CANDIDE READING GUIDE

Directions: The following exercise is designed to guide you through Candide. After completing it, you should have a thorough understanding of the main points of the novel and Voltaire's overall philosophy.

Note – students should read the book with an eye towards completing the analysis essay (due 27 Sep 2005)

Chapters I-III

·        Under what circumstances was Candide born?

·        Who is Cunegonde and how old is she?

·        Why is the baron the greatest baron in the province?

·        What is meant by "experimental physics" and how does it get Candide literally kicked out of the castle?

·        Name two techniques that the uniformed men use to get Candide to join the Bulgarian army.

·        How was Candide punished when he tried to go for a walk without permission? What point do you think Voltaire is trying to make about natural rights?

·        Describe Voltaire’s scathing description of the "glories" of war. 

 Chapters IV-VI

·        How does Pangloss' philosophy backfire on him and Cunegonde?

·        Voltaire believed that men make their own fates. They are not controlled by some all-powerful God. How does Voltaire make this clear when James states his opposition to Pangloss' philosophy?

·        According to Pangloss, for what purpose was the Lisbon harbor formed?

·        What was the purpose of burning people at the stake in Lisbon?

·        On what charges were Pangloss and Candide arrested?

Chapters VII-IX

·        Who did the old woman take Candide to?

·        What relationship do Cunegonde, Don Issachar, and the Grand Inquisitor have?

·        What does Candide do to the Inquisitor when the Inquisitor walks in on Candide and Cunegonde while they are "on the couch.”?

·        When Pangloss dies, who becomes the new advisor to Candide and Cunegonde?

Chapters X-XII

·        How does Voltaire show the hypocrisy of the clergy?

·        Where does Candide go to find the "best of all possible worlds?"

·        Name two misfortunes that befell the old woman when she was with the Moroccans.

·        For what purpose does Voltaire think religion can be used?

 

 

Chapters XIII-XVI

·        Pangloss was always very optimistic, but the old woman is more practical. How does she advise Candide to deal with the murder he has committed?

·        Cacambo recommends to Candide that they go to the Jesuits. According to Cacambo, how might Candide be useful to them?

·        From Cacambo's description, the Jesuit community sounds like Utopia--it is vast and orderly. How does the dispersion of wealth refute this? (Hint: This is another criticism of the Church).

·        What is the true identity of the Reverend Father?

·        Why does the Reverend Father become so angry with Candide after treaty him like a friend?

·        By having Candide kill the Reverend Father, Voltaire shows that men are sometimes compelled to do evil things. Does this refute Pangloss's philosophy?

·        Does the incident involving the monkeys show that man is evolving (man to ape) or that man is devolving (ape to man)?

Chapter XVII-XIX

·        Read Chapters XVII and XVIII and give three examples of how Eldorado really is Utopia in Voltaire's mind.

·        Cite the page and paragraph in Chapter XVII in which Candide finally admits that Pangloss was wrong about some things.

·        Why does Candide leave Eldorado?

·        How do the incidents involving the Dutch captain and the judge refute Pangloss' philosophy?

Chapters XX-XXIII

·        How does Martin's philosophy differ from Pangloss' philosophy?

·        According to Martin, for what purpose was the earth formed?

·        Does Voltaire support the British system of government?

Chapter XXIV-XXVI

·        Name three things that happened to Paquette after she left Westphalia.

·        Which philosophy does Paquette's life best reflect, Pangloss' or Martin's?

·        How does Voltaire's treatment of Milton and the other classics relate to the skepticism of the time?

·        According to divine right theory, kings are ordained by God, a theory that Voltaire does not support. The purpose of Chapter XXVI, therefore, is to demonstrate that even the worst fates can befall kings. Knowing this, explain why the servants want the kings to leave the inn so quickly.

Chapters XXVII-XXX

·        What does Cunegonde do for a living in Constantinople?

·        What does the old woman suggest Candide buy while they wait for their fortunes to take a turn for the better?

·        Searching for the meaning of life, Candide and his friends consult a famous dervish. What religious concept does the dervish reflect?

• Do Pangloss and Martin change their opinions by the end of the book?