Throughout Voltaire’s brilliant short novel, Candide, he utilizes the influential tool of satire as a civil attack on Europe’s corrupt society. While there are many themes that Voltaire confers upon in his writing, the central thesis in my view is his sarcastic portray of the optimistic view from the Enlightenment. This optimistic view is strategically used to hide the horrors of life during this period such as sexual oppression, religious hypocrisy, brutal warfare, and more.
In the beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to the protagonist, Candide, who is being taught by a philosopher named Pangloss whose focus is the idea of optimism. Throughout the novel Pangloss’ lessons are simplified into one sentence: “all this is the best there is” (ch.5). As the story progresses
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For instance when Cacambo asks, "What's optimism," Candide dejectedly replies, "Alas...it is a mania for saying things are well when one is in hell" (ch.16). Martin insistently tries to convince Candide that there is little morality and happiness in the world. One instance is when a happy couple is seen walking and singing to which Candide tells Martin, "At least you will allow me that these two are happy" (ch.24). Martin responds to Candide's comment with, "I lay you they are not" (ch.24). In order to prove his optimistic perspective, Candide invites the couple out to dinner with them. As the young girl tells her story, Martin takes pleasure in knowing he has proven his point that not everything is right or “best” in the world. While Candide’s outlook on life as taught to him by Pangloss is one that is lovely in theory, Martin's is much more realistic. Candide was certain that the couple was a happy one because that is all he knows. However, Martin’s insistent pessimism brings out the grim truth, that most people are not always