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Candide is the illegitimate nephew of a German baron. He grows up in the baron’s castle under the tutelage of the scholar Pangloss, who teaches him that this world is “the best of all possible worlds.” Candide falls in love with the baron’s young daughter, Cunégonde.
Candide, Cunégonde, and the old woman flee all the way to Buenos Aires in South America, where Candide is put in charge of a military company mustered for the war against the rebelling Jesuits in Paraguay.
Read the free full text, the full book summary, an in-depth character analysis of the character Candide, and explanations of important quotes from Candide.
The tale of Candide begins in the castle of the Baron Thunder-ten-Tronckh in Westphalia, home to the Baron's daughter, Lady Cunégonde; his bastard nephew, Candide; a tutor, Pangloss; a chambermaid, Paquette; and the rest of the Baron's family. The protagonist, Candide, is romantically attracted to Cunégonde.
Candide is heartbroken, but he cannot stay and fight for Cunégonde, because he must flee from police officers who traced Candide to the region. Aided by Cacambo, a valet, Candide escapes and soon meets the Reverend Father Commander, leader of a Jesuit army in Paraguay.
A summary of Chapters 1–4 in Voltaire's Candide. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Candide and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
Candide, satirical novel published in 1759 that is the best-known work by Voltaire. It is a savage denunciation of metaphysical optimism—as espoused by the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz —that reveals a world of horrors and folly. early printing of Voltaire's CandideAn early version of Voltaire's Candide printed in London, 1759.
Plot Summary. Candide opens at the castle of Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia, Germany, where the young Candide is in love with the Baron’s daughter Cunégonde and is taught by their tutor Pangloss that the world is the best of all possible worlds. Candide is expelled from the castle when he is caught kissing Cunégonde.
Candide Summary. C andide recounts Candide’s series of bizarre adventures in Europe and the Americas and his journey to win back his beloved, Cunegonde.
How It All Goes Down. Candide grows up in the home of Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh in the German province of Westphalia. His tutor, Dr. Pangloss, teaches him that their world is the best of all possible worlds, and everything that transpires in this world is for the best.