With the Enlightenment came the idea of basic human rights. In 1759 the French philosopher Voltaire promotes these basic rights in his satire Candide. Voltaire uses satire in Candide to criticize the racial judgement that many Europeans held. The primary-race based concept that Voltaire is criticizing in Candide is slavery. Voltaire uses Candide’s interactions with many of the diverse characters of the text to display his opinion on slavery and inequality. One of these characters is Cacambo who is an essential part of Candide’s journey and survival. Candide and Cacambo come into contact with people of various backgrounds including the Oreillon tribe. The duo’s interactions with the Oreillons and a mutilated slave displays Voltaire’s take on …show more content…
The Oreillons surround Cacambo and Candide after receiving word of the Candide slaying the monkeys. Although the Oreillons are excited to eat a Jesuit, being civil the tribe listens to Cacambo’s argument. Voltaire notes that, “this speech appeared very reasonable to the Oreillons”. The Oreillons then send two men to check the validity of Cacambo’s claims and Voltaire commends the tribe’s actions, “like men of sense.” Candide then exclaims, “What men! What manners!” Then goes on to say, “These people, instead of eating me, showed me a thousand civilities”. Noting that Cacambo’s speech appears reasonable to the Oreillon group demonstrates that the tribe acts by justifiable means. Acting in a judicious way gives the native tribe characteristics that humanize the group and shatters the commonly held “savage” image tied to native groups. Voltaire’s description of the tribe as men of sense further breaks down the negative ideas many Europeans held regarding native groups. In addition, Candide’s claims depict the tribe as civilized further allowing the Oreillons to be admirable and their hospitality relatable. Voltaire’s representation of the Oreillons and their righteousness demonstrates Voltaire’s belief that native tribes are not savages but rather civilized and reasonable humans that should not be feared, enslaved, or murdered in