 25 1. How does Pococurante's name fit his character? 2. What is your opinion of the concept of great men, artists, books, politicians, etc.? Why do you think such people are considered great? 3. Pococurante represents the idea of the importance of independent judgment. How independent do you think we are in our tastes? 4. Is Pococurante happy or unhappy? Why? Chapter 26 1. What is the meaning of the encounter with the six dethroned kings, who are real historical figures? What role does Providence play in their fate? 2. Do you feel any sympathy toward them, or do you think they got what they deserved?

Chapter 27 1. Martin says there are millions of people on earth who are unhappier than the deposed kings. He seems to suggest that human misery is universal. Do you suppose Voltaire shares this view? Why? Chapter 28 1. While Candide’s faith in optimism is shaken whenever he is in danger, how steadfast is Pangloss’ faith in optimism when things are not good for him? What does his faith or lack of faith reflect? 2. What is absurd about the topic that Pangloss and the Baron have continually disputed while galley slaves? Chapter 29 *No questions. Chapter 30 1. What is the advice of the group on what to do with the young baron? How does each one's suggestion reflect their character and philosophy? Why do you think this was, or was not, an appropriate decision? 2. Where do the characters finally settle? What is life like for them now? 3. The old woman suggests that "just sitting here and doing nothing" is perhaps worse than any other physical suffering. What is the opinion of the others regarding this? What is your opinion? What's so bad about being so content that you get bored and do absolutely nothing? 4. Has Pangloss changed any? What is his attitude toward his philosophy now? 5. What advice does the dervish give the group regarding life, why man was created, why is there evil in the world, what should man do, etc.? What do you think of this advice? 6. What must man do, according to the old man, to keep from evil, boredom, vice, and poverty? 7. What is the source of happiness, according to the old man? 8. What does "cultivating his garden" imply when searching for happiness? 9. Comment on Martin's suggestion: "Let's work without speculation. It's the only way of rendering life bearable." 10. This chapter intends to provide an answer to the eternal question: How should one lead one's life? What is the answer, do you think?