Friday, December 20, 2019

Greed in Candide - 1779 Words

11.10.11 Engl 2333 Greed in Candide In Voltaire’s novella Candide, the main character’s newly found wealth from an idealized Eldorado is exploited by the world’s fixation of greed that ultimately effects himself and others as he learns that money cannot buy happiness. Candide is brought up amongst greed, reared in a castle in a small corner of the world in Westphalia with the privileges of being the son of a baron’s sister, his life is ultimately influenced by this example of money and power. His journey into the world, after his expulsion, begins with the notion that â€Å"everything is for the best† from his philosopher Pangloss that every cause has a reaction (Voltaire 2). It isn’t until he is out of Europe traveling with his servant†¦show more content†¦Eldorado’s jewels create ambitious greed in Candide, overshadowing his main concern of surviving for his Cunegonde. Candide truly believes in the philosophy that indeed everything is for the best and Eldo rado is the ideal place for this notion to flourish but he leaves this â€Å"beautiful dream† out of spite because he cannot function in a society that cannot be bought (Silver 2). The very true world he despises is actually the only place he has succeeded. After leaving Eldorado with numerous sheep packed with goods and â€Å"fifty loaded with gold, jewels, and diamonds† they are only left with two after a hundred days march that strained the convoy to its limits of starvation (Voltaire 39). They reach a Dutch town where they learn that Miss Cunegonde is a mistress to the governor in Buenos Aires and set out to find a merchant ship to set sail. The Spanish merchant Candide and Cacambo hire to transport them tells them they must not return for fear of being hanged and instead sends Cacambo with several millions to purchase her away. The men were to rendezvous in Italy once Candide secured a second vessel to take him. He finally procures a Dutch ship captained by a Mr. Vanderdendur who offers to take Candide to Italy for â€Å"ten thousand piasters†, notices the ease at which he agrees and soon increases the fee to twenty then â€Å"thirty thousand piasters† (Voltaire 41). He soon figures out that the sheep must be holding all the money and boardsShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis of Candide in Voltaires Candide1860 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Candide According to the author, naming the main character Candide was done on purpose and was not an accident at all. As explained in the introduction, the name is based upon the Latin word candidus, meaning white, and leading eventually to our modern candidate. One could then easily draw the figurative assumption of Candide being spotless, unadulterated, and innocent. 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