CANDIDE DISCUSSION:

Why is Candide kicked out of the castle? What point do you think Voltaire is trying to make here?

Describe the philosophy of Pangloss? What is meant by "optimism"?

Chapter 6 describes the Inquisition's response to the earthquake in Lisbon. How do the supposedly learned men of Lisbon respond to this natural disaster?

How was the idea of the Inquisition the result of intolerance?
What is heresy in an open society? Why would a religious community respond with random hatred and violence?

Other than the gold and jewels, what other aspect of Eldorado do you find unique?

What do the "noble savages" of the new world represent?

In Chapter 15 the young baron is still opposed to Candide marrying his sister. Why?

Candide meets a young man from Surinam with a mutilated hand. What do Candide's word here suggest about the philosophy of optimism?

Look at the chapter with the deposed kings. (ch. 26)
“My name is Ivan. I was once Emperor of all the Russias but was dethroned in my cradle.”

What are Candide's living conditions at the conclusion of the story? Has his philosophy changed?

Candide ends in the following way: "we must cultivate our garden."
Interpret this statement. How do the many events in this book—both good and bad—support or refute the concept of cultivating one’s garden?

Based on this story, how happy and contented a place was Europe in the 18th century?

Look back through your notes to find references that might parallel the events and ideas of Candide.
Here are some ideas:
 Divine right of kings;
 The Scientific Revolution;
 Commoners suffering;
 Classism and Hierarchy;
 The Enlightenment; (or violations on Enlightenment principles)