The Trap

       Candide along with Cacambo, land in the most extragavent, luxurious and mysterious country: eldorado. It’s commonly filled with golden skyscrapers and precious stones.What society considers of valuable objects, the people of eldorado only see it as ordinary. Eldorado has an entrance but no exit. This enclosed land, forces citizens to remain ingorant of the world’s hate. All people are friendly and good-hearted, there is no corruption or relgious empowerment whatsoever. Yet, among all this greatness, there is poverty.

     What is the simbolism of eldorado? Why has Voltaire created such a magnificent and exquisit atmosphere and made the citizens poor? This writer intends to demonstrate how fortunate people, in reality, seem perfect on the surface, but are completly unhappy and emtpy inside. Voltaire is trying to transmit that money does not buy happiness. The eldorado people might be surrounded by buildings and roads of gold, they might use diamonds as marbles, people might seem warm and welcoming, however, they are said to be moneyless.

     “Two waiters and two waitresses, dressed in cloth of gold with their hair tied in ribbons, invited them to sit down to table and put before then four

tureens of soup, each garnished with two parakeets, a boiled vulture weighing about two hundred pounds, two delicious roast monkeys, three hundred doves on one plate, and six hundred humming-birds on another, as well as exquisite stews and lucious pastries, all served on plates of a sort of rock crystal...” (pg. 76) Why has this community of poor civilians embraced these two strangers with such nobility? Why has the government especially offered to pay all expenses for a foreigners ultimate comfort?

        “’All inns run for the convenience of tradespeopleare paid for by the government. You have fared badly here because this is a poor village, but everywhere else you will be recieved as you deserve to be.’” (Pg.77) Even though people in this city have been miserably striken by poverty, why are they so interested in covering their penury by spoiling newcomers with luxuries they cannot afford themselves? Are these people exemplifying today's materialistic culture? That even though people might not have too much money, still want to appear of high etiquette? Or, that high class civilians shield their sadness with luxury. 

          The mystery of the eldorado people will always remain. Who are these people? Why do they live among such greatness and are still poor? Why is the government and relgion moral and law-abiding, but freedom non existing? Athough these individuals might seem to live in a much superior world than others, they have not the will to leave. The people of eldorado are chained to a life of superficiality and inner hollowness. Eldorado has an entrance but no exit. Once society enters a state of greed, there is not way out. The people of eldorado are the people of today.  

Altruistic Intentions: Society's Defeat

“Having heard the old woman’s story, the lovely Cunegonde began to pay her all respects due to a person of her rank and quality.” (pg.58)

        

         How are minorities designated? Do we define inferiority, by education or ethnicity? Nonetheless, people have been accustomed to blur the line between these two aspects. Discrimination involves degrading a person any way possible. In Candide we can see how the minorities of a society affect their functions. For instance, when Abigail persuaded Lady Cunegonde to marry the fellow Governor of “Buenos Ayres,” with the argument of  saving her reputation.Voltaire is able to portray how Lady Cunegonde, a cultured woman, has the opportunity of marrying a governor, not just for her stunning appearance, but because she came from a wealthy family. Thus, this demonstrates the escalating power of the aristocratic class, when preserving themselves as exclusive and pure. If Lady Cunegonde wouldn't have been a high class citizen in her past, Governor Don Fernando would have simply overlooked this deteriorated and ravished girl. However, minorities aren't always identified according to their economic ranking, but can be used to subordinate a culture. In particular, Candide states his dislike for Spaniards when Cacambo and Candide are about to be introduced to the Governor of “Buenos Ayres.” “’Praise to be God, said the dignitary, ‘I can speak to him as he is German.” (Pg. 63)

         However, as a reader, one comes believe Voltaire's genuine segregation for other races when he states: “My master Pangloss used to tell me that men are equal; and I shall marry her with no hesitation.” (Pg. 67) Voltaire’s constant mockery of how society has acted so warmly upon, Lady Cunegonde’s lack of prestige, makes readers reconsider his attitude when this woman is proposed matrimony by the governor. Is Voltaire saying that this proposal could never be real? Does he too believe that Lady. C is unfit for such a high standard man? Voltaire ridicules fictitious  romantic situations between Candide, the Governor and Lady Cunegonde, where citizens don't have any kind of discernment of the economical and cultural clashes. unlike society where people would attack this situation fiercely. His perception on reality and fantasy is raw. Voltaire intends to transmit a utopia that could never come true.

