Candide was the
perfect example of satirical literature. Even just reading the first few
chapters you get a glimpse of his humor and sarcasm throughout each phrase.
A very satirical example that Voltaire was
trying to show was when one of the sailors on the way to Lisbon had fallen
overboard and James saw this and rushed over to help. While helping the sailor
up James fell into the water, while the sailor who was just helped up looked at
James and didn't care whats so ever. Voltaire in this section was trying
to really emphasize a satirical example of how some people
really don't appreciate the things other do for them. The example he gives was
showing that although James was so nice and kind to his sailor and saved his
life some people are just so evil and moronic that a few seconds
after someone saved your life and risked their own life by falling in
to save you, you have the audacity to let them drown after they just saved you.
I think my favorite point the Voltaire seemed to be
making throughout the chapters we read was through Pangloss's idea that
everything in life happens for a reason. That idea that has obviously been
spread through the years. Its something that we all have been told thousands of
times. Voltaire shows us so many things that happen that just seem. . . bad.
This leads to Candide doubting Pangloss's optimistic theory. I think this is
Voltaire's way of kind of putting that common idea to shame. Bad things happen
and sometimes that's that. There doesn't always have to be a reason or
explanation. . . sometimes things just suck.
But, I mean, who knows? Maybe syphilis is the reason
why the world can love and enjoy chocolate. . .
These were only a couple of many, many examples of satire just
throughout the chapters we read. Through all the awful things that happen in
these chapters of Candide you see many points Voltaire was trying to throw in
peoples faces. From religion to war we clearly see Voltaire's ideas through
Candide in a very entertaining way.
-M
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