Candide

CANDIDE PAPER

I think the old woman didn't kill herself even though she had such a tough life and thought about suicide a hundred times because there is always hope for a better life. I think that was one of Voltaire's biggest messages in Candide. Throughout the story, Candide, along with everyone else in the story, had points in there life where they were either on top or as low as a servant.

The two main philosophers in the story contribute to the message. Pangloss, who believes that everything is meant to be and is for the best, that is one of the possible reasons why the old woman wouldn't kill herself. Martin, on the other hand, believes everything is bad, but if everything is for the worse then why would he not kill himself and end his misery? Even in the worse situation there is always a notion in people that things will get better and that no matter how bad it gets there is always another day. Candide is a example of never giving up hope. No matter how far he is away from the dream of him and Cunegundo being together he never gave up hope.

Before the old woman went through all her troubled times, she had a worry free life. Being the daughter of the Pope she was set financial and was also the best looking girl of her area. Going through those good times may have be motivation to her to keep going on with her life.