Voltaire identifies various flaws in the society that he lived. The scenario in the Voltaire’s world is analogous to the situation in the modern society. In his book, Voltaire highlights the problems in his society. He uses satire to express his discomfort about various issues in his society. The paper highlights how Voltaire’s approach of the use of satire can successfully be employed in building a better future. The paper suggests the plot of the book, which Voltaire would most likely write in today’s world. Essentially, the paper highlights how Voltaire would present these issues in literature in the modern world.
The plot in Voltaire’s literal work in the modern would focus on the freedom of religion and the freedom of thought and speech. The book would also cover modern politics including how leaders exercise their power in society. The ideas presented by modern philosophers would also be an interesting area of focus, in his new piece of literature (Schlegel, 2006). The author would also essentially concentrate on the representation in law, the constitution, and the actual representation in today’s world. Today, people enjoy the freedom of religion, as provided by the law. This is unlike the period of civil war, and European invasion where people were often converted forcefully.
The constitution provides for freedom of worship where people can practice different religions. However, there are the accepted religions in different states. The law prohibits some religions and religious activities, which it refers to as occult. Freedom means that there are no restrictions, and a person acts as they wish (Cronk, 2010). However, the restriction of practicing some regions activities’ and banning them claiming that they are occult limits this freedom. Freedoms in the constitution are written. People living in the modern society only read about the freedom of religion. However, they are far from enjoying this freedom.
There is greed in the management of religious organizations. The desire to earn money from people who follow a common belief has risen. In the modern day, religious leaders have been led by greed to the extent of selling faith (Cronk, 2010). The book would present how religious leaders compare financial and material wealth to blessings. The hypocrisy in religious leadership would present the plot for the writer’s literature today.
In the political scene, the book would highlight how political leaders today use the money to buy political power. Political leaders conceal the dirty deals by blindfolding the voters. Political leaders in this plot will appear as people who need voters only in the election period. Political promises are made during the period, but the implementation is never forthcoming. The political agenda changes during every political season. However, the promises made are the same but by different people. The book would highlight how people vote massively for one candidate who presents similar promises as his or her predecessors. However, the predecessors fail to deliver on these promises, but still people vote them into power (Cronk, 2010).
The plot would also highlight the rise in global warming. The effects of this new phenomenon on the world’s climate would be satirized. How big organizations spend millions of dollars to conserve the environment while their manufacturing processes destroy the same. How individuals participate in environmental conservation campaigns while they purchase products that harm the environment (Cronk, 2010). The cost of safeguarding the environment against that of manufacturing harmful products would form the plot. The irony of leaders who participate in the conservation campaign yet they pollute the environment.
The importance of satire in the plot of this new book will be to express hidden anger through logical thinking (Schlegel, 2006). People in the society today are fond of speaking one thing and doing the complete opposite. Satire in this book will provide a checklist where leaders can measure up their qualities with the leaders referred to in the book.
The plot in the book will present a platform for comparison of the constitution and the actual situation. This will give the readers a chance to look into the freedoms that the constitution offers and the actual freedoms, which they enjoy (Schlegel, 2006). Readers will be able to compare and analyze the meaning of freedom as they relate to the experiences of Voltaire. Through his unique writing style, Voltaire will capture the minds of readers to make them evaluate their leaders. When leaders are evaluated keenly, it will be possible for the readers to participate wisely during elections.
Highlighting the leadership in religious groups will make believers evaluate their leaders. Believers will be able to identify religious leaders who lead them in true faith, while the greedy religious leaders will be exposed. Only the true religious leaders will have a chance of leading the believers. The readers will also evaluate business leaders in different companies. Those leaders who preach about environmental conservation yet they pollute the environment will be exposed. Companies and manufacturing organizations will only allow leaders who conserve the environment to manage them. The book will provide a different way of viewing social issues. The book will also present the reality in different situations. The book will compare the reality with how different people present the truth.
References
Cronk, N. E. (2010, December 3). Voltaire and Enlightenment. Voltaire Foundation: Voltaire Biography. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://www.voltaire.ox.ac.uk/www_vf/about_voltaire/enlightenment.ssi
Schlegel, C. M. (2006). Satire and the Threat of Speech: Horace's Satires, Book 1. S.l: University of Wisconsin Press.
