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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page essay that discusses Voltaire's Candide against the backdrop of its historical era. The writer argues that Voltaire's Candide (1759) is representative of his Enlightenment philosophy. Examination of this shows how it is also shaped by the social and political realities of the eighteenth century. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khvolce.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Enlightenment in a manner similar to the way that "Luther epitomized the Reformation or Leonardo da Vinci did the Italian Renaissance" (Burns 571). It was Voltaire who popularized the scientific
and political theories of John Locke and Isaac Newton, as he promoted the Enlightenment perspective that the natural world can be understood via the use of reason (Burns 571). Voltaires
Candide (1759) is representative of his Enlightenment philosophy. Examination of this shows how it is also shaped by the social and political realities of the eighteenth century. As with
much of Voltaires writing, Candide is concerned with the Enlightenment perspective that the world can be understood via "natural laws and that reason and concrete experience are the only dependable
guides" to logical action (Burns 571). Voltaire makes it clear in from the beginning of this short, mid-eighteenth century novel that the plot of the narrative is not meant to
be taken seriously. The point of the story is to provide a structure upon which Voltaire can develop themes that criticize a wide variety of the social conventions of that
era. In particular, Voltaire employs satire and parody to criticize state militarism, religious bigotry, philosophical optimism, and aristocratic snobbery. Voltaires strongest social criticism in Candide is against state militarism
and war, which he portrays as contrary to all reason. In the eighteenth century, war was presented to the ordinary citizens as an opportunity to obtain brilliance through heroism. Voltaire
writes, "Never was seen a spectacle so fine, so smart, so splendid, so well arrayed as the two armies" (Voltaire 7). This statement is quickly contrasted with remarks about how
many lives could be taken on each side as a result of "musketry" or the "bayonet," as well as how Candide, the novels protagonist, quickly hid during the first "heroic
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