Candide: Voltaire's Satirical Critique of Aristocracy - Essay Sample

Introduction

Candide was first published in the year 1759, and it revolves around a young man's life who is innocent and naïve. His life was catapulted in misfortunes and chaos, which challenged everything which he believed in. While the story progresses, troubles follow him; then, he questions what Pangloss his professor instilled in him that everything takes place for the best. The story is rich in symbolism and satire, including humor and irony, which helps drive Voltaire’s standpoint against aristocracy, religion, politics, and optimism.

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The Candide novel possesses to be very satirical. In literature, satire refers to a particular literary way of making humanity improvement and related institutions. Essentially, it criticizes and exposes the corruption and foolishness of an individual through irony, ridicule, humor, and exaggeration. In the novel, satire comes in two ways. The first one follows Horace tradition that is good-natured, urbane, mild and needs to be corrected through sympathetic laughter and tolerant. The other one is Juvenal’s that is derisive, vituperative, biting, and it is filled with some moral resentment at evil and corruption of man and his related institutions. In another way, it can be said that Horatian satire has folly while that of Juvenalian attacks criminal activities or rather the offenses which are considered anti-social.

It is also essential to note that the author presents different instances of satire. For instance, in philosophical optimism, some people include folly, social pride, religion, war, and others. Candide, in its satire, takes varied kinds of organized religion. The criticism is evident in optimism. Most religions consider God as benevolent, and they believe that he has a high purpose concerning the things which take place around the world. Unfortunately, Candide is able to see a different view while traveling around the world that shows it is foolish for people to believe in the existence of a benevolent God (Voltaire 10). Moreover, in the story, satire is utilized in depicting the religious officials’ satire, which makes them look foolish. A Jew is seen to purchase a woman to act as a sex slave; a monk purchases a prostitute, and a friar is seen to steal.

The title of the novel Candide has been translated as “All for the best” or “The Optimist.” The reason is that throughout the novel, Candide comes to learn of the different optimism principles from his mentor called Pangloss, and one of his major philosophical tenets is that because everything was made for a particular purpose, thus, everything is significantly for its best (Voltaire 7). The author satirizes this notion by displaying its illogicality through hyperbole. For instance, Pangloss prevents Candide from saving James Anabaptism from drowning since be highly believe that it was meant to take place (Cabat 11). Furthermore, through the book, things which are called the best like the most agreeable and magnificent castle are shown to be simple with just two windows and one door.

In the novel, satire is also present in politics and power. Through satire, it is evident that there are several inconsistencies in politics and the ineptitude and hypocrisy of the rulers. Buenos Ayres, who is the governor, is given several titles and names including y Souza, Don Fernando d’Ibaraa, y Figueora, y Lampourdos and y Mascarenes in showing his pride and vanity (Voltaire 32). The sufferings of the individuals Candide come across confirm the leader's pettiness. The issue of pettiness is evident when Candide and Martin are conversing as they discuss the one that deserves more pity. In the conversation, Martin responds, " All that I pretend to know of the matter is that there are millions of men on the earth, whose conditions are a hundred times more pitiable than those of King Charles Edward, Emperor Ivan, or Sultan Achmet” (Voltaire 87).

In Candide, any kind of formal social system is satirized, including politics, class, or religion. Physical descriptions and titles are used in the novel in mocking aristocracy. Understatement is utilized in Baron of Westphalia satire. For instance, the novel says that in Westphalia, the Baron was regarded as one of the powerful lords since his castle had both a gate and windows (Voltaire 1). In the whole story, there is a contrast among the upper-class foibles, and the individuals who are suffering and Candide meets them.

The ironic tone is used in the novel in exposing the author's feelings regarding the France class system. The author achieves explicitly irony through making fun of the characters through making them be in ridiculous situations or exposing them in humor. In the story, Candide maintains an optimistic view of the world even though he experiences and witnesses different disasters. Moreover, the love that he had for Cunegonde is questioned several times, but it is like nothing could come their way. While traveling throughout the world, he is banished from his home for kissing her, and he continues to struggle. It is more ironic at the end of the story that things turn out to be the best for Candide since Cunegonde leaves her husband, then she marries him. The author says he had no wish to get married to Cunegonde, who was his love. Therefore, irony played a significant role in the novel in bringing out essential issues, especially the issue of love and the ruling class.

Symbolism is used in different instances in the novel in representing the critical tenets of the author's personal philosophies. In the novel, the author argues that hard work and not wealth are key to happiness; optimism is highly overrated, and God is considered not to be benevolent. In the novel, syphilis is used in presenting the dangers that occur in empire building. It also represents the author's stance concerning the issue of benevolent God. Just like a disease that is sexually transmitted, syphilis needs intimate contact before spreading, and once it has spread, it prevents procreation and affects the reproductive system. However, the essence of sex in the Bible is procreation. The red sheep also represents hopes for getting a better life, and it is the king that gifted it to Cacambo and Candide. Candide refers to his farm as a garden, and it symbolizes a perfect society. As compared to El Dorado, it is a version that can exist in the real world. Candide means innocent, and he is charming and innocent; thus, in the story, it symbolizes innocence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the story is rich in symbolism and satire, including humor and irony, which helps drive Voltaire's standpoint against aristocracy, religion, politics, and optimism. The story is satirical. For instance, most religions around the world consider God as benevolent, but Candide argues that it is foolish for people to believe in the existence of a benevolent God. Also, Candide learns of the different optimism principles from his mentor called Pangloss, and one of them is that everything has its purpose. Thus, his mentor prevents him from rescuing James, as it was meant to happen. Also, physical descriptions and titles are used in the novel in mocking aristocracy of the ruling class. Symbolism is used in different instances. For example, syphilis symbolizes the dangers that occur in empire building, the red sheep also represents hopes for getting a better life, and the garden represents a perfect society.

Works Cited

Cabat, Josh. "Notes on Satire: From Candide to Borat." English Journal, 109.4, 2020: 11-13. https://search.proquest.com/openview/e70023ac2bdce06b8abd7f12e9543bfc/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=42045

Voltaire. Candide. Electronic Scholarly Publishing, 1999. Internet resource.