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A Literary Analysis Of 'Candide' By Voltaire

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The last lines of the novella, Candide, a satirical piece, are “but let us cultivate our garden” (Voltaire, 221). Written by Voltaire, who was a French philosopher during the Enlightenment, he mocks and ridicules Leibniz’s idea of philosophical optimism. By “our garden”, Voltaire really means ourselves. The cultivation of ourselves is to learn from the world and it’s mistakes, and then create a path that will call for a desired and fine life. Many examples of this are seen throughout the short story. The protagonist, Candide, is put to the test after being kicked out of the castle in Westphalia, where he lived his whole life. During his life at the castle, he has been brainwashed to believe that everything that happens is for the best and he lives in the best of all possible …show more content…

This is illustrated when Martin, a symbolic character, explains how the Turk was able to dodge the misfortunes of the six kings, “ ‘This good old man,’ said Martin, appears to have chosen for himself a fate much more preferable to that of the six kings with whom we had the honor to dine’ ” (Voltaire, 129). In other words, comparing the miserable lives of the kings (dethronement, imprisonment, and the stripping of their values/money) to that of the Turk’s, the Turk chooses a path filled with wealth and prosperity. He has 20 acres of land and according to Candide, “a vast and magnificent estate” (Voltaire, 218). The importance of this moment is to show the different directions life can take you. The story of the six kings emphasizes that not everything can go as planned. Being kings, you would expect a far more luxurious lifestyle, but they too struggle from the negative effects of life. However, the Turk learned how to use all of the opportunities life gave him to build a stable life for his family and self. Thus, man has control over his life and is the only one who can decide whether he leads his life full of contentment or

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