Literary Devices in Candide
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Gardens appear in several important passages in Candide. First, Candide’s uncle banishes him from the family’s country home and garden after he finds Candide kissing Cunégonde. Thi...
Setting
Candide is set in both real and fictional locations throughout Europe and Latin America in the 1750's—Lisbon is 100% real and places like El Dorado are 100% fantasy land. The action takes place o...
Narrator Point of View
The narrator in Candide is for the most part objective, but it occasionally probes into Candide’s consciousness. Unfortunately, because Candide has been brainwashed by Dr. P, there's often very l...
Genre
Voltaire uses satire to parody philosophy, and he does so in a way that makes us roll around on the floor in laughter, gasping for air.
Tone
Candide is known for being absolutely hilarious—and not just by 17th-century standards. Part of what makes it so funny is the deadpan, understated nature of Voltaire’s prose. Like any good come...
Writing Style
The simplistic style of Candide highlights the absurdity and drama of the novel’s plot and characters. This isn’t about fancy prose. In fact, it's very straightforward:Cacambo humbly asked, "Wh...
What’s Up With the Title?
This one's easy-peasy: Candide is the name of the novel’s protagonist. And the alternative title is no more of a head-scratcher: Optimism. Leave it to Voltaire to keep things crystal clear—that...
Plot Analysis
Note: Voltaire not only satirizes philosophy, religion, and natural disasters, but he also pokes fun at the very form of the novel itself. You might have noticed this because of the absurd chapter...
Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis
Banishment.Candide is a naïve young man living in the country home of the Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh. He innocently kisses his love interest, the Baron’s daughter Cunégonde, and he is expelled...
Three Act Plot Analysis
Candide grows up in the country home of Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. He is educated by Dr. Pangloss, and he falls for the Baron’s daughter, Cunégonde. Candide is then banished when h...
Trivia
François-Marie Arouet published Candide under the pseudonym "Voltaire," anticipating that it would be very controversial book. Turns out, he was very right. Within a month of its release, the boo...
Steaminess Rating
Voltaire makes fun of everything, including sexytimes. And given that most of what goes down in Candide is shocking and violent, it's not surprising that the sex is mostly degradation, rape, and hi...
Allusions
Gabriel Gauchat (22.40, 22.42) Homer (25.9) Virgil: The Aeneid (25.12) Horace (25.14) Cicero (25.17) John Milton (25.26)