MHS AP LIT Cult Classics Book Group discussion

So this book is really short... I think we should just post three times each instead of splitting the book into thirds?

SOOOO first topic -
This book is riddled with philosophy about the human condition. What does the author think about this? What do YOU think about this?

Yes. Lets do that.


I believe the key irony lies in the philosophy you've referenced. Poor Candide can't catch a break but thanks to the rather faulty philosophy his teacher instilled in him:

Pangloss gave instruction in metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology. He proved admirably that there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds the baron’s castle was the most beautiful of all castles and his wife the best of all possible baronesses. —It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end. Observe: noses were made to support spectacles, hence we have spectacles. Legs, as anyone can plainly see, were made to be breeched, and so we have breeches. . . . Consequently, those who say everything is well are uttering mere stupidities; they should say everything is for the best.


He smiles through it all and repeats that it's "all for the best." Voltaire spells out how ridiculous the all for the best philosophy is by having Pangloss try his reasoning through RIDICULOUS examples -- like the noses being made for spectacles. Therein lies the humor, poor Candide reveres and follows an idiotic man and uses his philosophy to guide him happy-go-luckily through horrific tribulations.

Taken to this extent, the philosophy makes no sense. But some societies/religions have believed similar things, like that everything is for the best in the sense that God has predestined all things to be as they are and there is no diverting from that plan.

Question:

What is Voltaire saying about the world? Is it that one should press on in spite of things? The opposite- that denial of the bad parts of life leads to ignorance and ruin? I guess it will remain to be seen depending on what happens to poor old Candide. Never before have I felt so sorry for a character, except perhaps Jane Eyre. Flogging, broken heart, whipping, sea storms, Voltaire pulls out all the stops to the extent that we expect the worst. Is this even a realistic portrayal of life?
I think not, which makes it so clear that Voltaire is arguing something about one's attitude toward life and rolling with the punches. Perhaps he's providing the worst case scenario of blissful ignorance.