Candide Chapter 2

In Voltaire’s Candide, surprise is in the first paragraph of Chapter 6 when the scholars of the University of Coimbra have concluded that earthquakes are preventable. Their recipe for success is slowly burning a few people. Dr. Pangloss and Candide are surely “The Devils” who have caused the earthquake. Candide is flogged to a rhythmic chant, while Dr. Pangloss is hung. These two were not burned for causing the earthquake, but two Biscayan men were. Even so, another earthquake occurred the same day. Candide cannot understand how Dr. Pangloss is able to remain an optimist when he sees all the pain around him. Prior to the Enlightenment and science, the scholar’s explanation of an earthquake would seem plausible. Candide is surprised when he finds Dr. Pangloss alive after being hung. Realistically, that would be impossible. Dr. Pangloss has an explanation that piles absurdity upon absurdity but seems plausible in Candide’s world. Candide cannot rationalize why Dr. Pangloss still “continue(s) to think that every thing in this world happens for the best.” If we understand the premise of Voltaire as a satirist of his times and religion, then the ending to this story might not be a “surprise.” Today, we understand that earthquakes are not caused by the devil or witches

Panglass how does it happen that I see you again when you were hung. He is surprised to see him alive and then listen to the story of future torture by the hands of a surgeon who purchased his body for dissection. The selections reflect the time when science challenged the philosophy of religion. The world was cruel and evil, with war, famine, poverty, and rulers who murdered subjects without just cause or legal justification. I did not think there was a “surprise ending” but only the author showing the fickleness of the times. Voltaire did not understand the pettiness of theological debates when the world was filled with evil by