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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page discussion of the importance of optimism verses pessimism in Voltaire’s world. Voltaire viewed human nature neither entirely in a negative light nor entirely in a positive light. Voltaire realized that humans were just that, human. While many of his characters were driven by such negative qualities as greed, others were driven by purer qualities. No additional sources are
listed.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPcandid.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
lived during a time in history in which the tendency was to explain away any event as being for the "better good". This was true whether the event was
indeed positive or whether it was actually quite detrimental. In the event of natural disasters, for example, the same explanation was turned to, that the disaster had actually been
for the "better good". Candide felt that this approach was preposterous. He recognized that some events were indeed disastrous and there was no good that came of them.
Many such events, in fact, were caused not by nature but by man himself. "Candide" is particularly enlightening in regard to the manner with which Voltaire placed blame
where blame was due. In "Candide" Voltaire holds his characters, whether the characters are good or bad, responsible for their own actions. To many this approach suggests Voltaires
view of human nature is largely pessimistic. In reality, however, Voltaire viewed human nature neither entirely in a negative light nor entirely in a positive light. Voltaire realized
that humans were just that, human. While many of his characters were driven by such negative qualities as greed, others were driven by purer qualities.
In "Candide" the young protagonist Candide undertakes a series of adventures in which he encounters the underlying evilness of human nature. Candide approaches life in the
optimistic fashion which characterized Voltaires time. He believes that indeed: "all is for the
best in the best of all possible worlds" The name "Candide" itself, derived from a
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