Candide is a
philosophical story set around the world in 18th century. It
depicted a young man who lived in a paradise-like country of Westphalia. He was
brought up by a Baron, and fell in love with the Baron’s daughter, the fair
Cunégonde. Candide was educated by a philosopher called Pangloss. Pangloss
believed that all in the world is created for the best, so even if there are
evil and catatstrophe, they are meant to lead mankind to something better at
the end. With this philosophy stick on his brain, Candide took his journey
around the world after being kicked out by the Baron for seducing Cunégonde.
Having been
experiencing real life, the innocent Candide was confronted with so many
unfortunate events, evil, corrupt men, greed, and deception. All those times he
was bewildered at the evils and injustices, and started questioning whether
Pangloss had taught him wrong. Candide even held to his believe in “pure nature
is good” principle, although he had just escaped of being eaten by the
Oreillons, thanks to Pangloss’ principle.
As a
novella, Candide is very uniquely written by Voltaire. If you have ever read
Baudolino by Umberto Eco, you will see a style similarity with Candide. Both
Candide and Baudolino involved in not only one historical event, but hopping to
many of them through some comical and absurd incidents. Like Baudolino, Candide
also sailed to many countries, met historical important persons, and presented
with many cultures and religions during his journey to unite with Cunégonde.
But only at El Dorado that Candide found only happiness and beauty. He was even
be made richer than any Kings on earth because all soil and pebbles in El
Dorado were made from gold and other precious stones (for outsider) but were
treated as just soil and pebbles.
I think it
is clear that Voltaire wanted to criticize Leibniz’ theory of “all is for the best”. This German
philosopher believed that all is for the best because God is perfect, so
everything He created must be perfect. I thought about this long after I
finished this novella—and am still thinking about it when I am writing this
post. My thought is split in two reasoning. In one way I agree with Voltaire
that men should not take his life for granted by expecting that at the end
everything should turn to good; we must work hard for it. But on the other
hand, I agree at some points—at some points only—with Leibniz’ theory too, that
God always provides the best for us, He wants to give us only the best, but
only if we truly believe in Him and want it.
So what is
best is, I think, if we do our best, and let God do the rest. In a way Candide
(or Voltaire) was right, we must work to gain happiness. But we must also
realize that we do not know what is best for ourselves, and in that case, we
must trust God that He will give us what is best.
And before I
end this review, here is one passage that has intrigued me, it’s a discussion
between Martin (one of Candide’s philosopher and friend) and Candide, of course
at the same topic of the optimistic. Candide was asking Martin whether he
believed that men have always done evils.
M: “Do you believe that hawks have always
eaten pigeons when they have found them?”
C: “Yes, without doubt.”
M: “Well, then, if hawks have always had the
same character, why should you imagine that men may have changed theirs?”
C: “Oh! There is a vast deal of difference,
for free will—“
There
Voltaire ended the discussion abruptly, but I disagree with Martin. He believed
that evil was men’s character, and that was—just like in hawks—their nature; and
that the world has been created to ‘plague us to death’. I believe that since God is good and perfect, He created us good,
and meant us for the best. However, God grants us the free will—as Candide was
about to mention in that discussion—to make the choice ourselves, to be good or
evil. Men do have both good and evil in them, but we also have the free will to
make choices.
I granted
three stars for Candide as a story with all the funny comical adventures, and a
half star for making me drown to a deep reflection about life. Thank you
Voltaire!
~~~~~
*I read ebook from Gutenberg Project*
*This book is counted
for*
2nd book for New Authors Reading Challenge 2013
5th book for What's In a Name Reading Challenge2013