People
He is Candide’s optimistic tutor who believes they live in “the best of all possible worlds”
Who is Dr. Pangloss?
This castle, where Candide begins his journey, symbolizes his initial naivety and innocence
What is the Castle of Thunder-ten-Tronckh?
This natural disaster strikes Lisbon, leading to chaos, superstition, and executions by the Inquisition
What is the earthquake?
This philosophy, represented by Pangloss, is satirized throughout the novel for its blind acceptance of suffering.
What is Optimism?
Voltaire uses satire to criticize this institution, particularly through the character of the Grand Inquisitor
The Catholic Church
This woman is Candide’s love interest, known for her beauty and misfortunes throughout the story
Who is Cunégonde?
This South American utopia, where gold and jewels are worthless, represents an ideal society
What is El Dorado?
Pangloss is punished by the Inquisition through this brutal form of public execution
What is the auto da fe?
The journey to El Dorado presents an exploration of this theme, questioning whether wealth can bring happiness
What is greed?
The wealth of El Dorado suggests the possibility of this, but Candide still chooses to leave, symbolizing humanity's dissatisfaction
What is utopia?
This man is the pessimistic scholar Candide meets in Suriname, who believes the world is full of misery
Who is Martin?
Candide and Martin travel to this European city known for its decadence, theater, and gambling
What is Paris?
Candide and Cacambo acquire immense wealth after encountering these animals, whose unusual color symbolizes the riches of El Dorado
What is the red sheep?
The Old Woman's story of suffering illustrates Voltaire's critique of this societal issue, especially in relation to women
What is gender inequality?
Voltaire critiques this practice, often linked to colonial expansion, by portraying the enslavement of multiple characters in the story.
What is slavery?
She is Cunégonde's servant and a survivor of numerous hardships, including enslavement and loss of body parts
Who is the old woman?
This location is where Candide and the Old Woman reunite with Cunégonde, who is now enslaved by a wealthy Jew and the Grand Inquisitor
What is Lisbon?
Candide and Cacambo escape from this South American tribe that initially plans to eat them
What are the Orellians?
By the end of the novel, Candide rejects grand philosophical speculation and embraces this simple, practical philosophy
What is cultivating the garden?
By depicting massacres and pillaging, Voltaire critiques this human activity often justified as noble or necessary.
what is war?
He is the kind-hearted Anabaptist who helps Candide but tragically dies while trying to save a sailor
Who is Jacques?
Candide's final refuge where he and his companions live a simple life
What is the farm?
Candide's reunion with Cunégonde at this location reveals her drastic change in appearance and challenges his devotion to her
What is the reunion at Constantinople?
The novel critiques this concept by showing how characters suffer not because of divine will, but due to human greed, cruelty, and chance
What is fate and free will?
Voltaire critiques this system of power and privilege through the foolishness, corruption, and moral failings of nobles like the Baron and other aristocrats
What is aristocracy?