         The world dreams of equality, when sincerely, people aren’t capable of growth nor change.  Today this problem is even graver, for society has come to state their “growth” through the media. Individuals do not have to deal with representing and exposing to the world that they have “evolved.” They are convinced that through TV shows they can prove themselves righteous.They rely on TV to convince themselves that they have become  honest to others. For example, in The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, her character is able to demonstrate how far citizens have come to when helping others. However, Sandra Bullock, plays the role of an exceptional woman, who is an exception and rare in reality. Sandra Bullock plays a woman who is unaware of minorities. She interprets a woman who all humans want to be, but everyone is too selfish to become.

                Voltaire admires Candide, but he doesn't believe society nor himself could ever be truthful to this character’s words: “...men are created equal.” (pg. 67) 

The Pitted Pearl

                   "Ma che sciagura d'essere senza coglioni!" (Pg. 54) 

                      Its astounding how far Voltaire expresses the corrupt mind of the human mind. 

              Why has Voltaire brought so much importance to the subject of virginity in Candide? Is he against the social pressure of purity or does he encourage women to preserve and respect their “flower”? He expresses his feelings towards sexual preservation when he states: “What has happened to Lady Cunegonde, that pearl amongst women, the master piece of nature.” Considering Voltaire’s constant mockery of the typical romanticized novel, as a reader I can infer that he considers women as magnificent and worthy with or without their virginity. What has led men to create this connection between attractiveness and sexual purity? Even if a married, duchess princess, one hundred percent blue blood, is the most elegant woman in the entire kingdom, will she no longer be pure or “ a masterpiece of nature?” In addition, this expresses Voltaire’s motives when attacking the conservative society of his times. He accomplishes his revolutionary intentions by invoking a womanizing culture among those open-minded readers. 

           Legitimately, Voltaire has influenced and created the society that is today.  Furthermore, Voltaire constantly situates Lady Cunegonde in scenarios in which she must resist to any sexual intercourse. “For my part I have resisted both of them so far, and I think that is why they love me still.” (Pg.42) Is Voltaire insinuating that women who don’t surrender their purity are frowned upon or praised? “’I was indeed,’ said the lovely Cunegonde, ‘but people don’t always die of those mishaps.’” (Pg. 39) Does the irrational society of the time consider that after being ravished and polluted, women are trash? Although this revolutionary French writer diminishes the value of virginity, what is his position upon his Lady no longer being a pearl and a maiden? Is being ravished an exception to his mentality? Has his admiration for Lady Cunegonde lessened because of her misfortunes? 

            “One day Cunegonde was walking near the house in a little coppice, called ‘the park’, when she saw Dr. Pangloss behind some bushed giving a lesson in experimental physics to her mother’s waiting woman, a pretty little brunette who seemed eminently teachable.” (Pg. 21) Voltaire has rather exceeded his tolerance to public lovemaking. He sees this humane act as natural, instinctive and shameless. Although society today has been able to accommodate to sexually in a liberal way, has Voltaire shown that this mentality is advanced for his times? As a revolutionary, this French writer was able to guide humanity into innovative ideals, however was his perspective on human sexuality causing society to take steps back from becoming civil? Is it more mature to accept sexuality blatantly or as a secretive and animalistic convention? Voltaire introduces and manifests new angles of cultural eroticism to the “stark naked” and naive society. 

The Expected of the Unexpected

                     Love didn’t disappear for Candide. Love revived and emerged itself in his life once again. The appearance and miracle survival of Lady of Cunegonde, is cliché and overly romantic. In a way this happening achieves Voltaire’s discreet and satire approach when mocking romance. Candide and Lady Cunegonde were raised within a scenario that would be typical for a fairy tale; nevertheless, Voltaire mishandles their lives and destroys this stereotypical tale. He ridicules romance by making the happy ending unfeasible. As Candide fights for his lovers’ liberty by killing the priest and the Jew, escaping this hazard is going to take much more precaution as they presumed. Lady Cunegonde, as well as Abigail (her servant) and Candide must not only dodge the violent chasings that will follow, but they will have to heal from the traumatic memories that bruised their minds. After having scrutinized the old woman’s’ vile story and constructed an image in one’s mind of such life, alike the woman herself, as a reader I came to question of suicide.

