The last twenty pages of Candide seemed a bit anti-climatic in comparison to the previous chapters. Candide still is on his quest to be reunited with Cunégonde and has strange encounters persist. The section starts with Candide and Martin going to meet Senator Pococuranté, a powerful Venetian Senator. Candide admires all the fine things he sees in Pococuranté home, but everything he praises the Senator is quick to dismiss. Martin can appreciate Pococuranté views on life, while Candide is left puzzling why he does not find all these wonderful books and works of art delightful. Martin spying shelves of English books asks 'I imagine,' he said, 'that a republican like yourself must take pleasure in reading most of these works, written in conditions of such freedom?' - 'Yes,' replied Pococuranté, 'it is a fine thing to write what one thinks; it is man's natural privilege, after all. In Italy, wherever you go, we write only what we do not think; the descendants of the Caesars and the Antonines dare not entertain an idea without the permission of a Dominican monk. | Artist: Canaletto (1697-1768) Dated: 1738 Location: J. Paul Getty Museum 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 |
The senator's name, Pococuranté, is one of Voltaire's play on names, meaning 'one who cares for little'. Which has described the senator perfectly, he really could care less about those things surrounding him. I'm sure that would not be the case if he wasn't surrounded by them, for at that point he would desire them. Voltaire is said to have written a friend that he identified with Pococuranté, as he too was a wealthy, independent man with luxurious taste and a penchant for being critical of other writers and artist.
Up next is a weird dinner with six strangers, all of whom turn out to be dethroned kings. Candide finds glory among his dinner guest, because a slave to one of these kings is Cacambo. He immediately goes about asking where his beloved Cunégonde is. We learn that Cunégonde is living in Constantinople as a slave and she has lost her looks. Candide has no worries, and must voyage immediately to Constantinople. He buys Cacambo's freedom and boards a ship with him and Martin. Well, based on how the story has progressed along so far, can you guess who he meets upon this ship?
Amongst the many slave oarsmen on the ship we find Pangloss and Reverend Father Provincial, Cunégonde brother. Yes, we have been led to believe both these men are dead, twice. Has divine intervention saved both these men once again? Candide waste no time in securing these two from slavery, buying them to release them from slavery. The men swap stories as they continue the voyage to Constantinople so Candide can save Cunégonde and settle his desire for nothing else but to see her again.
They find Cunégonde, and she has lost her looks are Candide finds himself repulsed by the sight of her, but he must carry forward and honor her desire to marry him. Buying her freedom and the old woman's that has stayed with her on the journey Candide uses what is left of his money from Utopia and buys a little farm. They all live happily ever after, NOT, the party is miserable and does not find solace with one another. Pangloss is hurt that he is no longer accepted among his philosophical friends, Cunégonde gets uglier by the day and Candide is not pleased by what he now perceives as a forced marriage. Feeling pressure from Cunégonde and wanting to show up the reverend he married her, he took his revenge upon the reverend by selling him back to slavery. Cacambo is tired from hard work and Martin goes one living with the same philosophy and outlook on life.
Up next is a weird dinner with six strangers, all of whom turn out to be dethroned kings. Candide finds glory among his dinner guest, because a slave to one of these kings is Cacambo. He immediately goes about asking where his beloved Cunégonde is. We learn that Cunégonde is living in Constantinople as a slave and she has lost her looks. Candide has no worries, and must voyage immediately to Constantinople. He buys Cacambo's freedom and boards a ship with him and Martin. Well, based on how the story has progressed along so far, can you guess who he meets upon this ship?
Amongst the many slave oarsmen on the ship we find Pangloss and Reverend Father Provincial, Cunégonde brother. Yes, we have been led to believe both these men are dead, twice. Has divine intervention saved both these men once again? Candide waste no time in securing these two from slavery, buying them to release them from slavery. The men swap stories as they continue the voyage to Constantinople so Candide can save Cunégonde and settle his desire for nothing else but to see her again.
They find Cunégonde, and she has lost her looks are Candide finds himself repulsed by the sight of her, but he must carry forward and honor her desire to marry him. Buying her freedom and the old woman's that has stayed with her on the journey Candide uses what is left of his money from Utopia and buys a little farm. They all live happily ever after, NOT, the party is miserable and does not find solace with one another. Pangloss is hurt that he is no longer accepted among his philosophical friends, Cunégonde gets uglier by the day and Candide is not pleased by what he now perceives as a forced marriage. Feeling pressure from Cunégonde and wanting to show up the reverend he married her, he took his revenge upon the reverend by selling him back to slavery. Cacambo is tired from hard work and Martin goes one living with the same philosophy and outlook on life.
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Quotes from 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 2014-04-06 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Read-Alongs; Candide
Quotes from 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 2014-04-06 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Read-Alongs; Candide