Jacqueline Glenn
ENGL-2331-42301
April 13, 2022
Exploring Voltaire’s Candide, or Optimism
Write your answers underneath each of the following prompts. Do not use a different color font.
1. Explain Candide’s genealogy, and describe the people with whom he lives at the beginning of
the tale.
Candide lives in a castle of the baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. He is believed to be
the son of the baron’s sister and a respectable gentleman that she would not marry. He lives with
the baron, the baroness, their son, and daughter along with the son’s tutor Pangloss, and the
baroness’s servant.
2. Who is the character Pangloss, and what is Pangloss's essential philosophy.
Pangloss is the baron’s son’s tutor. His philosophy is that there cannot
possibly be an effect a cause.
3. What is Voltaire's attitude toward Pangloss’s philosophy?
Voltaire’s attitude toward Pangloss’s philosophy is false. Voltaire is skeptical
and believes proven facts over the philosophy.
4. The name "Candide" means "unsophisticated" or "naive." Giving examples, explain why this
is an appropriate name for the character of Candide.
During the story Candide struggles with the philosophy and optimism even though he faced
several severe challenges along the way. In the story he was shy and timid when approaching
Cunegonde but not unsophisticated at all.
5. How does Voltaire show the brutality and incivility of war in Chapters 1-3?
Voltaire describes the scene of the war in great detail. He references before and after of specific
areas and specific people to paint a visual of the aftermath of the attacks.
6. In Chapter 6-8, what is Voltaire's attitude toward religion and the
Inquisition?
Voltaire expresses an indifference with religion. The characters that he is
closest too and loves the most appear to be affected negatively by the
Inquisition. Voltaire believes religion spreads superstition.
7. What outlook towards the world is characteristic of Candide's servant Cacambo?
Cacambo outlook seemed carefree and adventure seeking. Cacambo shows
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2023 21:38:38 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/145369418/SQ-1-Voltaire-J-Glenndocx/
ENGL-2331-42301
April 13, 2022
Exploring Voltaire’s Candide, or Optimism
Write your answers underneath each of the following prompts. Do not use a different color font.
1. Explain Candide’s genealogy, and describe the people with whom he lives at the beginning of
the tale.
Candide lives in a castle of the baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. He is believed to be
the son of the baron’s sister and a respectable gentleman that she would not marry. He lives with
the baron, the baroness, their son, and daughter along with the son’s tutor Pangloss, and the
baroness’s servant.
2. Who is the character Pangloss, and what is Pangloss's essential philosophy.
Pangloss is the baron’s son’s tutor. His philosophy is that there cannot
possibly be an effect a cause.
3. What is Voltaire's attitude toward Pangloss’s philosophy?
Voltaire’s attitude toward Pangloss’s philosophy is false. Voltaire is skeptical
and believes proven facts over the philosophy.
4. The name "Candide" means "unsophisticated" or "naive." Giving examples, explain why this
is an appropriate name for the character of Candide.
During the story Candide struggles with the philosophy and optimism even though he faced
several severe challenges along the way. In the story he was shy and timid when approaching
Cunegonde but not unsophisticated at all.
5. How does Voltaire show the brutality and incivility of war in Chapters 1-3?
Voltaire describes the scene of the war in great detail. He references before and after of specific
areas and specific people to paint a visual of the aftermath of the attacks.
6. In Chapter 6-8, what is Voltaire's attitude toward religion and the
Inquisition?
Voltaire expresses an indifference with religion. The characters that he is
closest too and loves the most appear to be affected negatively by the
Inquisition. Voltaire believes religion spreads superstition.
7. What outlook towards the world is characteristic of Candide's servant Cacambo?
Cacambo outlook seemed carefree and adventure seeking. Cacambo shows
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2023 21:38:38 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/145369418/SQ-1-Voltaire-J-Glenndocx/
