Candide: Crash Course Literature 405
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Date: 2022-04-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
Saber
Well Voltaire does not at all argue for pessimism. Remember Martin, and most especially the italian, Poccocurante? I remember Candide said something of the latter like -Oh how wise this man is, for nothing in this world can please him! -
Voltaire demonstrates, especially right after Candide meets Martin, that the world is one of total chaos, but that being a pessimist is not going to accomplish anything at all. Thus Candide, in cultivating the garden, transcends the lunacy of both philosophers, Pangloss and Martin alike.
Also, misogyny? Voltaire often defended women in that book. I remember Voltaire describing so well the struggle of a prostitute, also when Candide was in Italy, seemingly with so much empathy. Not to mention Poccocurante, which clearly was seen by Voltaire as less desirable, begins his scene by languishing about with his two servant women, speaking of them like they are his entertainment devices.
And Candide just not at all wanting Cunegonde because she's ugly. surely this is a stab by Voltaire at fleeting male desires. Like, c'mon.
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Well Voltaire does not at all argue for pessimism. Remember Martin, and most especially the italian, Poccocurante? I remember Candide said something of the latter like -Oh how wise this man is, for nothing in this world can please him! -
Voltaire demonstrates, especially right after Candide meets Martin, that the world is one of total chaos, but that being a pessimist is not going to accomplish anything at all. Thus Candide, in cultivating the garden, transcends the lunacy of both philosophers, Pangloss and Martin alike.
Also, misogyny? Voltaire often defended women in that book. I remember Voltaire describing so well the struggle of a prostitute, also when Candide was in Italy, seemingly with so much empathy. Not to mention Poccocurante, which clearly was seen by Voltaire as less desirable, begins his scene by languishing about with his two servant women, speaking of them like they are his entertainment devices.
And Candide just not at all wanting Cunegonde because she's ugly. surely this is a stab by Voltaire at fleeting male desires. Like, c'mon.
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Harsh
I don't agree with his opinion on the ending. Voltaire meant to convey what Alan Watts and several spiritual leaders in the east have said, that you should not talk or worry yourselves to death what you cannot control, rather focus on what you can do and do it to the best of your ability. If everyone did that, the world would eventually become a much better place. It also, rather passively warns about unnecessary activism and hypocrisy that we see in our modern society.
Focus on your work, and when you can, help others. That's the secret of a peaceful life. That's what he wanted to say.
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I don't agree with his opinion on the ending. Voltaire meant to convey what Alan Watts and several spiritual leaders in the east have said, that you should not talk or worry yourselves to death what you cannot control, rather focus on what you can do and do it to the best of your ability. If everyone did that, the world would eventually become a much better place. It also, rather passively warns about unnecessary activism and hypocrisy that we see in our modern society.
Focus on your work, and when you can, help others. That's the secret of a peaceful life. That's what he wanted to say.
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LightDragon777
Just finished reading the book, and this video was insightful in digesting it. Voltaire does make a lot of good points throughout the book, but I did find the ending a little unsatisfying too. I agree that we don't live in the best of possible worlds, but just minding your own business and tending your own garden seems too passive a stance too.
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Just finished reading the book, and this video was insightful in digesting it. Voltaire does make a lot of good points throughout the book, but I did find the ending a little unsatisfying too. I agree that we don't live in the best of possible worlds, but just minding your own business and tending your own garden seems too passive a stance too.
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confusedwhale
Wouldn't the world be worse if we didn't have earthquakes?
Earthquakes means that we have an active core. A core that is hot. If we did not have a core like this, we would not have our magnetic shielding that protects us from deadly cosmic rays.
So, earthquakes are good and for the best possible options.
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Wouldn't the world be worse if we didn't have earthquakes?
Earthquakes means that we have an active core. A core that is hot. If we did not have a core like this, we would not have our magnetic shielding that protects us from deadly cosmic rays.
So, earthquakes are good and for the best possible options.
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Ricardo
syphilis wasn't taken from the new world, it was genetically traced to have come from Africa, then it travelled to Europe, never had a name and spreaded due to massive rapes that happened in America to other Europeans
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syphilis wasn't taken from the new world, it was genetically traced to have come from Africa, then it travelled to Europe, never had a name and spreaded due to massive rapes that happened in America to other Europeans
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Lakis
Voltaire quite likely had one of the only philosophes whose life imitates both the phrase -a series of [VERY] unfortunate events, - and -all's well that ends well, - the second of which is highly ironic
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Voltaire quite likely had one of the only philosophes whose life imitates both the phrase -a series of [VERY] unfortunate events, - and -all's well that ends well, - the second of which is highly ironic
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Cannibal
There is no way Columbus brought syphilis back from the new world. It spread way too fast in the 1490s and early 1500s to have started in 1493 - especially with that 7 year incubation period.
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There is no way Columbus brought syphilis back from the new world. It spread way too fast in the 1490s and early 1500s to have started in 1493 - especially with that 7 year incubation period.
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Nicoville20
I only know Candide through the operetta by Leonard Bernstein, even then I knew that through the overture that our high school band played two years ago.
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I only know Candide through the operetta by Leonard Bernstein, even then I knew that through the overture that our high school band played two years ago.
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Salma
Thanks to my french teacher, i really love this book because it shows that working on your own project is better than just talking and not doing anything
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Thanks to my french teacher, i really love this book because it shows that working on your own project is better than just talking and not doing anything
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Laura
My teacher sent us a link to this during our online class and I was so proud and happy she sent us John-s video explaining the lecture: )
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My teacher sent us a link to this during our online class and I was so proud and happy she sent us John-s video explaining the lecture: )
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