Candide, written by French philosopher Voltaire and first published in 1759, is a timeless classic that remains popular among readers today. It is an “optimistic” novel, full of satire and witty commentary on the state of society. In its essence, Candide is a story of personal growth and exploration, as the protagonist embarks on a journey of self-realization, while also critiquing society and the status quo.
The novel follows the protagonist Candide, a innocent and naive young man, who has been sheltered in the kingdom of the Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh and taught the philosophy of extreme optimism by his tutor, Dr. Pangloss. Under Pangloss’s tutelage, Candide is taught that this world is “the best of all possible worlds.”
This all changes when the castle is pillaged and Candide is expelled. He embarks on a journey of travels with his companion, the unsavory rogue Cacambo, and encounters much hardship along the way. He witnesses the horrors of war, poverty, disease, and exploitation along his journey, which contrast heavily with his sheltered life sheltered at the castle.
Through his travels, Candide meets a variety of colorful characters, many of which are intended to satirize and criticize the prevailing attitudes of society at the time. Voltaire’s criticisms mostly target the religious and aristocratic establishments, including a Catholic theologian, an Italian professor, a Jewish scholar, and even the Pope himself. Each character has a unique outlook on the world, which Candide internally struggles to reconcile with the optimism he’s been taught by Pangloss.
Throughout his travels, Candide gradually comes to the realization that the world is far from perfect and life is full of both good and evil. He eventually learns to appreciate the beauty and hardships of life, and his pessimistic outlook on society changes. Candide also reunites with his beloved Cunegonde, and finds true willingness and a newfound outlook of hope for a better future.
This classic work of literature has been praised for its wit, charm, and biting social commentary against religious and political absolutism. It serves as a powerful reminder of the complex nature of life and its need to be experienced as a journey of growth, exploration, and self-realization. Although written in the 18th century, many of Voltaire’s criticisms on society still hold true in modern times, making Candide worthy of the timeless classic that it is.
