Voltaire's Candide centers around a character of the same name. He begins his journey in the castle of a German baron, and is expelled from living there when he is found innocently kissing Mrs. Cunegonde, the baron's daughter, another resident of the castle, behind a curtain. This begs the question: why? Voltaire describes Candide, a boy of probably around seventeen, as being enamored with Cunegonde and later in the story as being in love with her. But, based on the description of the family tree, they're half siblings. Candide is suspected to "have been the son of the baron's sister by a very good sort of gentleman of the neighborhood, whom that young lady refused to marry..." (11). Is this information that Candide and Cunegonde are not aware of? Based on what I know of Voltaire's time(the early to mid 18th century), incest wasn't encouraged He lived in a Europe that was still strongly christian, and incestuous relationship are frowned upon in Christian scripture. Additionally, later in the story, a man in Portugal is burned at the stake by the Inquisitor for marrying his godmother, which the footnotes of the Barnes and Noble Classic edition says that even god-family was too close to be accepted in this time. So, why does Volataire have the siblings fall in love? What purpose is it serving; some kind of hypocrisy?
I was a bit concerned when I first started the book because Voltaire is an esteemed and daunting name in both philosophy and literature. I was intimidated and feared the writing style might be beyond my comprehension level. Though I know he spent a few years in England while in exile from France, but since Candide was written later in Voltaire's life, I believe it was originally written in French. Maybe it's just a great translation, but the book really flows. Sure, some of the language is a bit antiquated, but even though the book is one giant allegory, the story and plot just flow. It's easy to read and really enjoyable! I think this is the oldest piece of literature that I've read that I think i can say I truly like and get pleasure out of reading.
I'm very intrigued by the character of Dr. Pangloss, Cunegonde and Candide's teacher and mentor when they both happily inhabited the castle. He is always (well, before his death at the hands of the Inquisitor, that is) talking about how we live in the "best of all possible worlds". At first, Candide truly believes Dr. Pangloss and shares his optimistic outlook on life. But, as Candide's journey goes on (maybe even a quest like Foster suggests, but I think the jury is out on that one until I finish the book), he starts to loose a bit of his optimism he experiences the real world as opposed to the one that existed within the baron's castle. This must also be a play on Candide's name, which literally translates from French to be "naive'. Gee, I wonder what Voltaire thinks about optimism...
