Candide, the protagonist of Voltaire’s novel, is described as an optimistic innocent and naïve man. He is unaware of all the evil present in the world. Candide comes form the word Candidus, that means “white” in Latin. His name helps emphasis the protagonist personality. Throughout the book Candide and his professor Pangloss continually talked about their philosophy as to why things occur. Convinced that everything happens for the best and that things cannot be stopped. At the end, all events, regardless of the fact of how important the event is, will always lead to a greater good . This mentally, however, is not new to human reasoning. It is due to this philosophy that people when faced with misfortune or personal crisis will believe that later in life all their pain and suffering will lead to happiness and personal growth.
On the other hand, the novel presents another character named James, the Anabaptist. He contradicts Candide´s philosophy by stating that God did not give human’s guns and canyons , however, human`s managed to create these weapons to kill others. He later expresses that it was not possible that so much pain inflicted upon people could turn out to be for the greater good. As the novel progress a new character enters the story, he was an officer of the Inquisition who rapidly questioned Pangloss for he’s philosophy. The officer pointed out that if Pangloss philosophy were to be true then it would mean that human`s have no Free Will and that eternal punishments were not to exit. After all of this was said, Pangloss rapidly and respectfully responded: “ but I must point out that the fall of man and eternal punishment enter, of Necessity....For the Will that is Determined..”(pg. 35). Nevertheless I strongly disagree with Pangloss philosophy, hence it is extremely optimistic and depends on the good nature of all mankind to participate. Besides one most never forget that humans are one of the most selfish, envious and hypocrite creatures in the planet, therefore depending in their good side can be quite uncertain.
You made me reflect a lot on the way each of us may face harships Manuela. I agree with the idea that it is impossible for everything to happen for the best. However, I do think we must somehow trust those who have earned it, because if we trust no one then who will help us in difficult times. This entry directly connects with mine, on how idealists and realits principles clash when facing problems. It is obviously very difficult to determine if we each have a written destiny or if we make it through what we call Free Will.
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