                The old lady was the daughter of Pope Urban X and the Princess of Palestrina. She portrays the fairy tale life she led, from being the fairest lady of her kingdom, and having fallen in love with the most eligible man; her life came to pieces from one morning to the next. This old lady saw her purity being snatched away, her mother along with her ladies of waiting, split apart and her horrific destiny being exposed upon her ignorant and naive eyes: a presumptuous royal must learn to live the life of a servant. After all, everything happens for the best of all possible worlds. Nevertheless, sometimes life’s lessons drains the strength to survive, and as astonishing as it was that the old lady didn’t self-murder, she was actually able to leave the most clear and honest rationality of why someone who is so miserable still holds on to life.

                  “I have wanted to kill myself hundreds of times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our most melancholy propensities; for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?” (Pg. 57) The old lady explains that life would be monotonous and dull if everything would be positive and as planned. Life wouldn’t just be lifeless, but without bitter experiences, there wouldn’t be any experiences. This reminds me of Dante’s Inferno and of those souls who did no good nor bad, those who they are eternally doomed in Limbo. How can life come to such unveiling and aimless directions, that one made no difference?  There is no importance to live everyday if a memorable event didn’t change a person. There is only recognition of hope when there are negative incidents. What would be victory without failure? What would be intelligence without ignorance? What would be beauty without unattractiveness? What would be happiness without misery? 

Freedom

                                                                  Robin Hood

"'I most humbly beg your Excellency's pardon,' replied Pangloss, still more politely, 'but I must point out that the fall of Man and the eternal punishment enter, of Necessity, into the scheme of the best of all possible worlds.'" (Pg.35)

            One of the world’s most miraculous philosophers discovered the deeper explanations for why unfortunate events make this world mirthful and peaceful: a utopia. The human world around us works in genius ways, for many reasons that must remain unexplored, nevertheless, Pangloss has unlatched Pandora's Box, and in its core lies: the universal rule of reason or the The Indispensable. These revelations of Voltaire’s, Candide search to comfort and promote hope among all who are eternally blessed. People, will hopefully find acceptance in their hearts when their motive for their misery proclaims that everything happens for a reason. Pangloss enlightens his pupil, Candide, by explaining how religious controversies, sexual transmitted diseases, or other forms of illnesses are “necessary ingredients” or “Necessities” for human progress. This remarkable preceptor concludes that wars haven’t been as ferocious because of the diseases that have weakened soldiers. (pg.30) Humanity has come to a point of utter grief and can only expect to regard as true Pangloss’s words, for the sake of survival of the inferno. Those who are living the nightmare are relinquishing the dream for others. For this reason, we who are glancing at the world through starlight glasses will never see those who offer their chances of being bliss.

            “’Men,’ he said, ‘must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four pounders of bayonets, yet they have made themselves bayonets and guns to destroy each other...’” (Pg. 31)  Blame has intoxicated people’s brains, apparently we have destroyed our paradise: our garden of Eve. Humans have dug a hole to the center of the earth, crept into it, settled and then wept over how they are so down under. Every adversity is brought upon the creator itself.

            Humans have created “Necessities” to only comply with those who deserve to live in the sunlight.  Have we honestly come to such unselfishness, or for those who were born charmed, selfishness?

            "'Your Excellency must excuse me,' said Pangloss; 'Free Will is consistent with Absolute Necessity, for it was ordained that we should be free. For the Will that is Determined...'" (Pg.35) Can the world of the jinxed and the world of the godsend inter-collide? If everything happens for a reason, we are slaves of fate. We are all predestined to learn certain lessons through specific experiences (Anabaptist had to die during the shipwreck- Pg.31) Has God created the ill, suffering, and hungry to encourage people to become better souls? When does Free Will take a stand and make this utopia finally livable?