Voltaire's Candide Analyzed

9 Pages 2153 Words

five feet tall, when he answered “yes, gentlemen, that is my height”, civilly they invited him to dinner. They said, “men were meant to help each other”. Candide was then trained in the Bulgarian army and forced to train to fight the Abarians in war. Candide’s belief in Pangloss’ Philosophy was tested for the first time. How can all be well when so much killing is going on around him? Candide was confused on why he couldn’t just walk away from the training camps, since he believed that “to use his legs as he pleased was a privilege of the human species as well as of animals”. Eventually, many months later, Candide escapes and makes his way to Holland. An Anabaptist named Jacques offers Candide his help. The next day he runs into a beggar who turns out to be Pangloss. Candide asks Pangloss about the whereabouts of his Cunegonde, to which he responds that she is dead. “Cunegonde dead! Ah! Best of worlds, where are you?” was Candide's response. This is the first time that Candide questions Pangloss’ philosophy. The doctor explains that he has contracted a disease from Paquette which traces back one of the companions of Christopher Columbus that was with him when he went to the new world. Even when in obvious misery and near death, Pangloss defends his philosophy saying that it was all for the best, because if Columbus had not gone to the new world, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the treat that is chocolate and cochineal. Jacques helps Pangloss get cured and hires him as a bookkeeper. The three of the men sail to Lisbon and while on the trip, a storm strikes the ship.
You should know that your student didn't write this himself; he downloaded it from a free essay site. Jacques falls overboard ...