Update 2 covering Chapters 9-16 of Voltaire's Candide Read Along hosted by Exploring Classics.
This set of chapters certainly should change one's view of Candide. In the previous set he seemed a little meek and lost about the ways of the world, going with the flow and moving as it leads him. These chapters are filled with Candide slaying everything in sight. Losing his meek characteristic that was allowing him to be lead. He now appears hotheaded and quick to react without thinking about the consequences.
He starts by slaying both of Cunégonde's owners in the Jew and the Inquistor. Now they must flee, taking the old woman that has been Cunégonde maid they ride out hoping to find safety. Karma comes back to thank Candide's quick slayings by having all the groups means of money stolen from Cunégonde on their journey. Cunégonde plays a drama queen, lamenting at how her life has been the worst and no one can come close to understanding the terrors in her short lifetime. Granted, being raped, disemboweled and watching your family cut up is not a walk in the park, but remember, someone always has it worse off. Thus enters the story of our old maid, she was born with descent, social status and not to be outdone by Cunégonde, she is witness to the death of her family and repeatedly raped as well. She was repeatedly sold as a slave, traveling the world with each new owner. It gets better during one of her enslavements the men left behind to protect the women were hungry, they had already eaten the two inner guards to the concubines. So next comes one buttock cheek from each woman to feed these savage beasts wishing to kill them to squelch their hunger.
The three are forced to separate, Candide being the guilty party and must go it alone from Cunégonde and the old lady. Cunégonde as a still young and pleasing to look at lady can easily find safety in another man's house. Candide sets out and with the help of a guide decides to present himself as capable of being a commander for the nearby army. Surprise, none other then Cunégonde's brother is here, wait, wasn't he killed in the attack where she was disemboweled? That would have been too easy, so no, he was barely alive and nursed back to health and here to meet Candide. Candide tells him his dear sisters is alive and that the two of them are to be wed. The brother, Reverend Father Provincial cannot accept that Cunégonde would stoop to the level of Candide for marriage, he is not of acceptable lineage. So hotheaded Candide slays him in an instant. Time to flee again.
This set of chapters certainly should change one's view of Candide. In the previous set he seemed a little meek and lost about the ways of the world, going with the flow and moving as it leads him. These chapters are filled with Candide slaying everything in sight. Losing his meek characteristic that was allowing him to be lead. He now appears hotheaded and quick to react without thinking about the consequences.
He starts by slaying both of Cunégonde's owners in the Jew and the Inquistor. Now they must flee, taking the old woman that has been Cunégonde maid they ride out hoping to find safety. Karma comes back to thank Candide's quick slayings by having all the groups means of money stolen from Cunégonde on their journey. Cunégonde plays a drama queen, lamenting at how her life has been the worst and no one can come close to understanding the terrors in her short lifetime. Granted, being raped, disemboweled and watching your family cut up is not a walk in the park, but remember, someone always has it worse off. Thus enters the story of our old maid, she was born with descent, social status and not to be outdone by Cunégonde, she is witness to the death of her family and repeatedly raped as well. She was repeatedly sold as a slave, traveling the world with each new owner. It gets better during one of her enslavements the men left behind to protect the women were hungry, they had already eaten the two inner guards to the concubines. So next comes one buttock cheek from each woman to feed these savage beasts wishing to kill them to squelch their hunger.
The three are forced to separate, Candide being the guilty party and must go it alone from Cunégonde and the old lady. Cunégonde as a still young and pleasing to look at lady can easily find safety in another man's house. Candide sets out and with the help of a guide decides to present himself as capable of being a commander for the nearby army. Surprise, none other then Cunégonde's brother is here, wait, wasn't he killed in the attack where she was disemboweled? That would have been too easy, so no, he was barely alive and nursed back to health and here to meet Candide. Candide tells him his dear sisters is alive and that the two of them are to be wed. The brother, Reverend Father Provincial cannot accept that Cunégonde would stoop to the level of Candide for marriage, he is not of acceptable lineage. So hotheaded Candide slays him in an instant. Time to flee again.
Wandering about trying to figure out what and where to go Cacambo, his guide, and Candide spy two naked girls fleeing from monkeys. Candide believes he can save the day and uses his expert shot to take down the two monkeys. He enjoys his feat, thinking he has saved these girls and that must be worth something to help erase his previous murders. Oops, those monkeys just happened to be the girls lovers. Candide and Cacambo awake to find themselves bound by the local tribe and being prepared to be cooked and eaten. Thanks to Cacambo's quick thinking he is able to spare them by speaking to the tribe in their local tongue and explaining that Candide is not what he appears and is only wearing the clothing of a Reverend because he stole clothes from the one he murdered. Discussion Question from Exploring Classics, host of Candide read-along, week 2 post. What do you all think? The story has taken a different turn and I really don't know what to make of Candide. Does he have any brain? I can solve problems by quickly slaying people and wipe out the sin by slaying two monkeys for the benefit of saving these girls. Yes, Voltaire certainly seemed to have an obsession with the derrière, old woman loses one cheek and the two naked girls being bitten on said derrière by their lovers. | Artist: Jean-Michel Moreau (1741-1814) Dated: 1803 This work is in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. Source: Wikimedia Commons |
We didn't get much regarding Cunégonde's character development in this segment. Beyond the beginning when she played the poor me card, but I would still like to see how she gets along in her new adventure. At this point, however, I fear for her life being taken by Candide. His short temper could easily bring her harm if they should meet again.
Previous postings: Update 1; Opening/Sign-up
Reading Edition: Candide, or Optimism, by Voltaire, Translated by Theo Cuffe, Introduction by Michael Wood
Publisher: Penguin Group (2013)
Source: Personal Library
Format Read: Kindle - ASIN: B00EK28X1C
Genres: Classic, Satire
[Notice: Original posting 2014-03-21 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Read-Alongs; Candide
Previous postings: Update 1; Opening/Sign-up
Reading Edition: Candide, or Optimism, by Voltaire, Translated by Theo Cuffe, Introduction by Michael Wood
Publisher: Penguin Group (2013)
Source: Personal Library
Format Read: Kindle - ASIN: B00EK28X1C
Genres: Classic, Satire
[Notice: Original posting 2014-03-21 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Read-Alongs; Candide