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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.
Candide, ou l'Optimisme (/ k ɒ n ˈ d iː d / kon-DEED, French: ⓘ) is a French satire written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, first published in 1759. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled Candide: or, All for the Best (1759); Candide: or, The Optimist (1762); and Candide: Optimism (1947).
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.
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.
