Absurd Isn't It?

Taking into account the last chapters, I would say that my main observation was irony and how it was present in almost every page. I would say that these last few chapters demonstrate absurdity more than anything else.

“In this country they kill Spaniards, and in Madrid they send them to Heaven.” (Pg. 62) This quotation caught my eye since it represents the catholic mentality of the past. Voltaire shows Spain as the gateway to Heaven.

“How happy our dear Pangloss would be if he had not been hanged!” (Pg. 64) I’m sorry but there are absurd things to say and then there’s this. I think this is a very weird thing to say in that sort of mood. If I were to remember my dead master I would certainly use his memory to express grief instead of joy.

As I read on, I encountered a scene worthy of absurdity. “They found that the cries came from two naked girls who were tripping along the edge of the meadow, while two monkeys followed them nibbling their buttocks.” (Pg. 69) After this, Candide shoots the two monkeys believing he had saved the ladies. Ironically, the two girls denounced them to their tribe and had returned to eat them.

After saving themselves, Candide and Cacambo go through an underground river and reach the hidden country of El Dorado. I would have to confess that if the notes at the beginning of the chapter didn’t specify that it was El Dorado, I would have never noticed.

I’m finally enjoying Candide and have managed to understand the subtle jokes along the way.

*I read chapters 14 through 17. The assignment was 19 through 24. I assumed you made a mistake so I’ll blog what I’ve read up to now…

Bewildering Irony

Chapters X through XIII were very entertaining. Initially, we learn that Cunégonde has no respect for her peers whatsoever. “Cunégonde started to titter with laughter, for it was amusing of the good woman to pretend to be more unfortunate than she. “ (Pg. 48) I think a regular person would never make that kind of assumption. If I were to encounter an old, beat up, poor woman I would never laugh at her.

The next chapter shows a very funny critique that Voltaire does to the Church. “I am the daughter of Pope Urban X and the Princess of Palestrina” (Pg. 48) This quotation alone is enough to see what Voltaire is trying to say. He’s showing that there is living proof that not even the Pope is celibate. “Our soldiers defended themselves like the Pope’s guard: they fell to their knees and threw away their arms, begging the pirates for absolution at the point of death. “ (Pg. 50) This quotation shows an ironic event, demonstrating a whole crew of guards as cowards that don’t serve their purpose.

After narrating a very gruesome tale about her life, the old woman then adds “… such experiences are so common that they are not worth the trouble of describing.” (Pg. 51) This quotation made me rethink the whole irony aspect of the story. This takes irony to a whole new level. It’s not every day that the princess daughter of a pope gets gang raped.

Nearing the end of the old woman’s list of misfortunes, we see yet another evidently ironic quotation. “’I was touched by his kindness, and tears started to my eyes as I thanked him. Instead of taking me to Italy, however, he brought me to Algiers and sold me to the Governor of that province.” (Pg. 54) How can someone praise another’s kindness if they are later betrayed and sold as slaves?

Up to now I think Voltaire’s humor is a bit harsh. He seems to enjoy talking about misfortunes and laughing at them. So far, I have managed to pick up little jokes that amuse me. I think this characteristic is what keeps me interested.

Philosophy on Crack

These chapters of Voltaire’s Candide state the history of the characters. Since we’re already a couple of chapters in, I think it’s indispensable to comment on the first chapters to get a better foundation for this particular blog post. In the beginning, we understand that Candide is the bastard son of a high class, high powered Baron. As a member of the upper class, he is taught by the “best” teacher in the whole world. Pangloss is a very weird metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigologist since his philosophy is “everything happens for a reason” (ON CRACK!). In a certain occasion, I observed that Pangloss explains to Candide that he shouldn’t save an Anabaptist from drowning because the port was made for him to drown.

Other than this, I didn’t find the plot to be that interesting. Still, I have found myself enjoying the satire. I’ve laughed in numerous occasions.

As for the chapters that this blog consists of, we see that Candide encounters several bittersweet moments. He is told that the love of his life, Cunegonde, had her entrails ripped out. After this, we see the he encounters her in his journey and learns about her real ware bouts. Due to the fact that I haven’t understood the novel, I can’t make good observations about what is being read. Still, this was a short section so there isn’t much to hang on to.