Essay on Satire in Voltaires Candide - 625 Words

Use of Satire in Voltaire’s Candide Voltaire successfully uses satire as a means of conveying his opinions about life. In his novel, Candide, Voltaire satirizes the philosopher Liebnitzs philosophy that this is the best of all possible worlds. In the novel, the perpetually optimistic and naive character, Candide, travels around the world, having various experiences that prove, at least to the reader, that evil does exist. In one particular passage, Voltaire uses explicit diction, exaggerated details and manipulated syntax in order to contrast the optimists romantic view of battle with the horrible reality that is war. Voltaires grossly exaggerated details give a somewhat comical description of an†¦show more content†¦The soldiers dispose of mens lives as if they were worthless, for the purpose of settling a disagreement. After fighting, the two kings celebrate their respective victories by having Te Deums sung. The kings have the audacity to celebrate after commanding their armies to kill innocent people. They congratulate themselves after the violent bloodbath even though neither side has won. Later, Candide passes through a town that has been destroyed by the Bulgars in strict accordance with the laws of war. Voltaire suggests that the Bulgars burnt the town to the ground only because they were blindly following the laws of war. The soldiers obey their unfounded orders without giving any consideration to the well-being of innocent people. Voltaires diction attacks Leibnitzs philosophy that this is the best of all possible worlds; his words show a stark contrast between the optimists view of war and the horrible reality. The fine,brisk and brilliant armies produce a harmony as they remove rascals from the best of worlds. In an attempt to romanticize the situation, the optimist refers to dying men as if they were harmless miscreants rather than suffering humans. The diction suggests a fine performance ratherShow MoreRelatedEssay about Use of Satire in Voltaires Candide1568 Words   |  7 PagesSuccessful Use of Satire in Voltaires Candide Voltaires Candide is the story of how one mans adventures affect his philosophy on life. Candide begins his journey full of optimism that he lives in the best of all possible worlds, but he learns that it is naà ¯ve to say that good will eventually come of any evil.   Voltaire successfully uses satire as a means of conveying his opinions about many aspects of European society in the eighteenth century.   He criticizes religion, the evils foundRead More Intelligent Satire in Voltaires Candide Essay868 Words   |  4 PagesIntelligent Satire in Candide      Ã‚   In the story Candide, Voltaire uses the experiences of the character Candide and dialogue between characters to dispute the theory by other philosophers that Everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds (Voltaire). 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