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Written Assignment

How Voltaire satirizes Pangloss to portray Optimism as an inadequate philosophy

Words: 1200
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In the novel, ​Candide,​ Voltaire creates the character of Pangloss as a caricature

of Optimism, and further satirizes Pangloss to portray the insufficiency of his beliefs.

Optimism was the philosophy established in Voltaire’s time by an Enlightenment thinker

named Leibniz, that reasoned that every event that occurs, good or bad, is for a good

reason. Voltaire had a rather pragmatic outlook on life, and believed this reasoning was

utterly absurd. To deplore Leibniz’s ridiculous ideology, Voltaire uses caricature, litote,

and irony in relation to the character of Pangloss as he satirizes Optimism throughout

Candide​.

Pangloss is a symbol used repeatedly throughout the novel as a caricature of

Optimism, to express the ludicrous nature of the philosophy. Pangloss is a preacher

who has devoted his life entirely to Leibniz’s Optimistic ideology, making him the

accurate representation of Optimism itself. A common trait of Pangloss that associates

with Voltaire’s view of Optimism is ignorance. Pangloss is commonly presented as

ignorant throughout the novel, such as when he claims the death of their acquaintance

James the Anabaptist was all for the better, stating that “Lisbon Harbour was made on

purpose for this Anabaptist to drown there.” (33). Pangloss shows absolutely no

remorse over the death of James the Anabaptist, justifying it with absurd Optimistic

ideals, demonstrating his utter ignorance of real life tragedy. His lack of empathy is a

direct result of him being blinded by his unrealistic views of Optimism. His blatant

disregard to such a devastation is so extreme that Pangloss is, in this way, a caricature.

This characterization parallels with Voltaire’s perception of Optimism as being rather

ignorant to the real world, because the idea that every occurence has an underlying
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good reason, ignores a realistic outlook life. Pangloss being portrayed in such a way

goes to belittle the popular Optimistic ideology, tying it with an ignorant, unsympathetic

man. Voltaire further establishes a character foil between Pangloss, and the notoriously

pessimistic Martin, to accentuate each others’ extreme beliefs. Voltaire characterizes

Pangloss in such a way that his exaggerated Optimistic ideals are emphasized when

contrasted to the Pessimistic claims of Martin. Martin preaches of how all men are

driven by greed, the world is inherently evil, and “that God has abandoned it to some

mischievous power…” (92). By showing the extremely negative view on the proposed

issue of philosophy, Voltaire provides a foiled counterargument that further exemplifies

the extremities of Pangloss’ Optimistic beliefs. With such cynical claims by Martin, the

reader is reminded of how prominent unfortunate events are in reality, and how they do

not typically have a good reason behind it. This reveals flaws in Pangloss’ Optimistic

ideals, discrediting his claims and philosophy as a whole. This juxtaposition is a

character foil that serves to support the notion that Pangloss’ absurdly Optimistic beliefs

are unrealistic. Pangloss’ overstated positive beliefs institute him as a caricature, aiding

to support Voltaire’s main conviction. The foolish philosopher, and his characterizations

exemplified throughout ​Candide,​ contribute to Voltaire’s underlying statement: that

Optimism is an unrealistic, ridiculous philosophy.

Pangloss’s rash philosophical statements serve as litotes that go to further

discredit the ideals of Optimism. In the instance of Candide and Pangloss reuniting after

Pangloss was assumed to be dead, Pangloss explains to Candide that he has been

infected with a fatal sexually transmitted disease, justifying it with his “universal rule of
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Reason” (34). Pangloss elaborates, explaining that the infection was for his better

health, and that without the disease coming into circulation amongst peoples, they

“should have neither chocolate nor cochineal.” (30). Pangloss tells how the introduction

of his deadly STD to society led to the discovery and introduction of chocolate, as well

as cochineal to justify his infection. This litote under exaggerates the fatality of

