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)