But this is not so, Candide and his companions encounter nothing but ludicrous calamities in their madcap travels around the world – war crimes, earthquakes, inquisitions and chain gangs – all based with horrible closeness on real events of the 18th century. Following an indiscretion, Candide is cast out into the world which according to Pangloss is ‘the best of all possible worlds’. Young nobleman Candide lives a sheltered and comfortable life under the tutorship of the ridiculous Dr Pangloss who espouses the prevailing 18th-century philosophy of Optimism. Philosophical Optimism was created by a philosopher named Gottfried Leibniz, and is defined as waiting for the. The novel takes the Protagonist Candide on a series of adventures that questions the accepted theory of Philosophical Optimism during the 18th century. This classic of French literature features an introduction by Dr Marine Ganofsky. Candide by Voltaire is one of the most well-known satirical pieces written. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers.
This classic of French literature has been a bestseller for over two hundred years. The disillusionment of Candide mirrors that of many Europeans in Voltaires era. Candide mockingly contradicts the typical Enlightenment belief that man is naturally good and can be master over his own destiny (optimism). Candide, or the Optimist is Voltaire’s hilarious and deeply scathing satire on the Age of Enlightenment. As Pangloss concludes at the novels conclusion, man is not born to be idle. Voltaire’s Candide both supported and challenged traditional enlightenment viewpoints through the use of fictional ‘non-western’ perspectives.
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