Candide Literary Analysis
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In the short story, Candide the idea of evil is not present. There is a character in the novel that does not believe that evil exists, Pangloss. As Candide’s mentor, he has to show him that everything happens for a reason. Pangloss has the idea of optimism. As the novel progresses we see that Pangloss theory is wrong, Candide does not believe in it. The idea of evil is evaded because Candide refuses to accept the fact about its existence.
Candide lives in Westphalia in the castle with the baron. Pangloss shows the world to Candide. Candide falls in love with the Barons daughter, Cunégonde. Candide has this idea that he deserves to be with her. He does not think about the consequences because his mentor has shown him that nothing bad can happen in the perfect world. “Best of all possible worlds”(4). Pangloss believes that nothing bad can happen in this perfect world because God created it, and God is perfect.
Candide is kicked out of the castle, and he encounters two men in the neighboring town that invite him to eat. These two men see Candide and tell him, “People of your looks and quality never pay”(5). At this point, Candide is telling himself that this is happening because it’s for the best. After drinking with these two men, he goes with them and joins the regiment. Candide goes for a walk and gets thrown into a dungeon. The men tell him to choose his punishment and Candide tells them, “By virtue of that gift of God called freedom”(6). He tries to argue with them about