Voltaire’s Candide is one of the most famous works of literature that has won over the scythe of time remaining as popular as ever even in the modern day world. The work in context is the testimony of quintessential artistry on the part of the author, and it goes on to echo in the minds of the avid readers with the timelessness of the thematic content that are so very aesthetically portrayed by the stalwart literary artist. If one makes a close introspection regarding the thematic content of the literary work, it would become clear as crystal why this work is hailed as one of the best in the history of literature.
The erroneous nature of optimism is one of the major themes of the work in context. In the literary work, Candide and Pangloss keep on maintaining the belief that every action is for the best possible outcome in the world that is the best. One has to comprehend the fact that this idea is nothing but a simplified version of the beliefs of many Enlightenment thinks. Such philosophers took the existence of the Almighty for granted and opined that the Almighty must be a perfect self, while the world that is created by him must also be quintessential. Thus, it is opined that the humans only perceive the world to be imperfect since they fail to comprehend the grand plan of the Almighty. (Beckford)
However, Voltaire mocks this idea and satirically portrays the fact that the world has its imperfections. The optimist characters of the novel go on to suffer and witness many horrific incidents. One has to comprehend the fact that these incidents do not serve the purpose of any greater good, but establish the follies of human nature while the natural world is indifferent to the woes of humans. Characters like Martin, the old woman and Cacambo have negative opinions about life and existence. These people are essentially pessimistic in nature, and even the character of Pangloss who is shown to be initially optimistic about life concludes by opining that he does not believe even a word of his previous optimism. This thematic content is definitely timeless, and had utmost relevance even in today’s world and society.
Another important thematic content of the novel in context is the utmost hypocrisy of religion. The author goes on to satirize organized religion to be hypocritical and corrupt. He portrays the daughter of a Pope, a Catholic Inquisitor who is a hypocrite as he keeps a mistress, and a Franciscan friar who goes on to work as a jewel-thief. The stalwart author then introduces the Jesuit colonel who can be comprehended to be homosexual in nature. The religious leaders portrayed in the novel are found to execute campaigns in favor of religious oppression against the people who are not in compliance with them on even insignificant theological matters.
Thus, one finds that the Inquisition goes on to persecute Pangloss as he expresses his ideas, while Candide is punished for only listening to those ideas. (Voltaire) In this way, Voltaire gives examples of immorality and hypocrisy among religious leaders or religion as a whole. The thematic content of the novel is also very relevant in the present day scenario. In the modern day, the world faces challenges of religious extremism and fanaticism. Hence, the literary work by Voltaire remains as important as it was even today. (Mason)
Voltaire went on to focus on the timeless idea that money goes on to corrupt people. As such, the readers find that on acquiring a fortune in the city of Eldorado, Candide feels his worst problems would get over. He can easily bribe people to get away from testing situations. Nevertheless, Candide is shown to be unhappy as an affluent man. He goes on to see his riches being transferred to the hands of unscrupulous people- something that goes on to test his optimism about life. Candide seems to question his sense of optimism when he his cheated by Vanderdendur, and he goes on to make Martin, the pessimist, his companion in the travel.
One can take a note of the fact that Candide’s money goes on to attract false friends for him. Apart from this, Count Pococurante fails to appreciate art as he is too much submerged in his riches. Candide goes on to reach his last stage of misery on giving the csh gift to Paquette and Brother Giroflée. The novel portrays that just like poverty and powerlessness is an impediment in the society, money too entails a lot of problems as it plays the role of corrupting people. The thematic content of corruption by money is obviously timeless, and it can be placed in the present day scenario as well. (Caudill)
As such, it would be proper to conclude that Voltaire’s Candide is a literary work of genius that transcends the barriers and transformations of time and society. The work echoes the timeless themes that have remained equally relevant in the present day scenario of the world. The issues are found in the present times, and human nature faces the same challenges. The work has become immortalized in the pages of history owing to its universality and timelessness.
Works Cited
Beckford, Avil. “Candide by Voltaire, a Book Review.” In The Invisible Mentor.
Theinvisiblementor.com, 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 20 June 2015.
Caudill, Duchan. “'Candide' Review.” In About.com. classiclit.about.com, n.d. Web. 20
June 2015.
Mason, Haydn. “Candide, Voltaire.” In whsd.net. whsd.net, 1992. Web. 20 June 2015.
Voltaire. Candide. Gabriel Cramer, 1759. Print.