Pangloss’ STD by stating that it is less important compared to the simple uses of

chocolate and cochineal. Pangloss’ absurd rationale vindicating his STD demonstrates

how foolish he is, paralleled to Optimistic ideals in real life circumstances such as a fatal

disease. Once reunited, Pangloss accompanies Candide on his voyage to the city of

Lisbon. The town had endured several tremors of a high magnitude earthquake,

followed by a massive tsunami and a raging fire, that completely demolished the

popular sea port and city. Lacking a reason to justify the natural disaster, Pangloss

insists that “There is certainly a vein of sulphur running under the earth from Lima to

Lisbon.” (34). Pangloss explains how the earthquake was an attempt to expose said

sulphur to the citizens of Lisbon, to benefit the citizens with a newly introduced source

of wealth. This is an obvious litote that demonstrates the ridiculousness of Optimism,

providing an event that ultimately had no underlying justification, and then showing

Pangloss flustered, trying to fabricate an explanation for this tragedy. Pangloss

undermines a detrimental tragedy that completely obliterated an entire city, making him

and his philosophy seem idiotic, and heartless. Voltaire includes this element into the

novel so that the reader begins to view Pangloss, as well as Optimism, as absurdly

unrealistic to epitomize his central statement that Optimism is an invalid philosophy.

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In his efforts to satirize Optimism, Voltaire uses many instances of irony to ridicule

the ideology, as well as its progression in society. An example of this is when Pangloss

is explaining Optimism, as he states, “our noses were made to carry spectacles, so we

have spectacles. Legs were clearly intended for breeches, and we wear them.” (20).

Despite the seemingly universal understanding that humans were created first, with

glasses and breeches being accustomed to us, Pangloss claims the opposite. This

example of situational irony lacks logical reason, because Pangloss’ logic is backwards

as breeches were made to compliment legs, and spectacles were to benefit eyes.

Voltaire also uses an extended form of irony throughout the novel to portray the

progression of Optimism. A crucial element included in the story by Voltaire is the

resurrections to conclude the novel. Pangloss is hanged early on in the novel, and

makes a reappearance at the end, having been resurrected. The resurrections, of

several characters including Pangloss, are representative of changing philosophy. After

Pangloss resurrects, his outlook on life shifts. Instead of preaching of a perfect world

where every event is justified, Pangloss begins to advocate for a simple, content life.

For example, at the end of the story, Pangloss advocates for a happy life, stating they

“must go work in the garden” (143). Pangloss is disregarding his old philosophical

ideals, and advising for a simple life on the garden. This is ironic in how, even in the

eyes of it’s most faithful philosopher, Optimism will not pass the test of time. As the

conclusion of the story, this detail demonstrates how Optimism is an insufficient

philosophy, and it’s key points will be rendered worthless with time, similar to the

progression of the book. Voltaire includes these elements to the story to establish the
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notion that Optimism is blatantly incorrect, and time will deem the philosophy ultimately

inadequate.

Pangloss is a character established by Voltaire to ridicule Leibniz and his

Optimistic ideology. Voltaire utilizes caricature, litote, and irony in relation to Pangloss,

to satirize Optimism. In his satire, Voltaire expresses the philosophy to be foolish,

farfetched, and unrealistic.

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Works Cited

Voltaire. ​Candide​. Penguin Group, 1947.

Reflection

The revision of this essay shows my growth in English more than anything else

could. The original version was sloppy, unorganized, undeveloped, and lacked

structure. I was able to develop those skills to some extent over the 2 years of studying

world literature. Upon revision, I have a stronger central argument, more detailed

analysis, and my commentary is less arbitrary. My biggest improvement was my choice

of quality over quantity, which is the most prominent distinction between the two

versions. The original had near 10 body paragraphs, each of which composed of messy

thoughts about various literary features. Instead, I chose the strongest few literary

features that i could develop more and use to further my point. In this way, my essay

became much more significant, and persuasive, all with one simple realization. My

writing ability has improved astronomically in my time here at Great Oak, and nothing

exemplifies it more than the revision of my written assignment.