Although the main characters in Voltaire's Candide presumably resign themselves to work and cultivation rather than philosophizing, it is necessary for them to survive the struggle and turmoil to come to this realization. The adventures that bind Candide to his companions throughout the story provide a model for Voltaire's worldview. While it is evident to any careful observer of the real world that Pangloss's optimistic philosophy should be rejected, the author also leaves his readers with the impression that work and conformity are the key to happiness. The potential flaws of this impression, however, ultimately show that true happiness is unattainable in Voltaire's eyes, and throughout the narrative Voltaire seeks to reveal that it is impossible to sustain adherence to any system of thought. Whether a person is active or passive; optimistic or pessimistic; idealistic or realistic; he can do nothing to decisively change his state, and therefore must rely on a reality that humanity cannot change. Since humans can only accept what they cannot control, Voltaire's satire does not serve as an instrument of reform but only of realism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The progression of adventures through which Candide must proceed demonstrates the futility of reform in Voltaire's eyes. The pace with which Candido moves from one situation to another also demonstrates that reform cannot be an objective. The fast-paced action of each event doesn't allow the reader to know many details or sympathize with any secondary characters, and the lack of transition leaves no time to contemplate what has recently happened to the protagonist. Considering the little time available for reflection and the transitory existence of so many characters, there is no need to reform situations that have no chance of recurring. Even the presumed death contrasted by the miraculous continuation of life does not alter the traits of certain characters. Pangloss is exemplary of this idea. The reader does not know many details about Pangloss other than his optimism, which survives two presumed deaths. When the reader perceives a secondary character only through one trait, it is more difficult to imagine that character changing and modifying his or her opinions or actions. At the end of the story, Martin suggests that we "stop philosophizing" (Voltaire, Candide, p.99), but Pangloss closes the chapter with more philosophy. His inability to stop philosophizing even when he agrees to do so functions as a paradigm for Voltaire's other characters. The Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, brother of Cunegonde, is a follower of the paradigm provided by Pangloss, and is another character who is unable to change his opinion from the beginning to the end of the story. When Candido meets him in Paraguay, the baron becomes a mirror of his father's feelings and becomes hostile when Candido mentions his intention to marry Cunegonde (p. 39). At one point during the meeting of the men in Constantinople, the baron's opinion did not change, even after Candide "killed" him. “'You can kill me once more if you want,' said the Baron” (p. 95). The Baron's defiance of Candide and his immutable pride allow him to make a rather alarming statement. Death should be the ultimate end, but in Voltaire's world a man can be killed and still not be changed. Such fortunate opportunities to defy death demonstrate that even by killing him “one more time” it is not possible to change the situation. If all the characters strictly followed this model, there would be no hope of improvement for anyone, but Voltaire allows them tosome characters become so disillusioned that they have to reevaluate their point of view. Cunegonde promises that she can become more than what Voltaire did to her in the past. end, and she is the first to be disappointed by Pangloss' optimism. “Thus Pangloss deceived me cruelly when he told me that all was well with the world” (p.20). It seems, however, that the revelation ends there, as Cunegonde cannot create a solution to "make all right in the world." She knows that "Pangloss deceived her", but she can't go the extra step and do something about it. Ultimately, only Candide can realize his potential and act on his disillusionment. At a fundamental level, then, Voltaire shows that human beings on the whole show an unwillingness or perhaps an inability to change. While Pangloss and the Baron are just two of many convenient examples that show the relative inability of Voltaire's characters to change, it is important that Candide himself does so. edit. In response to Pangloss's philosophizing at the end of the tale, Candide acknowledges his master's statement only with "This is well said [...] but we must cultivate our own garden" (p. 100). It took him longer than Cunegonde to realize the problem with Pangloss's vision, but he progresses more than anyone else because he actively opposes it. Candide is therefore the only character who has truly changed his vision of life, and this transformation shows the contrast between his previous way of thinking and his current one. In a certain sense, Candide's final declaration can serve as a mouthpiece for Voltaire himself. With "this is well said", Voltaire admits that the systems of the past - which he disapproved of and against which he rebelled - had something of value in them. Ultimately, however, the value or merit of each philosophy is not sufficient to reach a final solution. Humanity must surrender itself