"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.
Sexual taboos have been a problem, becoming less strict with the aging time. Voltaire, as mentioned was a revolutionist and was thinking ahead of his time. Purposefully, Candide did not mind that Lady Cunegonde had lost her virginity. By this, Voltaire is insinuating that love when pure is stronger than society. Male chauvinism is strong today, and was even worst at that time. This dominance is clearly where women were pure when virgin, unlike men. Liberalism is getting stronger today, stepping over ridiculous taboos like this one.
ResponderEliminarI am happy to know that you understood what the eunuch said to the old lady when she was lying helplessly on the floor. This shows that Voltaire has an idea that women were for pleasure only and, as the man said, when they can't it's a disaster to society. Although, Voltaire indicates that the more pure and virgin a women is, the more a man wants her. Sexuality was of course a taboo in Voltaire's time and has slowly shifted to liberalism up until now. I agree with your blog. I enjoy your blogs. Keep up the good work.
ResponderEliminar