Voltaire uses satire to reveal the difference in between reality of the world and how it is viewed in a religious lense. The religious group in that time period were made fun of because of their unrealistic mindset they had of life which brought the mockery written in the novel. The religious lense is irrational for example Pangloss’ life of exile, slavery, execution, syphilis, and vivisection. After all his sufferings Pangloss accepts it and believes what he went through was a necessary part of his life to bring him to the moment he was in at the end of the book. Candide criticizes the religion and the way it judges the world. Candide is revealed to be working hard to be good and fix his mistakes but is treated unreasonably by the religious fanatics where he makes enemies because of his “ignorant” beliefs. However in the end of the novel Candide dismisses composure of the religion and philosophy. He refused to have any arguments about misbeliefs with Pangloss and Martin, “We must cultivate our garden”. Candide explains how he needs to work hard and make sense of the world he lives in. This idea of mockery in religion is a reflection of Europe’s science and political focused philosophy in Voltaire’s time period. Religion was the main piece of Voltaire’s mockery, because the religion was corrupt at that time period. Voltaire portrays multiple examples of inappropriate actions from religious figures, chapter 11 reveals the old woman Candide and Cunegonde have been traveling with is the popes daughter, mocking the idea that the pope is not has faithful to his religion as he portrays to be.
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In chapter 10 when Cunegonde realizes that her jewels and guns are gone the old woman claims she knows who have stolen them, “I strongly suspect it was that reverend Franciscan who slept in the same inn as us last night in Badajoz; God prevent me from making rash judgments, but he passed through our room twice, and he set off long before us.” (23) When confronted Franciscan admits of his wrong doings and willingly goes back to poverty and suffering, this portrays the mockery in the man's actions because it is strangely contrary. In chapter 5 after the earthquake Pangloss is revealed comforting people that were affected by the wreck saying, “This is all for the best… for if there is a volcano beneath Lisbon, then it can not be anywhere else: for it is impossible for things to be elsewhere than they are. For all is well”(14) This quote shows the public persecution of the heretics and its contrary towards the christian morals. Pangloss’ explanation is seen as irrational it does not portray any heretical sense, however he gets hung for not believing in true and Original sin because his words were twisted negatively. Another example is when Candide is conversing with Cunegonde’s brother and learns that several of the jesuits are participate in homosexual pleasures. “You will recall, my dear Candide, how pretty I was; well i became ever more so, to the point that reverend Father Croust, who was superior of the community, conceived the most tender affection for me; he initiated me as a novice” (37) This proves how the jesuits were not respecting and following their faith as they claimed to have been doing. Another example of mockery in the catholic faith in the novel is, when Cunegonde explains how an important figure of the catholic church and of the faith shows his fondness of her. “The Grand Inquisitor noticed me one day at Mass; he ogled me through the service, and then sent word that had to speak to me on private business” (20) Later in chapter 24 Paquette the prostitute an old friend of Candide is revealed to be working for a monk, Paquette says, “Oh sir, if you could only imagine what it is like to be forced to caress without discrimination on old merchant, a lawyer, a monk, a gondolier, or a priest.(91) All me Paquette “works” for are men took vows of …show more content…
The satire used throughout the book is the method used by Voltaire to reveal what a religion truly is in this time period. Voltaire explains through his satire that religions use their power to make their own rules to control the public in full belief meanwhile fitting the religion comfortably for the religious
In chapter 10 when Cunegonde realizes that her jewels and guns are gone the old woman claims she knows who have stolen them, “I strongly suspect it was that reverend Franciscan who slept in the same inn as us last night in Badajoz; God prevent me from making rash judgments, but he passed through our room twice, and he set off long before us.” (23) When confronted Franciscan admits of his wrong doings and willingly goes back to poverty and suffering, this portrays the mockery in the man's actions because it is strangely contrary. In chapter 5 after the earthquake Pangloss is revealed comforting people that were affected by the wreck saying, “This is all for the best… for if there is a volcano beneath Lisbon, then it can not be anywhere else: for it is impossible for things to be elsewhere than they are. For all is well”(14) This quote shows the public persecution of the heretics and its contrary towards the christian morals. Pangloss’ explanation is seen as irrational it does not portray any heretical sense, however he gets hung for not believing in true and Original sin because his words were twisted negatively. Another example is when Candide is conversing with Cunegonde’s brother and learns that several of the jesuits are participate in homosexual pleasures. “You will recall, my dear Candide, how pretty I was; well i became ever more so, to the point that reverend Father Croust, who was superior of the community, conceived the most tender affection for me; he initiated me as a novice” (37) This proves how the jesuits were not respecting and following their faith as they claimed to have been doing. Another example of mockery in the catholic faith in the novel is, when Cunegonde explains how an important figure of the catholic church and of the faith shows his fondness of her. “The Grand Inquisitor noticed me one day at Mass; he ogled me through the service, and then sent word that had to speak to me on private business” (20) Later in chapter 24 Paquette the prostitute an old friend of Candide is revealed to be working for a monk, Paquette says, “Oh sir, if you could only imagine what it is like to be forced to caress without discrimination on old merchant, a lawyer, a monk, a gondolier, or a priest.(91) All me Paquette “works” for are men took vows of …show more content…
The satire used throughout the book is the method used by Voltaire to reveal what a religion truly is in this time period. Voltaire explains through his satire that religions use their power to make their own rules to control the public in full belief meanwhile fitting the religion comfortably for the religious