In chapter VI of Candide,
as you read through the text you can’t help to notice how absurd Candide’s
world really is. This is the effect Voltaire wants to create in his audience,
and he does this by using a sarcastic tone. After the earthquake that had
destroyed Lisbon, a Basque was convicted for marrying his godmother, two Jews
for eating bacon with their chicken, and Candide and Pangloss for speaking and
the other for listening with approval. The way he narrates these absurd events
in such a casual tone make it sound like the most logical situation. The
consequence for their actions is where the author once again decides to use
sarcasm, “Pangloss and Candide were led off separately and closeted in exceedingly
cool rooms, where they suffered no inconvenience from the sun… ”(36). After
this “beauty treatment” you would think they were set free, but as a reader you
take a shock when in one sentence you realize Pangloss is hanged. The end of
one of the main characters is too soon in the story.
I completely agree with you in the sense that the way in which Voltaire narrates such absurd events makes it seem as ordinary and casual. If one does not pay close attention to the actual events and analyzes the situation, he might not get the irony that was implied in the situation. Besides this, I believe that the sarcasm is usually introduced into the text in a sutile manner, since the author never explicitly reveals his real intentions. I found it very interesting to see how you decided to use sarcasm in the blog ("beauty treatment") to engage the reader to and enhance your message. I also did not expect the death of Pangloss, since he not only was one of the main characters, but he was Candeide's mentor and professor, who had taught him all his values and ethics. He had also been the instructor of the phylosophies mentioned in the book, such as the one that "everything was for the best". It is important that you emphasized on the absurd situations in the text, such as the imprisonment of Candide and Pangloss, due to the fact that it is the only way to be able to interpret the rwal message Voltaire is trying to convey.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that Pangloss died too soon, but of course that is part of Voltaire's satirical writing. He died but everything is fine. Cunegonde's family was killed, but everything is still fine. Candide has faced death various times, but again, everything is fine. The way Voltaire's story flows seems very casual because he continuously mocks the idea that everything is for the best because even though Candide suffers, he is still optimistic. I believe we should be ready for any surprises in the book regarding optimism because who knows how much suffering Candide can endure and that can be a very strong way for Voltaire to conclude his mockery.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andressa, the way Voltaire narrates the events in such a calm tone is the way he contrasts the comedy and tragedy in the book. I was also amazed by Pangloss death, which was very soon and unexpected, but he wasnt really that important in the book. He was important to Candide, and because he is the main character and everything revolves around him the reader will usually say that Pangloss was also important. But since his death, Candide has gone with his life with no problem as well as the events of the book have been no different from the ones when Pangloss was alive- having to escape situations, hiding, trying not to die. Since Voltaire makes fun of the charaters, their actions, and the events in the book, it is ironic how after all absurd and dangerous situations the characters encounter, at the end, they seem perfectly fine, just like Benjamin stated, it is part of the optimism Voltaire reflects as well as his satirical style.
ReplyDelete