Read about Candide
Class Discussion Questions:
- What is the meaning of the title character's name? Given the nature of Candide's choices, on what level is his name ironic? Is it a standard worth pursuing?
- Who is the narrator of this story? And by "who," I don't mean that you have to identify him but that we should be able to describe some of his characteristics. For instance, is he a character in the story? How can you tell?
- What philosophy is being ridiculed in this satire? How does the idea of free will figure into this criticism? Identify an example.
- Identify some examples of poor reasoning based on Pangloss's reductive notion of cause and effect. What do I mean by "reductive"?
- What happens when Pangloss tries to explain how free will is a part of the larger system of universal reason?
- Why does Candide begin to question that all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds? Why is his doubt a significant current in the story?
- How would you describe the plot of this narrative? Describing the story is easy, but how would you describe the plot? Is the plot part of the satire? How so?
- How does the end of the old woman's story (p. 40) provide a thematic link to "A Modest Proposal"?
- What is faulty about Candide's reasoning at the end of Chapter XVI?
- What is the symbolic significance of the machine that carries Candide and Cacambo out of El Dorado?
- Does the ending of Candide finally clarify the message of the work? How does the close of this hyperactive, quick-moving narrative make us question the value of words?
- How does Voltaire prompt us to think about the value of art and literature in our lives? Can they make us happy? If not, of what use are they?
- Why is it that free will is never explained philosophically in Candide (pp. 17 and 81)? Does Voltaire demonstrate the meaning of free will in other ways?
- What role does Martin play in Candide’s development as a character? Is their dispute enough to change how Candide thinks?
- “Candide, having been educated never to judge for himself, was much surprised at what he heard.” How does this quote suggest that Voltaire is using Candide, the character, to show us ourselves
- Is there a “pre-established harmony,” as Pangloss puts it? If so, is there also liberty?
- How can a story that takes on the form of trivial and fantastical fiction be taken seriously?
- If we look at Candide as an allegory, what could the meaning of the story be?
- Can we agree that the writing of Candide is motivated by a political or ethical concern with human improvement?