to carrying out its fundamental function without the analyzes or explanations with which it previously consoled itself. When humanity abstains from analysis and returns to its basic function, it involves true reform. Yet it seems that Voltaire manages to break down even this epiphany with his satire. A return to fundamentals implies action, which in turn implies reform. Voltaire, however, shows that even a return to the basic function of "cultivating our garden" is flawed because Candide is the only person who can actually realize the truth of this statement and its implications. Pangloss cannot help but echo Candide's reformist ideals, and when the latter first advocates yard work, Pangloss responds with more of his culture. "In fact, when man was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was placed there ut operatur eum - so that he could work - which shows that man was not born to rest" (p. 99). This statement actually returns to philosophizing, which Pangloss ultimately fails to abandon. Only Candide possesses the possibility of reform, and his companions echo him in words but not in deeds. Extending to the rest of humanity, Voltaire shows that although reform may be an ideal carried out by one person, the rest of humanity cannot put that reform into practice. Even if a person can propose the ideals of reform, this does not happen. necessarily bring happiness to that person. While Candide isn't exactly unhappy with his situation, it isn't his ideal. An example of how Candide is now trapped in the grip of an unfortunate existence is his relationship with Cunegonde. His one-time love has suddenly turned ugly, but a conflict with her "honorable" brother convinces Candide to marry her out of spite. Voltaire presents a situation of hope: Candide possesses his love and reunites with everyoneothers who have greatly influenced his life, but the author quickly nullifies any glimmer of happiness that hope may lead to. Ruined by the discordance between reality and intention, Candide knows that happiness is ultimately unattainable. With the premise that reform cannot truly be practiced and happiness is unattainable even if change were possible, the reader must decide what the action of the story ultimately communicates. It is clear that Voltaire advocates something that is the total rejection of everything, and there is a direction in which he seeks to lead his readers: "That is to say," Martin replied, "is there pleasure in not having pleasure? " [...] 'It is good to hope,' said Martin" (83). Voltaire rejects the idea that a person should try to find happiness by contesting the ideas of others. There can truly be no happiness or pleasure when a person criticizes everything, and it is not advisable to be a perpetual critic. Martin acts as the voice of reason in this case and also in other parts of the story, and responds appropriately by saying that a person cannot find "pleasure in not taking pleasure IS". It is illogical to claim to have something and at the same time not have that same thing. For Voltaire, this philosophy shows that humanity cannot give up on the world as a whole world should not be given up, Voltaire presents Candide's adventure in Eldorado. Candide spends a month with Cacambo in Eldorado, but Candide can think of nothing but Cunegonde. His desire to see her ruined what should have been there his ultimate happiness. "Such is the desire to always be on the move, to be someone and to boast of what they have seen in their travels, that the two happy men decided not to be happy anymore and to ask His Majesty's permission to leave" (p. 51). Voltaire demonstrates that humanity is restless and ultimately incapable of true happiness since Candide cannot remain in El Dorado. His love for Cunegonde and the promise of getting rich in Europe distance him from the perfect society. Since Candide was the only character who actually had the chance to be happy and change his opinions, his departure from El Dorado shows that there is no one left to challenge the world's opinions. Candide chose to live with the illogicality of preferring wealth and love to happiness, and it was the only hope of the story. Satire is a convenient method to show the illogicality of the world and at the same time demonstrate that one must accept what it brings. Candide begins as an ignorant young man who is thrown into a difficult situation that he neither chose nor can resolve. This situation is a common element of the human condition, and many people at some point experience unexpected and unintended difficulties. After Candide kisses Cunegonde, "all was consternation in the most beautiful and most pleasant of all possible castles" (p. 3). Voltaire exposes through his satire the façade of the "beautiful and very pleasant" castle. The reader can see that Candide, after all, did not live in the perfect world, but the ideas indoctrinated in him made him believe that everything was for the best. All the problems and "consternation" of the perfect world have always existed, and satire reveals this reality. Voltaire tries to convince his readers that they cannot live behind the false facades of the world but must accept all things as they truly are. To see things as they truly are, Candide must abandon all modes of thought and philosophical systems. that were presented to him, and Voltaire invites his readers to do the same. The worldview is expressed by Martin as meaning that "he [the devil] may well be in me, as he is in everything else. But., 1990.