Summary Candide and Martin, as the old man identified himself, set sail for Bordeaux, and the topic of moral and physical evil was the dominant one discussed by the two during the voyage, for both had suffered much. But Candide had one thing to sustain him: the hope of seeing […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters XX-XXIIISummary and Analysis Chapter IXX
Summary Heartened by the thought that they were now wealthy, Candide and Cacambo found the first day of their journey pleasant. The lovesick youth wrote Cunegonde’s name on the trees. But then new difficulties arose. On the second day, two sheep, laden with treasure, were lost in a bog; two […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter IXXSummary and Analysis Chapters XVII-XVIII
Summary At the frontiers of the Oreillon country, Cacambo told Candide that this hemisphere was no better than the other and that they ought to go back to Europe. Candide, rudely awakened regarding the world he knew in Western Europe, had been sure that the New World would be that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters XVII-XVIIISummary and Analysis Chapters XIII-XVI
Summary The old woman had advised Cunegonde to get the passengers to tell her their adventures. The latter did so and found that the pessimistic argument was correct. Candide expressed regret that Pangloss was not present to voice his optimistic philosophy and that he would now offer the learned doctor […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters XIII-XVISummary and Analysis Chapters XI-XII
Summary The old woman revealed herself to be the daughter of Pope Urban X and the princess of Palestrina, and until the age of fourteen she had lived in a castle that far exceeded in splendor any German castle. Indeed, her dresses were worth more than all the magnificence of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters XI-XIISummary and Analysis Chapters VII-X
Summary The old woman led Candide to a hovel, provided ointment for his wounds, gave him food and drink, and arranged to get for him a suit of clothes and an acceptable bed. Candide found himself overwhelmed by her charity, and he endeavored to kiss her hand. But it was […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters VII-XSummary and Analysis Chapters IV-VI
Summary Irony of ironies! The diseased, pathetic beggar turned out to be that confident exponent of optimism, the learned Doctor Pangloss, and he had a most dismal report of what had been happening in the best of all possible worlds. Candide’s adored Cunegonde was dead. After having swooned and then […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters IV-VISummary and Analysis Chapters II-III
Summary Candide was now reduced to a state of misery as, in the freezing cold, he dragged himself toward the neighboring town, nearly dying from hunger and fatigue. At the door of an inn two uniformed men addressed him. Strangely enough, they offered to buy him food and to give […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters II-IIISummary and Analysis Chapter I
Summary The story begins in Westphalia at the castle of the high and mighty Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, his three-hundred-fifty-pound wife, their beautiful young daughter Cunegonde, and an unnamed son. Living happily at the castle is Candide, whose name points to his character — that of one who is simple of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter ICharacter List
Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh A vain, pompous man, living in the castle at Westphalia. He, along with his son, is considered a possible representation of Frederick the Great. Cunegonde The baron’s beautiful daughter, with whom Candide is in love. Doctor Pangloss A learned philosopher and tutor to the baron. He espouses […]
Read more Character List